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Let’s talk about finding the perfect pair of jeans.
I promise you, they exist, but finding your best pair can be frustrating and a little discouraging. I’ve been there, literally breathless in a dressing room, or my closet, trying to get a pair of jeans over various parts of my body.
Happily, over the years, I’ve discovered truly great pairs for myself, clients and my readers.
So, today, I’m hoping to make your search a little easier by rounding up my picks for the very best jeans for women in every style and size.
I’m including regular or missy, petite and plus sizes for skinny, straight and bootcut styles.
The Best Jeans for Women in Every Style and Shape
Jeans: Joe’s Curvy Skinny (on sale) | Tee: $9.50 | Boots: $100
The Three Most Popular Style of Jeans
For today’s post, I’m focusing on a classic five pocket design, in a dark or medium wash in skinny, straight and bootcut styles.
I picked two or three of my favorites at different price points, so within each category you’ll have a high, medium and low price (or what I call splurge, spend and save).
Currently, my favorite pair of jeans are these Joe’s Curvy Skinny jeans I scored on sale at Off 5th (above). When I was a stylist, Joes Jeans were a client favorite. Their Curvy Bootcut make your legs look a mile long and their Petite Provocateur Bootcut jeans have a cult like following.
We feature a lot of skinny jeans in our posts. Mostly because they are the abundantly available. They are also more flattering than you may think, if you find the right pair.
Universally speaking, a straight leg works well on most body types. You still want them to be narrow, but this cut will give you the current silhouette of a slim cut bottom without having to deal with fabric clinging to your legs.
The bootcut style has come and gone over the years. Recently, bootcuts have gone back to their original glory, as a better version of their late 90s predecessors. The flare on most current styles is just enough to cover your shoe. Its slim cut helps bring some much-needed balance if you have wider hips and broad shoulders.
The Fit of Jeans
Jeans are the kind of garment you just have to try on and see what happens. There are no blanketed rules telling us what style works for what body type. It all comes down to how the jean fits you as an individual and how you feel in them.
I’ve had a plus sized client fall in love with a skin-tight pair of skinnies and look phenomenal in them; and a petite client, who swore up and down that a bootcut would overwhelm her, walk out with two pairs that helped show off her curves. There is no science to it.
Generally speaking, the more stretch in a jean, the more they will stretch out, so consider sizing down when ordering. You want a new pair of jeans to almost feel too small, because after wearing them for just a few hours, they’ll start to conform to your body.
Also, if you run into the very common issue of your the waistband either feeling too loose or gapping, have them fitted by a tailor at the waist. It’s an easy fix so you can get them over your hips and sit comfortably at your waist. I did it all the time for clients.
Scroll down to find your size and preferred cut.
The Best Straight Leg Jeans for Women
One, $178 | Two, $89 | Three, $27
One – DL 1961 Jeans are my favorite. They are expensive, but the quality and fit are out of this world. There is just enough stretch, great for travel, perfect for the office, and easy to wear on the weekend. Available in sizes up to a 34 which is about a 16.
Two – KUT from Kloth is a well priced, quality brand with nice fit and style. Available in sizes 0 – 16.
Three – Old Navy won’t last you more than a season or two, but are a fantastic price and fit well. Available in regular, petite and tall, in up to a size 20 with short, regular and long lengths.
The Best Skinny Jeans for Women
One, $179 | Two, $37 | Three, $32
One – Paige Denim are like the gold standard of skinny jeans. They have classic style, awesome fit and last for a good long time. These have a mid-rise available in up to a 34 or a size 16.
Two – Article of Society are a great deal at their regular price, but on sale they’re a no brainer. I’m a big fan of their fit and styling. They will stretch out faster then premium denim so you may consider sizing down. Limited sizes include 22 – 34.
Three – Old Navy’s Mid-Rise Rockstar one of my all time favorites. They look like designer denim for a fraction of the price. Again, these will stretch out quickly so you’ll get one season at the most out of them. Available in regular, petite and tall, in up to a size 20 with short, regular and long lengths.
