Stylist-Approved Women’s Jeans You’ll Want to Add to Your Wardrobe Now

There’s no denying that denim is a cornerstone of the classic American wardrobe. And since trends come and go (i.e., the departure from skinny jeans in recent years), we asked stylists and designers to share the pairs they wear most often and the ones they believe will have lasting power in your closet. Read on for their favorite styles, including everything from classic Levi’s to statement-making flared pairs.

Modern bootcut style

Roxanne Carne, a Dallas-based personal stylist, has been wearing Frame denim for the past six years. The “gentle flare” of this style is today’s version of the aughts’ ubiquitous bootcut silhouette. The 10-inch rise hits at or above the belly button to create a “modern, sleek look,” according to Carne, that “contours the tummy area through the leg perfectly.” She recommends them to clients and lives in her own pair, too. “The denim is quite stretchy, making it a winner to wear literally all day.”

Denim icon

The pair that started it all hasn’t lost its hold on fashion insiders, either. Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche says “there’s nothing more classic and effortless” than a pair of 501s. She loves to double down on the timeless look by pairing hers with a simple white T-shirt. First introduced in 1873, the silhouette hasn’t changed much from the original. It’s a classic straight leg with a button fly (more durable than a zipper; it’s a design detail that the denim aficionados we consulted tend to prefer) and made of 100% cotton with no stretch.

Fashionable throwback

For clients looking for a flattering oversized pair of denim, this pick fits the bill, says Carne. The slouchy, wide-leg fit “channels the nostalgic ’90s party and skater vibe” that’s popular right now, though the key factor that keeps this pair firmly in the current decade is the fitted, high waist. For a full outfit, she would style it with a fitted T-shirt or slightly dressier poplin top.

Airplane-approved pair

Mother is the “all-time favorite denim brand” of Erin McSherry, a Los Angeles-based stylist. She’s currently living in this high-rise cut, calling it “a flattering, form-fitting silhouette that draws your eye in at the waist.” This pair is also her go-to for travel, since the stretch denim makes them comfortable for flying, McSherry says. The step hem, which means the back is slightly longer than the front, is a design touch that also looks great with sneakers, another perk if you’ll be traveling in the pair.

Faux vintage look

The simple cut and low-stretch fabric of these jeans, which eschew embellishment, make them a solid alternative to the vintage styles people spend years hunting down in thrift stores. “They win for the perfect ‘Are those vintage?!’ straight-leg jeans,” says Betsy Sadler, a Los Angeles-based brand consultant. Part of Gap’s Washwell collection, they’re made with 20% less water than other Gap denim. They’re also constructed with 5 to 6% recycled materials, so, while not truly vintage, they aren’t entirely “new” either.

Classic cut

One of the pioneers of designer denim, 7 For All Mankind, was founded in 2000 and worn by many of the style-obsessed in the 2000s—including Carne, who says she bought her first premium jeans back in the early aughts from the label. She has remained a fan and says this cut in the dark rinse called Dian is her current favorite due to its “classic fit and rich coloring.” Like the earlier iterations in her closet, it has “just enough structure to look crisp and refined no matter what you pair it with.” The slim leg has slightly more room than the “skinny” styles of the previous decade but is otherwise quite similar, a mark of timelessness.

Summer white jeans

Katie Sturino, New York City-based founder of the beauty brand Megababe and author of “Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life” found her perfect match for summer jeans at Madewell. The ’90s-inspired fit is made from 98% cotton with a touch of elastane for comfort. “They’re high-waisted and not see through, which is a pet peeve of mine with a lot of white jeans,” Sturino says. She says they also stay true to size and don’t stretch out after a full day of wear.

’90s staple

Fashion insiders have been paying close attention to Abercrombie’s denim offering in recent years. They’ve “gone viral and for good reason” says Kate Moroney, a wardrobe, set and photo stylist who splits her time between Mineappolis, Minn., and New York City. She calls the fit and fabrication on par with pairs that cost hundreds of dollars more. “They fit snugly around the waist and hips with just a bit of stretch so they make your backside look amazing,” she says.

