The Best Places to Buy Jeans, According to Our Editors
A high-quality pair of jeans is an absolute must. Finding one, however, can be much more challenging. Trying on 20 nearly identical pairs in a dressing room is exhausting, and blindly guessing your size online can turn out to be a complete failure when the mailman arrives with your package. Who better to assist you in navigating the denim market than our seasoned staff of Wade Review shopping experts?
While finding the right fit may be difficult, we’re here to prove you don’t have to compromise comfort for style. We surveyed the entire Wade Review editorial team on their favorite jean brands and retailers, considering factors such as fit, comfort, selection, and price point. After combing through the results, we compiled a list of 14 brands worth buying, many of which are available at various retailers.
In addition to insights from our editorial team, we spoke with Liz Teich, fashion stylist of The New York Stylist, and Erin Stoll, personal stylist behind Style Thief Fashion, for expert insight on what to look for in a seriously good pair of jeans.
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The Curve Love Denim collection features 2 extra inches of fabric by the waist, making it ideal for those with wider hips and a thinner waist.
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You only have 30 days to return from when you receive your shipment confirmation email, not the package itself.
If you were a diehard Abercrombie & Fitch fan in the early 2000s, we have some good news: The brand made a huge comeback. It reigned as the fan favorite in our survey and is a go-to brand for three of our editors.
Much of Abercrombie’s resurgence can be attributed to its extensive selection of fits and styles, including loose, baggy, straight, skinny, and more. It also boasts an inclusive range of sizes, with most jeans available in waistbands from 23 to 37 and five length options ranging from extra short to extra long. Home director Erica Finamore has developed a special appreciation for Abercrombie’s length variety: “Do I sometimes feel like I’m back in 2004 when I buy jeans from Abercrombie? Yes. But its stuff is so much better now—there are tons of styles and they sell short versions, which is super important for people who are, say, 5-foot-2.”
Those with wider hips and a smaller waist know the struggle of finding jeans that flatter both areas. Luckily, the brand’s best-selling Curve Love Denim collection is designed for those with curvy figures. Constantly struggling with jeans being too loose on the waist, editorial apprentice Megan Lenzi calls the Curve Love Denim collection a game changer. “The waist is narrower, so it creates an hourglass shape,” she says. “As a bonus, the denim has a stretchy fit, making it comfortable and wearable for every day.”
Senior shopping editor Lily Gray similarly commends the line’s fit and durability, suggesting that those with wider hips and a thinner waist size down. “Abercrombie’s Curve Love fit is a godsend because it’s designed with 2 inches of extra fabric at the hip,” she says. “After weeks of wear, they do not stretch out in the waist, unlike many popular brands.”
The website is easy to navigate, offering pretty much any type of jeans you could think of. Almost all of the jeans sell for $90, which is a steal considering their high quality. The 30-day return policy (from when you receive your shipping confirmation, not when you receive your package) also provides peace of mind.
Abercrombie Picks:
- All Day Comfort Denim Curve Love Ultra High Rise Ankle Straight Jean
- Vintage Denim Curve Love High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean
Price Range: $90 | Waist Size Range: 23-37 | Length: Extra short, short, regular, long, extra long | Return Policy: 30 days from shipment confirmation
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Crafted in California, the jeans are well made and high quality.
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They are fairly expensive, and the style selection is more limited.
The best denim is long lasting and worth the investment. Crafted in California, AYR jeans exude a special, high-quality appeal. The brand offers a variety of jeans, available in blue, black, and white washes, the majority of which are straight or flare bottoms. However, the website’s denim section only features 33 pairs of jeans and five pairs of jean shorts, making it one of the more limited selections on our list. Waistband sizing ranges from 24 to 34, and inseam lengths vary between pairs—some offer inseams 25 to 29, some offer regular and long, and others are categorized based on height.
After trying out the brand a couple of years ago, food director Jenna Helwig has since bought three more pairs. Her favorite styles are The Beat and The Pop, both offering ample shape and stretch. “They’re super high quality, made in California, and fit my body just right,” she says. “I basically live in these, so they’re worth the money!”
With a relatively steep price point, these jeans are among the most expensive on our list. Luckily, the 30-day return policy provides some leeway for confidence in your purchase. Additionally, shipping is free for orders over $75, which shouldn’t be difficult to meet.
AYR Picks:
Price Range: $145-$245 | Waist Size Range: 24-34 | Length: Short, regular, long | Return Policy: 30 days
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The sustainable brand allows you to filter by category.
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Jeans aren’t available in varying inseam lengths.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific type of denim, you may not have the time (or energy) to wade through countless options. The Citizen of Humanity’s denim section is great for those on a mission, allowing you to filter jeans by closure, color, fabric, fit, length, rise, stretch, and wash. But if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, don’t worry—simply keep scrolling to peruse the full selection.
Most of the brand's jeans are made from 100% organic cotton, ensuring comfort and durability, and the waistband sizing ranges from 23 to 34. We also appreciate that each style comes in various washes, from lighter colors to darker hues. Beneath each product description, the website includes a “looks like” and “feels like” section, providing insight before you buy. Just keep in mind that the brand doesn’t offer varying inseam lengths.
Having struggled to find the right fit, features editor Melissa Matthews turned to Rent the Runway as a way to experiment with different denim styles without the commitment. Once she discovered Citizen of Humanity’s Beverly Slouch Boot jeans, she knew she had to keep them for months. “They fit perfectly in the waist, hips, and thighs, which never happens for me,” she says. “I got a ton of compliments from friends, some of whom have never complimented my jeans before!”
The company is devoted to sustainability, utilizing regenerative farming practices and recycled cotton. These best practices likely explain the high price point, with most jeans priced over $250. While they do cost a pretty penny, we think the high quality and eco-friendly production process make up for it. Bonus points for the 30-day return policy and free shipping.
Citizens of Humanity Picks:
Price Range: $198-$298 | Waist Size Range: 22-34 | Return Policy: 30 days
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Each product is labeled with its correlating sustainability practices, giving you transparency about what you’re buying.
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Mail-in returns cost $7.
Everlane offers essential styles at an affordable price point. With just under 100 products in its denim selection, the brand features straight-leg, flared, relaxed, curvy, high-rise, and cheeky options. While the abundance of options may feel overwhelming, you can filter by size (23 to 35), style, and color. Unlike other brands that only have basic blues and blacks, Everlane offers more vibrant hues, including brown, green, gray, pink, red, and tan. “It’s no secret that Everlane has great jeans—I just love the way they fit and how many washes/cuts they come in,” says senior home editor Hannah Baker.
Along with its various denim styles, the brand also features a curvy section, with an adjusted hip-to-waist fabric ratio suitable for people with wider hips. Some of the jeans also come in various inseam lengths. For those who prioritize sustainability, each pair of jeans is clearly labeled with its corresponding attributes, making it easy to know exactly what you’re purchasing.
Everlane offers free shipping on orders over $100, which shouldn’t be too hard to reach. It also has a 30-day return policy, though mail-in returns do cost an additional $7.
Everlane Picks:
Price Range: $98-$139 | Waist Size Range: 23-35 | Return Policy: 30 days