The Best Jeans for Women: My Tried-and-True Denim Guide
The best jeans for women, according to someone who has tried a lot of them.
I own a lot of jeans.
And when I say a lot, I mean enough that I've finally figured out which pairs I actually reach for — and which ones were simply fun to buy.
Over the years, I've tried just about every denim silhouette: skinny, straight, wide leg, boyfriend, barrel, baggy, cropped, high rise, low slung. Some have come and gone. Others have earned a permanent place in my closet.
These days, I'm much less interested in owning ten versions of the same jean.
I want a few great pairs that each bring something different to my closet.
A classic pair I can throw on without thinking. A relaxed pair for days when I want something slouchier. A barrel jean that changes the shape of an otherwise simple outfit. And maybe one pair that's just fun.
With fall coming, this felt like the perfect time to share what I consider some of the best jeans for women, the tried-and-true denim styles I actually wear and know I can reach for again and again.
These aren't necessarily the newest jeans or the trendiest jeans.
They're simply the ones that have proven themselves.
Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans
If someone asked me where to start with a really good everyday jean, this would probably be one of my first recommendations.
The Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean gives you that classic vintage-'90s denim look without feeling overly baggy.
They're high rise and fitted through the waist and seat, which gives you shape, and then they ease through the thigh into a full-length relaxed leg.
That's what I like most about them.
You still have a waist. You still have shape. But the leg feels easy and relaxed.
They're made from Abercrombie's Vintage Comfort Stretch denim, so they have just enough give to make them comfortable without losing that classic denim feel.
These are the jeans you can put on with a fitted tee, sneakers and a belt and immediately look pulled together. Switch the sneakers for a heel or boot and they work just as easily.
They're not trying too hard.
They're just really good jeans.
My fit note: I stay close to my normal size in these. They give you the relaxed look without needing to dramatically size up.
Best for: classic everyday denim, an easy '90s silhouette, and anyone who wants relaxed jeans without going extremely oversized.
Abercrombie High Rise Barrel Jeans
If you like the barrel-jean look but aren't ready for a really exaggerated barrel shape, these are such a good introduction.
The Abercrombie High Rise Barrel Jean has a 10.5-inch high rise with a relaxed fit through the waist and hips before moving into a fuller barrel-shaped leg.
The difference is subtle enough that they still feel incredibly wearable.
That's exactly why I like them.
They give a basic outfit a little more shape and personality without making the jeans the entire outfit.
Put them with a fitted tee or tank so you can see the waist, add a simple shoe, and you're done.
They also come in some really beautiful washes, and Abercrombie's different inseam options make them easier to fit than a lot of barrel jeans.
My fit note: I prefer these fairly true to size. Because the leg already has volume, I like keeping some definition through the waist.
Best for: someone who wants to try barrel denim without going all the way into a dramatic oversized silhouette.
Abercrombie High Rise Loose Jeans
These may be one of the most worn pairs in my closet.
The Abercrombie High Rise Loose Jean has that early-2000s relaxed denim feel that somehow works with almost everything.
They're high rise, relaxed through the waist and hips, and then fall into a long loose leg.
Compared with the 90s Relaxed Jean, these are definitely looser and more casual.
They're also made from a lightweight rigid denim with no stretch. I actually like that because rigid denim develops its own shape as you wear it. It softens, relaxes and starts feeling like your pair of jeans.
I tend to wear these very casually — fitted tee, tank, sweater, sneakers, loafers, boots. They have almost a boyish quality to them that I really love.
My fit note: I personally like these one size up because I prefer them slightly slouchier. You can absolutely stay true to size if you want a cleaner fit through the waist.
Best for: relaxed everyday outfits, a slightly boyish silhouette and anyone who wants something looser than a traditional '90s jean.
One note: I've seen these move into clearance, so I'm hoping Abercrombie keeps some version of them around. If your size is available, they're worth a look.
A Quick Abercrombie Shopping Tip
I almost never pay full price at Abercrombie.
They run sales often, and depending on the promotion, you can sometimes combine a sale price with an additional promo code.
If something isn't urgent, put it in your cart or favorites and watch it for a bit.
And one of the things Abercrombie does exceptionally well with denim is sizing.
Many styles are available in Classic and Curve Love, along with multiple inseams such as extra short, short, regular, long and sometimes extra long.
That alone can make finding the right jean much easier.
One Non-Denim Thing I Have to Mention
I know this is supposed to be a denim guide.
But I can't talk about Abercrombie jeans without mentioning the Essential Tuckable Baby Tee.
It may honestly be one of the best basic tees I've found.
It's slim fitting, soft, slightly plush and long enough to tuck without having a ton of excess fabric underneath your jeans.
The crew neckline is simple, the fit is flattering, and it works underneath jackets and sweaters just as well as it does by itself.
I own multiples.
White, gray and black are the colors I reach for most, and whenever Abercrombie runs a good sale, this is one of those basics I restock.
Sometimes the simplest pieces really are the ones you wear the most.
Most Loved at Free People
Free People is where things get a little more interesting.
If Abercrombie gives me my everyday denim foundation, We The Free and Levi's give me some of the silhouettes that make denim fun.
I don't need every jean in my closet to look the same.
That's the whole point.
