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Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
Silhouettes evolve and styles come and go (and continue to be debated), but one thing's for sure: Jeans will always be in. They're a seasonless wardrobe staple with a permanent place in fashion. And if you want your jeans to look good and last multiple years, the designer variety might be worth the investment.
"There was an age of luxury denim in the early '00s that seemingly kicked off this contemporary idea of designer denim," says brand consultant and creative director Laurel Pantin. Though labels like 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and Joe's are still alive and well, some newcomers—think Mother, Agolde, and Good American—are giving them a run for their money.
From wide-leg and cropped to baggy, bootcut, barrel, super-high-rise, and—yep—even skinny, there's something for everyone among the best designer jeans.
Best Overall
Rails Wide Leg Jeans
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Nordstrom
Cut: Wide-leg | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Sizes: 23–32
We realize cuts and silhouettes are a very personal choice, so it's undoubtedly hard to say one is the best overall. However, if we had to choose a single pair of jeans for the current moment in fashion, we'd go with the Getty Wide Leg from Rails. The slightly boxy wide-leg pants, high-rise waist, and classic five-pocket details check all the boxes for us. Made of 98% cotton and 2% elastane, these jeans have the traditional sturdiness of denim with just a hint of stretch to optimize comfort. We'd wear them with a fitted tank or just a simple white T-shirt.
Best Faded
Agolde 90s High-Rise Pinch-Waist Jeans
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Saks Fifth Avenue
Cut: Straight | Material: Organic cotton | Sizes: 23–34
We also like this faded pair from Agolde, with its medium wash and time-worn look. The full-length straight legs are arguably less likely to go out of style any time soon than other cuts, and the pinch waist creates a cinched midsection.
Best Ripped
Citizens of Humanity Baggy Wide Leg Jeans
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Nordstrom
Cut: Baggy | Materials: Organic cotton, recycled lyocell, recycled cotton | Sizes: 23–34
It's been a couple of decades since pre-destroyed denim was officially accepted into the mainstream fashion market (worn-in sneakers à la Golden Goose are next). Anyway, we're big fans of these ripped designer jeans, which have classic knee holes and other distressed detailing throughout. The slouchy fit adds to the laid-back vibe.
Best Dark Wash
Paige High Waist Wide Leg Trouser Jeans
Bloomingdale's
Cut: Wide-leg trouser | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
If you're partial to dark-wash denim, you might like these Paige jeans. With back darts, welt pockets, and a sharp high-rise waist, the tailored style is inspired by wide-leg trousers. We'd wear these with heeled sandals or pointed-toe boots and a sleek bodysuit or cropped vest.
Best Mom Jeans
DL1961 High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
DL1961
Cut: Straight | Material: Cotton | Sizes: 23–34
Mom jeans are no longer a punchline, and we're here for it. Reminiscent of mid-'90s denim, this pair has a classic medium-blue wash, full-length straight legs, a high-rise waist, and five-pocket details. These non-stretch jeans are also 100% cotton, which isn't as common as it used to be but gives a sturdy feel and long-lasting durability—something you definitely want when spending upwards of $200.
Best Wide-Leg
Rag & Bone High Waist Wide Leg Jeans
Nordstrom
Cut: Wide-leg | Materials: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Sizes: 23–34
For our wide-leg girlies, we suggest Rag & Bone Sofie Jeans. The of-the-moment silhouette gets gradually wider from top to bottom, while the conventional pockets and high-rise waist balance out the dramatic legs.
Best Slim-Fit
Eileen Fisher High Waist Slim Fit Jeans
Nordstrom
Cut: Slim | Materials: Organic cotton, elastane | Sizes: XXS–XL
Ready to transcend skinny jeans but not quite ready for wide-leg or boyfriend? We recommend this slim-fit pair. These sophisticated jeans have a high-rise waist and mostly straight legs that are narrow but not too tight. They're versatile enough to wear with sneakers, sandals, flats, or heels.
Best Straight
Good American Straight Cropped Jeans
Good American
Cut: Straight | Material: Cotton, recycled cotton, polyester, elastane | Sizes: 00–32
Do quickly evolving trends and strong internet opinions make you feel utterly lost when shopping for jeans? You can't go wrong with straight. Not too fitted nor too wide, this pair from Good American falls perfectly in the middle of what's "in" right now. We also like that the brand's jeans are super-stretchy with "tummy smoothing technology" to ensure they continue to fit and look good through weight fluctuations.
Best Flared
Mother Frayed Flare Jeans
Mother
Cut: Flared | Materials: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
Mother is a relative newcomer to the designer jeans world. This casual-leaning flared pair has subtle bell-bottoms, raw hems, and a fitted silhouette from the knees up. We're all about the ultra-stretchy denim that gets softer with every wear.
