It’s safe to say that denim is a closet must-have. And with so many jeans on the market, it can be a little intimidating shopping for the perfect pair. You want them to look good and feel good and fit within your budget. But even with those parameters, the options are endless.
Here are the best jeans for women in 2020, according to reviews:
- Best-Rated Jeans: Everlane The Cheeky Straight Jean
- Best Comfortable Jeans: Wit & Wisdom Jeggings
- Best Affordable Jeans: AE Ne(x)t Level Curvy High-Waisted Jegging
- Best Splurge-Worthy Jeans: Mother The Hustler High Waist Ankle Fray Jeans
- Best Skinny Jeans: Everlane The Curvy Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jean
- Best Ankle Jeans: Good American Good Legs Ankle Skinny Jeans
- Best High-Waisted Jeans: Everlane High-Rise Skinny Jeans
- Best Crop Jeans: TopShop Jamie Fray Hem High Waist Skinny Jeans
- Best Boyfriend Jeans: Old Navy Mid-Rise Boyfriend Straight Jeans
- Best Mom Jeans: Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean
- Best Distressed Jeans: Levi’s Women’s 721 High Rise Skinny Jean
- Best Straight Jeans: Everlane ‘90s The Cheeky Straight Jean
- Best Wide-Leg Jeans: Levi’s High Loose Jeans
- Best Plus-Size Jeans: Universal Standard Seine Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
- Best Jeans for Petite Women: AE Ne(x)t Level Jegging Crop
- Best Jeans for Tall Women: J. Crew Tall 8” Toothpick in Classic Wash
- Best Maternity Jeans: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Maternity Jeans
Best-Rated Jeans: Everlane The Cheeky Straight Jean
Although there aren’t many denim styles that are universally flattering on various body shapes and types, countless reviewers swear that Everlane reigns in the denim game. The brand’s Cheeky Straight Jean has over 4,600 reviews and an overall 4.5-star rating, with many shoppers praising its comfortable fit, slight stretch, and vintage style. One reviewer writes, “These are truly the best jeans, ever…These jeans look and feel very high quality and fit like a dream. They have just a touch of stretch so that you get the perfect fit, but with the look and feel of traditional sturdy jeans — love!” Even better? You can choose from ankle, regular, and tall lengths to find your perfect cut.
Shop now: $78; everlane.com
Best Comfortable Jeans: Wit & Wisdom Jeggings
When you can find a jean that is cute, well-fitting, and comfortable, you’ve hit a winner. These soft and stretchy jeggings look and feel like traditional denim, but it feels like you’re wearing leggings. “These jeans are super comfortable and lightweight,” says one Nordstrom reviewer. “The dark color is very flattering as well as the shape and fit. They also don’t lose their shape if you wear them all day as some jeans have the tendency to stretch out as you wear them.”
Shop now: $64; nordstrom.com
Best Affordable Jeans: AE Ne(x)t Level Curvy High-Waisted Jegging
They’re stretchy, they hold their shape, and they look good on nearly every body type. And since this jean is available in sizes 000 to 24 and short, regular, long, and extra-long length, there’s a jean for everyone. And for under $50, there’s so much to love about these pants. “I already have these jeans in a different wash and I loved them so much that I had to get another! They are super soft and stretchy so they are perfect for all day wear,” says one reviewer.
Shop now: $49.95; ae.com
Best Splurge-Worthy Jeans: Mother The Hustler High Waist Ankle Fray Jeans
Okay, so spending upwards on $200 on one clothing item can seem like a big upfront investment. But if you love wearing jeans and want a pair that will stand the test of time, sometimes it’s worth the investment. These cropped flare jeans are perfect for fall and winter (and will look great styled with booties). Nordstrom shoppers say they’re super stretchy and “very comfortable and flattering.” There’s a reason both Meghan Markle and Jennifer Lopez both swear by the brand.
Shop now: from $198; nordstrom.com
Best Skinny Jeans: Everlane The Curvy Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jean
Skinny jeans should fit snug from the waist to the ankle and flexible enough to move with you when you walk, move, or sit. This fan-favorite is super stretchy but doesn’t lose its shape, and it’s available in ankle or regular lengths. One reviewer wrote, “I am not someone who really wears pants very often [but] one thing Everlane does NOT fail on is denim. If I have to wear pants these are what I grab. I am curvy and more bottom heavy and these are super flattering and comfortable.”
Shop now: $68; everlane.com
Best Ankle Jeans: Good American Good Legs Ankle Skinny Jeans
No matter if you’re curvy up top and slim on bottom or vice versa, you won’t experience any gapping with these skinny jeans. They are slim-fitting all the way to the ankle, and women say they look just as great on petite shapes as they do on curvy women. One reviewer attests, “Every time I wear these, they fit like they were made for me — even with a little bit of stretching, they mold to the body.”
Shop now: $145; nordstrom.com
Best High-Waisted Jeans: Everlane High-Rise Skinny Jeans
The versatility of high-waisted jeans make this style a must-have for every closet, and Everlane’s High-Rise Skinny Jeans are favorite of thousands of shoppers. They’re flattering and look super chic with tops tucked-in. “I am seriously in love with these jeans; they fit so well,” says one reviewer. “I was a little nervous… that they would be too tight/constricting at the waist when sitting down since they are pretty high-rise, but they stretch and are comfortable and they fit perfectly.”
