Of the Dozens of Pairs of Jeans I Own, These Are My 7 Favorites—and None are Skinny or Baggy
Find out what's so great about these standout styles.
As someone who wears jeans almost every single day (save for the sweltering summer months here in the South where I live) and considers it part of my job to write about the latest denim trends on a very regular basis, it's understandable that I own more pairs of jeans than is practical for one person to own. But it's basically research, right? That said, despite the stacks and stacks of jeans lining my closet shelves, I tend to reach for the same handful of pairs over and over again.
Depending on the current denim trends and the season, my assortment of go-to jeans fluctuates, but several styles in the list of seven I'm about to take you through have been in my rotation for years, proving their timelessness. I should also mention that I'm very picky when it comes to jeans (and every other basic, as we all should be), so my most-worn pairs undoubtedly check a lot of boxes. The last thing I'll mention is that none of these jeans are of the baggy or skinny variety, and are instead some version of a straight-leg style.
So, if you're shopping for a new pair of jeans or are just curious about the ones a denim-obsessed fashion editor couldn't live without (and has acquired in multiple washes), keep scrolling to get the details on my favorites and perhaps even shop them for yourself.
Agolde has long been at the forefront of denim trends, often even setting them. It also does the classics quite well, and my favorite pair from the brand is in the latter category: the Valen Jeans. At 5'4", I know that an inseam 31" and over is best avoided, but these are a perfect 28.25"—not too long and not too short. Aside from that, they're mid-rise with a zip fly and are wildly comfortable. I own them in multiple washes and sizes, so I can choose a more fitted or slouchy look depending on my outfit and mood.
Agolde Valen Jeans
Levi's 501 '90s
Levi's '90s version of its classic 501 jeans are the relaxed-fitting straight-leg jeans of my dreams. Levi's regularly releases them in new washes, and the new lightweight iterations, in particular, are perfect for the warm weather ahead. Also, the price point is pretty great.
Khaite Abigail Jeans
When it comes to designer jeans that are worth the splurge, Khaite gets my vote every time. It's very high-quality denim in timeless styles. Not all are short-girl friendly, but the straight-let Abigail jeans are just right. They're the pair I often reach for in the evenings or when I just want to look especially polished. Also, some washes have stretch in the fabric, although they don't look it.
Anine Bing Kate
The Anine Bing Kate Jeans are one of the most timeless pairs I own. They're made of rigid, 100% cotton denim and have a button fly and a not-too-high, not-too-low waist, all of which give them an authentic vintage look. They take a minute to break in, but when they do, they become loads more comfortable than they look.
Reformation Val
So, you could technically call the Reformation Val Jeans a form of a baggy jean, but I like to size down in them for a more fitted silhouette. Like everything Reformation makes, these just make you look cool. Like the Anine Bing jeans, these also have a vintage look to them, but have more of a relaxed, low-key fit.
Madewell Longline Straight
Madewell's denim is 100% worth the hype, and I've owned many different styles over the years, but my current favorite is undoubtedly the Longline Straight Jeans. I usually shy away from jeans with the word "long" in the style name, but these are just a chic, polished stovepipe style that someone of any height could wear (especially since they come in standard, petite, and tall lengths).
Pistola Lexi
When it comes to barrel-leg jeans, I prefer a subtle take on the trend, as that's what has the most longevity. The Pistola Lexi Jeans have a just-right bowed leg, an ideal 28.25" inseam, and a zip fly. And while made of 100% cotton, they're surprisingly soft and flexible. They also come in all the trendy colors—khaki, butter yellow, and baby pink included. I recommend going down a size if you prefer a closer-fitting barrel-leg jean.
