Zoe Vanderweide is a writer focused on style and accessories. She has personally tested nearly 300 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more.
A great pair of jeans is a truly magical thing. No other closet staple is as adaptable, enduring, or essential. It’s a reliable friend and a tireless multitasker—the hardest worker in your wardrobe, ready to deliver comfort and style whatever the occasion. But finding the right pair can be tricky: Your jeans have to fit properly, feel good, withstand frequent wear and washes, and—critically—make your booty look its best.
We started with the timeless, versatile, and wearable straight-leg silhouette. We researched hundreds of options and tested 43—suffering through gaping waistbands, comical lengths, sagging bottoms, and more. Since jeans aren’t one-pair-fits-all, we enlisted a panel of six testers, of various sizes and style preferences, to help us home in on six winners. Our picks include a unanimously adored ankle-length jean, an effortlessly chic (and worth-it) premium pair, a well-priced ’90s throwback, an indulgently soft and stretchy pair that comes in lots of sizes, a cool rigid denim high-rise, and an American classic.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe research
- A crowd-pleasing ankle-length jean: Levi’s Premium Wedgie Straight Fit Women’s Jeans
- A chic, comfy pair that justifies its price: AYR The LaLa
- A classic-looking, inexpensive pair that punches above its weight: Gap ’90s Straight Jeans
- Decadently soft and stretchy: Paige Cindy
- A cool high-rise with zero stretch: Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight
- Iconic for good reason: Levi’s Premium 501 Original Fit Women’s Jeans
- Why you should trust us
- How we picked and tested
- Other good women’s jeans
- The competition
A chic, comfy pair that justifies its price: AYR The LaLa
Top pick
These pricey jeans—made from a just-right cotton-Lyocell blend that drapes beautifully and feels perfectly worn in—are flattering and look effortless. They come in two inseam lengths, though not in plus sizes.
Buying Options
At around $250, AYR’s The LaLa is expensive—and yet, four out of five of our testers said they’d happily pay full price for this pair. Here’s why: These jeans are effortlessly chic and ultra-flattering, and they have a soft, lived-in feel. “The second I put them on, I knew these would be going into heavy rotation,” said one panelist.
The cut fits and flatters. These jeans made me feel, in a word, snatched. They scored the highest marks for fit from our testers, tied with the Levi’s Wedgie pair. The rise is high—10.75 inches on the “High Five” wash we tried—and they hug the hips and thighs, and then they finish with an easy, straight cut from knee to ankle. Intended to graze the top of the foot, The LaLa comes in two inseam lengths: short (28 inches) and regular (30 inches).
The waist of these jeans sits just above the belly button and dips into a subtle, visually cinching V. Spin around, and you’ll see that the yoke (the V-shaped section at the back) is cut unusually deep to enhance a curvier backside—or create the illusion of one.
They have a laid-back look. The LaLa pair lends a chic, relaxed vibe to any outfit. “This was the pair I took on the road with me for a two-week trip,” said one panelist. “They go with everything.” Still, another tester—also a fan—pointed out that these jeans read as more casual: “These are not paint-the-town-red jeans.”
Their fabric is luxe. Uniquely among our picks, this pair is made from a blend of 59% cotton, 40% Lyocell—a more sustainable rayon known for softness, strength, and breathability—and 1% elastane. (The fabric content can vary by wash.) All our panelists were struck by its quality and comfort. “It feels really high-end, broken-in, and soft,” remarked one tester. Another, who typically prefers rigid denim, told us: “I’m shocked by how much I like this fabric—the stretch works here.”
Compared with our other picks, The LaLa’s denim is lighter and drapier. “It has a super-appealing weight,” noted a tester. “Not too thick, not too thin.”
They’re exceptionally well made. The stitching is neat and closely spaced, the seams lie flat, and the bar tacks (dense zigzag stitches that reinforce high-stress areas) are the best we found on any pair. The YKK zipper locks securely, and peek-a-boo rivets (which reveal a subtle touch of denim) add to the vintage-style aesthetic.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- They’re expensive.
- The largest waist size is 34.
Fit need-to-knows
- These jeans run true-to-size; size up if you want a slouchier look, size down for a more tailored appearance.
