The 51 Best Jeans for Women of 2025, According to Fashion Editors and Stylists

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Find your next pair of forever jeans here.

In This Article

InStyle

Whether you prefer a classic high-waisted fit or a low-slung cigarette silhouette, you can never have too many pairs of jeans. While keeping up with the rotating denim trend cycle can feel dizzying, a few factors can help you land your perfect pair. Take it from celebrity stylist Tracy Shapoff, who relies on “longevity, quality, and an understanding of the body, as well as keeping up with trends and personal style” while searching for new jeans.

We tapped InStyle editors and testers to nominate the jeans they’ve tried and loved, particularly when it comes to their fits, washes, and overall styles. And to make sure you find the most flattering option, we consulted several fashion experts to get tips on finding your next go-to pair.

This elongating silhouette is everywhere, from reruns of your favorite ‘90s sitcoms to the boutique-laden SoHo streets. But really, few pairs emulate the vintage look with as much modernity as Agolde’s 90’s Pinch Waist High Rise Jeans, a non-stretch pant crafted with 100 percent regenerative cotton. “The quality is 10 out of 10. If I were going on vacation and needed to pack selectively, these would be the only jeans in my suitcase. They’ve never let me down,” says InStyle tester Sophia, who owns them in a dark and light wash.

Made with luxe Italian stretch denim, these jeans hug your curves and subtly narrow toward the leg opening.

From the first wear, the Farah—with its tasteful whiskering and fading—looks like the ultimate vintage find.

One of Levi’s classic designs, this style’s laid-back effortlessness has made them a staple for icons ranging from James Dean to Kate Moss.

Goodbye gaping—these jeans fit snugly to your natural curves but maintain enough stretch for easy movement.

You heard it from InStyle Associate Social Media Editor Zizi Strater: “Skinny jeans are back, back, back.” Anyone in need of material proof needn’t look further than this Diesel pair, which is skinny in the truest sense, latching to the calves and ankles. “I like to say these are my biblically accurate skinny jeans—a.k.a. jeans that look just like the pairs cool girls would wear in 2012 and I would ogle at as a pre-teen,” says Zizi.

Crafted with Power Stretch Denim, these Italian-made skinnies feel as comfortable as your most loved yoga pants.

The classic five-pocket style and medium wash make these Mango skinny jeans an everyday staple.

From the moment you put on these skinny jeans, you’ll feel the high-retention elastane’s sculpting effect.

Named after TikTok star Alix Earle, these super-stretchy jeans cling to you from high on your waist down to your ankles.

Denim trends come and go, but wide-leg cuts will forever be a fashion fixture. How wide you go—whether it’s swooshy and oversized or barely fanned out—is a matter of personal preference. Choose the right style, like Frame’s best-selling Le Slim Palazzo, and it’ll go as well with kitten heels as it does with platform sneakers. “I’ve worn heels and a blouse with Frame’s Le Slim Palazzo as an easy way to dress it up,” says InStyle tester Riley.

The Mia has all the trappings of a comfy jean: stretchy denim, a wide leg, and an 11.5-inch high rise.

“These slouchy, low-rise jeans make me look effortlessly put together,” says InStyle Associate Editor Claudia Willen.

The Benji jean is sophisticated, with a dramatic hem cuff and utilitarian pockets.

For pants with personality, opt for these wide-leg Express jeans with carpenter details.

Baggy jeans have two major selling points: They make any outfit look effortlessly cool, and they’re as close as you can get to wearing sweatpants without wearing sweatpants. Madewell’s Low-Slung Baggy Jeans embody everything we love about the style. “The slightly distressed denim is like a grown-up version of wearing jeans with holes. The whole look is still classy enough to wear at work with a nice button-down,” says InStyle writer Irene Richardson. “I’m also obsessed with the lower rise. They fall just at or slightly below my belly button, which looks very cool with a slim T-shirt or tissue-thin turtleneck tucked into it.”

