10 Pairs Of Jeans That Actually Fit Like A Dream

The best jeans — and jeggings! — tried, tested, and worn by our writers and editors.

1. Levi 711 skinny jeans, a timeless classic you simply need in your wardrobe.

Ignacia Fulcher / BuzzFeed

Firstly I’d just like to say that I really love denim, and jeans especially. A good pair of jeans instantly gives you a put-together look without having to try too hard. Since I love looking as good as possible without any work involved, jeans are my go-to. I went through so many brands before I settled on my classic Levi’s — Old Navy, American Eagle, Seven for All Mankind. You name a brand and I probably slid them up my legs, was briefly happy, and then shortly after, super unhappy. I have really thick thighs, a small waist, and short-ass legs, so finding a pair that did these three basic things (made my butt look good, actually stayed at my waist/hips, and had the right inseam) seemed to be impossible. As a side note, women’s sizes are a fucking joke, I know it, you know it, we all know it.

One day while I was on my online-shopping bullshit, I came across the Levi website and saw a black pair of their 711 Skinny Jeans. They seemed so cool in the pictures, and you can never have too many pairs of skinnies (I said to myself as I entered my credit card info for this impulsive purchase). When they arrived a few days later they felt super sturdy, and when I put them on, holy shit did they do everything I needed to do, and then some! I got the short inseam, so they hit at my ankles, and the rise was high and tight enough so they can sit at my waist without falling, but loose enough that they don’t cut off my circulation when I sit down.

After a week or two of wearing them (not consecutively because, ew), I immediately bought two more pairs in a light and dark wash and I was impressed yet again! I love all of them so much, and they make every outfit look AMAZING. Plus, the great thing about Levi’s is you can literally dress them up or down. I’ve gone to semi-formal events in my black jeans and a blazer, and went grocery shopping with a simple T-shirt and jacket. Not only that, but it’s my personal mission to look like a rocker at all times, so when I pair these with my favorite leather jacket, I have a timeless look and ego no one can argue with. So if you want denim that will genuinely stand the test of time — so your kids can go through your closet in 20 years and find for an awesome pair of vintage jeans — look no further! —Ignacia Fulcher

Get them from Levi for $40, on sale from $54.50 (available in sizes 16-24, three inseams, and five washes).

2. High-waisted jeggings so comfy you might be tempted to dance in 'em all day long.

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

I know that I'm not alone when I say I hate jeans shopping. I'm more of a skirts or dresses person — or, let's be real, a black legging–pants person. I have only one other pair of jeans I *ever* wear, so when I popped into American Eagle and brought several pairs into the fitting room (mostly against my better judgment), I was blown away by their "super-high-waisted" jeggings. They are for real SUPER high-waisted — like, actually-hit-above-my-belly-button high-waisted. TL;DR: I found love (amazing jeans) in a hopeless place (the denim department fitting room), and I want to shout it from the rooftops.

These babies are snug and a not-too-spandexy kind of stretchy. Made of a thick cotton-based denim, they feel way more like jeans than jeggings, so I absolutely have to do the ~skinny jeans dance~ to get them on. But when they're *actually on*, they mooooove with you and you can really dance in them! So comfy! They are super skinny through the ankle, hug in the right places without stretching out, and they even lift your booty up — 🙌. My waist-to-hips ratio (smaller waist, bigger hips) usually makes finding well-fitting jeans hard, but these never gap at the waist or back and don't get stretched out between wears (because who remembers to wash their jeans that often, amirite?).

As for length, I'm 5'4" and had to cuff the regular ones up (I happen to like the way a little cuff looks). If I wanted to wear them uncuffed, my second pair (duh, I'm totally buying another pair) would have to be the short inseam. But they offer FOUR length options, so you're bound to find the right ones for you. The rips in the knees are subtle — they don't really show when you're standing straight up — so they add a nice dose of toughness to a regular outfit without feeling like totally destroyed jeans. I kind of can't stop wearing these: to a recent birthday party (my bestie complimented my butt in these when I was waiting for my drink at the bar), out to a large lunch with my parents (the cut-in waist did not interfere with my eating capacity), or just on any old day with a baggy tee tucked in. Basically listen to Maitland: Buy these jeans and say hello to effortless dressing. (Note: Seems like they are sadly no longer available in black, but are available in a dark-blue wash and other washes/styles here.) —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get them from American Eagle for $37.46 (available in sizes 00–20, in short, regular, long, and X-long lengths).

