As fashion editors tell it, skinny jeans are due for a comeback. Celine is endorsing them, and Gisele Bündchen is wearing them again as if it's 2003, but the '90s-fixated person in me won't let baggy jeans go. (Honestly, that was such a time in fashion.) Bring on the puddle pants—I want to be able to swim in my denim. But as effortless as Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber may make it seem, finding good baggy jeans is much more complicated when you're not a size 2. I previously documented the journey of buying denim when you have a curvier body, and I'm happy to report that it does get easier when it comes to loose-fitting jeans.
After trying on dozens of pairs, I discovered some key tips along the way: Wide-leg jeans and other baggy styles are always better. Ultimately, these silhouettes will frame and drape over the body better than, say, sizing up in a style that leans narrower. But don't be afraid to size up! Some of my all-time favorite jeans are two sizes too big to secure that effortless "off-duty model" look I love so much. Also, keep this sizing advice in mind, especially when it comes to rigid denim, as material doesn't accommodate curves the way stretchier denim does. Lastly, don't be afraid to take your jeans to the tailor. So many of my stylist friends consistently get their denim tailored to ensure the best fit possible. Now that you know the shortcuts to finding a great pair of jeans, I've assembled a list of my current go-to jeans to achieve the cool-girl loose-denim look. The good news is most of these don't require an extra trip to the tailor to get them right—they're pretty amazing as is. Keep scrolling to see my recommendations.
Most people don't realize how good Reformation's denim is, which is not so bad news for those of us who love it. There really is more to Reformation than cutesy sundresses and linen pants. After I gave its denim a try during a casual shopping trip, this style emerged as my favorite of the bunch. They hug my waist well with virtually no gapping, and since they're constructed to be slouchy, they give the loose look without looking sloppy.
I'll say something controversial: I'm not a fan of Levi's 501s. They just don't fit my hips and butt without compromising the waist. No worries, though, because I found my ideal Levi's style: the Baggy Dad Jeans.
As the description reveals on Reformation's website, these are snug around the waist, so I'd advise sizing up and wearing them with a belt.
This is a PSA to check out Mango's denim offering. I'm consistently impressed with how great its denim is, from the fabric to the silhouettes to the washes. I also won't argue against jeans that are under $100.
If you're a curvy girl who hasn't given Mother a go, you are genuinely missing out. Out of my top five pairs of my entire denim collection, half of them are from Mother. I love that the brand's sizing is more generous than a lot of its competitors. The Snacks! collection, which was released last year, embraces the popularity of oversize fits with new, exaggerated slouchy styles.
If you know, you know. Abercrombie makes some of the best jeans on the market. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when Abercrombie took over the hearts and minds of the TikTok crowd, but it's grown to become one of the internet's most beloved denim brands. My personal obsession is with its Curve Love line, a range of jeans that have more room around the hips and back with a slightly narrower waist. Those proportional tweaks make all the difference when you have curves.
It wouldn't be right to talk about denim without putting Madewell on the list. Like Abercrombie, Madewell offers a line for curvy bodies with a more pinched-in waist and room around the hips. I usually avoid low-rise jeans, but these made me a believer.
I've test-driven several pairs of Agolde jeans, but my heart belongs to the Fusion Jeans. They're intentionally baggy, so they're roomier than other Agolde styles, which cling to my thighs.
As you can probably tell from the photo, these are narrower at the ankle, which makes them perfect for styling with a pair of heels or tall boots.
When I'm in the mood for jeans with some pizzazz, I immediately reach for these. The crossover waistline really makes a basic top such as a simple bodysuit pop, so I consider these essential for styling the more basic pieces of my wardrobe. To get them extra loose, I went up two sizes, but they're already slightly loose as is, so I'm sure going up only one size will suffice.
I own the low-rise version of these (which I also love), but I'm too devoted to high-waist jeans to say no to this pair. I especially love to style them with heels for a casual night out.
If you have a bigger budget, might I suggest this pair from AG? They feel quite luxe and substantial, which is good news if you've ever ended up with worn-out holes in the thighs of your jeans (like me!). In terms of sizing, it's a super-wide leg, so the fit is more like palazzo pants than, say, '90s jeans, but the overall look is still stylishly baggy.
Pointed-toe heels and puddle pants are the combo to beat in the fashion world right now, so I've been looking for the perfect pair of pants to make that happen. Enter this pair from Topshop. Just a warning: They are made of rigid denim, so to accommodate your curves, you'll want to go up a size.
Urban Outfitters has been on the baggy-jeans trend for years (before most brands), so naturally, its selection is pretty robust. BDG heavily plays into Gen Z tastes, which means the silhouettes are a little more exaggerated and oversize than what you'd find elsewhere. I love playing with extreme silhouettes, so consider me a fan.
Another favorite from Citizens of Humanity, these are wider than the Annina jeans mentioned above, so the resulting look is a bit '70s inspired, which I'm not mad about.
Shop More Baggy Jeans I'm Eyeing
Lower waistlines are far more comfortable.
These come in two other washes!
The waistband on these jeans is everything.
Dark-wash jeans stand the test of time.
The puddle ankle on these pants is perfection.
All of Everlane's jeans are made with curves in mind.
Searching for a sustainability-minded denim brand? Look no further than DL1961's denim.
Fair warning: These are non-stretchy jeans, so you might want to size up.
The hemline on these jeans will allow you to show off your favorite shoes.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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