Cuffed or uncuffed, the vintage-inspired Ayla Baggy has a relaxed, chic fit.

Put plainly: The Koko is an instant classic. The rigid denim has a mid-rise, slouchy top block, and a loose-fitting straight leg.

A low rise and baggy cut is a winning combo for those seeking a relaxed, cool-girl look, and this AE pant has both.

This pair of non-stretchy baggy jeans comes with a built-in belt, transforming the otherwise simple style into a statement piece.

One of the most divisive, trend-forward styles on this list, barrel-leg jeans hug your hips before fanning out into a wide silhouette through the legs and tapering at the ankle. They play with proportions to create a balanced look. Although they’ve been on runways for years, they’ve only made it to the masses in the past year or so. “The barrel jean is definitely here to stay,” says stylist Rose Lauture. Our top pick? Parke’s Horseshoe Jean, a classic barrel design with a low rise and ultra-flattering silhouette.

The darts on these jeans, particularly on the knees, emphasize the curved barrel shape and give this pair a tailored look.

For less than $100, you can get an ultra-soft yet rigid pant with a flattering high rise that visually lengthens your legs.

Quince’s barrel jeans are true to the style without exaggerated proportions, making them wonderful for easing into the trend.

Masterfully crafted with heavy cotton-rich denim, these slouchy jeans add dimension, and you can cuff the raw-finished hemline.

“Slim-fit jeans are also making a comeback this year,” says Lauture. This slim (but not skinny) silhouette is narrow from the hip down, following your leg’s natural shape. If you want a pair of jeans that show off your shape without clinging to your body, a slim-leg cut is the perfect option. And with a structured high rise and slight crop at the ankle, Reformation’s Cynthia is our top pick.

Slim-leg pants go particularly well with an amazing shoe, and that’s especially true if they’re cropped like this Paige pair.

No awkward cuffing or floods—the 312s come in inseams that will hit at just the right place (sans wallet-draining tailoring).

The Hydra has the cut and look of a vintage slim-leg jean with the tailoring and stretchiness you get in a contemporary design.

By design, these jeans make your legs look like they go on forever, hence their lasting popularity among A-list celebs.

Long gone are the days of choosing between wearing jeans and being comfortable. You can have both, and Spanx proves it. The brand’s EveryWear Flare Jean has four-way stretch denim that compresses to your body, so it feels snug, supportive, and shaping in all the right places. “It maintains its fit and shape, no matter how many times I wash it. I’ve had a pair for two years, and it still fits exactly as it did on day one,” says InStyle tester Jennifer. “The denim is durable, with no fraying at the hem, and holds its shape without feeling overly tight or uncomfortable.”

Taking a note from iconic ‘70s stovepipes, this stretchy Re/Done pair sits high above the hips with a raw cropped hem.

With its stretchy design, Good American proves you can have a gap-free pair of jeans without a single button, zipper, or belt.

Defying skinny jeans’ reputation for being uncomfortable, this Express pair has a flexible waistband and hyper-stretch denim.

The Billie Mini Bootcut stretches, sculpts, and lifts your lower half in all the right places using NYDJ’s proprietary technology.

Trouser jeans are a happy medium between tailored slacks and your favorite denim pants, proving that the right blue jeans can indeed look polished. So what makes them different from a wide-leg, high-rise jean? Typically, they have sophisticated features like pleats, tailored silhouettes, and dark washes. For example, Citizens of Humanity’s Petra (our favorite) comes in an indigo wash with chic inverted front pleats.

Imagine your favorite wide-leg trousers in denim, and you’ll conjure an image of this pleated, high-rise Gap pair.

These super high-rise, floor-grazing J.Crew jeans feel like vintage denim—with a smidge of stretch to maximum comfort.

Vintage-inspired with side-slant pockets, these 1822 Denim jeans have a dressed-up silhouette with dressed-down fading.