Specs
- Material: 59% cotton 40% Lyocell 1% elastane; fabric composition may vary by wash
- Sizes: 24 to 34
- Inseams: 28 or 30 inches
- Rise: 10.75 inches; rise may vary by wash
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA classic-looking, inexpensive pair that punches above its weight: Gap ’90s Straight Jeans
Top pick
These jeans have a long, lean ’90s cut and come in three inseams. They’re not as high quality as our other picks—but they’re priced right, and they go on sale often, too.
Buying Options
Of all the ’90s-style jeans we tried, the Gap ’90s Straight Jeans—long, slim, and stick straight—felt most faithful to that era. Testers were pleasantly surprised by their well-engineered, body-conscious fit, especially considering their modest price. “I haven’t worn Gap jeans since the actual ’90s,” marveled one. “Now I will.”
They’re slim and curve-hugging. The high, 11-inch rise hits at the natural waist; the jeans stay snug around the butt and thighs and then go into an elongating, full-length straight leg. Their shape is similar to that of Levi’s 501s, but with a closer fit throughout. One curvier-hipped panelist, size 30, said that “these are some of the only jeans that didn’t give me significant waist gapping in the back.”
They come in three full-length inseams. The three lengths—short (29 inches), regular (30.5 inches), and long (32.5 inches)—are meant to fall past the ankle. The short was still too long on our 5-foot-2 tester. At 5-foot-6, I thought the regular was just right, and our 5-foot-10 tester also liked the regular, which hit around her ankle. Our 6-foot-0 panelist got the long version and said, “These are actually a little too long, which never happens!”
They’re made from a flexible denim blend. With a mix of 88% cotton, 11% polyester, and 1% elastane, the ’90s Straight Jeans are thin and flexible, with a slightly rough though not unpleasant texture. They feel snug when you first put them on, but they relax with wear. “After a few hours, they got more comfortable,” confirmed one tester. (Not to worry: They don’t get baggy or lose their shape.)
They’re a bargain. With a list price of about $80, the ’90s Straight Jeans are the least expensive of our picks—and they often go on sale for 30% to 40% off. Granted, they’re not as well-made as our other recommendations: Their fabric is thinner, their stitching isn’t as closely spaced, and they don’t have bar tacks reinforcing the hips. But in style and construction, they easily outshine other budget jeans and many pricier pairs, too.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The shortest inseam (29 inches) may still be too long for people who wear petite sizes.
- The largest waist size is 35.
- These jeans aren’t as high quality as our other picks.
Fit need-to-knows
- These jeans run true-to-size.
Specs
- Material: 88% cotton 11% polyester 1% elastane
- Sizes: 24 to 35
- Inseams: 29, 31.5, or 33.5 inches
- Rise: 11 inches
Decadently soft and stretchy: Paige Cindy
Top pick
For fans of stretchy denim, these jeans are a worthy indulgence: They’re body-conscious yet totally lounge-able—and they come in a wide range of sizes and inseams. Just keep in mind that stretchier denim tends to (yep!) stretch out.
Note: As of August 2024, the Paige Cindy jeans were sold out in plus sizes on Paige’s website. According to a brand representative, plus sizes will be back in stock in late October 2024.
If you’re straight-leg curious but still love the figure-hugging stretch of skinny jeans, give the Paige Cindy pair a whirl. These jeans are snug and flattering on top but have a wider leg opening. Their premium denim is outrageously soft and comfy, and they come in a wide range of sizes as well as plus sizes. Yes, you can find many far less-expensive pairs out there—but in our experience, cheap stretch denim tends to be both unflattering and flimsy.
They’re skinny on the top, straight on the bottom. The Cindy pair clings to your curves through the 10.5-inch rise (on standard sizes), hip, and thigh, and then it relaxes past the knee into an (ideally) ankle-length straight leg. “I like the formfitting top with a wider ankle—I can wear them with a boxy top without looking sloppy,” remarked one tester.
The fabric is oh-so-comfy. Testers flipped for the Cindy pair’s 93% cotton 5% polyester 2% spandex blend. “These are the dreamiest! They have a brushed, almost velvety texture,” exclaimed one panelist. Another quipped: “Who even wears jeans at home, lounging on the sofa? Me, in these, apparently.”
