The 14 Best Jeans for Flat Butts That Won’t Sag or Gape in the Rear
The absolute best jeans for flat butts strike a magical feeling in your heart by lifting your bum and turning those plywood cheeks into a perky apple bottom. They’re comfortable, yet supportive, and won’t sag or gape in the rear as a reminder of what is (or isn’t) there. It’s a lot to ask from humble denim fabric, but that Goldilocks fit isn’t quite as rare as you might think. The key is all in knowing what details to look for when shopping.
Start with the back pockets. Jeans that feature extra detailing on the back pockets—zippers, welts, flaps, contrast stitching—help give the illusion of a fuller back. So does sanding (a treatment that lightens the color of your denim in strategic places) which acts in much the same way as face highlighter to lift your bum and make it appear larger than it really is.
Pocket placement is also important. Pockets that sit higher in the back make your butt look larger, while lower placement can help downplay larger assets. High-waist styles are more likely to have ideal pocket placement, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find mid- or even low-rise options that work as well. While you’re checking out those pockets, take a look at the yoke, or the V-shaped seam, at the rear of your jeans. Typically, the deeper the V, the rounder and fuller your butt will look.
Now that you know how to make your bum look as perky as a Kardashian’s rear (or at least not quite as flat), here are our top 14 picks for the best jeans for flat butts.
Best Jeans for Flat Butts at a Glance
Best Skinny Jean: DL1961 Florence Skinny Mid Rise
Best Flares: American Eagle Super High-Waist Flare Jeans
Trendiest Silhouette: Good American Good ‘90s
Best Straight Leg: Wrangler High-Rise Straight Leg Jean
Best Cropped Cut: Hudson Remi High-Rise Straight Crop Jeans
Best for Petites: GAP High-Rise Cheeky Straight Jeans
Best Under $50: H&M Embrace Slim Ankle Jeans
Best Under $100: Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Most Splurge Worthy: Citizens of Humanity Sabine High-Rise Straight
PureWow Reader Favorite: Agolde ‘90s Pinch Waist
Best Shaping Technology: Lee Secretly Shapes Straight-Leg Jean
Best Pocket Detailing: Hudson Collin Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
Best Black Wash: Madewell The Slim Boyjean
Best White Wash: Reformation Cynthia Belted Straight Jeans
RELATED: How Should Jeans Fit? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Waistbands & Hems
1. DL1961 Florence Instasculpt Skinny Mid Rise
Best Skinny Jean
These dark-wash skinnies are made with Instasculpt technology which helps to smooth your silhouette and, more importantly, lift your booty all while maintaining their shape through multiple washes and wears. Skinny jeans generally are also a fantastic choice for those with flatter bums because the super-tight fit will hug and emphasize whatever curves you do have. And these in particular have a very snug fit that’s also supremely comfortable, so you won’t be itching to take them off after a full day of wear. As one reviewer put it, “I slipped them on and lo and behold, my arse looked as neat and round as a dim sum.”
Size range: 23 to 34
2. American Eagle Super High-Waist Flare Jeans
Best Flares
Flares are another great option for boosting your booty. The tight fit at the top and kick at the ankle creates an hourglass illusion that makes your butt look fuller and higher. This AE pair is very stretchy (those who are between sizes might want to opt for the smaller) to really cling to your curves, but won’t lose shape over time. The deep V-shaped yoke and ideal pocket placement—higher on the rear and neither too wide nor to close—also work wonders for making your rear look perkier.
Size range: 000 to 24, also Short, Regular and Long
3. Good American Good ‘90s
Trendiest Silhouette
Loose, ‘90s-style jeans are majorly trending for 2022, but lots of extra fabric often drowns whatever curves you have in back and makes your butt look even flatter. But this Good American pair manages to both fit the trend and boost your booty thanks to a tighter fit in the waist and hips and smart pocket/yoke placement. Some reviewers found they ran big, so you might want to consider going down a size for a tighter fit up top. P.S. They also come in a classic medium blue wash for a more timeless look.
Size range: 00 to 24
4. Wrangler High-Rise Straight Leg Jean
Best Straight Leg
Wrangler jeans tend to have very high pocket placement, which is great for flat butts, and the W stitching also helps lift your cheeks even further, especially in the Berry Dark wash shown above. This straight-leg pair has a fantastic ‘90s vibe and comes in six classic shades that will still feel stylish even after a new trend is ushered in. They also come in three different inseam lengths—30, 32 and 34 inches—to better fit petite and tall folks.
Size range: 0 to 18
5. Hudson Remi High-Rise Straight Crop Jeans
Best Cropped Cut
“These jeans made my butt look better than any other pair I’ve ever owned,” said one PureWow editor. And that all comes down to the detailing in the top. The yoke is a pretty deep V and the pockets are placed high on the rear, with the added bonus of additional subtle V stitching on each pocket. The cropped kick flare also helps perk up your rear by crafting a semi hourglass shape. And while Hudson jeans don’t come cheap, they also last incredibly well and won’t stretch out or thin out even after years of wear. Though we should also note the Remi doesn’t have a ton of stretch, so take that into consideration when choosing your size.