Best Bootcut
Hudson Jeans High-Rise Bootcut Jean
Revolve
Cut: Bootcut | Material: Cotton, modal, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
Hudson is another early-aughts jeans maker. As a nod to the designer denim heyday, this bootcut pair has very gently flared legs that can be worn with—yes—boots of varying heights (even Uggs). But unlike most 2000s styles, these jeans have a more modern high-rise waist.
Best Ankle
AG High Waist Ankle Wide Leg Jeans
Nordstrom
Cut: Wide-leg | Materials: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Sizes: 23–33
We love a good ankle jean. This wide-leg style from AG features a cropped cut that'll hit just above the ankle on most wearers. Are you shorter than average? Since they already have a raw hem, you can always trim the bottoms to your height (we strongly recommend measuring carefully or having a tailor do it if you're unsure).
Best Barrel
Pistola Eli High-Rise Arched Leg Jeans
Nordstrom
Cut: Barrel | Materials: Cotton, spandex | Sizes: 24–33
Barrel jeans are the in-demand denim trend that makes a bold statement. If you're up for it, consider this Pistola pair. The bowed silhouette and relaxed-fit legs give a contemporary aesthetic without being too over-the-top. We'd rock these jeans in the warmer season with a crop top or sleeveless bodysuit and sandals or flats.
7 For All Mankind
Cut: Skinny | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
No matter what the voice of any generation says, the fact is, brands continue to make skinny jeans, and plenty of people continue to wear them. We like how these 7 For All Mankind jeans marry the brand's beloved faded dark wash and signature back-pocket stitching from the early 2000s with the late-2000s cut.
Best '70s-Inspired
Joe's Jeans The Mia High-Rise Wide Leg Jean
Joe's Jeans
Cut: Wide-leg | Materials: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
These retro-inspired Joe's Jeans look like they were pulled from the That '70s Show wardrobe closet. The super-high waist, elongating wide legs, and indigo wash all nod to the disco decade—Donna Pinciotti eat your heart out.
Best Palazzo
Frame Le Slim Raw Hem Palazzo Jeans
Revolve
Cut: Palazzo | Materials: Organic cotton, cotton, recycled polyester, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
Palazzo pants have somewhat loose, wide legs that get gradually broader from the hips down. Frame's Le Slim Jeans nail the look while still being versatile enough to style many ways. We'd style these with a cropped sweater, a long-sleeve bodysuit, or a tucked-in tank.
Best White
Celine Kitty Jeans in Optic White
Celine
Cut: Wide-leg | Material: Cotton | Sizes: 24–32
Celine is among the most expensive designer jeans brands. But if you can swing the steep price, we think you'll be satisfied with the look, feel, and fit. We love these white jeans, which are made of 100% cotton for a thick, painter-pants feel and a slightly rigid drape. They're giving Bianca Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You.
Nordstrom
Cut: Straight | Material: Cotton, elastane | Sizes: 23–34
If you ask us, black jeans are a wardrobe staple you'll always be glad to have on hand. We like this pair from Favorite Daughter, with its straight and simple cigarette legs and high-rise waist. The garment dye delivers an inky black hue that'll resist fading in the wash.
What to Look for in Designer Jeans
- Style and silhouette: Wide-leg, barrel, bootcut, slim-fit, baggy, boyfriend, you name it—pretty much all jean silhouettes are in style right now (at least based on what brands are selling). So go with what you feel most confident in rather than what's trending, especially when investing in a designer pair. "Get the one that will age with you and you'll always be able to wear," says NYC stylist Sofia Karvela.
- Fit: "Regardless of brand or designer, they have to fit well," says Pantin. Stretchier jeans will have a bit more flexibility in terms of size, and some pairs will relax over time. If you buy designer jeans online and realize they don't fit once you try them on, by all means, return them. Designer styles are also often longer than average, so you may need to have them professionally hemmed by a tailor. (Nordstrom and other high-end department stores will do this for free if you buy from them.)
- Fabric: "I don't like denim with stretch, so I look for 100% cotton," Pantin tells Byrdie. All-cotton jeans were more common before the turn of the century, and they tend to be a bit thicker and sturdier but can feel stiff. Many modern jeans have a small amount of spandex or elastane woven in for added give and a more comfortable feel.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in apparel and lifestyle. Having owned many pairs of designer jeans in the early aughts (well before she could afford them) and several more over the last couple of decades, she knows her way around the best brands and cuts. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, covering fashion and beauty.
Meet the Experts:
- Laurel Pantin is a brand consultant and creative director with over a decade of experience in the fashion industry.
- Sofia Karvela is a fashion stylist based in New York City.