A dressed-up barrel silhouette, these Toteme trouser jeans have a pleat running down the front of the legs and a tapered bottom.

“Drawstring denim is on the rise, and it’s my favorite as a stylist always looking for comfortable but chic pieces,” says Lauture.

One word to describe flare jeans? Flattering. The silhouette plays with proportions, closely tracing your hips and thighs before fanning out below the knee. If you’re looking to channel the late ‘60s in a contemporary way, opt for Jeanerica’s SW006 Monica, which strikes the perfect balance between a dramatic flare and subtle wide-leg silhouette. The result? A vintage-inspired, curve-enhancing pair of pants. “The denim is so soft, they practically feel like leggings,” adds InStyle Shopping Writer Isabel Bekele.

Between the wool-enriched cotton and chambray texture, these jeans are a worthy splurge.

These mid-rise flares have it all: stretchy Candiani denim, an elongating silhouette, and a flower-child-inspired design.

Stylishness aside, this pair’s lightweight, stretchy denim makes it a delight to wear all year round.

Available in various inseam lengths, these budget-friendly jeans are flared without looking costumey.

Often miscategorized as straight-leg or flare jeans, bootcut silhouettes are fitted from the hips to the thighs before slightly (very slightly) fanning out below the knee. As the style’s name suggests, you can wear them over boots without having to tuck them in, and Levi’s makes a hero pair with a high rise and touch of stretch in the denim. “I would say this product is worth buying because it goes with every outfit and isn’t particularly trendy, meaning you can wear it for years to come,” says Bekele. Pair them with cowboy boots and a white tank top as casual daytime attire or heeled booties and a blouse for dinner out.

Pair these cropped, stretchy bootcut jeans with your favorite footwear, whether it’s sneakers or heels.

With soft denim, stomach-smoothing technology, and a gap-proof waistband, this snug-fitting design feels as ace as it looks.

The Nao’s slim flare elongates your legs and creates an hourglass shape, hugging your hips and thighs before flaring out.

An immediate wardrobe staple, the Barbara is a classic bootcut design that shapes you using its proprietary sculpting technology.

When in doubt, go with a classic silhouette. “Straight-leg, mid-rise jeans are the most flattering style,” says Lauture. “They create a clean, balanced look without digging into the waist or sliding down. Plus, you can easily style them up or down, making them a closet staple.”

Although anyone can wear any cut they feel comfortable in, understanding your body type can help you get started. “First things first: Know your body type. Is it pear-shaped, an hourglass, a rectangle, an apple, or an inverted triangle? Certain styles will flatter your body shape and provide the most comfort,” explains Lauture. Below, find experts’ shape-specific recommendations:

Body type-specific advice aside, the best jeans are the ones that make you feel stellar. “The right pair of denim is the one you feel the most confident and comfortable in, so take your time and enjoy the process,” Lauture says.

Because “designer” and “budget” jeans are such broad categories, there’s no clear-cut answer. However, some general differences tend to crop up between the two, like fabric, construction, and fit. “Designer jeans are often made from 100 percent raw cotton, which gives them a more structured and premium feel. The stitching is usually stronger as more time and details went into the construction of the jeans. Designer denim also tends to feel stiffer at first but softens and molds to your body over time,” says Lauture. “Budget jeans typically include some elastane or polyester, making them less stiff and more stretchy right away. They may also have fewer stitches, affecting the jeans’ overall durability and lifespan.” That said, she assures InStyle that there are still plenty of on-trend, high-quality, budget-friendly options.

Claudia Willen is an associate editor at InStyle, where she writes and edits articles about the latest trends in beauty and fashion. She’s a denim enthusiast and partial to classic, vintage-inspired styles like Levi’s Wedgie Straight Jeans, Agolde’s ‘90s Pinch Waist High Rise Jeans, and American Eagle’s AE77 Collection. While updating this story, she interviewed stylists Rose Lauture and Emily Evans.

The below experts previously spoke to InStyle: