The best jeans are the ones you want to live in and wear again and again – and they get better every time you slip them on. However finding the “perfect style” can be hard, given there are so many different silhouettes, cuts and washes available, plus sizing can vary depending on the brand.
The options are endless, and so to help you with your search, I spent a day changing-room hopping to give you insights on the best jeans you can buy right now. After trying on countless pairs of varying shapes, sizes, and cotton compositions, I’ve realised that the pool of exceptional, stand-out styles is much smaller than you’d think. The age-old technique of trial and error has turned me to the classics such as Levi’s, Citizens Of Humanity and Agolde, as well as more contemporary iterations from the likes of Arket, Uniqlo and Cos. Vintage stores are worth visiting too: Unlike off-the-rack styles, vintage denim offers worn-in appeal, as well as unique details like rivets, stitching and patches that give jeans a beautiful lived-in quality.
Vogue’s best jeans at a glance
Before heading off on my quest to the fitting rooms, I grabbed a few different types of shoes that I would want to wear with my every-day denim, squeezing a kitten heel, a trainer, a boot, and of course a loafer into my largest tote-bag. It might sound like a painstaking process, but it paid off tenfold when I saw how different jeans transformed with a simple shoe change.
Read more: Best Black Leggings For Women
Also note that there’s not one particular style for each body shape. This is a common misconception that should be thrown out. It’s about finding the brand that has the right fit for you. Fits vary and so do fabrics. Every body is different, so what might be a wide-leg for one, could be a straight-leg for another. I definitely found that some styles were more form-fitting than their labels suggested, while others were deceptively loose. Wear what feels comfortable, not what you think should fit – that’s how to find perfectly-fitting jeans.
To find out which styles have our hearts, see British Vogue’s breakdown of the best jeans to try now.
These best jeans for women come Vogue-approved ahead of the new year
Low-rise baggy
Opting for these in a size up from my usual, I loved how they sat low and loose on the hips, falling in a wide, straight line down the leg. I tried them on with heels because the 31” length somewhat drowned me, but I later realised that Levi’s offers this style in four different leg lengths, so if I were to purchase them, I could size down to 29”. They came with a denim string to tie around the waist – which would look great when you want to cinch – but for more casual looks, I’d opt for no belt. One thing to remember is that, while vintage Levi’s might run small, the current mainline collections run true to size.
White jeans
Having only tried Reformation’s dresses, prior to this, I was interested to see if its denim would meet the mark. Even before pulling these on, I was impressed by the quality of the fabric – thick enough to hold its shape but not so rigid that it was going to make me feel claustrophobic. The only issue here was that I couldn’t try my true size (25), so I went with a 24. With this in mind, they came up tight on the waist and the upper-leg, so if you want yours to be low-waisted, as the style name suggests, then I’d advise sizing up from your standard. This style comes in 13 core colours, plus an additional five seasonal colour options that should be available throughout winter.
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Straight jeans
Uniqlo jeans are a Vogue office favourite (the curve jeans have recently been spotted on a number of staffers) and my wide, straight-leg pair gets compliments every time I wear them. While some baggy jeans can be very exaggerated, this pair has a streamlined, tailored cut that doesn’t puddle around the legs. Loose throughout, with a mid-to-high rise waistline, in a size up from my usual, they still offer some shape around the hips while remaining spacious enough to feel ultra-comfortable. They will also look great in your usual size, providing slightly more of a fitted look than the above. Plus, they also come in vintage blue which is the perfect choice for more casual-leaning looks.
Selvedge jeans
The polished alternative to frayed denim, selvedge jeans are a favourite amongst fashion crowds, with countless brands and designers putting their own spin on the style. The above pair are from Guess, which I’ll admit I’d never thought to try before, but on the Selfridges shop floor I was drawn to their deep wash and slightly more affordable price-tag compared to other premium brands. (These are £120, but other Guess styles are closer to the £70 mark.) They sit at mid-level on the hips and have a flattering straight leg, with the loops on the side giving them a carpenter feel. However, perhaps the most impressive thing about this pair was how flattering they were on the hips. The way they hugged in all the right places meant that I left the fitting rooms a Guess jeans convert!
Barrel-leg jeans
I’m under the impression that barrel-leg jeans are among the more flattering pieces of clothing out there. The playful, ballooning silhouette magically balances out proportions and allows room for your legs to move – all while retaining their structure. This style from Citizens of Humanity is high waisted, and just like its best-selling Ayla style, they fit like a glove in my usual size (25). The length on me was perfect, and if you’re taller then they’ll come up ever-so-slightly cropped. Paired with ballet flats, they’d make the perfect foundation for plenty of outfits.
Turn-up jeans
I have owned the same pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans for six years and can attest to their longevity. The fabric ages beautifully, moulding to your body over the first few wears, but retaining its shape for years to come. The Ayla wide-leg silhouette is softer than some other styles from the brand, but is still thick enough to maintain its structure. I love how these are cut with the perfect amount of extra leg room, allowing comfortable movement without entirely drowning your figure. The fit around the hips is on the looser side (which I’m a big fan of) and the turn-up cuffs give it a relaxed, vintage feel. These were the most comfortable and versatile of the lot and I’ll be adding them to my shopping basket imminently. Note: I sized up for a more relaxed look, sitting lower on the hips.
Pleated jeans
Adding pleating to the front of jeans instantly gives them a tailored edge, while providing a little extra wiggle room around the upper leg. I recently discovered EB Denim via its Rizu shorts, which have become somewhat of a staple in my summer wardrobe. After the success of my shorts, I had high hopes for this barrel-leg pair. Online, the fit is described as low-rise – and they were just that. In my regular size, they sat very low on the hips but didn’t risk falling too low, and thanks to the lightweight cotton composition, the wide fit drapes smoothly down the leg. The only hiccup here was the length, but I like how they look rolled-up, so it would be easy to iron in the hem folds or get them taken up.
Slim-fit jeans
A slim-fit jean isn’t something I thought I’d be wearing in 2025, but with the likes of Miu Miu and Balenciaga backing the close-cut silhouette, there is no denying the return of this divisive style. Admittedly, this is the style I struggled the most with, trying on countless iterations in rigid cotton, soft cotton, with a crop and without a crop. But it was this pair from 7 For All Mankind that worked best, even though off the body they looked worryingly like leggings (please, nobody bring back jeggings). With the help of a heeled boot, this soft, jet-black pair made me feel sleek and sculpted. I tried a size up which fit well, but I’d advise going with your usual size as these are likely to stretch with wear.
Embellished jeans
I’m under the impression that sequins and studs should not be reserved solely for festivities but should be celebrated year-round – especially during those times when you’re in need of a day-to-night outfit. Paired with a shirt and loafers for daytime, or with a kitten-heel and tank top for a night on the town, they are the ideal way to add a little bit of fun to an otherwise understated outfit. This soft cotton pair from Reformation has a gentle wide-leg fit and I enjoyed how the silver accents follow the stitching around the side seams and the back pockets. Although my usual size would have fit, I sized up here as I didn’t want to feel restricted.
