The 11 Best Straight-Leg Jeans PureWow Editors and Reviewers Swear By
PureWow Editors select every item that appears on this page,, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Read the original article on Purewow.
Forget about flared, wide-leg, bootcut or—Gen Z’s nemesis—skinny jeans…I’m all about a slim and sleek straight-leg cotton jean. Like sweatpants, they’re comfy, supportive and can be quite cozy if you find the right style. You may need a pair specifically crafted for short or tall women, not to mention one that’ll do wonders for flat butts or big butts, which is why I’ve asked nearly *all* of my fellow PureWow editors for their can’t-pass-on recommendations from beloved brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Agolde and Mother, to name a few, before seeking out customer reviews. Allow me to present 11 of the best straight-leg jeans PureWow editors and reviewers swear by, including white, black, stretchy and comfortable jeans.
Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.
1. Everlane The Original Cheeky Jean
Subdued, effortless brand Everlane has become a household name known for its ethical production and transparency with customers, delivering some of the best of the best staple pieces, including straight-leg jeans. PureWow’s Assistant Commerce Editor, Natalie LaBarbera, swears by Everlane’s denim. She says, “I love Everlane's Original Cheeky jeans. They have just the right amount of stretch, so they're comfy but don't end up sagging after a few hours of wear and they come in different inseams, too, so they're no problem for my short legs!” If that wasn’t enough already, wait until you hear that they have an updated high rise for the utmost comfort and a raised back-hook seam that’s designed to lift and tighten the bum.
2. Agolde 90's Mid-Rise Loose Fit Jeans
I’m a self-proclaimed Agolde jeans hoarder for a few reasons. 1) I love a non-stretch cotton denim that has that vintage feel to it, because I have absolutely ZERO patience sifting through heaps and heaps of jeans stacked with Levi’s and Wrangler jeans in hopes that I will find something to fit like a glove. 2) These mid-rise loose-fit jeans are unbelievably comfy, with a 100 percent cotton make-up. I find that they’re true-to-size. I sized up for a baggier fit, but would recommend sticking to your usual size if you want it to snatch your butt (and avoid the dreadful sag). And with consistent wear, they do soften and give a little. TLDR? These are the jeans I always reach for when I don’t know what to wear.
3. Zara High-Waisted Straight-Leg Jeans
“I know they're a little polarizing, but I'm a big fan of Zara jeans,” admits Sarah Stiefvater, PureWow’s wellness director. “I'm 6-feet tall, so finding pants that go all the way to the ground can be tricky, but Zara carries tons of ultra-long styles. I have this particular pair in the light blue and black washes, and I love them both but will say that 'high-waisted' is a bit of a misnomer; I'd call these closer to a mid-rise.”
4. Levi’s 501 '90s Jeans
There’s no straight-leg jean quite like the legendary 501 ‘90s-inspired style from Levi’s. They come highly recommended by PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth, who says, “I own these in a blue wash and a black wash and wear both multiple times a week. They are on the wider side for a straight leg, but I find the slightly looser fit easier to wear. The mid-rise is so, so comfortable, and I appreciate that there are multiple inseam lengths. As a tall gal with long legs, it's not always easy to find pants that fit down past my ankles, but these do the trick. They stretched a tiny bit after the first week of wearing them, but otherwise maintain their shape super well and aren't baggy in the knees or arse, even after nearly a year of wearing them. All that for under $100!”
5. Frame Le High Ripped Straight Leg Jeans
Whether you’re petite, average height or tall, a cropped jean like this Frame pair can feel magical when worn proportionately…and with a trendy kitten heel, if I may add. “I live in these Frame straight jeans,” says Destinee Scott, associate sales and deals editor at PureWow. “No, seriously, I rarely reach for any of my other pairs now because I'm addicted to their stretchy material that fits my thighs and bum like a glove.” Want to know the secret to the jeans magic fit? Well, it’s easily a byproduct of the fabric’s blend, which is comprised of cotton, rayon, elasterall-P and elastane. In other words, the stretchy, elastic material will mold to your body. “As a petite person, I'm also happy to confirm that they're short girl-friendly (I didn't even need to get them hemmed),” she adds.
6. J.Crew 9" Vintage Slim-Straight Jean
“J.Crew used to have a denim silhouette called the Matchstick that I swear was the absolute perfect pair of white jeans,” says Hepworth, who admits to still wearing hers after eight years. “They're starting to get pretty dingy, and the brand's new ‘slim-straight’ silhouette is the closest I've found to repeating the Matchstick magic. It has a slightly slimmer fit than your classic straight leg, but definitely isn't a skinny jean, which I think is the ideal cut for white denim—it lengthens your leg without showing every single bump and curve. And it comes in three inseam lengths, too.”
7. Mother The Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans
PureWow editors can’t give enough positive reviews about Mother denim. Both Gallery Media Group’s Chief Brand Officer, Mary Kate McGrath, and PureWow’s Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie, love their Mother jeans, and if you’re deciding whether to invest in the pricey brand yourself, the Hustler ankle fray jeans are a tried-and-true best-seller. Made in Los Angeles with a blend of 81 percent cotton, 11 percent lyocell, six percent polyester and two percent elastane, these cropped, ankle-cut jeans have a reputation of being ultra-comfortable and stretchy while still hugging your natural curves. So, if you prefer a semi-flared straight-leg jean that’ll show off your ankles and slim your legs, then these are for you.
8. Levi’s Middy Straight Jeans
Like Hepworth, PureWow Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen attests to the superiority of a good Levi’s jean. “I really like the Levi’s Middy straight, which has a slightly slimmer leg and mid-rise,” she says. “I'm petite but with a short torso, and high-rise jeans can sometimes hit too high on me, so these strike a good balance between low and ultra-high rise. I also appreciate that they flatter the caboose, somehow making my pancake butt look less pancake-y.” According to the brand’s website, the non-stretch cotton jeans run slightly small, so it’s suggested to order one size up for a comfortable fit.
9. Boyish The Tommy Stretch Jeans
Another go-to on LaBarbera’s straight-leg standouts list is none other than the Tommy stretch jeans from Boyish. They have a classic straight-leg fit that’s cropped, and per LaBarbera, “They have the most amazing fit (especially these stretch ones). They're SO comfortable and made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and Tencel. Plus, they feel lifting, which is always a bonus.” Not to mention, that raw hem will look *chef’s kiss* with a strappy pair of heeled sandals.
10. J.Crew Classic Straight Jean
Let’s face it, finding a pair of white straight-leg jeans that won’t show my undies, look bunched up in the crotch or sag by the end of the day is not easy in the slightest, but luckily for me, Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow, is in-the-know for all my white jean dreams. “My go to for a dependably flattering pair of white jeans is the J.Crew Straight Jeans, which has only one percent elastane so it’s not too stretchy, and also the fabric is thick enough, so I don’t have to worry about the see-though factor. And the high rise is a dependable muffin-top preventor! Plus, they come in tall and petite, too, so I don’t have to hem them,” she tells me.
11. Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra-High Rise 90s Straight Jean
It’s no surprise to me that these are PureWow readers’ favorite pair of comfortable jeans. I fell into the craze and purchased a pair for myself and have not looked back since. And when customer reviews like this exist, I’m sure you won’t either: “These jeans are maybe the best jeans I’ve ever ordered,” one shopper raves. “Once you find the right size, they fit so perfectly and hug you just right in the butt and thighs. They are stretchy enough at the waist to accommodate for bloat, but are also sturdy enough to suck you in.”
What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Straight-Leg Jeans
These Are the 5 Best Jeans at Anthropologie (That Are Sure to Sell Out, So Snag ‘em Now)
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