3. A pair of skinny jeans that'll truly fit like a dream, once and for all.

Jennifer Tonti / BuzzFeed

Let me start by saying I LOVE THESE JEANS! Now let me get into why that's a big deal for me.

Trying on any new clothing gives me anxiety. My weight has fluctuated my entire life, and finding the perfect jeans has always led me to Struggle City, population: me. In high school I weighed 60-plus pounds more than I do now, and when I lost weight, I thought shopping would be a breeze. In some ways it was easier, but a lot of my anxiety around shopping still remained. For the longest time, I didn't shop for a style I liked — instead I shopped simply for anything that would fit. Still to this day, almost nine years later, I struggle with finding the style I love most and often resort to "Well, this fits." The people I work with have such bold and beautiful looks that I'm inspired every day to push myself past my history of discomfort. I'm still working on my style, and so far it's somewhere in between "carpool mom" and "please notice I'm a lesbian."

So a pair of new pants was my next goal, starting with this fabulous pair of Mott & Bow mid-rise skinny jeans! Beyond the fact that they hug in all the right places and are a perfect fit, the color and design are a style I like, and I feel so sexy in them. (Jeans that fit are awesome, but jeans I feel sexy in are even better!) If you're someone who has also struggled with shopping anxiety, just know you're not alone! <3 And hey, maybe these jeans will make you feel as great as they make me feel; Mott & Bow also offers a free at-home try-on program to help you find the best fit. —Jennifer Tonti

Get them from Mott & Bow for $108 (available in sizes 24–32, two inseams, and four washes).

4. These Dickies jeans with a straight fit for achieving your skater dreams once and for all.

Ignacia Fulcher / BuzzFeed

When I was younger I wanted desperately to be a skater kid: to wear Dickies, Vans, and a white tank top, put on too much eyeliner, and get colored streaks in my hair. But I was afraid of falling, and my mother would sooner have chopped off all my hair than let me get it colored. Nevertheless my affections for all skater things has followed me through life. So when Dickies offered me a pair of their new jeans, I was ready.

They’re amazing, too! Stretchy without getting saggy, high-waisted but not too high-waisted — so they won't hit you uncomfortably when you’re sitting. I went with the straight-leg version (although they come in a skinny cut too), and they’re amazing. I'm 5’4”, and they're the ideal length for me; they hit the top of my sneakers just enough. I also love how dark they are! They’re that perfect denim-blue color that just goes with everything. More than anything they’re comfortable AF. They aren’t super tight so I never feel like a stuffed sausage in them, which, for me, is key. —Elena Garcia

Get both from Amazon: straight for $18.44+ (available in sizes 0–16 and in two washes) or skinny for $23.09+ (available in sizes 16–24 and in two washes).

5. A pair of high-waisted jeans with a legit high waist and a hint of stretch for the comfiest fit.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed

High-waisted skinny jeans are one of those things that everyone wants to own but everyone struggles to find. You want at least one really good pair that you can wear every day, but it’s just about as easy as finding a Pokémon (i.e., almost impossible). Right?! It’s a sad, sad truth. HOWEVER! If you’ve clicked on this post, then you’re in luck. Let me introduce you to the Topshop Joni jeans.

Okay, the reason I love these beyond belief is that they are genuinely high-waisted. And no, not high-rise...but high-waisted (because there is a difference!). These jeans go up right above my belly button and STAY THERE, meaning I don’t need to wear a belt to keep them from slipping down. They're also available in three in different lengths, and as someone who prefers her jeans to hit right at the ankle, I always go with the 30-inch option. Plus, the material is pretty stiff denim, but it has just a ~hint~ of stretch that makes them comfy enough!

