Shopping for jeans is, without a doubt, one of the trickiest tasks a woman can undertake. Get it right and your life will be changed, but get it wrong and the consequences are disastrous (read: tears in the changing rooms/a strop as you lug 6743288 pairs back to the Post Office to be returned). So why do we continue to put ourselves through it?
In short: a good pair of jeans is a wardrobe staple. The stalwart backbone to your capsule wardrobe and as versatile as clothing comes. We urge you to rustle up a scenario when jeans *won’t* be an appropriate outfit choice. (Okay, a wedding may be… or on the beach. But you get the picture). So, we thought we’d attempt to make your life easier and give you the lowdown on where to buy the best jeans for women for our slow return to normality. Because trust us when we say that we’ve worn, loved and hated our fair share of pairs over the years.
What are our learnings? Finding a woman who is the same jeans size across all of their favourite brands 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 and go for what you feel the most comfortable in. Sizing goes out of the window.
We’ve also learned that there are so. Many. Styles. There are cult brands like Levis and Wrangler, plus high street stores, premium high street brands and luxury designers all cutting their denim in different ways. There are high-waisted jeans, skinny jeans, wide leg jeans and mom jeans. So how the *hell* can you narrow it down?
Finally, you can look towards jeans trends for styling inspiration. Luckily, in 2021, we won’t be seeing statement detailing, patchwork or the like. Instead, straight-legs, slightly faded blue denim washes and wide-leg baggier jeans will reign supreme. Basically, anything that’s classic and really great fitting.
Where to buy the best jeans for women
First, consider your budget. If you’re open to spending upwards of £200, make a beeline for Frame, J-Brand and Ksubi – all stocked at Net-A-Porter. There’s also Selfridges’ Denim Studio, stocking the likes of Maje, Sandro and Citizens of Humanity. Between £100 and £200, consider wedding guest dress Queens Reformation’s Cynthia for high-rise denim which gives your waist exceptional definition.
On the high street, Scandi brand Arket’s straight-leg jeans are a bestseller in their collection thanks to their organic cotton crafting and high waist and long leg. & Other Stories’ Favourite Cut jeans are wonderfully high-waisted and kick out at the ankle for a flattering cut, while Levi’s Rib Cage jeans sell out time and time again for good reason. Available in a whole plethora of washes, they have a higher-than-high waistband which stays put no matter how much you bend down. (They also stock Rib-Cage bootcut jeans which make your legs look long AF and prove the bootcut *didn’t* die a death circa 2006).
If you’re looking for something specific, we’ve got granular about the whole denim thing. Check out more of our jeans edits below…