Shop now: $68; everlane.com
Best Crop Jeans: TopShop Jamie Fray Hem High Waist Skinny Jeans
There’s so much to love about cropped jeans. You can wear them no matter the time of year, and they pair perfectly with basically any shoe (sandals, boots, you name it). The best part about a cropped style is that you won’t have to worry about annoying bagging or gathering when you want to wear them with boots. Reviewers rave about the fit of Topshop’s cropped Jamie jeans, but most recommend sizing up one size for proper length. “These jeans have a lot of stretch, but they don’t stretch out as you wear them. I like the wash, destructed hem and the high waist,” one reviewer writes.
Shop now: $70; nordstrom.com
Best Boyfriend Jeans: Old Navy Mid-Rise Boyfriend Straight Jeans
Boyfriend jeans are comfy and casual, and you’ll find many women in the reviews of Old Navy’s selection of boyfriend jeans echoing those praises. These mid-rise boyfriend jeans in particular have a “great relaxed fit” and are “distressed but not too ripped,” according to shoppers.
Shop now: $44.99; oldnavy.com
Best Mom Jeans: Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean
This “Perfect” throwback style from Madewell is vintage, cool, and chic. It’s fitted through the hip and thigh and tapered at the bottom with a raw edge. “They have a nice rigid feel to the denim (not a super thin feel the way some are) with just enough stretch for there to be no waist gap and to perfectly hug the booty and thighs,” one reviewer says. “Do yourself a favor and get these.”
Shop now: $128; madewell.com
Best Distressed Jeans: Levi’s Women’s 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans
There’s such a wide range of distressed denim. You can buy a pair with one rip or another that’s ripped from hip to ankle. These Levi’s skinny jeans are distressed in moderation and look great with flats, sneakers or boots. One reviewer called them “amazing jeans, very flattering [and] comfy,” noting that “the tears are different” in a good way.
Shop now: $70; levi.com
Best Straight Jeans: Everlane ‘90s The Cheeky Straight Jean
Straight jeans bring out our inner cool girl, and Everlane’s ‘90s-inspired style doesn’t disappoint Although these don’t have any stretch, shoppers appreciate the structured fit in this style of denim. For the perfect fit, they recommend sizing up, but say it’s totally worth it. “Seriously the best pair of jeans I have — it fits really nicely, tighter in the hips/butt with perfect chill looseness in the leg,” says one five-star reviewer.
Shop now: $78; everlane.com
Best Wide-Leg Jeans: Levi’s High Loose Jeans
These wide-leg jeans are like a hybrid between trousers and denim. And Levi’s version is oh so good. Short women and tall women alike call them flattering, and one reviewer says, “I freaking love these jeans. They go perfect with a crop or tucked in tee and some platform sandals. My butt looks so good, waist tiny, and the illusion of long legs.”
Shop now: $98; freepeople.com
Best Plus-Size Jeans: Universal Standard Seine Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
Unfortunately a rarity in the mainstream denim world, Universal Standard offers jeans up to size 40 in both regular and tall lengths. The Seine mid-rise skinny jeans are one of the most-reviewed pairs on the site, and numerous shoppers say they’re obsessed. One reviewer raved, “I have owned this style in every size from 14-26… I wear these to the office 2-3 days each week, usually with a shirt and blazer or sweater, and they’re so comfortable that I keep them on to lounge in at home as well. It’s great that I can wear them again and again without Saggy Butt Syndrome!”
Shop now: $90; universalstandard.com
Best Jeans for Petite Women: AE Ne(x)t Level Jegging Crop
There’s nothing wrong with cuffing your jeans at the bottom, but if you have short legs, you may not want to cuff every single pair of jeans you own just because your legs are short. And the reviews section of these AE jeans is full of petite women singing their praises. “I have very short legs and it is impossible to find jeans that I don’t have to roll up! These are great for that,” says one reviewer. You can purchase these jeggings in short, regular, and tall lengths.
Shop now: $39.95; ae.com
Best Jeans for Tall Women: J. Crew Tall 8” Toothpick in Classic Wash
The opposite problem goes for tall gals. Yes, cropped jeans are super chic, but it may not be the everyday look you’re going for. Most of J.Crew’s jeans are available in tall sizes with a 31-inch inseam. “I love these jeans,” one shopper raved. “They offer a tall length and there are not a lot of denim designers that offer a taller length. The rise is exactly where I want it to hit. They have a slight structure but yet enough stretch to be comfortable.”
Shop now: $110; jcrew.com
Best Maternity Jeans: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Maternity Jeans
Sure, you can sport your regular jeans in the early stages of your pregnancy, but at some point, you’ll need to get a pair that can last you until the very end of the nine months. And since you’re only going to be wearing them for a limited amount of time, you may not want to spend a ton. These Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. jeans won’t cost you more than $30, and hundreds of Amazon shoppers are obsessed. One expecting mom says, “I am in love with these pants. I initially bought them for a trip to NY. I wore them all day, and walked over 10 miles in them, and they were so comfortable and actually stayed up!”
Shop now: $30; amazon.com
© Streetstyleshooters/Getty Picking your favorite style just got way less complicated.