Wirecutter staff writer Kaitlin Mahar said that she, too, often dons her Cindy pair just to hang around the house. “They're truly so comfy that they have the feel of wearing jeggings without the whole cutting-off-my-circulation part.” She also reaches for them when an outfit calls for a slim jean, pairing them with boots or stilettos.
The quality is on point. At around $230, these jeans are pricey. But good stretchy jeans are worth paying up for. The cheap, poorly made stretch denim on other pairs that we tested felt insubstantial (think jeggings) and quickly lost its shape, whereas the Cindy’s material had a pleasant weight and structure. Plus, these jeans are well constructed, with even stitching, a properly locking Talon zipper, and attractive detailing at the pockets. Concluded one tester: “These are some nice-ass jeans.” (Note, however, that stretchier jeans—even fancy ones—stretch out more than less stretchy jeans over time and even between washes.)
They fit beautifully on lots of bodies. Testers of varying sizes praised the Cindy pair’s fit; of course, much of that is owed to their stretchiness. “They’ll continue to fit well even if your weight fluctuates a bit,” noted one tester. Our petite, curvy tester (5-foot-3, size 32) said, “I didn’t feel like I was squeezing into these, or like there was much gapping.”
If you’re between sizes, we recommend ordering the smaller size, as a snugger fit in stretch denim is more butt-lifting.
They’re the most size-inclusive of our picks. The Cindy pair comes in lots of sizes, with plus sizes up to 26W—a rarity, especially among premium denim brands. (As of our August 2024 update, the plus sizes were temporarily unavailable on the Paige website; according to a brand rep, they will be restocked by late October 2024.) These jeans are also available in three inseam lengths: 26, 28, or 30 inches, although many washes are available only in the 28-inch length. Paige has maternity sizes, too.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- They’re expensive.
- In their style and cut, they feel less timeless than our other picks.
- Stretchier denim tends to stretch out and is sensitive to heat from the dryer.
Fit need-to-knows
- These jeans run slightly large. If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing down.
Specs
- Material: 93% cotton 5% polyester 2% spandex
- Sizes: waist sizes 23 to 34; plus sizes 16W to 26W; maternity
- Inseams: 26, 28, or 30 inches
- Rise: 10.5 inches (standard sizes); 13.375 inches (plus sizes)
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA cool high-rise with zero stretch: Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight
Top pick
These fashionable rigid denim jeans have a high, cinched waist and a relaxed leg—and despite their lack of stretch, they feel soft. But they come in only one inseam, and if you have curvier hips, you might wish they had more give.
Jeans made of 100% cotton—without a hint of stretch—are the most authentic and long-lasting. Of all the rigid denim jeans we tested, the Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight pair was our panel’s undisputed favorite. It reads like a cool boyfriend jean that has been tailored with a cinched-in waist (think off-duty-model vibes). And though the fabric has a satisfying heft, these jeans feel broken-in from day one.
They’re cool. The 90’s Pinch Waist pair has a distinctive silhouette. The waist is nipped in and sits extra high: The 12.75-inch rise hit even our 6-foot-0 tester an inch or so above the belly button. And the wider cut of the leg looks cool and unforced. “They’re just slouchy enough,” raved a panelist.
Despite the roomier leg, this pair is cut narrow through the hips, which some curvier-hipped testers found constricting.
Even without any stretch, they feel good. Unlike our other picks, these jeans have no elastane. But whereas some rigid denim requires a lengthy break-in period, the 90’s Pinch Waist pair feels pleasantly worn-in immediately—and will further soften with wear.
Not everyone loved the stretch-free fabric. “The denim is on the heavier side, and stiff enough that I didn’t have full range of motion,” complained one tester. “It was tough to get a leg over my bike.”
They come in just one inseam length. With a 29.5 inch inseam, the 90’s Pinch Waist pair is intended to be a full-length style; it’s our only pick to offer just one inseam.
On my 5-foot-6 frame, these jeans grazed the top of my foot. For our 6-foot-0 tester, they landed just above the ankle. “The length works shockingly well,” she reported. “It looks intentional, and I can wear them year-round with different shoes.” If you’re petite, you might find them too long, though hemming is an option.
They’re made to last. The 90’s Pinch Waist jeans “feel expensive and durable,” said a panelist, with hems, seams, and bar tacks that are neat and sturdy. They have a button fly, which is longer-lasting than a zipper. Joked one tester: “These buttons are doing the work to hold me in.”
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- They’re pricey.
- The non-stretch denim can feel constricting, particularly on curvier hips, though it breaks in.
- They don’t come in plus sizes, and they have only one inseam option.
- Button flies require dexterity.
Fit need-to-knows
- These jeans run true-to-size; curvier testers found the fit around the hips snug.
Specs
- Material: 100% organic cotton
- Sizes: 22 to 34
- Inseam: 29.5 inches
- Rise: 12.75 inches
Why you should trust us
While researching this guide, I consulted Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at The New York Times, and stylist and TV personality Stacy London for advice on choosing jeans that would stand the test of time and flatter different bodies. To learn more about denim, I spoke with Preeti Arya, PhD, an assistant professor of textile development and marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. I also surveyed 33 Wirecutter staffers about their jeans preferences.
How we picked and tested
There are more women’s jeans than we could ever possibly test. To narrow the field, and to allow for true comparisons, we focused on just one style: the straight-leg.
As the name implies, straight-leg jeans are cut straight from the knee down.
We further homed in on jeans with a mid- to high rise—9 inches or higher—and minimal or no distressing. The jeans also had to be mainstay, perennially available styles that came in at least one blue denim wash.
I selected 43 pairs to test myself (5-foot-6, size 27). The 10 most promising styles advanced to testing by a panel of six Wirecutter staffers ranging in height from 5-foot-2 to 6-foot-0 and in jeans sizes from 24 to 20W. The testers wore each pair for at least one full day, often many more. Not every panelist could test all pairs, due to size availability.
Throughout, we focused on the following attributes:
- Fit: We sought out jeans that would fit a range of bodies. All our picks are available in waist sizes from at least 24 to 34; three come in plus sizes. Most are offered in multiple inseams.
- Style and cut: Straight-leg jeans should feel both current and classic, and they should flatter a variety of shapes.
- Fabric: All the jeans in this guide are denim, a cotton twill with warps (lengthwise yarns) that are dyed indigo and wefts (horizontal yarns) that are undyed. Since some people love jeans with stretch while others hate it, we included both types. Regardless of the material’s content, the fabrics had to be appealing to touch and wear.
- Comfort: Our panelists rated the comfort of each pair, noting what it was like to wear the jeans seated and in action.
- Quality and construction: We looked for even stitching, sturdy bar tacks (the dense zigzag stitches that reinforce belt loops and other high-stress areas), and quality buttons, rivets, and zippers. We also considered how fabrics stood up to regular wear and laundering.
- Value: We tested jeans ranging from $25 to $300. More expensive pairs had to justify their price.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTOther good women’s jeans
If you want a stretchy, inexpensive pair: The Gap High Rise Cheeky Straight Jeans are cute and comfortable, with 2% elastane stretch, and they’re even cheaper than the Gap ’90s Straight Jeans pair. They come in five inseam lengths, from 25.5 to 32 inches. We didn’t find them terribly “cheeky”—they lack the butt-lifting magic of Levi’s Wedgie, Levi’s 501, and AYR’s The LaLa—and they tend to lose their shape and get a little baggy in the seat by day’s end. But the material feels substantial, and we liked the button fly and the high, 11-inch rise.
If you want premium stretch jeans with a mid-rise: AYR’s The Pop is similar to the Paige Cindy pair, with a body-hugging fit up top and through the thigh plus a straight leg. The Pop’s 9.875-inch rise is about an inch shorter than that of the Cindy pair, though, and it’s available in 25-, 27-, and 29-inch inseams (but alas, no plus sizes—it tops out at size 34). The bar tacks are sturdy, the finishes are excellent, and the denim is resiliently stretchy and substantial—we just preferred the decadent softness of the Cindy pair’s fabric.
The competition
Under $100
As promised, the TikTok-famous Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jean made my tush look great. (It also comes in a “Curve Love” fit.) But these jeans were pouchy and unflattering in front, and the wash looked cheap.
