The 11 Best Straight-Leg Jeans PureWow Editors and Reviewers Swear By

Name: Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra-High Rise 90s Straight Jean
Brand: Abercrombie & Fitch
Price: 100 USD

Including picks for short and tall women

Author image: Stephanie Meraz Editor Bio Picture: editor with brunette hair in purple set at a beach in Cabo.

By Stephanie Meraz

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Published Apr 24, 2024

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

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Forget about flared, wide-leg, bootcut or—Gen Z’s nemesis—skinny jeans…I’m all about a slim and sleek straight-leg cotton jean. Like sweatpants, they’re comfy, supportive and can be quite cozy if you find the right style. You may need a pair specifically crafted for short or tall women, not to mention one that’ll do wonders for flat butts or big butts, which is why I’ve asked nearly *all* of my fellow PureWow editors for their can’t-pass-on recommendations from beloved brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Agolde and Mother, to name a few, before seeking out customer reviews. Allow me to present 11 of the best straight-leg jeans PureWow editors and reviewers swear by, including white, black, stretchy and comfortable jeans.

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Everlane

Best High-Waist Jeans

1. Everlane The Original Cheeky Jean

Everlane

Subdued, effortless brand Everlane has become a household name known for its ethical production and transparency with customers, delivering some of the best of the best staple pieces, including straight-leg jeans. PureWow’s Assistant Commerce Editor, Natalie LaBarbera, swears by Everlane’s denim. She says, “I love Everlane's Original Cheeky jeans. They have just the right amount of stretch, so they're comfy but don't end up sagging after a few hours of wear and they come in different inseams, too, so they're no problem for my short legs!” If that wasn’t enough already, wait until you hear that they have an updated high rise for the utmost comfort and a raised back-hook seam that’s designed to lift and tighten the bum.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 35
Washes: 6
Inseam: 26.5 inches, 28.5 inches

$98 at Everlane

best straight leg jeans Agolde 90's Mid-Rise Loose Fit Jeans

Revolve

Best Loose-Fit Jeans

2. Agolde 90's Mid-Rise Loose Fit Jeans

Revolve

I’m a self-proclaimed Agolde jeans hoarder for a few reasons. 1) I love a non-stretch cotton denim that has that vintage feel to it, because I have absolutely ZERO patience sifting through heaps and heaps of jeans stacked with Levi’s and Wrangler jeans in hopes that I will find something to fit like a glove. 2) These mid-rise loose-fit jeans are unbelievably comfy, with a 100 percent cotton make-up. I find that they’re true-to-size. I sized up for a baggier fit, but would recommend sticking to your usual size if you want it to snatch your butt (and avoid the dreadful sag). And with consistent wear, they do soften and give a little. TLDR? These are the jeans I always reach for when I don’t know what to wear.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 34
Washes: 1
Inseam: 29 inches

$228 at Revolve

$218 at Shopbop

Zara

Best Jeans for Tall Women

3. Zara High-Waisted Straight-Leg Jeans

Zara

“I know they're a little polarizing, but I'm a big fan of Zara jeans,” admits Sarah Stiefvater, PureWow’s wellness director. “I'm 6-feet tall, so finding pants that go all the way to the ground can be tricky, but Zara carries tons of ultra-long styles. I have this particular pair in the light blue and black washes, and I love them both but will say that 'high-waisted' is a bit of a misnomer; I'd call these closer to a mid-rise.”

Fast Facts

Size range: 25 to 32 or 0 to 14
Washes: 3
Inseam: n/a

$50 at Zara

best straight leg jeans Levi’s 501 '90s Jeans

amazon

Best ‘90s Jeans

4. Levi’s 501 '90s Jeans

Levi’s

There’s no straight-leg jean quite like the legendary 501 ‘90s-inspired style from Levi’s. They come highly recommended by PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth, who says, “I own these in a blue wash and a black wash and wear both multiple times a week. They are on the wider side for a straight leg, but I find the slightly looser fit easier to wear. The mid-rise is so, so comfortable, and I appreciate that there are multiple inseam lengths. As a tall gal with long legs, it's not always easy to find pants that fit down past my ankles, but these do the trick. They stretched a tiny bit after the first week of wearing them, but otherwise maintain their shape super well and aren't baggy in the knees or arse, even after nearly a year of wearing them. All that for under $100!”

