We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Style Clothing Reviews We Tested 44 Pairs of Jeans, and These 13 Deserve a Spot in Your Closet Comfortable and stylish denim you can rely on. By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist is a contributing writer for Real Simple. She covers fashion, home, and lifestyle products, including clothing, decor, furniture, and more. Her work has also appeared on MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie, and Verywell. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 08, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Dera Burreson Great jeans are comfortable, stylish, and versatile—a wardrobe staple you can wear running errands, going out, or grabbing dinner with friends. Finding a pair you really love makes getting dressed a lot easier, though it can take a bit of trial and error to pin down an option that fits right, feels great, and looks good with everything in your closet. That's what we're here for. To find the best jeans for every style, size, and fit preference, we recruited 86 testers with different body types to wear 44 pairs in real-life conditions over several weeks and vet them for fit, quality, comfort, durability, and overall value for the price. To round out our research, we tapped stylist Audree López for expert tips on buying jeans and how to style them. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Calvin Klein Original Straight Fit Jean at Calvinklein.us Jump to Review Best Budget: Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans for Women at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Stretchy: Hollister Low-Rise Medium Wash Boot Jeans at Hollisterco.com Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Spanx Flare Jeans at Amazon $148 Jump to Review Best Wide-Leg: Joe's Jeans The Mia High-Rise Wide Leg Jean at Zappos $198 Jump to Review Best Boyfriend: Kut from the Kloth Catherine Mid Rise Boyfriend at Amazon Jump to Review Best A-Line: Everlane The Way-High Sailor Jean at Everlane.com $128 Jump to Review Best Relaxed: Levi's Low Loose Women's Jeans at Amazon $108 Jump to Review Best Straight: Madewell The ’90s Straight Jean at Amazon Jump to Review Best Flare: Mother The Weekender Fray at Amazon $248 Jump to Review Best Overall Calvin Klein Original Straight Fit Jean PHOTO: Calvin Klein View on Calvinklein.us What Stands Out They’re sturdy but comfortable, and their classic cut makes them easy to wear. What Could Be Improved They come in a limited range of sizes and lengths. With their classic cut and comfortable feel, Calvin Klein’s Original Straight Fit Jeans impressed us more than the pricier jeans we tested. They have a medium rise, straight legs, and five pockets, and they come in several washes. (The light blue wash we chose was perfect for casual wear and didn’t transfer dye onto our clothes.) Though the jeans are made of a “cotton stretch blend,” they feel thick and sturdy—perfect for everyday wear. They didn’t stretch out or lose their shape during testing. And while they don’t have much give, they fit well—never pinching or digging in. The jeans didn’t fade or shrink in the wash, instead emerging slightly softer than they were before. We expect to wear them for months before noticing a difference in fit or feel. Our only qualm? We wish the jeans came in more sizes and lengths. But they’re high-quality, sleek, and versatile—a steal at their current price. Size Range: 25-32 | Rise: 11.4 inches | Inseam: 29.5 inches | Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane Real Simple / Sheila Tong Real Simple/Sheila Tong Best Budget Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans for Women View on Gap.com What Stands Out They’re stretchy, stylish, and comfortable, and they’re available in a range of sizes, lengths, and washes. What Could Be Improved The more you wash them, the more they lose their shape, but air-drying helps. If you’re shopping for jeans on a budget, Old Navy’s Extra High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans are some of the best you can buy. The jeans come in a range of washes, sizes, and lengths. They’re also thick but comfortably stretchy and easy to move around in. The more you wash them, the more they fade, stretch, and lose their shape—a classic problem with stretchy jeans, especially at this price point. But many budget-friendly jeans feel thin and flimsy to begin with, and these don’t. Plus, we’ve found that air-drying these jeans helps lengthen their lifespan. The jeans have a high-rise, wide-leg cut—a stylish silhouette that feels particularly of-the-moment. The jeans look more expensive than they are, and we felt comfortable dressing them up and wearing them running errands. You could buy better and longer-lasting jeans for more money, but at this price point, these stylish and