11 Best Jeans for Women of All Sizes | The Strategist

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The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

Shopping for jeans can be a real guessing game. When I’m on the hunt at a store and heading to the dressing room, I usually take a pair in the size I think I am, one in the next size down, and one in the next size up. Even with that approach — and as the Strategist’s denim correspondent, who’s written about why you’re probably washing your jeans too much and that not all stretch denim is bad — I can go through racks and racks of jeans before finding a pair I’m willing to buy.

That’s why I set out to make this list of the very best jeans for women. I’ve tried on many, many pairs as I’ve written and updated this post over the years, and can assure you that the ones here will join your regular rotation. To ensure that there’s a pair for everyone, I’ve talked to dozens of denim enthusiasts (of all shapes and sizes) about their favorite pairs — from slim-cut to the super-skinny and everything in between. And to make sure there was no stone (wash) left unturned, I searched our archives for still-relevant styles and reliable pairs recommended to us by stylish people. All in all, I considered more than 50 jeans while writing this guide, but narrowed those down to only the very best of the best here. (And if you’re on the hunt for something specific, we have guides to the best mom and plus-size jeans as well.)

Update on November 1, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

It can seem like jeans are arbitrarily assigned numbers — some are sized according to waist measurements and others by odd or even numbers. For some, that might mean being forced to choose between a big waist gap or a pair that’s slightly too tight. In this guide, I tried to feature pairs that come in a wide range of sizes. That goes for inseam lengths too. And of course, I asked denim enthusiasts to detail the fit of their favorites as much as they could.

I listed the rise measurement for each of the recommendations below (a few brands don’t include this information in their product descriptions, which is why you’ll see “no rise listed” on a couple of pairs). Jeans that have more than a ten-inch rise fall into the “high” category, according to stylist Jessica Cadmus.

Most jeans on the market now have some kind of stretch blend to make them feel more comfortable, and you’ll often see that as a percentage of elastane, spandex, or Lycra (a.k.a. trademarked spandex) on the size tag. So to judge stretchiness here, I broke it down into three categories: not stretchy, stretchy, and very stretchy. “Not stretchy” covers jeans made completely from cotton (these are going to feel stiffer when you first wear them). “Stretchy” is for pairs with one or 2 percent stretch, which will offer some more give right at the beginning of a break-in. If jeans are “very stretchy,” they’ll have over 3 percent stretch (sometimes polyester is thrown into the blend at around 5 percent stretch to keep a pair from overstretching, too).

There are times when a cowboy-esque flare will do and times when you want the sleekness of skinny jeans. Some cuts were more popular (straight-leg) than others (wide-leg). But I went a step further to describe the shape of every pair — whether that’s more slim-fitting, tapered, or cropped.

Ask around, and you’ll hear about how someone splurged on their Rag & Bone or Paige jeans. Factoring in cost per wear, an investment can make sense, but the truth is that you can get a pair of great jeans for not that much. (Think of everyone currently scouring secondhand shops for Levi’s 501s.) That’s all to say that affordability was a top priority when thinking through which jeans made the cut. Each pair below is denoted as either $ (under $100), $$ ($100 to $200), or $$$ (over $200).

Sizes and lengths: 23–39 (plus sizes here) with 26-, 28-, and 30-inch inseams | Rise: 10.85 inches | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Straight leg | Price: $

The Wedgies might be the jeans we’ve written about most — they appear all across our archives, including topping our list of the best high-waisted jeans. After wearing them myself for over a year now, I can say the fervor around the jeans is warranted. You’re getting well-made, well-fitting jeans — for less than $100. They have a straight-leg silhouette that’s as traditional as it gets, skimming right along the hips and thighs to the hem. It’s a cut that’s universally flattering and doesn’t go out of style (you won’t ever hear that it’s “on the outs,” as other cuts are).

While everyone’s body is different, I would describe mine as hourglass-shaped, which the jeans fit by embracing me through the hips. The higher waist holds me in without making me feel too held in, too. I see the Wedgies as a bridge between too-rigid and too-stretchy denim. They don’t have much stretch (they’re made from 99 percent cotton and one percent elastane), so if you’re used to non-stretch denim, you’ll find them more forgiving than a completely rigid pair. If you’re used to stretch denim, you might feel that they’re a little tight before becoming just-right — but trust me, they will.

Another part of the Wedgie’s appeal is the different inseam lengths offered (26, 28, and 30 inches) with the shortest being suitable for most petites and the longest for taller people. I’m about five-two, and I don’t have to roll up the hem on my 26-inch-inseam pair at all. And since the jeans come in a dozen different washes, you can get them in multiples — something that those who own Wedgies take great pride in doing whenever there’s a sale. (Their following includes Bird founder Jennifer Mankin, former Madewell creative director Joyce Lee, and Dianna Cohen, founder of Crown Affair.)