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 34
Washes: 8
Inseam: 30 inches, 32 inches

$98 at Amazon

$98 at Nordstrom

~~$98~~; $54 at Levi’s

best straight leg jeans Frame Le High Ripped Straight Leg Jeans

Nordstrom

Best Cropped Jeans

5. Frame Le High Ripped Straight Leg Jeans

Frame

Whether you’re petite, average height or tall, a cropped jean like this Frame pair can feel magical when worn proportionately…and with a trendy kitten heel, if I may add. “I live in these Frame straight jeans,” says Destinee Scott, associate sales and deals editor at PureWow. “No, seriously, I rarely reach for any of my other pairs now because I'm addicted to their stretchy material that fits my thighs and bum like a glove.” Want to know the secret to the jeans magic fit? Well, it’s easily a byproduct of the fabric’s blend, which is comprised of cotton, rayon, elasterall-P and elastane. In other words, the stretchy, elastic material will mold to your body. “As a petite person, I'm also happy to confirm that they're short girl-friendly (I didn't even need to get them hemmed),” she adds.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 34
Washes: 4
Inseam: 27.5 inches

From $149 at Nordstrom

J.Crew

Best Slim Straight-Leg

6. J.Crew 9" Vintage Slim-Straight Jean

J.Crew

“J.Crew used to have a denim silhouette called the Matchstick that I swear was the absolute perfect pair of white jeans,” says Hepworth, who admits to still wearing hers after eight years. “They're starting to get pretty dingy, and the brand's new ‘slim-straight’ silhouette is the closest I've found to repeating the Matchstick magic. It has a slightly slimmer fit than your classic straight leg, but definitely isn't a skinny jean, which I think is the ideal cut for white denim—it lengthens your leg without showing every single bump and curve. And it comes in three inseam lengths, too.”

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 37
Washes: 6
Inseam: 25 inches, 28 inches, 31 inches

~~$128~~; $95 at J.Crew

Mother

Best Ankle Jeans

7. Mother The Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans

Mother

PureWow editors can’t give enough positive reviews about Mother denim. Both Gallery Media Group’s Chief Brand Officer, Mary Kate McGrath, and PureWow’s Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie, love their Mother jeans, and if you’re deciding whether to invest in the pricey brand yourself, the Hustler ankle fray jeans are a tried-and-true best-seller. Made in Los Angeles with a blend of 81 percent cotton, 11 percent lyocell, six percent polyester and two percent elastane, these cropped, ankle-cut jeans have a reputation of being ultra-comfortable and stretchy while still hugging your natural curves. So, if you prefer a semi-flared straight-leg jean that’ll show off your ankles and slim your legs, then these are for you.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 34
Washes: 5
Inseam: 27.5 inches

$238 at Mother

$238 at Tuckernuck

Levi’s

Best Jeans for Petites

8. Levi’s Middy Straight Jeans

Levi’s

Like Hepworth, PureWow Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen attests to the superiority of a good Levi’s jean. “I really like the Levi’s Middy straight, which has a slightly slimmer leg and mid-rise,” she says. “I'm petite but with a short torso, and high-rise jeans can sometimes hit too high on me, so these strike a good balance between low and ultra-high rise. I also appreciate that they flatter the caboose, somehow making my pancake butt look less pancake-y.” According to the brand’s website, the non-stretch cotton jeans run slightly small, so it’s suggested to order one size up for a comfortable fit.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 34
Washes: 6
Inseam: 29 inches, 31 inches

$98 at Levi’s

$98 at Amazon

Boyish

Best Stretch

9. Boyish The Tommy Stretch Jeans

Boyish

Another go-to on LaBarbera’s straight-leg standouts list is none other than the Tommy stretch jeans from Boyish. They have a classic straight-leg fit that’s cropped, and per LaBarbera, “They have the most amazing fit (especially these stretch ones). They're SO comfortable and made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and Tencel. Plus, they feel lifting, which is always a bonus.” Not to mention, that raw hem will look *chef’s kiss* with a strappy pair of heeled sandals.