My one complaint is that the black jeans ~do~ tend to fade after multiple washes. BUT! I’ve also washed them a million times, so that won’t stop me from buying more of these in the future. I already have these in light blue and black, but I MAY just purchase them in another color. Life is short, amirite? —AnaMaria Glavan

Get them from Topshop for $65+ (available in sizes 24–36, three inseams, and 18 colors/styles).

6. Soft and structured mom jeans that won't stretch out or lose their shape.

Elena Garcia / BuzzFeed

I have a very tumultuous relationship with denim. I carry all my weight in my tummy area and not at all on my legs, so finding a pair of jeans that fit AND that are comfortable often proves very difficult. They'll tend to dig into my waist, make me look bulky, or stretch out way too fast. I’ve managed to find a few pairs of black skinny jeans that stay comfy throughout the day, but when given the option between denim and any type of elastic-waist pant, I've nearly always picked the latter.

Desperate to get in on the mom-jeans trend, I decided to try these Mott & Bow jeans, and boy am I glad I did. I had basically given up on being able to wear high-waisted cropped jeans until I found these. They’re really freakin’ awesome!! They’re soft but still structured, stretchy but hold their place, blue but not a fake-looking-denim blue. The picture above shows my fifth time wearing them (for at least eight hours a day) without washing them (gross, yes — but it’s for research) and they’re still in pretty great shape! —Elena Garcia

Get them from Mott & Bow for $118 (available in sizes 24–32).

7. These tried-and-true jeggings affordable enough to buy in every color.

Christina Lan / BuzzFeed

I think pants are stupid, but a girl’s gotta wear them from time to time, and my ride-or-dies are my Abercrombie jeggings. I know what you might be thinking: Sarah, are you a high schooler? Are you still obsessed with overly perfumed, dimly lit shops? And the answer is no, I’m a grown-ass adult who still unironically shops at A&F, because over the years they’ve revamped their style (bye, moose logos and polos in every single color!) and answered the call of “do better” (ahem, there is zero room for racist, skinny-favoring, and elitist CEOs).

They’re comfy as shit, stretchy as shit (i.e., the waistband doesn't cut into my circulation or food babies), and durable as shit. I’ve had mine for five or six years, maybe — so many years that I've lost count! I'm honestly surprised I haven't formed any holes in the butt area yet. I could totally work out in these if I had to. The texture is so soft (almost buttery!) and melds perfectly with my legs wear after wear; nothing annoys me more than skinny jeans that get baggy in certain, small areas. My exact pairs aren't available anymore, but I dig the plain back pockets more. That means I’m overdue for a new pair, right? Even though mine are fine? Because I want the high-rise ones pronto.

One teensy note: I have disproportionally short legs (I'm 5'5" for reference), but unlike every other jeans brand I've tried, I didn’t absolutely need the “short” length. It ultimately doesn't matter that much, but it'll make me feel a little cooler (taller?) when I buy my next "regular" pair. The little things, lol. —Sarah Han

Get a pair from Abercrombie for $39, on sale from $78 (available in sizes 24–32, three inseams, and eight washes).

8. A pair of "powerstretch" jeans that'll give your favorite pair of leggings a run for their money.

AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed

I love jeans. With my entire being. Sadly, they do not love me. Why? Every pair of jeans I’ve owned in the past 22 years of my life have either ripped at the thighs OR have decided to stretch out after a few wears OR change color after washing them once. I recently learned about a new company called DSTLD: a direct-to-consumer brand that makes jeans made from "powerstretch fabric." With my heart full of skepticism, I decided to try these ripped black jeans ($95) as well as this black coated pair ($125, shown here).

After wearing them twice, I fell in love. It seriously feels like I’m wearing a pair of leggings that happen to have pockets and a zipper. Plus, I’ve washed both pairs four times and the retention is amazing — they fit exactly like they did the first day I wore ‘em. The ripped black jeans add a subtle touch of I’m-in-a-punk-band to your look, while the black coated jeans look polished and are soft to the touch. Best part? They show absolutely no signs of wear and tear in the thigh area and are incredibly comfortable.