The Good American Good Legs Straight Jeans and the Jen 7 High Rise Slim Straight Jeans were ultra-stretchy and thin—more like lightweight jeggings than jeans.
Oddly, the H&M Straight Regular Jeans had excess fabric at the inner thigh.
Though cute, the baggy ankle-length Levi’s Premium Ribcage Straight Ankle Women’s Jeans aren’t as classic as Levi’s 501s or as versatile as the Wedgie pair.
The 8.75-inch rise on the Lucky Brand Mid Rise Sweet Straight jeans felt too early-aughts for our taste.
The Old Navy High-Waisted OG Straight Jeans are typically priced around $50 and come in sizes from US 00 to 30. But the long, low back pockets were unflattering, and the flimsy zipper jammed.
The Warp + Weft Ase High Rise Straight pair fit nicely, but the fabric felt thin and flimsy.
$100 to $200
The cut of the Agolde 90’s Mid Rise Straight pair is comfy and relaxed—it’s just not as elongating and waist-cinching as the Agolde 90’s Pinch Waist design.
The Cos Symmetry Jeans ran notably small, and the zipper wouldn’t stay up.
The relaxed-fit Ética Tyler Vintage Straight jeans felt cheap, with thin denim and a jangly button.
Everlane’s The Way-High Jean offers great quality and also comes in a Curvy Way-High version. Alas, the loose fit in the seat and thigh made my butt look long and featureless.
The dirty-looking fade of the Lucky Brand High Rise Zoe Straight jeans was unappealing.
The Madewell Stovepipe Jeans were so stretchy that they were bagging out in the seat after just a few hours.
With uneven stitching and a zipper that didn’t lock properly, the Mott & Bow Slim Boyfriend Ridge Jeans felt cheap and flimsy.
The top button on the Sézane Brut Sexy jeans popped off during testing.
The Universal Standard Etta High Rise Straight Leg Jeans pair goes up to sizes US 40 (7X) and runs extremely large. It had a sticky zipper and loose threads; testers also disliked the “frumpy” cut and dark blue denim wash.
$200 to $300
The lightweight AG Saige High-Rise Straight Leg Denim pair didn’t feel premium enough, and the button was difficult to use.
Though the well-constructed Citizens of Humanity Charlotte High Rise Straight jean was a personal favorite of mine, the other panelists weren’t fans. Most testers complained that the zero-stretch style felt too tight in the thigh or gapped at the waist.
The DL1961 Patti Straight High Rise Vintage jeans look similar to AYR’s The LaLa pair, but the material is thinner and not as soft.
The Mother High Waisted Hiker Hover pair was pouchy in the front, and we found that it wasn’t high-quality enough for the price. Meanwhile, the Mother Mid Rise Dazzler Ankle—a stretchy pair cut similarly to the Paige Cindy—failed to dazzle, with its glitchy zipper, itchy tag, and insubstantial fabric.
The saggy, booty-flattening backsides of the Paige Stella Straight and the Rag & Bone Harlow Full Length Straight both served up dreaded cases of pancake butt.
The Re/Done High Rise Loose pair has a cool, relaxed fit and a longer, 32-inch inseam. But the hips were overly balloony, and the button fly was tricky.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTFurther reading
How to Wash Your Jeans
by Justin Krajeski
Believe it or not, you should wash your jeans only every two months.
We Love Levi’s Wedgie Jeans. Here’s How to Find the Perfect Pair for You.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Perhaps the only problem with Levi’s Wedgies, one of our top-pick women’s jeans, is that picking the right pair can be tricky. Here’s what to know before you buy.
Yes, Everyone’s Socks Are Showing. Here’s How to Rock the Trend—and the Pairs We Love.
by Samantha Schoech
The days of hiding your socks—or treating them as an afterthought—are over. In this new era, what’s on your ankles can be the star of your outfit.
We Tried Four Under-$100 Cashmere Sweaters. Here’s the One You Should Get.
by Zoe Vanderweide
We pitted four under-$100 cashmere sweaters against each other—and emerged with one soft, warm, luxurious-feeling winner.
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