Hunting for jeans has got to be my most-dreaded shopping activity. Finding a well-fitting, comfortable and flattering pair can truly feel like an impossibility: The sizing is inconsistent from brand to brand (and often between styles and washes within the same brand). How is it possible that the waist gaps and pinches simultaneously? And of course, you want your tush to look great — it's a tall order. So when I find a pair that fits, and I mean really fits, I can practically hear angels singing above.
That said, every single body is so, so different. Yes, I'm a style editor, and yes, I could sit here all day and rattle off the brands, cuts and styles I've come to swear by — but I'm just one person with one body type and one (highly specific bordering on obnoxious) set of preferences. That's why I enlisted my fellow Yahoo Shopping editors, a crew that’s collectively tried on a lot of denim in the name of research — we're talking hundreds of pairs over a combined century, at least. Suffice it to say, we have a lot of opinions.
Our team has a diverse range of body types and ages that span generations. We have varied style preferences and goals — some prefer loose-fitting, low-slung denim while others want buttery-soft denim blends that feel like sweatpants. We combined all of this unique experience to find the best jeans brands and styles.
Update, Nov. 18, 2025: We refreshed our picks based on updated testing and editor input, including styles from J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy, Levi's and more.
Material: 87% cotton, 12% polyester, 1% spandex | Sizes: 00-30 | Washes: 12 | Inseams: Petite, regular, tall
Why we love them:There are no other pants in my overstuffed closet that net me more compliments than this budget-friendly Old Navy pair. They're billed as high-rise but I find them to be a true mid-rise, hitting right below the belly button without cutting off at the tummy. They're fitted through the hips and tush (and make both look good ), and they go straight down without flaring or bunching. I'm 5'7" and the regular inseam is absolutely perfect; they barely skim the floor when I'm in flats. But don't you dare think about drying them; you'll lose at least an inch off the hem. I have them in two colors and if I had more closet space, would buy more.
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% Lycra | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 5 | Inseams: 28", 30", 32", 34" | Leg: Straight| Rise: High
Why we love them: "I’ve been on an obsessive denim journey the past few months, trying and returning more pairs of jeans than I’d like to admit," said Editorial Manager Zainab Akande . "At this point, you could say I’ve earned a PhD in jeans. So I mean it when I say — if waist gaps are your mortal enemy or if you want a pair of jeans that are more forgiving around the hips and thighs, pick up a pair of Levi's 501 Curve Women's Jeans. I find them comfortable, ridiculously flattering for my curves, already own three pairs and plan on going back for more!"
Universal Standard
Material: 64% Cotton, 24% Polyester, 10.5% Rayon, 1.5% Elastane | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 4 | Inseams: 32" | Leg: Straight | Rise: High
Why we love them: "I’ve had these jeans for about a year now, and they’ve become my go-to when I want to feel comfortable but still look more polished than I do in joggers or leggings," said Lauren Matthews-Ide , Director. "They’ve got just the right amount of stretch to move with you, yet they hold their shape pretty well after multiple wears. They do run large, so I recommend sizing down one from your usual fit. For reference, I’m 5'7" and wear the 'long' length, which hits perfectly at the ankle with sneakers. My only gripe is that the hems tend to curl a bit after drying, so you have to iron them if you want them to lie flat. The care tag says to air-dry, but I always toss mine in the dryer — so, maybe that's why!"
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: 25-32 | Washes: 3 | Inseams: Not listed
Why we love them: My go-everywhere, wear-everyday, always-feel-good jeans. They're budget-friendly with a sky-high waist that sits just below the ribs, which cinches in at the tiniest part of my waist without squeezing so they look waist-whittling, not uncomfy. They have a loose, straight leg that tapers in slightly toward the ankle, and while the inseam length isn't listed, I'd say these are about 7/8 length (I'm 5'7" and they hit right at the ankle). They're 100% cotton so they do stretch out a bit during wear, but they snap back after a spin in the dryer.
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23-37 | Washes: 6 | Inseams: Petite, classic, tall Leg: Straight | Rise: High
Why we love them: "J.Crew is one of my go-tos for jeans that are as comfy as they are stylish," says Senior Writer Kristin Granero . "This jean in particular (in Reagan Wash) is, in my opinion, the perfect all-season fade, with a slightly-slouchy-yet-still-polished fit that I've found goes with most occasions. I wear them with a blazer to work, with sneakers to run errands, with flats to brunch and with heels at night or on the weekends."
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23-37 | Washes: 3 | Inseams: Petite, classic, tall | Leg: Wide | Rise: High
Why we love them: "I don't know why more people don't talk about J.Crew's jeans," said Director Jeanine Edwards . "They are so great. I own over 30 pairs of jeans, and 80% of the time I reach for a pair from J.Crew because they fit so well, the quality is top-notch and most styles look good with sneakers, flats and booties. I also find the sizing really consistent, which I appreciate as an avid online shopper." She loves this style (like, owns them in three washes loves them) since "the slightly full leg of these jeans feels modern and fresh, but I also don't feel like I'm cosplaying as a Gen Z'er when I wear them."
