I Tried to Find the Perfect Everyday Jeans and Found These Top 5
I’d like to say that I’m somewhat of a denim expert. I call California home, and jeans are pretty much the uniform around here. Beyond that, I just really love wearing a great pair of jeans, and they end up being part of my outfit at least three or four days each week. And as a fashion editor for Who What Wear, I’m lucky enough to be able to try new jean styles from denim brands pretty regularly. I have a tall stack of jeans in my closet, and I’d estimate that there are at least 30 pairs I’ve tried in the last year alone.
As someone who likes to have a streamlined wardrobe, though, I decided to try each and every pair to figure out my favorites. After slipping into each and every style, I was able to narrow my essential everyday jeans down to five key picks. Ahead I’m breaking down the five best-fitting jeans I’ve ever worn—including the pair I always wear to the airport.
The perfect tapered ankle
I often struggle to find jeans that are tailored with a flattering hem at the ankle. Some are too wide, and others feel too tight. This pair from Anine Bing, though, is perfect.
A wedgie cut
These jeans are named the “wedgie” because they are actually designed to give you a butt lift. And yes, they live up to the promise.
The ultimate '90s-inspired jeans
If you’re obsessed with ’90s style like I am, these are the jeans for you. These Re/Done jeans were designed with Cindy Crawford to re-create her favorite pair from the decade, and they’re just perfect.
You can't go wrong with a classic
You’ve probably heard of Levi’s 501 jeans—and for good reason. They’re a classic cut from decades ago, but this pair has been updated with a tapered leg that makes them feel very 2018.
Meet my favorite airport travel jeans
Do you want to know something life-changing? These are the most comfortable pair of jeans I’ve ever worn. They’re a skinny jean cut that resembles leggings, but they look more dressed up. And they’re the perfect travel jeans that you’ll always catch me wearing at the airport.
Now shop the piece I'm styling with my jeans this season
And now, meet our fashion muse, Sasha Lane.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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