While the idea of spending $85+ on jeans is a splurge for me personally (for reference: I feel guilty for days if I buy myself iced coffee in the a.m. instead of drinking the free coffee our office provides), I genuinely think they’re worth it. —AnaMaria Glavan

Get these jeans from DSTLD for $85+ (available in sizes 24–32 in petite, regular, and ankle lengths and in seven colors).

9. Some high-waisted mom jeans that are narrow at the waist and loose at the hips and might just be a little cooler than the jeans your mom has in her closet.

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed, Terri Pous / BuzzFeed

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a jeans person. Skirts, dresses, and legging pants are my top-choice garments; show me a comfy high waist and I'm yours. Jeans are often too thick, constricting, and bunchy — you never forget you're wearing them.

Despite certain Hermione-esque tendencies, I unfortunately have only one magic power: the ability to make mom/boyfriend/any kind of baggy jeans magically turn into ~skinny~ jeans the moment they're on my legs. So I was on the hunt for a pair of high-waisted mom-style jeans for what seemed like forever. I'd hold a pair up and think, Golly gee, those sure look wide enough — but once I entered the fitting room, the denim was tightly stretched across my thighs yet somehow gapped at the waist. I know that I am not alone in this struggle. If this story has resonated with you at all, boy do I have some good news for you.

When I saw these in-store at Urban Outfitters last July, I was skeptical and fully despairing of ever finding a pair of jeans that would actually be pleasantly loose on my legs. But when I pulled these beauts on and buttoned them up, I did a double take. There was no waist gap. There was...space between the fabric and my skin. They were distressed but not too hole-y — faded but still quite blue. The denim itself is soft and thin, so you can even wear them on a warm day. And (most importantly) they don't bite into your waist as soon as you sit down. I imagine this is how Goldilocks felt when she finally got to the right temperature porridge and the properly comfortable bed.

Now looking at reviews on their site, many people have commented on the fact that they're so loose in the leg and quite narrow at the waist (which obv. doesn't work for everyone). But if your waist and hips are not exactly on the same page (🙋), these could be perfect for you! —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get them from Urban Outfitters for $59 (available in sizes 24–34).

10. A pair of comfy-AF jeans responsible for finally converting a very passionate pants-hater.

Elena Garcia / BuzzFeed

I hate pants — no, detest them. I worshipped at the altar of denim mini skirts in the early aughts and "discovered" dresses in college. Since then, I haven't looked back except for an occasional pair of black jeans. (Even I relent to leg prisons when it's 6 degrees Fahrenheit in NYC and I must be outdoors long enough to walk to the train.) One of my best friends didn't see me in pants until four months into our friendship. So I'm not kidding around with this sentiment.

A few months back when the direct-to-consumer (think Everlane) denim line Warp + Weft launched, they gave me a pair of their JFK in the Venice wash to try. I thought I'd wear them a few times and then they'd collect dust in the far reaches of my closet like my other jeans. I was wrong! The material has give without stretching out and has proven itself in a variety of settings, like my desk (where I sit in all kinds of weird contortions), economy airplane seats (on several trips), and a rodeo on vacation (for real). And they're incredibly flattering! I've received lots of compliments on them and not just the "Omg you're wearing pants!" variety, either. I've been stalking their CDG in Eiffel to add to my wardrobe as well.

The price tag of $98 may make some balk — especially if you, like me, are used to buying Old Navy jeans when they go on sale for $19 — but there's a vast difference in quality. I've even been wearing shirts that I forgot I had (like this Urban Outfitters gem, pictured, from ages ago). Consider me a convert, though I won't be burning my dresses in a symbolic bonfire, either. —Elizabeth Lilly

Get them from Warp + Weft for $98 (available in sizes 0-14 and in nine washes).

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Allison Krausman / BuzzFeed