The Best Bootcut Jeans for Women 
One, $110 | Two, $90 | Three, $68
One – Joe’s boot cut jeans are my favorite. They have impeccable fit and a classic dark wash. Also, note the length in the picture above, this where you want them to hit, just slightly puddling on top of your shoe. These have a high rise and go up to size 34, which, for Joe’s is a 14/16.
Two – KUT from Koth has nice stretch in a dark, go with everything wash. These run large so size down, available up to a size 14.
Three– Wit & Wisdom is another well priced option at under $70. They are more casual, ideal for the weekend and run big so size down when ordering. Available in regular and petite sizes, up to a 18 or 14W.
The Best Petite Straight Leg Jeans for Women
One, $109 | Two, $84 | Three, $68
One– NYDJ makes fantastic jeans in all sizes. Their petite straight leg was a go-to for clients. Available in three colors up to a size 18P.
Two– We don’t see a lot of Jag Jeans anymore but they also make a sold jean for under $100. There pull on style (above) give you the slim look of a skinny jean with more comfort and room. Available in regular and petite up to a size 12.
Three– Wit & Wisdom have what they call an “Ab-solution” which is basically mesh panels that hold you in (yes, please). These run big so size down. Available in regular and petite sizes, up to a 18 or 14W.
The Best Petite Skinny Leg Jeans for Women
One, $238 | Two, $139 | Three, $59
One – Citizen of Humanity are not specifically a petite jean, but I’ve had luck with them for petite clients. Worth trying if you want a premium denim. Available in sizes up to a 12, runs small.
Two – Another NDJ in a super dark wash. Nice for those of you that like a high waistband that sits above your belly button. Available in regular, plus and petite up to a size 24.
Three – Liverpool has comfortable, under $60 jean in a dark designer wash. These are pull on so they will feel like a legging and feel comfortable at your natural waist. Available in up to a size 12P.
The Best Petite Bootcut Jeans for Women
One, $185 | Two, $68 | Three, $35
One – Joes makes by far the BEST pair of petite boot cut jeans, especially if you are a little curvy. Available in up to a size 32, runs small, high waisted.
Two – Wit & Wisdom has enough stretch and a waistband that sits right at your natural waist. Also available in regular up to a size 18.
Three – These Old Navy jeans are just a solid option, in a classic dark wash for under $0. Also available in regular, and tall up to a size 20.
The Best Plus Straight Leg Jeans for Women
One – NYDJ makes the best plus size jeans in all styles. They consistently have great fit and proper pocket placement. Available in sizes 14 – 28W, with a high rise. Order one size down.
Two – These Old Navy have an incredibly reasonable price tag and classic fit. Available in sizes 16 – 30, in regular, short or long lengths.
The Best Plus Skinny Leg Jeans for Women
One – I say show off your curves. Wear these James Jeans skinny’s with a killer heel and your favorite going out top. Available in sizes 12 – 28.
Two– If you don’t want to spend, Target has you covered with their brand Ava & Viv. Just remember they are a one, maybe two season wear, but are under $30. Available in sizes 14 – 30.
The Best Plus Bootcut Jeans for Women
One – From NYDJ these are like a trouser jean, great for the office on a casual day paired with a one or two button blazer. Available in sizes 14 – 28.
Two – These jeans from KUT are the most casual, they could be your go to weekend jean, but are still polished. Available in sizes 14 – 24.
Three – A slim boot cut is ideal to bring balance to your shape without creating more volume and these Seven7 jeans are just that at a fantastic sale price.
Tall Sizes
Let’s talk about tall sizes. Many of the options above include tall sizing and are noted. Old Navy in particular offers all kind of sizes from traditional tall cuts to just longer inseams (depending on what you need).
Banana Republic and J.Crew also offer a solid tall selection and Talbots has long as an option within their sizes.
I am 5’10, but don’t wear specifically tall cuts. Instead I’ve had luck with premium denim offering longer inseams – something to consider as well.
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Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Postand wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
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