Sizes and lengths: 10–30 with 25-, 27-, 29-, 31-, and 33-inch inseams | Rise: No rise listed | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Skinny | Price: $

Torrid specifically designs for those who wear a size 10 to a size 30, meaning its jeans fit curves right. I heard much praise for the brand as I reported our guides to plus-size jeans and plus-size work pants, and learned that the Bombshell jeans are its signature style. “They hug my curves, and cling where I need them to,” says content creator Nikki Apostolou. Tinsaye Berhanu, a petite-plus influencer, told me that the high-rise on the jeans is “really comfortable without rolling down,” and that the pair have an elasticized waistband that doesn’t gap. (The jeans are rated as a “maximum” on an in-house stretch scale.)

Natalie Craig, another petite-plus influencer, says that unlike other plus-size brands, Torrid offers a range of inseams (there’s regular, short, extra-short, tall, and extra-tall). Since you can choose your inseam, the jeans won’t sag at your ankles in the way others do, according to Megababe founder Katie Sturino. And if you’re looking for another style other than skinny, the Bombshell comes in a wide-leg and flare too.

Sizes and lengths: 23–37, with 26.5-, 28.5-, 30.5-, and 32.5-inch inseams | Rise: No rise listed | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Straight-leg | Price: $

Abercrombie’s jeans have become something of a social-media favorite among petites for the inseams: “short” for those who are five feet to five-foot-three and “extra-short” for those under five feet. Although the “extra-short” length is only available in sizes 25 to 30, “short” is offered in the full range of sizes 23 through 37. But beyond the petite-specific lengths, these jeans — which are straight-legged, high-waisted, and feature some stretch — are ultracomfortable. Amy Serrano, a content creator, wore them while doing “a round of high kicks with the Radio City Rockettes” and wasn’t uncomfortable in the slightest. The jeans are tailored to fit different body types, too. Photographer Lizbeth Hernandez says they are “perfect for my curvy body,” while Serrano mentions they “hug every part of my butt perfectly.”

Sizes and lengths: 23–33 with 24-, 27-, 30-, and 33-inch inseams | Rise: 10 inches | Stretch: Very stretchy | Cut: Kicked-out flare | Price: $$

Madewell came up repeatedly while I was working on our guide to jeans for tall women. What makes the company’s jeans stand out is that they come in two tall-specific lengths: “tall” for anyone who’s five-eight to five-eleven and “taller” for those six feet and up. Former Strategist social-media editor Hannah Starke (who’s five-ten) says that they are “the only jeans that fit my body correctly,” while former Strategist writer Chloe Anello (who’s five-foot-nine) practically collects them. Some of the jeans I’ve had the longest are from Madewell, too — they wear well through the years. I decided to include a jean that’s currently stocked in tall and taller (often it’s a one-or-the-other situation) here. The jeans have a flare that doesn’t widen too far out at the ankles. And while these are marketed as cropped, the tall inseam is 30 inches and the taller is 33 inches, which should cover the ankles for those on the taller side. (Just note: Madewell’s tall jeans tend to sell out quickly — but if you can get your hands on a pair, you’ll see what all the fuss is about.)

Sizes and lengths: 23–42 (plus-sizes here) with 27- and 29-inch inseams | Rise: 12 inches | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Straight-leg | Price: $

In our Strategist circle, we’ve been calling the Levi’s Ribcages the “Goldilocks of jeans” since 2019. I tried them out after reading reviews from former Strategist editor Maxine Builder and New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff, who says that “they’re just the right amount of flared.” The Ribcages have a super-high rise — “deliriously high, easily clearing my belly button,” says Builder — that gives me longer-looking legs. But the jeans don’t cut into your ribcage, as their name would suggest. Instead, they simply cinch you at the waist. Like Swerdloff, who calls them “stiff without being too constricting,” I feel these are more on the rigid side, thanks to their thicker denim.

Sizes and lengths: 00–15 (equivalent to 22- to 32-inch waists) with 30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, and 38-inch inseams | Rise: 11.75 inches | Stretch: Not stretchy | Cut: Tapered slim straight-leg | Price: $

Don’t let the “cowboy cut” fool you — these Wranglers fall somewhere between a straight-leg and a skinny jean. “I feel like ’90s Shania Twain in the jeans,” says artist Melly Wirtes of this pair, which come in 30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, and 38-inch inseams, and odd-numbered sizes. Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens recommends going for the number above your usual even-numbered size (a size three if you’re a size two, for example) as these are particularly rigid. On the fit front, the jeans are made with 100 percent cotton in the lighter and darker washes while the medium washes feature 2 percent spandex. “New Levi’s rarely look or feel like vintage Levi’s, but these Wranglers could have passed for preserved ’70s deadstock,” Kitchens says. After a few washes, hers got that “thrift-store-faded patina the jeans are known for,” and she suggests washing them less to keep “their A.P.C.-like stiffness.” If you need any more convincing, her ode to the Wranglers convinced at least four friends (including editor Laurel Pantin) to get a pair almost immediately.

