Oct23
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I love jeans and have over 30 pairs in my closet (I know, don’t judge me), and if I could only keep one style, it would be straight leg, hands down.
I feel like straight-leg jeans are just one of those rare things in fashion that never needs a comeback — because they never left. Picture Princess Diana in the ’90s. She’s a timeless icon. That basically sums up how I feel about a great pair of straight-leg jeans: a timeless icon. They work with everything in your wardrobe. I dress mine up with a structured blazer and ankle boots, or keep it simple with sandals or clogs. And they’ll look just as good ten years from now as they do today.
You won’t find a round-up of 30 jeans here (though I did test 10 different pairs to get here, including everything from Agolde to Frame to Favorite Daughter, plus budget pairs from Target and Amazon). Just three options that are genuinely worth adding to your closet.
The Best Straight-Leg Jeans Overall
I first fell for AYR denim when they gifted me a pair of their Secret Sauce jeans, which might be the most flattering pair to ever grace my booty. So when my hairstylist was wearing the most perfect straight-leg jeans I’d ever seen and told me they were AYR, I was not surprised and placed an order before I even got home.
I ordered two styles: the Legend and the Bud. The Legend is a cleaner, more fitted straight-leg fit through the leg. The Bud runs a little looser, and because I have a muscular thighs, it ended up being the better fit for me. If you’re slimmer through the leg, you’ll probably love the Legend. If you’ve got more going on through the hips and thighs, I think the Bud is a better fit.
Sizing note: I ordered a 25 and a 26. The 25 was too snug in the bum, and the 26 stretches out just slightly with wear, but I prefer how it fits throughout the leg. I use these little waistband button pins to adjust the waist when needed. They also come in three inseam lengths, which is rare and worth noting if you’re petite or tall.
These are a splurge, but they earn it. And if you love AYR’s dark wash options, they’re just as good in a blue jean or medium-wash as they are in the styles I tested.
Abercrombie — Best Affordable Straight-Leg Jeans
If you want a more affordable straight-leg jean with a rigid, structured feel, these Abercrombie ones are the ones to get. I’ve had mine for over three years and still wear them regularly. Abercrombie is so underrated for denim, especially when you factor in how often they run sales. If you want the deep-dive on their denim, I have a full Abercrombie jeans guide worth checking out.
These have a ’90s straight silhouette and come in four lengths options. I don’t love the washes as much as AYR, but the light wash is my favorite of what they currently carry. It’s not a year-round wash for me, but if you want styling ideas for that shade, my post on how to wear light blue jeans has you covered.
I typically wear a 25 or 26 in Abercrombie denim, but I’d size up in this style. They sell out fast, but they restock often, so check back if your size is gone.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight — Best High-Rise Option
If high-rise is your thing, the Levi’s Ribcage Straight is incredibly flattering. The only reason it’s not my top pick is the button fly. I just don’t find it as flattering, and it’s kind of annoying to deal with. That’s a personal preference, not a flaw in the jean itself.
This exact pair in white was my favorite out of the 15 pairs I tried for my best white jeans roundup. The fit speaks for itself. The full-length inseam is my preference, but they also sell an ankle length if you want something that sits above the shoe. Size up — always. I have a 26 and would have been happier in a 27.
These go on sale regularly, but they go fast. Worth keeping on your radar if the button fly doesn’t bother you like it does me!
Pairs That Didn’t Make the Cut
I tested a lot of jeans to get here. Everyone’s body type is so different it might be worth looking at these options that came close, but were just a miss for me: Favorite Daughter (just a weird fit overall), Pistola Cassie (too tight in the front of the leg), Frame Le Sleek (too tight through the leg on me), and Madewell Dean, which doesn’t come in petite. If Madewell is your brand, my Madewell jeans roundup has better options for you.
More Denim Guides
If you’re looking for other denim styles, here are a few more posts you might like:
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