The best pairs of jeans from sizes 00-36, based on more than 35 recommendations and 210 data points.
Hunting for jeans is oft cited as one of the 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, sometimes even 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.
That said, every single body is so, so different. Even though we've tested dozens of jeans in a range of brands, cuts and styles, every person's body type and preferences are highly specific. That's why we enlisted our 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 different style preferences and goals. Some are curvy women who love buttery-soft stretchy denim while others prefer loose-fitting baggy jeans that feel like sweatpants. We combined all of this unique experience to find the best jeans out there for various fits and figures, from the best jeans for tall women to the perfect denim for petites in trendy wide-leg styles and washes, from white jeans to black rinses and everything in between, from sizes 00 to 36.
There are tens of thousands of different pairs of jeans out there, and yet, they're among the most difficult clothing to shop for. There are so many little things that need to align to get the perfect fit — the right length, enough room for the hips, flattering stretch around the booty, a waistband that doesn't dig or gape — the list goes on.
Aside from trying each pair on IRL, the best way to determine which jeans will fit is based on feedback from real people who love them. We gathered intel for this article from a diverse testing pool of editors made up of women between 5'3" to 6'0", ages 25-44, many of whom have tried dozens of pairs of jeans in the past year alone.
We solicited tester feedback via a multi-question survey, resulting in 35 recommendations and 210 data points on fit, style, durability and comfort of the most popular denim brands. Using that data, we also considered the most common pain points when making our selections. The result is a list of jeans beloved by women of a range of heights and body types that'll act as a great resource to take with you on your denim shopping journey.
Materials:
Cotton: Denim isn't denim without cotton. The earliest iterations of jeans were 100% cotton, which is the fabric content you should keep an eye out for if you love a rugged, vintage feel that breaks in over time. The downside is that they can feel rigid and stiff at first, and there's absolutely no stretch to the fiber, though it does have a tendency to bag with repeated wear.
Elastane/spandex/Lycra: This one is easy — all three of these words refer the same fiber that gives your jeans their stretch. Elastane and spandex are interchangeable words for the fiber, and Lycra is a brand name (think: tissues to Kleenex, or hand sanitizier to Purell). If you see a percentage of any of these materials on your fabric tag, know that your jeans will have a little bit of stretch and give to them. While some prefer a jean with stretch, they can be prone to wearing out faster than all-cotton jeans.
Polyester is an inexpensive synthetic fiber that tends to be more durable and more sweat-wicking than natural fibers like cotton. While it adds durability and affordability, it's also soft for that broken-in feeling right off the bat and helps maintain structure and shape over time. The downside is that the resulting fabric may not feel as substantial or weighty as all-cotton jeans, and that's increasingly true as the percentage grows. Keep this in mind if you prefer a heavy-weight jean.
Rayon is a soft, semi-synthetic material originally derived from plant cellulose, though heavily processed. It was created as a silk alternative and is often found in stretch denim. Modal and lyocell are two variations of rayon that are processed slightly differently. Modal tends to be softer and more lightweight, whereas lyocell is typically more durable and more costly to make. "These materials all add softness and durability to denim.
Inseam: Your inseam measurement is the length of your leg from the lowest point of your crotch to the spot on your ankle that you'd like your jeans to hit. You can measure this yourself or refer to these common inseams as a rule of thumb:
Short/petite: 23–25"
Regular: 26–28"
Tall: 29–32"
Rise "is an important factor to consider when shopping for denim because it controls the visual leg length," says stylist and StyledBuy founder Molly West Coe. Here are the three common rise options for jeans:
High-rise jeans hit at the natural waist. "High-rise styles raise the perceived waistline, create definition at the waist and make your legs look longer," says West Coe. "I recommend high-rise jeans for people will long torsos, short legs or a curvier/hourglass-shaped figure."
Mid-rise jeans hit right at the belly button. "Mid-rise jeans tend to be the most universally flattering, but they're particularly great for people who are petite or have a straight shape or athletic build. This rise gives natural-looking proportions and doesn't shorten the torso," West Coe explains.
Low-rise jeans sit on the hips. "Getting the fit right with low-rise can be tricky. It's best for anyone who's tall, has a short torso or has straight hips," West Coe notes. "This rise tends to visually lengthen your torso and create relaxed proportions."
Leg shapes: "This is where denim gets personal because it changes your proportions instantly," says stylist and Unfoldid founder Aricia Symes.
Skinny: "Tapering below the knee, skinny jeans work best when you want a sleek, streamlined leg which keeps outfits from feeling bottom-heavy," Symes explains.
Straight: Straight leg jeans are the exact same width all the way down from the thighs to the ankles. This creates a column look that's classic and timeless.
Wide: A trending style, Symes describes wide-leg jeans as a category, not one shape. "Some are subtly wide, some are voluminous, some widen gradually while others are wide all the way down," she explains.
Bootcut: "This is one of the most wearable, balanced shapes for most people. It's slimmer through the thigh and then gently widens over the knee to balance out the leg and work over boots," Symes says.