Size range: 23 to 34
6. GAP High-Rise Cheeky Straight Jeans
Best for Petites
This Gap style comes in both a Short inseam and a Petite cut, meaning you have even more options to try when searching for that perfect overall fit. (The Short inseam comes in sizes 23 through 35, while Petites are available in sizes 23 to 30.) In terms of bum lifting capabilities, these cropped straight-legs really live up to their Cheeky name with back pockets strategically placed to amp thing up. As one reviewer, Holly M. put it, “Great booty! These jeans really compliment your caboose.” The material is fairly rigid, which means it definitely won’t sag or gape over time, but may feel a bit tight at first.
Size range: 23 to 35 with Shot, Regular and Long inseams, also Tall and Petite
7. H&M Embrace Slim Ankle Jeans
Best Under $50
For those looking for a boost on a budget, these H&M jeans are made with a proprietary Embrace cotton-blend fabric specifically designed to maintain shape and mold to your body without sagging in the bum or knees. Multiple reviewers rave about how these jeans naturally boost their backsides without overt tricks, like contrasting stitching or embellished pockets. They do run small, which is great for hugging your minimal rear, but might actually fit better in the waist if you go one size up, especially if you’re between sizes.
Size range: 0 to 18
8. Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Best Under $100
For those willing to spend just a bit more, Levi’s Ribcage jeans are a fantastic option that still rings in under 100 bucks. One PureWow editor says these are basically the only jeans she wears. “[The Ribcage jeans are] like the only jeans I’ve found that don’t sag after a day’s wear. It’s as if they’re magically cut to make your butt look good no matter what. Honestly, most Levi’s pairs are great for my booty, but the Ribcage is definitely my favorite.” They’re actually many people’s favorite and a top seller from the brand because of the timeless fit and the fact that they come in 11 gorgeous washes, some with distressing and some not. Basically, a must-have pair that will last you for years to come.
Size range: 23 to 33
9. Citizens of Humanity Sabine High-Rise Straight
Most Splurge-Worthy
Citizens of Humanity’s jeans don’t come cheap, but they’ve developed a cult following nonetheless because of the impeccable fit and durability of its denim. The Sabine is one of the most popular styles, and for those with a smaller backside, the exaggerated V yoke is incredibly flattering. The pocket detailing on the Dresden wash above, like distressing at the top of the pockets and a wider seam around the edges, also works to make the back look fuller.
Size range: 23 to 34
10. Agolde ‘90s Pinch Waist
PureWow Reader Favorite
PureWow readers and editors alike are obsessed with these Agolde jeans for their universally flattering cut. Seriously, these jeans are like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants pair in their ability to look fabulous on so many different body types, including flat bums. The higher waist and deep V yoke work together to make your waist look smaller and your butt larger (in all the best ways). The straight leg is also a perfect timeless silhouette that sits really well over both sandals and sneakers. If you’ve yet to test a pair for yourself, we cannot recommend these enough.
Size range: 23 to 34
11. Lee Secretly Shapes Straight-Leg Jean
Best Shaping Technology
Sometimes pocket placement and intricate stitching isn’t enough to give your butt the look you want. Lee’s Secretly Shapes denim has built-in shaping panels to smooth your silhouette and help lift your butt better than traditional denim. Oh course, contrasting waves on the pockets don’t hurt either, and while they’re billed as a straight-leg silhouette, there is a slight kick at the bottom that helps create an overall hourglass shape without feeling too trendy.
Size range: 2 to 18, also Petite
12. Hudson Collin Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans
Best Pocket Detailing
Hudson’s signature pocket flaps were a must-have style in the early aughts and now they’re back for round two thanks to the Y2K revival. This is fantastic news for the bitty bums out there, as those flaps add detail and volume to your rear in a supremely flattering way. The pointed shape works in much the same way as stitching to lift your cheeks, but had the bonus of additional fabric that quite literally adds to the volume in back. And the skinny fit of the Collin jeans hugs your every curve, no matter how small.
Size range: 23 to 34
13. Madewell The Slim Boyjean
Best Black Wash
Madewell’s Slim Boyjean does come in multiple other washes, but we’re partial to the Lunar color for two main reasons. The prominent brown brand tag above the right back pocket works in conjunction with a deep V yoke and perfectly placed pockets to draw the eye up to your waist and make your rear look fuller (this effect is less noticeable in lighter washes). And the slightly lighter black wash isn’t so dark as to be confused for trousers while still looking professional enough for work, meeting or other important events. It also comes in both petite and tall lengths so you don’t have to worry about hemming or showing too much ankle.
Size range: 23 to 33, also Petite and Tall
14. Reformation Cynthia Belted Straight Jeans
Best White Wash
On the flip side, white jeans are incredibly hard to shop for—super tight skinnies are often very unflattering and look like weird leggings, while loose boyfriend cuts look sloppy—but this Reformation pair is a gorgeous Goldilocks silhouette that is slim enough to show off the shape of your leg but not so tight that you’re forced to wear only nude, seamless thongs. The high waist is accentuated by a matching denim belt that, in addition to making your waist seem smaller, helps to lift your butt for a perkier look. Even if you decide to remove the belt in favor of a contrasting leather one, the pockets are placed at a slight angle to make your bum appear fuller than it really is.
Size range: 23 to 31
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