Shopping for the best jeans is one of the most tedious tasks a woman can undertake. Get it right and your life will be changed, but get it wrong and you’ll be left crying in the poorly-lit fitting room or lugging 6743288 pairs back to the Post Office to be returned.
Yet, as painful as it may be, we continue to put ourselves through it. Why? Denim jeans are the ultimate stalwart staple and as versatile as clothing comes. Seriously: no other garment comes anywhere close. Sure, denim trends come and go (goodbye, jeggings and skinny jeans; hello, baggy jeans), but whatever cut is of-the-moment, they’re an item that fashion will never be without. But with different styles emerging every season – column jeans, anyone?! – it can be tricky downright impossible to know where to start. Good thing you guys have us.
Best jeans for women at a glance:
- Best high-waisted jeans: Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans, £100, Levi’s
- Best curve jeans: Curves Black High Waist Flared Brooke Jeans, £25.99, New Look
- Best statement jeans: Patchwork Vertical Stripe Jean, £129, Whistles
- Best straight leg jeans: Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans, £168, Reformation
- Best wide leg jeans: High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans, £35, Marks & Spencer
If you’re in the market for a new pair of jeans, or you’re simply fed-up with sub-par, ill-fitting denim of seasons past, our ultimate buying guide to the best women’s jeans will have you stumbling across something comfy. ‘Cos as a result of wearing, loving and hating our fair share of jeans over the years, team GLAMOUR has found all manner of high street jeans, black jeans, best tall jeans, stretch denim jeans, cropped jeans and retro-inspired leg styles that’ll serve you very well. Consider your every denim need covered.
What type of jeans are best for my body shape?
Finding a woman who is the same jeans size across all of their favourite retailers is a rarity. Sizes can vary wildly depending on the store you’re shopping in which is, for sure, disheartening. Our advice is to dismiss the numbers on the label, go for what you feel the most comfortable in (with or without the best shapewear) and be prepared to try on lots of styles. There’s not just one particular style for each body shape. And remember: clothes are supposed to fit your body, not the other way around.
On that note, your style choice is plentiful. There are cult denim brands like Levis and Lee, plus high street online clothing stores, premium high street brands and luxury designers all cutting their denim in different ways for different body types.
Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s a quick guide to the different types of jean styles for women:
- Mom jeans: Think Monica Geller from Friends – mom jeans are exactly what she wears. Fitted at the waist and hips and baggier around the leg.
- Straight jeans: All one shape the whole way down.
- Wide-leg jeans: Fitted around the waist getting gradually wider and wider down the leg.
- Baggy jeans: Provide that two-sizes-too-big effect. Loose everywhere.
- Flared jeans: Tight-ish until the knee, then ‘flare’ out as their name suggests for a ’70s finish.
- Skinny jeans: Do what they say on the tin – they’re tight/skinny fitting all the way down.
- High-waist jeans: Sit high up on the waist.
- Low-rise jeans: Sit below the bellybutton.
- Boyfriend jeans: Tend to fit exactly how a pair of men’s jeans might fit a woman.
- Dad jeans: Similar to boyfriend jeans but slightly more vintage looking and tend to be mid-waist as opposed to low.
- Bootcut jeans: Slim fit through the upper legs that tapers at the knee then looses at the ankle. Traditionally, this was so that boots could be worn underneath the jeans, hence the name!
- Column jeans: Very similar to dad jeans but with a higher rise on the waist. They can be a bit baggier, too.