These are the most flattering jeans for 2023, and how to style them
Jeans shopping has always been the worst experience. When we shopped in stores, we wound up with mountainous piles of denim, pair after pair just not fitting quite the way we anticipated. Now that we shop for jeans online, it's a case of adding pairs to cart in the hopes that they'll look just as flattering on us as they do on the model. It's still very much a guessing game – for some reason, finding a great pair of women's jeans is a task of Herculean proportions.
So, how to fix this age-old problem? Advice. Namely, from those in the know – people who have gone before us and tried on a particular pair of women's jeans, only to find they fit like a glove. It doesn't mean jeans will necessarily fit you like a glove, but it's a solid start in the right direction if a particular pair is being snapped up like hotcakes, or comes with rave reviews.
To help you in your quest (it is absolutely a quest), we have gathered some of the best-selling women's jeans for 2023 into one handy article and added tips for styling if you're keen to try a new fit.
The best straight-leg jeans
The style of the moment, straight-leg jeans are a gentle step away from skinny-leg styles without feeling too "trendy". Fitted through the thigh with a slightly loose calf, they are the perfect weekend jeans – throw on a tee, a jumper, and some sneakers for low-key, casual vibes. Alternatively, you can dress straight-leg jeans up with an oversized blazer over a tucked-in, boxy white t-shirt.
Abrand 94 High Straight Jeans
One of the most popular designs by Melbourne-based cool-label Abrand, the 94 High Straight Jeans are great if you're tall and find a lot of jeans skim the ankle. Rigid denim and a retro high-rise waist give a nod to the 90s, especially if you choose a washed blue colourway.
Frame Le High Jeans
Sort of a cross between skinny-leg jeans and straight-leg jeans, the Frame Le High denim style has a cult celebrity following, with Victoria Beckham, Meghan Markle, and Gigi Hadid all spotted in the LA label. Their slightly cropped style also means they look incredible with heels for a night out.
Levi's 501 Jeans
The original, and for many long-time fans, is still the best. The Levi's 501 style has existed for generations and remains one of the most flattering women's jeans styles on the planet. This is thanks to a mid-rise waist, loose-but-not-too-loose fit and several varying editions to suit an array of body types, including a curve range and a cropped cut.
The best flare jeans
Did Daisy Jones And The Six inspire you to embrace 70s fashion? Flare jeans are definitely trending in 2023, and the eternally flattering style lengthens legs and pairs surprisingly well with everything from plain t-shirts, floaty blouses and, of course, suede jackets.
Rolla's Eastcoast Flares
Melbourne label Rolla's was arguably the first to make flared jeans cool in Australia again, and their Eastcoast Flare style remains one of the best globally for flattering, 70s-style denim. There are rigid and stretch colourways, depending on what your preference is, but the classic is Karen Blue – a slightly washed-out hue that feels like it belongs on the stage.
7 For All Mankind Slim-Fit Flared Jeans
7 For All Mankind has been a celebrity-staple denim label since the 2000s, and fans of stretchy, slim-fit styles will love this pair of flared jeans. They feature the comfort and flattering fit of stretch denim with an elongating flared cut that looks fantastic with heels or boots.
The best wide-leg jeans
Depending on how you style them, wide-leg jeans can feel retro or modern. Team them with a ringer tee or men's undershirt, and they'll feel quintessentially 1950s, but pair them with an oversized shirt, and you'll look fresh off the runway. Oh, and they're probably the most comfortable denim style of them all.
Rolla's Sailor Jeans Long
Rolla's most popular jeans are probably the Sailor style, a retro wide-leg fit that comes in a long or cropped option. Again, some colourways feature stretch, others are rigid, but all are really wearable, especially with cropped or tucked-in tops thanks to a flattering, super-high waistband.
Hell Bunny Carpenter Jeans
Maintaining a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon is no easy feat, which is why we have included this retro denim style in our recommendations list. Ranging from x-small to 4x-large, they can be turned up at the hem or left long – although some reviewers have mentioned they can sit too long on shorter people. "These are a super fit, especially on the bottom," one reviewer raves. "They hug in the right places and then are baggy on the leg but look amazing."
The best skinny-leg jeans
Don't listen to the critics – if you're loyal to skinny-leg jeans, you're not alone. The super-flattering style looks fantastic on everyone and often comes with the added benefit of comfortable stretch denim. Team with long-line shirts and blazers for daytime, or tuck in a slinky tank top for a sexy evening look.
Nobody Denim Frankie Jeans
People don't just buy one pair of Frankie jeans, they buy multiple – in one of the 7+ colourways, of course. We're partial to the perfect, inky black edition, which makes for an incredible pair of party jeans. Technically, these are Mum-style jeans, but they're pretty slim on the calves without being too tight, making them feel like a skinny-leg style.
Levi's 311 Shaping Jeans
Levi's will feature more than once on this list, and understandably – they are one of the oldest and most revered denim labels in the world. The 311 Shaping Jeans are a skinny leg style with four per cent elastane, which means plenty of stretch for the ultimate comfort.
PAIGE Women's Verdugo Ankle Crop Jeans
Shorter women, rejoice! These PAIGE jeans were made for you. The ankle crop will sit full length, and most importantly, this style is known to be highly comfortable for day-long wear. "Perfect fit in the new super stretchy and soft transcend material," one Amazon reviewer writes. "I'm petite, 5'2, so these crop jeans really hit my ankle, which was what I was looking for."
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