stretchy jeans are tough to top. Size Range: 00-30 (regular), 2-18 (tall) | Rise: Not listed | Inseam: 31 inches (regular), 35 inches (tall) | Material: 69% cotton, 24% lyocell, 6% recycled cotton, 1% spandex Real Simple / Hannah Berg Real Simple / Hannah Berg Best Stretchy Hollister Low-Rise Medium Wash Boot Jeans PHOTO: Hollister View on Hollisterco.com What Stands Out Thanks to their unique fabric blend, these jeans are stretchy, soft, and breathable—perfect for travel and everyday wear. What Could Be Improved They feel more like jeggings than jeans, and their low-rise cut won’t suit everyone. Hollister’s Low-Rise Boot Jeans are some of the stretchiest and most comfortable jeans we tested. While many jeans are made of cotton, these are blended from cotton, polyester, viscose, and elastane. This blend makes the jeans irresistibly comfy: They’re soft, breathable, and easy to move around in—attributes often tough to find in jeans. They’re also perfect for travel or everyday wear. And while they, like other stretchy jeans, lose their shape after a few wears, they immediately snap back when you pop them in the wash. Since these feel more like jeggings than jeans, they aren’t for fans of stiff denim. And while their low rise is trendy, it’s not necessarily versatile. (While these jeans convinced us to give low-rise jeans a chance, we ultimately wished the rise was higher.) They come in three lengths, several washes, and a range of sizes. They’re also budget-friendly, making them one of the best buys on our list. Size Range: 000-20 (short, regular, long) | Rise: Not listed | Inseam: Not listed | Material: 70% cotton, 21% polyester, 8% viscose, 1% elastane Real Simple / Sarah Naftzger Real Simple / Sarah Naftzger Most Comfortable Spanx Flare Jeans PHOTO: Spanx $148 at Amazon $148 at Nordstrom $148 at Spanx What Stands Out The jeans are sturdy but comfortable, offering a structured fit that’s stretchy in all the right places. What Could Be Improved They run long, even when you order the petite length. While many comfortable jeans sacrifice structure for stretch, Spanx’s Flare Jeans strike the perfect balance. The jeans feel thick and high-quality, more like jeans than jeggings. And they're compressive and stretchy in all the right places, so even though they fit like a glove, they’re easy to move around in. They have five pockets, including two spacious back pockets, and a completely smooth front. Where other jeans have buttons and zippers, these have no closure at all, meaning they never dig in. The jeans come in several washes, sizes, and lengths, but like many other flare jeans, they run long. Even the petite length proved too long for us (and we don’t normally wear petite clothing). The jeans held their shape throughout our tests, never stretching with wear or shrinking with washes. And we truly fell in love with them. With their comfortable yet sturdy feel, these flare jeans are well worth the investment. Size Range: XS-3X (petite, regular, tall) | Rise: 14.5 inches (petite), 15 inches (regular), 13 inches (tall) | Inseam: 32 inches (petite), 34 inches (regular), 37 inches (tall) | Material: 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% elastane Real Simple / Bridget Annear Real Simple / Bridget Annear Best Wide-Leg Joe's Jeans The Mia High-Rise Wide Leg Jean PHOTO: Joe's Jeans $198 at Zappos View on Joesjeans.com $198 at Saks Fifth Avenue What Stands Out With their roomy fit and soft feel, these wide-leg jeans are so comfortable we likened them to yoga pants. What Could Be Improved They’re one of the priciest pairs on our list. Wide-leg jeans are the same width from thigh to ankle, offering a sleek look and comfortable fit, and Joe’s Jeans The Mia jeans are some of the softest we tested. Though the jeans are made of 98% cotton and 2% elastane, a fabric blend that usually feels stiff and sturdy, they feel broken-in right out of the box. They’re lightweight—more of a summer jean than a winter jean. They’re easy to move around in, too. We likened them to yoga pants because they were so comfortable. Despite their soft feel, the jeans are sturdy: They didn’t stretch, shrink, or fray during our tests, and their color didn’t fade or bleed. They’re also easy to dress up or down, so they’re great for everyday wear. The jeans come in several lengths, washes, and styles, making it easy to find a pair you like. And while they’re pricey, they’re worth every penny, especially if you want stylish jeans that can carry you through all the day’s activities. Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: 11.5 inches | Inseam: 34 inches | Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane Best Boyfriend Kut from the Kloth Catherine Mid Rise Boyfriend PHOTO: Kut from the Kloth View on Amazon $45 at Nordstrom View on Kutfromthekloth.com What Stands Out These jeans are sturdy, comfortable, and versatile, and they feel more expensive than they are. What Could Be Improved Their mid-rise cut—which is closer to a low rise than a high rise—won’t suit everyone. Boyfriend jeans are beloved for their relaxed fit and flattering cut, and Kut from the Kloth’s Catherine Mid Rise Boyfriend jeans deliver on both fronts. The jeans have a medium rise, straight legs, and cuffed ankles. Though they’re fitted, they’re forgiving, with enough stretch to comfortably move around in. The jeans feel soft but sturdy, never shrinking, stretching, or fraying during our tests. They’re also the perfect weight: thick enough to withstand anything, light enough for everyday wear, and ideal for year-round use. True mid-rise jeans, these fall just below the belly button, and their 9-inch rise is more like a low rise than a high rise. The jeans are flattering, easy to style, and available in several washes, and they look and feel more expensive than they are. At their current price, the jeans also offer the same incredible value as our top pick. Based on our past experiences with Kut from the Kloth, we expect them to hold up over time. Size Range: 00-18 | Rise: 9 inches | Inseam: 30.5 inches | Material: 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% elastane Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best A-Line Everlane The Way-High Sailor Jean $128 at Everlane.com What Stands Out These jeans feel well-made, and they offer the look of vintage denim without the rigid feel. What Could Be Improved They come in two lengths, but neither is very long. Everlane’s The Way-High Sailor Jeans do a great job balancing style and comfort. Their legs widen from waist to ankle to create an A-line silhouette. And though the jeans have a rise so high it reaches your ribcage, their waistband doesn’t dig in. (In fact, it’s more prone to stretching out, but we’d take that over pinching any day.) They offer the look of vintage denim with a much more comfortable feel. They’re stretchy and soft rather than rigid, and they have enough weight to retain their shape without feeling heavy. The jeans come in several washes, a range of sizes, and two lengths, though neither option is very long. In particular, their pockets deserve a shout-out: They’re deep enough to be practical but slim enough to stay out of the way when they’re empty. The jeans are easy to dress up and down—a true wardrobe MVP. And their price seems exactly right, given their versatile look, sturdy feel, and quality construction. Size Range: 23-33 | Rise: 12 inches | Inseam: 27.5 inches, 29.5 inches | Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane Real Simple / Molly Blanco Real Simple / Molly Blanco Best Relaxed Levi's Low Loose Women's Jeans PHOTO: Levi's $108 at Amazon $108 at Nordstrom $33 at Zappos What Stands Out Made of 100% cotton, these jeans feel stiff and sturdy—perfect for fans of rigid denim. What Could Be Improved Their pockets aren’t stretchy enough to be useful, and their stiff feel takes some getting used to. If you love looser-fitting jeans that don’t make you feel restricted, Levi’s Low Loose Women's Jeans are a great pick. The jeans fit snugly at the waist and hips, then widen from thigh to ankle, giving you plenty of room to move around. They have a low-ish rise: At 8.75 inches, their rise falls right between low (7 to 8 inches) and medium (9 to 11 inches). They’re also made of 100% cotton, so they have no stretch. This makes the jeans durable and great at retaining their shape, but it also renders their pockets basically useless. The jeans feel stiff and heavy, which is comfortable if you’re used to rigid denim. They don’t dig in or feel tight, especially if you find the right fit. Thankfully, these come in several sizes, lengths, and washes. With their current cut and classic feel, the jeans feel truly top-notch—exactly what you’d expect from Levi’s, one of the best jeans brands in the business. Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: 8.75 inches | Inseam: 30 inches, 32 inches, 34 inches | Material: 100% cotton Real Simple / Madison Woiten Real Simple / Madison Woiten Best Straight Madewell The ’90s Straight Jean PHOTO: Madewell View on Amazon $128 at Nordstrom View on Zappos What Stands Out These jeans are rigid, versatile, and built to last, and they come in a range of sizes, lengths, and washes. What Could Be Improved They’re fitted and rigid, with little stretch or give. Madewell’s The '90s Straight Jeans are some of the most classic jeans you can buy. With their high-rise, straight-leg silhouette, the jeans are easy to wear. They’re made of 99% cotton, so they have the rigid feel of classic denim. The jeans feel thick, sturdy, and well-constructed. They don’t lose their shape, stretch out, or shrink in the wash. Even after weeks of wears and washes, they looked