Sizes and lengths: 23–40 (plus sizes here) with 28-, 30-, and 32-inch inseams | Rise: 10.25 inches | Stretch: Very stretchy | Cut: Jegging-style skinny | Price: $

Even as their merits have been contested, I still think skinny jeans are worth having in your closet. (Consider this just another phase of the fit cycle, like the hemline index.) Levi’s 720s might be the brand’s slimmest fit, and are cut to be super-skinny in shape. As with most skinny jeans, they have lots of stretch from a combination of cotton, lyocell, and elastane. Thanks to their ample stretch, the jeans will show off every curve of your leg, while not feeling overly compressive, according to writer Diana McCorry, who says these “create a great silhouette when you stand up.” (And if you can splurge, Frame’s Le High Skinny Jeans are as skinny as they come,” says stylist Jessica Cadmus. “They are so skinny, they look painted on.”)

Sizes: 22–34 with 16- to 30 inch-inseam options | Rise: 11 inches | Stretch: Not stretchy | Style: Wide-leg | Price: $

When writer Mya Gelber went on the hunt for dark-washed, cuffable, and flared jeans, she landed on these wide-legs from Uniqlo as her runner-up. Her winner was a $200 pair of Nudie jeans, and while Gelber says this Uniqlo pair feels slightly lighter weight than those, she notes that these “fit the bill practically perfectly and will only run you about $50.” Plus, one perk of shopping online at Uniqlo is that you can add alterations (for a fee) on jeans to your order, including choosing the stitch the hemline is finished with and the length at which a jean is cut. It’s something you only ever really see pricier denim brands do, which is part of the reason why I included the jeans here.

Sizes and lengths: 24–31 with a 28.5-inch inseam | Rise: 11.75 inches | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Wide-leg | Price: $$

If you want a wide leg with a little more flare, the Sailors from Rolla’s take inspiration from Jane Birkin’s patch-pocketed pairs. Digital content creator Carrie Carrollo likes that the jeans remind her of the bell-bottoms of the past: “The wide leg feels dramatic. Paired with a vintage T-shirt, I always feel like they look extra ’70s.” Carrollo thought the jeans might not work on her five-foot-five frame — assuming the cut was more flattering on those who are tall — but found that the shape suits her well. These flare out through the leg, and “the waist-to-hip ratio for my body type really works,” she says.

Sizes and lengths: 23–34 with a 27.5-inch inseam | Rise: 11 inches | Stretch: Stretchy | Cut: Flare | Price: $$$

“The flare and frayed bottom are shockingly similar to my favorite pair from freshman year of college, but blessedly, they don’t have that Britney Spears low-rise,” says Catherine Smart, co-founder of sauce-and-salad-dressing-maker Not Just Co., of Mother’s Hustler jeans. She describes the cut as a “solid flare” (not a bell-bottom or a straight-leg in the least). “They’re a far cry from the skinny jeans I was clinging to as an elder millennial.” Smart says they run large — when a Anthropologie employee handed her a size 25 to try on, she literally laughed out loud, as she’s usually a 26 or 27. The jeans also have “enough stretch to be forgiving, but are sturdy enough to hold everything,” she says, declaring that even though their more-than-$200 price is probably the most she’s ever spent on jeans, they’re well worth it.

Sizes and lengths: 23–34 with 30- and 32-inch inseams | Rise: 11.125 inches | Stretch: Not stretchy | Cut: Straight-leg | Price: $

You can’t go wrong with 501s if you’re looking for a jean with absolutely no stretch. The legendary fit literally started it all for Levi’s — they were the first true-blue jean. Several of those who I spoke to not only own vintage versions of this style, but judge the jeans they’re thinking about buying against them. “Levi’s never fails — they just get jeans and always have,” says musician AJ Michalka. Gabrielle Arruda, a designer-slash-blogger, is a recent convert to the cult of the 501. “They are the jeans you can actually wear all day,” she says. Arruda mentions paying attention to the wash, as the darker shades seem to have “a slightly tighter weave, so they don’t naturally stretch out as well.” That said, these do need some breaking in. Stylist Karla Welch used to sit in a bathtub with the jeans on to get them to fit as a teen. Her advice: “Wearing them, and wearing them, and wearing them, and wearing them.”

(For some more non-stretch denim: The Feel Studio, founded by stylist Stevie Dance, a devout Levi’s wearer, has the Genuine Jean that’s inspired by old 501s, according to Kitchens. Dancer Eva Alt calls them the jeans “you always hope to find at a vintage store — just without the work.” )

• Eva Alt, dancer and choreographer• Chloe Anello, Strategist writer• Gabrielle Arruda, designer-slash-blogger• Tinsaye Berhanu, petite-plus influencer• Maxine Builder, Strategist editor• Jessica Cadmus, stylist• Carrie Carrollo, digital content creator• Dianna Cohen, founder of hair-care line Crown Affair• Natalie Craig, petite-plus influencer• Lizbeth Hernandez, photographer• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor• Joyce Lee, Madewell creative director• Jennifer Mankins, Bird founder• Diana McCorry, writer• Paige Port, talent and business development vice-president of Dear Media• Hailey Rizzo, blogger behind Feeling Good as Hail• Katie Schmidt, owner and designer of label Passion Lilie• Catherine Smart, co-founder of sauce-and-salad-dressing-maker of Not Just Co.• Alexis Swerdloff, deputy editor at New York• Karla Welch, celebrity stylist

Additional reporting by Lori Keong and Hilary Reid

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