Levi's Super Baggy Barrel Jeans
These are bold.
And I love them for exactly that reason.
The Levi's Super Baggy Barrel Jean has an oversized shape with extra-wide curved legs and a very relaxed, almost exaggerated fit.
They're mid rise, non-stretch denim and definitely make more of a statement than the Abercrombie barrel jean.
My favorite wash is the lighter Off-Roading color.
I'm usually more drawn to lighter and medium denim because it feels casual and easy to me. Very dark denim can read slightly dressier, while this wash works with the way I actually dress.
These would be great heading into fall with a fitted knit, baby tee, oversized sweater or jacket.
And because the jeans have so much volume, I like keeping whatever I'm wearing on top relatively simple.
My fit note: I actually sized down in these. They already have plenty of room, and going down a size gave me the fit I wanted without losing the oversized look.
Best for: someone who loves oversized denim and wants a barrel jean that makes a statement.
And because these are Levi's, I would also compare the price on Levi's own website before buying them through another retailer.
We The Free Deep Trance Dropped Boyfriend Jeans
These have a completely different personality.
The We The Free Deep Trance Dropped Boyfriend Jean is relaxed, slightly cropped and has that effortlessly undone look that Free People does so well.
They're designed to sit lower if you want that slouchy boyfriend effect, but you can also wear them closer to your natural waist depending on the size you choose.
I prefer mine with a little more definition through the waist.
The inseam is around 28 inches, which is important to know.
At 5'4", I really like where they hit on me. They're short enough to show off a shoe or boot without looking awkwardly cropped.
Coming into fall, I especially like these with ankle boots.
On me: At 5'4", the approximately 28-inch inseam hits at a really good length. If you're significantly taller and prefer full-length jeans, pay attention to the inseam before ordering.
Best for: boyfriend denim, showing off boots or sneakers, and a slightly cropped relaxed look.
We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
If you want more barrel than the Abercrombie pair — but don't necessarily want the oversized volume of the Levi's — this is the one.
The We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jean has become one of Free People's signature denim styles for a reason.
The barrel shape is noticeable.
That's what makes them good.
They give you something completely different from a straight or relaxed jean without being difficult to wear.
I own these in multiple pairs because the different washes and colors can change the feel of the jean quite a bit.
With these, I usually let the denim do the work.
Simple fitted tee.
Tank.
Sweater tucked slightly at the waist.
Done.
My fit note: These have a relaxed barrel silhouette, so I don't feel the need to size up just to get the shape. The jean already gives you plenty of volume.
Best for: a true barrel silhouette that's noticeable but still extremely wearable. And yes, I know this is a jean article…but I have to tell you about this tee
If I'm talking about the jeans I actually wear, I have to tell you what I wear with them.
We The Free Lotus Balloon Jeans
And then there are the fun jeans.
The We The Free Lotus Balloon Jean isn't necessarily the jean I'd recommend as your one-and-only pair of denim.
But that's not what it's supposed to be.
This is the pair that gives your closet something different.
They have a much more dramatic balloon silhouette, with volume through the hip and leg before coming back in toward the ankle.
They also come in a surprising number of colors.
And I love that.
Once you already own your classic blue jeans, there is nothing wrong with having denim that's simply interesting.
These can make a basic top feel intentional without adding much else to the outfit.
My fit note: Because the silhouette already has so much volume, I like keeping the waist more fitted rather than intentionally sizing up.
Best for: fashion denim, playful silhouettes and anyone who already owns the basics and wants something different.
The Difference Between My Favorite Jeans
This is really how I think about denim now.
I don't need another jean simply because I like the wash.
I ask myself what that jean is doing that the others in my closet don't.
If I already own three pairs that fit almost exactly the same way, I probably don't need a fourth.
But a classic relaxed jean, a loose jean, a subtle barrel and one exaggerated silhouette?
Those actually give me different outfits.
If you're trying to decide where to start:
If you want... | My pick |
Classic everyday denim | Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans |
A subtle barrel shape | Abercrombie High Rise Barrel Jean |
Relaxed and slouchy | Abercrombie High Rise Loose Jean |
Bold oversized barrel | Levi's Super Baggy Barrel Jeans |
Cropped and boot-friendly | We The Free Deep Trance Dropped Boyfriend Jeans |
A statement barrel jean | We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans |
Something fun and different | We The Free Lotus Balloon Jeans |
If I Were Rebuilding My Denim Closet Today
If I had to start over and build a smaller denim collection from scratch, I wouldn't buy everything at once.
I'd start with three.
First: a classic everyday jean probably the Abercrombie High Rise 90s Relaxed.
Second: something looser either the Abercrombie High Rise Loose or the Deep Trance Boyfriend.
Third: a shape that makes basic outfits more interesting the Abercrombie Barrel if you want subtle, or the Good Luck Barrel if you want more personality.
Then I'd add the fun pair.
Because I've realized that the goal isn't having a closet full of jeans.
It's having jeans that make you want to get dressed.
And really, that's become the way I look at my whole closet.
I don't want more just for the sake of having more.
I want better pieces. Pieces I reach for. Pieces that work with the life I actually live.
Denim happens to be one of those things I've always loved and no matter how many trends come and go, I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Until next time,
🤍 Kelly
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