Material: 57% Cotton, 37% Modal, 4% Elastomultiester, 2% Elastane | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 11 | Inseams: 34.5" | Leg: Boot | Rise: High
Why we love them:"I am not embarrassed to admit that I have about 25 pairs of jeans in my closet, because I wear a pair of denim almost every single day," says Editor Julia Webb . "They are, without a doubt, my favorite piece of clothing, but it actually wasn't too hard to pick a favorite pair. Hudson's Barbara Bootcut Jeans are my go-to and the pair I always get complimented on. They hug my waist and thighs before flaring out below the knee, making my legs look miles long. They are pricey at $195, but I swear they're worth every penny."
Abercrombie & Fitch
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23-37 | Washes: 9 | Inseams: Extra short, short, regular, long, extra long | Leg: Straight | Rise: Low
Why we love them: "If I could only wear these pants every day, I would," said Editor Elizabeth Berry, whose love for these jeans eclipsed her loyalty to another name-brand denim company she worked at for four years. She says they're still in great shape after a year of wear: "They haven’t stretched out a considerable amount and feel more comfortable with each wear. My only gripe is that I got the Long version and there often isn’t inventory in my size."
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: 24-36 | Washes: 3 | Inseams: Short, regular, tall | Leg: Straight | Rise: Mid
Why we love them:"These are my 'old faithful' jeans — I've had them for years but they look and feel like the day I got them," said Editor Saundra Latham . "I might also call them my Goldilocks jeans because they're not too tight and not too loose, which means they've pretty much always been in style and always will be. They're 100% cotton (i.e. no stretch) so you do have to nail your size, but that also means they don't get stretched out and baggy as the day goes on (a personal pet peeve)."
Material: 99% cotton, 1% Lycra | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 10 | Inseams: 27", 29", 31" | Leg: Straight | Rise: High
Why we love them:It doesn’t get much more classic than these high-rise, straight-leg jeans by Levi's. "They're the perfect wide-but-not-too wide shape, and the high rise is very flattering," says Senior Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder , who's sworn by these for more than two years. "They have very minimal, if any, stretch and hit at the perfect spot on my ankle bone (a feat, considering I'm 5'3"). She says they are surprisingly comfortable despite having a structured fit, "probably because of the wide-legged fit."
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 11 | Inseams: 31" | Leg: Straight | Rise: Mid
Why we love them: "I'm all about a baggy silhouette, and these vintage-style jeans are the perfect amount of baggy for me," said Editor Kris Scott , who says she's been living in these jeans and likes how they've loosened up a bit over wears. "I also love the Goldilocks weight of the denim — not too thin, not too heavy, but very soft and comfy. I'm nearly 5'7", and I love that I can give them a little cuff if I want to show off cute socks or just give them a slightly different look. And finally, as someone with a healthy-sized booty, I can report I like the way my butt looks in them too."
Material: 87% cotton, 11% polyester, 2% elastane | Sizes: XS-3X | Washes: 5 | Inseams: Petite, regular, tall | Leg: Kick flare | Rise: High
Why we love them: Former Yahoo editor Karisa Langlo found a gem in these clever Spanx jeans. With built-in shapewear technology, they hug your curves just right, making them fit "like a glove — everywhere." They’re made from a super stretchy, compressive fabric that fit "very tight and holding you firmly," thanks to the smoothing panel across the hips. They're actually pull-ons, but you'd never know with the realizstic faux fly, belt loops and real pockets.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% elastane | Sizes: 23-37 | Washes: 8 | Inseams: Extra-short, short, regular, long, extra-long | Leg: Straight | Rise: High
Why we love them:It's rare to find jeans that come not only in short inseams, but extra-short, too. Senior Writer Britt Ross , who is five feet tall, loves how Abercrombie’s short-length jeans hug her curvy shape without being too long. "I opt for these when I want a more fitted look, and because I often have to contend with gapping at the waist, I appreciate that they come in a 'Curve Love' style that eliminates it," she says. "They're 99% cotton and just a tad stretchy (I prefer more structured denim), and the "Short" length is a swell fit for my five-foot-tall frame." Ross really appreciates that the leg area is slightly wider, as it adds comfort and makes styling a breeze.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: 23-34 | Washes: 9 | Inseams: 30", 32" | Leg: Straight | Rise: High
Why we love them:Senior Writer Rebecca Carhart said these jeans were her aha denim moment. After living in her medium-wash blue pair for months, she ordered them in white and black too. "I've tried all kinds of denim over the years, from super skinny to fun flares, but I can honestly say these slouchy Levi's are the most comfortable I've ever worn," she said. "They have the right amount of bagginess through the thighs and calves, so I feel cozy yet still look polished. Plus, they come in two inseam lengths, which is such a win for me since many jeans are often too short. The 32 length fits me just right."