as good as the day we unboxed them. Since these jeans aren’t stretchy, they don’t have much give. We found them more comfortable while moving around than while sitting and preferred to wear them to parties than the office. But since stretch often means less-durable denim, we don't mind the trade-off. The jeans come in several sizes, washes, and lengths (including two tall inseam lengths), and they’re easily dressed up or down. Given their versatile style and rugged feel, their price point seems just right. We expect to continue wearing them for years. Size Range: 23-33 (petite, standard, tall, taller), 14W-28W (plus) | Rise: 10.5 inches (petite), 11.5 inches (standard), 12 inches (plus, tall, taller) | Inseam: 28 inches (petite), 30 inches (plus), 30.5 inches (standard), 33.5 inches (tall), 36.5 inches (taller) | Material: 99% cotton, 1% spandex Real Simple / Sophia DeVito Real Simple / Sophia DeVito Best Flare Mother The Weekender Fray PHOTO: Mother Denim $248 at Amazon View on Motherdenim.com $126 at Neiman Marcus What Stands Out Though these jeans are stretchy, soft, and comfortable, and they retain their shape and withstand wear. What Could Be Improved They’re expensive, though they do a good job justifying their price. Mother’s The Weekender Fray jeans ranked high among our favorites—we considered making them our Best Overall pick. Made of just 81% cotton, the jeans feel stretchy and soft rather than stiff. They fit like a dream, too, comfortably hugging the body where other jeans gap, pinch, or sag. The stretch makes it easy to take advantage of the pockets, and the denim itself feels neither heavy nor flimsy. The jeans have a high rise, understated flare leg, and shorter inseam than other flare jeans, and they come in a handful of washes. Though stretch often comes at the cost of longevity, with these jeans, it doesn’t seem to. They retained their shape, never stretching, shrinking, or fading. And their intentionally frayed hems didn’t unravel. The biggest downside is their price. They’re some of the most expensive on our list, but there’s nothing else we’d change about them. They’re sturdy, stylish, and irresistibly comfortable—everything splurge-worthy jeans should be. Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: 10.75 inches | Inseam: 31 inches | Material: 81% cotton, 11% lyocell, 6% polyester, 2% elastane Real Simple / Caitlyn Martyn Real Simple / Caitlyn Martyn Best Cuffed Hem Citizens of Humanity Ayla Baggy Cuffed Crop Jeans PHOTO: Citizens of Humanity $258 at Nordstrom View on Citizensofhumanity.com $288 at Shopbop.com What Stands Out These jeans are sturdy but comfortable, and they’re surprisingly easy to style, given their unique cut. What Could Be Improved Their baggy fit and button-up closure won’t suit everyone, and they’re among the most expensive jeans on our list. Citizens of Humanity’s Ayla Baggy Cuffed Crop jeans are great for fans of roomy fits and relaxed silhouettes. They have a high rise, wide legs, and long inseam that’s designed to be cuffed. Their 100% cotton denim feels soft and sturdy but not stiff. The jeans don’t have any stretch and don’t need it, since their roomy fit makes it easy to move around. They also hold their shape and don’t stretch out—a blessing, since they’re already pretty baggy. The jeans come in several washes and sizes, but they run slightly large. They did shrink a little in the wash, but we’d still recommend sizing down. We noticed some dye transfer when we first put on the jeans, and we’d prefer a classic zipper to their button-up closure; these are minor downsides, not dealbreakers. The jeans proved surprisingly easy to style, and their medium weight is perfect for year-round wear. They’re expensive but worth the buy if you like unique cuts and comfortable denim. Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: 12.75 inches | Inseam: 32 inches | Material: 100% organic cotton Real Simple / Tina DiRosa Real Simple / Tina DiRosa Best Ankle-Length Jeans Paige Cindy High Rise Ankle Straight Jeans PHOTO: Bloomingdale's $229 at Amazon $219 at Bloomingdales What Stands Out The jeans are lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, but they don’t feel cheap or flimsy. What Could Be Improved Their sizing is inconsistent, and they feel thinner than we’d like, given the price. Paige’s Cindy High Rise Ankle Straight Jeans are straight jeans that stop at the ankle—a silhouette with a flattering look and comfortable feel. Made of 93% cotton, the jeans have just enough give. They’re neither too stretchy nor too stiff, and they’re soft without feeling cheap, thin, or flimsy. These are lightweight, flexible, breathable enough for warm weather, and comfortable to move around in. After wearing them around the clock, they didn’t fray or rip, and their frayed hems didn’t unravel. Their waistband loosened