English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Русский
Español
Finding the best jeans for women is a personal process, to say the least. And there’s no better place to start than with recommendations from your most trusted sources—including, perhaps, our editors. We asked Glamour staffers to ungatekeep their closets, sharing all the details that make their most-worn denim worth the investment, plus the IYKYK quirks (sizing info, washing instructions, styling tips) that’ll keep you from having to return yet another pair. From our favorite straight-leg Levi’s to trendy wide-legs that’ll make any outfit chicer, these are the pairs we adore.
The Glamour guide to great denim
Courtesy of brand
Shocker: Levi’s makes great jeans. With a wealth of washes, fits, and weights, not to mention an inclusive size range, it’s a goldmine for anyone on the hunt for a hero pair. And the all-cotton 501 ’90s Jeans—a slightly updated version of its original straight cut, which was introduced over 150 years ago—is our overall favorite. “I love the slightly high-waist fit, the straight leg, and the wash. The length is perfect—it just hits the top of my foot,” says Glamour global fashion director Tchesmeni Leonard, who is five feet nine. “I also like how they fit around my butt without being too tight—they’re genuinely comfortable.” Trust us: These jeans will never go out of style and will only get better with age.
Courtesy of brand
“These Amazon jeans look more expensive than they are and are quite flattering—I get a ton of compliments on them,” says Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslein. “They have a nice stretch too. If you’re between sizes (like me), size down because they have a lot of give.” But she notes the fabric quality isn’t great. That said, if you’re looking for an on-trend pair of jeans that won’t set you back more than $40, this pick is well worth a try.
Courtesy of brand
“Abercrombie’s super-popular jeans are a longtime favorite—I won’t go a weekend without wearing them,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “They have a perfect rise if you prefer the top of your pants to sit on the higher side, and they’re comfortable and flexible thanks to the wider leg and 1% elastane denim. They’re a great alternative to baggy jeans if you want something loose-fitting without looking like you’re swimming in them. I love that these jeans are offered with five inseam options. I’m petite, so I wear ‘short’ (for those between five feet and five feet three).”
Courtesy of brand
Yes, Frame’s on-trend barrel jeans are a splurge—but a versatile one we suspect will get years of wear. “When skinny jeans ruled the scene, I steered clear of denim altogether. But these barrel-leg jeans from Frame changed everything,” says Glamour global editorial director Samantha Barry. “Their flattering, effortlessly stylish shape has me reaching for them constantly. Whether paired with a simple white tee and flats for casual cool or dressed up with a statement skirt and strappy heels, they’re pretty versatile. Plus, that pale blue wash? Simply perfect.”
Courtesy of brand
“I bought these because they kept showing up when I was looking for jeans for women with a high hip-to-waist ratio—baby got back!” says Glamour associate director of programming & creative development Anastasia Sanger. “The shortest hem length, 26 inches, is fantastic for me (I’m five feet three), and there’s no big gap in the waist like other pairs of jeans have. Plus, the straight-leg style is timeless. I just wish the legs were a bit wider; with my thicker legs, they look a little closer to skinny jeans.”
Courtesy of brand
Extra-wide-leg jeans can be tough to get right; go too slim and you don’t get the right effect, but go too wide and you start drowning in fabric. Madewell has perfected the formula with these cuffed jeans that really lean into the silhouette. “They’re truly comfy, a good length for my shorter legs, and versatile for easy styling,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I really like how dramatically wide-leg they are without taking things too far. They do run a little loose, though, but standard, petite, and tall sizing is available, making it easier to get the right fit.”
Courtesy of brand
Skinny jeans are officially back, but our editors are throwing their weight behind pairs with a little extra room around the calves. (No sprayed-on denim here.) “I’ve long been a skinny jeans devotee, but I love that with the subtle ankle flare, these have a bit more, well…flair,” says Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz. “They have just enough stretch that they’re comfortable, but not so much that they veer into jeggings land. I also like that the crop makes them more summer-friendly–great for pairing with ballet flats.”
Courtesy of brand
“These wide-leg jeans have a chic, retro silhouette, which I love, but aren’t as restrictive as true vintage styles, since they have a generous amount of stretch,” says Glamour acting associate visuals director Lauren Brown. “They’re great everyday jeans—you can actually eat comfortably in them—and can also be dressed up for a night out. One downside that I should mention is that the jeans gave out almost half a size after the first wash, so size down!”
Courtesy of brand
While these jeans aren’t designed specifically for petites, the cropped length hits right at the ankle on shorter legs—the perfect fit for barrel denim. “At five feet two, I didn’t think the barrel-leg trend was for me—until I found this petite-friendly pair from Pistola,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “They’re not so balloon-size in shape that I feel like a cowboy. The light wash is great for the summer. And I like that they feel lived-in already, but the 100% cotton denim is still sturdy.”
Courtesy of brand
“Okay, yes, I’m not a woman—but these women’s jeans are legitimately the best denim I’ve ever owned,” says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith. “I’m six feet four, and I was pleasantly surprised when they fit perfectly with zero tailoring necessary. The secret is an extra-long inseam that’s consistent across all sizes; you have the freedom to create your own cuffs, the more dramatic the better. The dark selvedge denim is lightweight enough for summer wear. Plus, this is the most-complimented piece of clothing I’ve ever owned—I can’t wear these without getting stopped on the street, and at least two of my friends have since bought the exact same pair. (That’s the highest praise there is.) I wish the sizing were a little easier to understand—I usually wear a 30-inch waist, and size 12 fits me best—but that’s my only gripe.”
Courtesy of brand
Swedish newcomer Na-kd offers of-the-moment silhouettes at relatively low prices, largely without compromising on materials. This baggy, floor-grazing pair, for example, is woven from 100% cotton, meaning it’ll age especially well. “These high-waist, wide-leg jeans are my favorite thing in my closet. I wear them everywhere—to the office, happy hour, dates, truly everywhere,” says Glamour global executive assistant Monique Wilson. “The cut fits me perfectly and goes with everything to the point that I have to force myself to wear other pieces. It’s perfect as is—I wouldn’t change anything.”
Photographer: OK McCausland
Sittings Editor: Tchesmeni Leonard
Featured styles: Tory Burch Pierced Handbag, Tory Burch Studded Ballets, Reformation Eli Oversized Shirt, Vince Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt, Loeffler Randall Rachel Loafers, Coach Large Kisslock Frame Bag, Madewell Single-Breasted Trench Coat, Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt, St. Agni Woven Mini-Tote, Tory Burch Mellow Mary Jane Jelly Shoes, Loeffler Randall flats, Babaton Juris Vest, St. Agni Woven Mini-Tote, Gap Vegan Leather Bomber Jacket
Read the full article here