Fast Facts

Size range: 22 to 32
Washes: 1
Inseam: 27 inches

$198 at Boyish

J.Crew

Best White Jeans

10. J.Crew Classic Straight Jean

J.Crew

Let’s face it, finding a pair of white straight-leg jeans that won’t show my undies, look bunched up in the crotch or sag by the end of the day is not easy in the slightest, but luckily for me, Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow, is in-the-know for all my white jean dreams. “My go to for a dependably flattering pair of white jeans is the J.Crew Straight Jeans, which has only one percent elastane so it’s not too stretchy, and also the fabric is thick enough, so I don’t have to worry about the see-though factor. And the high rise is a dependable muffin-top preventor! Plus, they come in tall and petite, too, so I don’t have to hem them,” she tells me.

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 37
Washes: 1
Inseam: 27 inches, 29 inches, 32 inches

~~$148~~; $120 at J.Crew

Abercrombie & Fitch

Most Comfortable Jeans

11. Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra-High Rise 90s Straight Jean

Abercrombie & Fitch

It’s no surprise to me that these are PureWow readers’ favorite pair of comfortable jeans. I fell into the craze and purchased a pair for myself and have not looked back since. And when customer reviews like this exist, I’m sure you won’t either: “These jeans are maybe the best jeans I’ve ever ordered,” one shopper raves. “Once you find the right size, they fit so perfectly and hug you just right in the butt and thighs. They are stretchy enough at the waist to accommodate for bloat, but are also sturdy enough to suck you in.”

Fast Facts

Size range: 23 to 37
Washes: 1
Inseam: 27 inches, 29 inches, 32 inches

$100 at Abercrombie & Fitch

What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Straight-Leg Jeans

Height: Finding the best straight-leg jeans that you reach for every day is predominately dependent upon your height. There’s nothing worse than swimming in too much material or not enough (because no one wants unintentional high waters). Pay attention to the inseam or length of the jean, as this will determine where the hem hits on your leg. My fellow editors and I go in-depth about how the lengths of the jeans we recommend in this list fit our heights, plus the customer reviews can help you determine how they’ll sit, too.
Comfort and material: Material will undoubtedly affect how comfortable a jean will be. A non-stretch cotton will be extra rigid, with some acting as “standing jeans” only for how stiff they feel, while a jean with an elastane blend will provide ample give and flexibility that can help hug your frame without encasing you like a stuffed sausage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Shoes Should I Wear with Straight-Leg Jeans?

The beauty of straight-leg jeans lies in their classic cut that skims off the thighs into a slim-yet-loose fit around the ankles, so almost any shoe will look great with ‘em, from ballet flats to comfortable sneakers to sexy heels. The key is to pay attention to your proportions and factor in your height as well as the pants inseam. For instance, if you’re petite and wearing a cropped ankle jean like the aforementioned Hustler ankle fray jeans from Mother, then a ballet pump will help to create the illusion of elongated legs. If you opt for a loose-fit jean, such as the Agolde 90’s loose-fit jeans, then your options are limitless, but I’m a fan of a chunky, comfy sandal or the Adidas Sambas like all the cool girls wear.

How Do I Wear Ankle Boots with Straight-Leg Jeans?

For the best fit, consider where the hem of your jean falls respective to the top of your ankle boots. Baring half an inch of skin is the ultimate sweet spot, as it’ll show just the right amount of skin without looking unintentional or awkward. On the flip side, opting for a straight-leg jean that has a long inseam or tall fit can create a drape over ankle boots that’s just beautiful.

Stephanie Meraz

Associate Fashion Commerce Editor

Stephanie is a natural savant in the fashion, beauty, and dating & relationships beats. She graduated with a bachelor of arts at the University of San Diego, where she majored...

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