a little with wear, but it always snapped back in the wash. We struggled with inconsistent sizing, with some of us suggesting sizing up and others recommending sizing down. For that, double-check your measurements and take advantage of free returns. The jeans are expensive and thinner than we’d like, especially considering the price, but given how they fit, felt, and held up during our tests, we think they're great ankle-length jeans to buy if they’re in your budget. Size Range: 23-34 | Rise: 10.25 inches | Inseam: 28 inches | Material: 93% cotton, 5% polyester, 2% spandex Real Simple / Alisha Prakash Real Simple / Alisha Prakash Best Cropped Pistola Lennon High Rise Cropped Bootcut Jeans PHOTO: Pistola Denim $140 at Amazon $138 at Nordstrom View on Pistoladenim.com What Stands Out The jeans feel sturdy and well-made, and once you break them in, they fit like a glove. What Could Be Improved They need to be broken in, and inseam and wash options are limited. Pistola’s Lennon High Rise Cropped Boot jeans flare at the ankles—a stylish detail that sets them apart from other cropped jeans. Their cotton-heavy denim feels durable and high-quality, and although the jeans fit awkwardly when you first put them on, they have just enough stretch to mold to your body. They fit like a glove once you break them in. They also maintain that ideal shape after wears and washes, never shrinking, sagging, or stretching out. These jeans feel well-made: Their stitches, rivets, and buttons are all reinforced. And while their raw-edge hems grew more frayed during our tests, that was the only sign of wear we spotted. We wish the jeans came in more lengths and washes. (We wished for a shorter inseam and darker rinse.) But with their unique cut, structured fit, and comfortable feel, the jeans offer good value for the price—a great option if you want cropped jeans that feel comfortable and look cool. Size Range: 24-33 | Rise: 11 inches | Inseam: 27 inches | Material: 94% cotton, 5% polyester, 1% elasterell Real Simple / Courtney Thompson Real Simple / Courtney Thompson Final Verdict Calvin Klein’s Original Straight Fit Jeans are our top pick, because they’re comfortable, sturdy, and easy to style—a great option for most people. If you’re shopping on a budget, we also recommend Old Navy’s Extra High-Waisted Wide-Leg Jeans, a pair of stretchy, on-trend jeans available in a range of sizes, lengths, and washes. Our Testing Process Different jeans suit different people, so we recruited a diverse group featuring 86 people of standard and plus sizes, with different inseam, style, fit, and price preferences. Together, we tested 44 pairs of jeans over several weeks. We wore the jeans at least twice a week and noted how we styled them, where we wore them, and how we felt in them. We washed the jeans at least twice, watching for dye transfer, fading, shrinking, stretching, and other forms of wear. Throughout our tests, we vetted each pair of jeans for fit, quality, comfort, durability, and overall value. We noted whether the jeans ran small, large, or true to size and evaluated how soft, stretchy, and generally comfortable they felt. We assessed the denim for quality and noted how well the jeans held up to wears and washes. With all that in mind, we considered whether the jeans were worth the buy: Knowing the price, would we buy them again or recommend them to a friend? Real Simple / Taylor Rock How to Shop for Jeans Like a Pro Cut When you talk about what jeans look like, you’re really talking about their cut. Our favorites fall into six general categories: straight jeans, bootcut jeans, A-line jeans, wide-leg jeans, boyfriend jeans, and flare jeans. Straight jeans: These have the same width from knee to ankle, creating the appearance of a straight line.Bootcut jeans: These gradually widen from knee to ankle, so you can slip your boots under your jeans.Flare jeans: These dramatically widen from knee to ankle, ranging from exaggerated bootcut jeans to full-blown bell bottoms. A-line jeans: These widen from hip to ankle, creating the appearance of an A.Wide-leg jeans: These are wide from hip to ankle, creating the look of a straight line while offering a roomier fit than straight jeans. Boyfriend jeans: These have a relaxed fit, with wider legs than straight jeans and narrower legs than wide-leg jeans. Different cuts suit different people. “A good pair of jeans will fit your waist, be the correct length for your desired silhouette, and not sag in the crotch or flatten your butt,” López says. Finding the right cut may take some trial and error. Consider what jeans you usually feel best in, and prioritize similar cuts as you shop. Any of our favorite places to buy jeans will offer a wide selection of flattering and comfortable cuts. Rise and Inseam There are two ways to measure the length of your jeans: rise