Ideal for shorter statures

The three different inseam options of this pair are one of the reasons why Brooklyn, N.Y.-based interior designer Sarah Fleischer, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall, loves them. She calls the different lengths “a huge plus for someone with short legs like me!” Fleischer describes the basic straight-leg cut, which comes in seven colors, as “super flattering and classic,” as well as a great value for the price. They’re also size-inclusive, running from sizes 23 to 35.

Designer splurge

“I tend to prefer structured, straight-leg denim, but that can be hard to find in sizes 14 and up,” says Lauren Chan, a New York City-based model and founder of the clothing brand Henning. The giant white cuff and oversized fit lured her into trying prompted her to try this medium blue wash pair from Loewe. “Turns out, they fit perfectly,” she says of the statement-making pair. Chan adds that the contrast cuffs fold down, making the inseam accommodating for those with longer legs.

Optical illusion

A cleverly constructed waistband makes it look as if the button of this pair is magically affixed to the pants in a criss-cross pattern, a cheeky touch that’s only one reason why Fleischer calls them incredible. The non-stretch denim is on the heavier side but still “soft and feels broken-in the first time you put them on,” she says. The wide-leg silhouette, which is fitted at the hips and seat before opening up at the thigh, is “loose but flattering.” Fleischer opted to take the brand’s recommendation to size down for a more tailored, less baggy fit that is “just a bit elevated from your everyday, loose jeans,” she says. “They’re cool without feeling like I’m trying too hard.”

Leggy look

This has become a “recent wardrobe staple” for McSherry, who says the “elongated silhouette gives the illusion of longer legs.” That’s thanks to the high waist and the longer hem, unlike many trendy cropped pairs on the market right now. This pair doesn’t have any stretch in the fabric either, something that’s become commonplace in modern denim. McSherry likes the structured look but also notes that it’s not always the most practical: “The rigid denim is perfect for a casual day look—but don’t expect it to be your most comfortable pair.”

Trend-driven pick

BlankNYC is where McSherry turns when she wants to try “new denim trends that most likely won’t become permanent staples in my wardrobe,” because the brand follows what’s in style at a reasonable price point. One of her most recent purchases was a paperbag-waist pair, named for the gathered effect at the waist. She loves the silhouette and how it looks with tucked-in shirts or crop tops. “I don’t foresee this trend lasting so this price is perfect.”

Subtle bootcut pair

People tend to wear their Levi’s for decades, including Coral Chung, the San Francisco-based founder and CEO of the handbag brand Senreve, who calls the classic look a personal go-to, specifically an old pair she’s been wearing since college. Unlike the famous 501s, her preferred silhouette is this subtle bootcut that offers just a little more space at the ankle than a straight-leg style, making them easy to wear with a variety of shoes, from boots (as their name suggests) to sneakers and heels.

Date-night denim

This cropped style is “the perfect date night jean” according to Annie Abbot, a Seattle-based style consultant. They’re fitted at the waist and upper thigh before opening up above the knee, making them dressier than your standard pair, according to Abbot. The shorter length also earns her praise. Hitting above the ankle, the hemline is ideal for showing off a flirty pair of heels that takes denim from casual workaday to cocktail hour.

A wardrobe solution

“You know the jeans you always reach for when you don’t want to think about your outfit?” That’s this pair, says Sadler, who likes this silhouette’s slightly baggy shape for casual days. She owns two pairs in different sizes and prefers one size up for everyday wear, since it gives her a more relaxed look. When it comes to styling the pair, the possibilities are practically endless. Sadler wears hers with sneakers, sandals and boots.

Everyday comfort

“Good American is one of my favorite denim brands,” Sturino says, noting its range of styles and sizes. Her favorite pair is this classic, straight-leg jean with a high-waisted cut and a stretchy feel. “This pair is super comfortable and has a great shape,” she adds. It’s “perfect for wearing throughout the day and then dressing up to wear to a nice dinner.” Available in both a light and medium blue wash, it’s a tried-and-true blue option for everyday.