Flare: Often mixed up with bootcut, flare jeans are a stronger statement. The leg opening "kicks out more noticeably from the knee, which can be very elongating with a heel but may also feel overwhelming," notes Symes.
Barrel: One of the most trendy, cool-girl silhouettes of the past year, barrel jeans are "intentionally curved with a roomy thigh and tapered ankle that creates a bowed silhouette," according to Symes. "They give a rounded, sculptural leg shape so the fit at the waist and hip really matters."
Stretch
Stretch: If comfort is a priority, look for jeans that have elastane, Lycra or spandex blended into the cotton. Jeans that have a little bit of stretch are great for that form-fitting look that hugs the tush, but they do have the tendency to wear out more quickly. "High-stretch jeans are forgiving but can bag out at the knees over time, so I usually recommend a middle ground: mostly cotton with a small amount of stretch for comfort without losing shape," says Symes.
Non-stretch: This is your classic denim. "It holds its shape, has that structured "vintage" feel, and will break in and soften with wear, but it won't feel as instantly comfortable as denim with stretch," says Symes. "Sizing has to be closer to right from the start."
The two primary measurements you'll want to have on hand when sizing yourself for jeans are your waist and inseam.
Waist: Jeans are often sold in waist size rather than standard numeric sizing so simply grab a soft tape measure and wrap it around your torso at your natural waist. "It's the place where your waist kinks when you bend to the side," Symes adds. The measurement you get corresponds with the size you should shop for.
Inseam: "The easiest way to find your inseam is to measure a pair of jeans you already love," explains Symes. "Lay them flat, then measure from the crotch seam straight down the inside leg to the hem — that measurement is your inseam. Use it to compare against the inseam lengths listed online."
"Small fit adjustments are possible with jeans, but the fabric content makes all the difference," says Symes. "If they're 100% cotton, heat can shrink them (hot wash and/or a dryer cycle), but it's not an exact science — cotton will often relax again once you wear it, especially at the waist and seat."
As for shrinking stretchy denim, Symes says "it's trickier. Heat might make it feel tighter temporarily, but too much heat can actually wear out the elastic fibers over time, which is how you end up with jeans that get saggy faster."
If you're trying to loosen jeans, Symes explains that the most realistic way to slightly loosen them is to wear them around for a few hours to help the fabric relax or to lightly mist a tight area with water and wear them until they dry.
"If the fit is more than a minor adjustment — especially waist gaping or a seat issue — tailoring is usually the cleanest solution," says Symes, so if you're already hemming your jeans, ask for the extra adjustment too. "Taking in the waist, adding a dart or adjusting the seat gives you a real fix instead of trying to force the denim to change permanently."
"Less washing is the secret," says Symes. "Turn them inside out, wash cold and air dry whenever you can — heat breaks down fibers and fades dye faster." As for stains and spots, Symes says, "spot-clean small marks, air out between wears, and wash only when they truly need it." And at the end of the day, "Different dyes, washes, finishes, and stretch blends all behave differently, the care tag is your safest bet for keeping the fit and color intact."
"People are definitely getting more bold and having more fun with their jeans," says West Coe. "Think styles that are embroidered, embellished, patterned or colorful. I think wide leg and straight leg styles will always be here to stay. Low-rise jeans are still popular with younger people. And there were a lot of whispers about skinny jeans coming back, but I haven't seen them have a complete resurgence the way I thought they would."
Sahra Brandt, personal stylist and founder of Shop the City.
Molly West Coe, fashion stylist, Four Seasons New York stylist and founder of personal styling membership service StyledBuy
Aricia Symes, stylist and founder of personal styling company Unfoldid
Update, May 12, 2026: We refreshed our picks based on updated testing and editor input, including styles from Everlane and Anthropologie.
Is the brand that makes everything easy to cook as good as it seems?
Shopping guidesGet in your daily sips with top picks from Stanley, Hydro Flask, Owala and more from the 100 (yes, 100!) options we tried.
Shopping guides
No more fretting over kitchen messes, thanks to top-performing cleaners that wiped the floor with the competition.
Shopping guides
If you're trying to avoid chemicals found in gel polishes, we tracked down four top-notch alternatives.
Shopping guidesOver the past few years, we've tested 90+ models! But these upright, stick and canister vacs are the only ones that blew us away.
Shopping guidesSkip the night sweats and upgrade your eight hours with a luxurious down or down alternative comforter from Brooklinen, Buffy and beyond.
Shopping guidesFrom stealthy T-shirt options to flattering minimizers and beyond, these expert-selected picks give you comfort, support and lift.
Shopping guidesYahoo style editors picked the best jeans for every body type and personal style preference from top brands like Levi's, Everlane, Abercrombie, Old Navy and Gap.
Shopping guidesDiscover powerful, agile, budget-friendly picks for hard floors and carpets — from Dyson, Tineco, Kenmore and more
Shopping guides
We tested over 20, including picks from Ninja, Cuisinart and Our Place, to see which ones could achieve the crispiest results.
Shopping guides