and inseam. Rise describes the distance from waistband to crotch, and inseam describes the length from crotch to ankle. Jeans usually come in one of three rises: low-rise (7 to 8 inches), mid-rise (9 to 11 inches), or high-rise (12 to 13 inches). Low-rise jeans sit below the belly button, close to the hips; mid-rise jeans fall just below the belly button; and high-rise jeans cover the belly button, sitting closer to the ribcage. No rise is right or wrong—all three proved comfortable in our tests. Jean inseams range dramatically, depending on the cut you’re looking at and the brand you’re buying from. The jeans on our list have standard inseams between 28 and 34 inches. Some also come in petite lengths (28 to 32 inches) and tall lengths (33.5 to 37 inches). Minding these measurements will help you find jeans that fit right. “If you are curvy, petite, or tall, look for jeans that offer these options for the best fit,” López says. “You can also take your jeans to your local tailor to make sure the waist doesn’t gap or the hem isn’t too long.” Material Material is one of the most important things to consider when buying jeans, López says. Your jeans should feel structured but stretchy. You should be able to comfortably move around in them, but they shouldn’t lose their shape after one or two wears. To strike the right balance, López recommends jeans made of at least 90% cotton. (Most of our favorites fit this bill.) High percentages of elastane, spandex, or polyester help with stretch, but they make it harder for the jeans to maintain their shape over time. Our favorite budget, stretchy, and flare jeans contain less cotton than López recommends. Unsurprisingly, these jeans were some of the stretchiest and most comfortable we tested. While they stretched out a little during our tests, they always bounced back when we washed them. They also felt high-quality, but we’re curious how they’d hold up to long-term wear. Features Once you’ve found jeans in a cut, style, and material you love, little details make the difference. Spacious pockets make it easier to carry essentials. Different closures (like zippers, buttons, or snaps) change the look and feel of your jeans. And embellishments (like embroidery, patches, or distressed rips and holes) can take a pair of jeans from simple to statement-making. Different washes (colors) can also change the way jeans look, with darker washes feeling sleek and fit for nicer events and lighter washes feeling casual and great for everyday wear. More Jeans to Consider American Eagle AE Stretch Super High-Waisted Ankle Straight Jean: These jeans come in several sizes and lengths, making it easy to find the right fit. We had to break them in before they felt truly comfortable, though. Denim Forum The Farrah High Rise Wide Leg: These jeans are stiff, sturdy, and stylish, but the waistband is prone to digging in and the A-line silhouette may not suit everyone. Not Your Daughter's Jeans Marilyn Straight Jeans: While these jeans are incredibly comfortable, they felt a little too stretchy, and their 32-inch inseam was too long for us. Real Simple / Molly Blanco Questions You Might Ask What are the best jeans brands? Our favorite jeans come from a range of brands, including several López also loves. She likes Levi’s for its classic cuts and quality materials, Old Navy for its budget-friendly prices and wide-ranging options, and mid-tier brands—like Paige, Citizens of Humanity, and Mother—for their solid quality and fashion-forward styles. She also likes Madewell and Everlane. How can you tell when it’s time to replace jeans? Here are some telltale signs you should replace your jeans: They’ve lost their shape, stretched out, started sagging, or developed holes you just can’t fix. “Most rips and tears can be fixed with a patch, sewing machine, or tailor,” López says. “But if your jeans have big holes or the inner thigh material has worn down due to chafing, it might be time to replace your jeans and donate, upcycle, or cut them into shorts.” How much should you spend on high-quality jeans? “For affordable, good-quality jeans, expect to spend between $50 and $120,” López says. “For high-quality jeans, expect to spend between $100 and $300.” This tracks with what we found: Our favorite jeans range from $45 to $258, with pricier jeans feeling generally sturdier, higher-quality, and longer-lasting than their budget-friendly counterparts. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a contributing writer for Real Simple. To find the best jeans, we asked 86 people—with different size, style, and fit preferences—to test 44 pairs of jeans over several weeks. We vetted the jeans for fit, quality, comfort, durability, and overall value, noting how well they held up to regular wear and multiple washes. For further advice, we interviewed stylist Audree López.