Sorry, Stovepipe—I've Been Wearing Straight-Leg Jeans Forever, These Are The Pairs I Recommend

Straight-leg jeans have a timeless appeal that makes them so easy to wear and effortless to style. Here, fashion editor Emily Dawes tests and reviews the best styles to shop.

Emily Dawes's avatar
By
Last updated In Features
A collage of images of stylist Emily Dawes trying on the best straight leg jeans, from Levis, COS and Arket
(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)
Jump to category:

Straight-leg jeans are one of those classic denim styles that can never truly date. Trust me, I know. Even as an editor and stylist who spends their days deep in the world of women's fashion, pinpointing the best denim on the market can often feel like a monumental task. This stems from the fact that there is just so much out there; different brands, price points, and, not to mention, the hundreds of shapes, styles and colour washes.

Denim is undoubtedly the thing I get asked about the most: What jeans should I be buying right now? Are skinnies over? Will wide-legs still be cool next season? My advice is usually to perfect the classics first, and what's the most classic jeans style of our time? Yep: The straight leg. Think Bruce Springsteen on the Born in the USA album cover, or Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in Thelma & Louise. Straight-leg jeans just have that timeless appeal.

best-straight-leg-jeans-246871-1556119218017-main

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Universally flattering and extremely versatile, I would argue that everyone needs at least one perfect pair of straight-leg jeans in their wardrobe. What makes them perfect will, of course, differ for everyone. Maybe you dream of the classic vintage blue, or need the ultimate black pair to dress up and down. You may prefer a slimmer, tapered straight-leg, a cropped ankle-length style, or a floor-skimming pair to wear with killer heels.

Whatever it is on your wishlist, I'm here to help you find 'the one'. Straight-leg jeans are my M.O. I wear them basically every day. I've dabbled in a wide leg, a barrel, a flare, but I always come back to my favourite straight-leg pairs. As you can imagine, working in the industry for over a decade, I've tried on hundreds of different styles, from super luxury brands to high street heroes—and only a handful have made it into my regular rotation. Not one to gatekeep, I thought I'd try on and share my ultimate pairs with you below.

The Best Straight-Leg Jeans, Tested By a Fashion Editor

How We Tested

What makes these pairs the very best straight-leg jeans? Well, I judge my jeans on a few categories. Firstly, quality: I don't want any sagging, I don't want any fading, and I want them to feel brand new every time I put them on. Secondly: Fit, which is a difficult one, since every body is different. For reference, I'm a size 8-12 (depending on the brand, time of the month, jeans style, etc.), which I'll admit makes it easy for me to find jeans that fit across most brands, but I'm petite at only 5'2" in height so length is always tricky for me.

Brands (like M&S or Levi's) that offer different leg lengths and extended sizing are always more likely to get a better recommendation from me, though. And finally: Universal appeal. When I knew I was going to be writing this piece, I wanted to make sure there weren't any key styles I'd been missing, so I opened it up to my Instagram audience. No lie, out of hundreds of replies (from stylists, influencers and fellow editors alike), these pairs came up again and again. I felt vindicated.

So, without further ado. Scroll on to see and shop the best straight-leg jeans I've ever tried.

1. Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

Stylist Emily Dawes wears Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Style Notes: When I asked my IG followers for recommendations for the best ever straight-leg jeans, I've never heard such an outpouring of love for one specific style of jean. Which is lucky, because they're my all-time favourite pair too. The consensus was that Levi's Ribcage jeans take the crown as the best all-rounder straight-leg jeans. Extremely flattering, a classic straight cut with a timeless vintage look and an excellent fit range (23" - 34" in the waist, and 27" - 34" in the length). I've had this exact pair for around three years now, and they still look (and feel) brand new. In fact, I own this pair (in a size 29" - 27") for a more cropped look, and the exact same pair in a 29" length (pictured below) for a more full-length look. I opt for this 'Ankle' (meaning cropped) style, but there's also a 'Full-Length' version that would be perfect for taller people. Just trust me (and hundreds of other fashion people) on this one.

Shop Levi's Ribcage Ankle Jeans:

Shop More Levi's Straight-Leg Jeans

2. Agolde '90s Pinch Waist High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

Stylist Emily Dawes wears Agolde 90s Pinch Waist Straight Leg Jeans

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Style Notes: After appearing on the feeds of just about every stylish person I follow, I was interested to see what all Agolde Pinch jean fuss was about. Now, I totally get it. The waistline is high and fitted and makes you feel incredibly secure, but the denim is soft as anything. The full-length version landed nicely over my heeled boots here, but the cropped version below works better with flats and low boots on my petite frame. The silhouette is spot-on too. If you're looking to invest in a premium pair, I dare say this is it.

Shop Agolde '90s Pinch Waist High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans:

Shop More Agolde Straight-Leg Jeans:

3. Toteme Twisted Seam High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

Stylist Emily Dawes wears Toteme's twisted seam jeans

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Style Notes: I bought a pair of Toteme's original twisted seam jeans (the slightly cropped version) many moons ago, when the brand first launched. I wore them to death, but sadly they just don't fit anymore. I've been meaning to invest in an updated iteration ever since I admitted defeat, and when I slipped this new full-length pair on recently I honestly gasped. The perfect fit (I opted for a size 27"), the perfect vintage wash and the perfect length to give that cool puddle effect. They're effortless and relaxed, but the longer length keeps them feeling elevated for work and weekends.

Shop Toteme's Twisted Seam High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans:

Shop More Toteme Straight-Leg Jeans:

4. COS Chord Jeans

woman wears cos jeans

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Style Notes: If you're after a designer-looking, and in fact designer-feeling, pair of jeans with a high street price tag, let me direct you to the COS Chord jeans. In fact, I have the Who What Wear readers to thank for my discovery of these, since they became an instant bestseller on site when they were first released. I ordered them to see what all the buzz was about, and I've never looked back. They're a nice loose-leg straight jean, giving them a cooler edge, and I love that I can wear them full length for smarter days or roll them up (inspired by the cult designer Ayla jeans) to wear with flats.

Shop the COS Chord Jeans:

Shop More COS Straight-Leg Jeans:

Shop More Highly-Reccomended Straight-Leg Jeans:

Emily Dawes
Emily Dawes
Senior Shopping Editor

Emily Dawes is an editor, stylist and writer with over 12 years in the industry. Known for impeccable taste, our readers trust her advice, especially in her column, expensive-looking high street buys. Working for Who What Wear UK since 2020, Emily has been a contributing editor, branded content editor and affiliate editor. Now, as senior shopping editor, she leads the e-commerce content strategy. After obtaining a BA in English and American Studies from Nottingham University, Emily landed at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she has styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.