There's nothing revolutionary about saying that shopping for jeans is hard. Though practically every fashion brand on the planet has tried its hand at denim, very few manage to get it right. And I'm only talking about the very basic specs of a pair of jeans—not yet taking into account the ever-changing trend cycle in this genre. When you do find a keeper in the denim department, it's natural to want to wear it multiple times per week and tell everyone you've ever met (or, in this case, a ton of people I've never once come into physical contact with) about it, including how the sizing runs, what washes to buy, where it's available in the most sizes, and how to style it. I'm guilty of gatekeeping a lot of things, but great jeans will never be one of them.
If all that wasn't obvious enough, I'm writing to you today to share the good news that I've owned a truly perfect pair of jeans for almost a year now. I'm 29 years old, and in my nearly three decades of living (and shopping), I've only experienced this twice: once with a pair of vintage 501s that fit just right and again now. The denim in question? Citizens of Humanity's Zurie jeans.
The Zurie is a stovepipe-style jeans silhouette, a fit category that doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. I've always considered myself a straight-jeans person, but lately, straight-leg jeans seem to have strayed away from their name, becoming baggier and wider than they once were. Stovepipe jeans fill that hole in the market perfectly with their fitted silhouette that looks tailored and refined without erring too close to the skinny-jeans realm. They work with boots, heels, flats, and even sneakers, making them perfect for anyone who wants workhorse jeans that can just as easily be worn to a nice dinner as they can for a rigorous workday outdoors.
My coworker, Who What Wear Associate Director of Special Projects Kristen Nichols, agrees, and we both regularly show up to the office in our stovepipe Zuries. Scroll down for our reviews of the jeans, and after, shop more of the best stovepipe jeans on the market this season.
My Review
"The Zurie jeans come in a variety of washes, some made of a stretchier material than others. My favorite by far is Stormy, a washed-black wash that's proven to be elevated and elegant no matter what colors I pair with it. As I mentioned, some of the washes are made of different materials, changing their fit. For Stormy, COH used 98% cotton and 2% polyurethane, so the jeans have a touch of stretch to them, but not too much that they lose their shape as you wear them. I've always heard that washing denim isn't good for it, so I like to wear my jeans a bit before I wash them, and the Zurie jeans are some of the few pairs I've tried that keep the same fit wear after wear. All the while, the denim specifically is rigid, so it feels substantial and expensive. Other winning qualities are the high waist that doesn't gap and the fact that they're long enough for someone of my height (5'8'').
"When it comes to styling, the possibilities are endless with jeans like this. I've worn them with oversize sweaters and blazers as well as fitted tops tucked in. As I mentioned earlier, the fit through the leg and length of the inseam allow them to work with a variety of shoe options. My favorite is to wear kitten-heel pumps with mine, further emphasizing the formal qualities of stovepipe jeans like this pair." — Eliza Huber, senior fashion editor
Kristen's Review
"There are some pieces that enter my closet, and I wonder how I ever got dressed without them. The Citizens of Humanity Zurie jeans are one of those pieces. They're designed with a stovepipe silhouette—a sleek, timeless cut that feels elevated and instantly elongates the legs. They're such a versatile staple that I've worn them everywhere from New York Fashion Week to the Who What Wear office to a trip to Paris." — Kristen Nichols, associate director of special projects
Shop WWW's Favorite Stovepipe Jeans
Nordstrom Reviewer: "I've been looking for a great jean to cuff but all the wide-leg styles don't look good on me. These however, are perfect—great straight leg and substantial jean material (love CoH for this!) that holds its shape. I find them to be true to size just as their other jeans are and I took my usual size. Note that these are LONG, I'm 5'10", and even cuffed about 3.5" they are full length on me. Truly perfect, I'll probably buy in another color!"
Shop More Stovepipe Jeans
These super-high-waisted, fitted jeans elongate the legs, making anyone look six feet tall.
Just a great, simple pair of jeans that'll put in the work.
Knowing H&M, these won't still be in stock next week.
When it comes to good jeans, the Danielle by Khaite is high on the list. They make you look super tall, but beware: Everyone I know who owns them says to size up.
I feel like people sleep on Denim Forum, Aritzia's in-house denim brand. Its jeans are super high-quality, and the prices are fantastic.
Levi's knows how to make a great pair of jeans. Anyone who disagrees doesn't know what they're talking about.
The 90's Pinch Waist jeans from Agolde is another one of my most beloved styles. I sized down one size for a slimmer, elevated fit and love how sleek they look with heels. They're also super high-waisted and mega-flattering.
Into this darker wash.
Extra-dark washes like this one from Banana Republic have a similarly formal, sophisticated appeal.
This brown pair is great for daytime styled with a cashmere sweater, a tucked-in button-down shirt, or an easy white tee.
If you're more of a trouser person than a jeans person, this pair will change your mind. Plus, it's majorly marked down right now.
These are selling like crazy.
The perfect dark wash does exist!
So many people I know swear by Abercrombie's jeans.
These are so classic and cool. I can see them being a French fashion person's favorite.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear, fashion is our specialty. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders, and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.