Words often used to describe jeans shopping: Intimidating. Exhausting. Stressful. Boring, even? 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. There's 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 most by my friends, family and clients: What jeans should I be buying right now? Are skinnies over? Will wide-legs still be cool next season? etc. etc. 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 Thelma and Louise. Straight-leg jeans just have that timeless appeal.
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 wish list, I'm here to help you find 'the one'. Straight-leg jeans are my M.O. I wear them basically everyday. 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 five ultimate pairs with you below.
The Best Straight-Leg Jeans, Tested By a Fashion Editor
1. The Perfect All-Rounder: Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans,£100
2. The Wise Investment: Agolde '90s Pinch Waist Straight-Leg Jeans, £310
3. The Best Slim Fit: Arket Jade Slim Jeans, £65
4. The Ultimate Full-Length: Toteme Twisted Seam Straight-Leg Jeans, £330
5. The High Street Hero: COS Column Jeans, £85
What makes these five 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 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 five pairs came up again and again. I felt vindicated.
So, without further ado. Scroll on to see and shop the five best straight-leg jeans I've ever tried.
1. Levi's Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
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.
As I say, I love this pair so much that I bought them in a slightly longer length too (29/29), to pair with heels and boots.
They pair so well with different footwear, from loafers to chunky flat boots to dainty heels.
Shop Levi's Ribcage Ankle Jeans:
The ultimate vintage wash jeans.
A classic deeper blue.
These will be a winter staple.
I love a white jean in autumn to brighten up heavy layers.
The full-length style which provides longer length options.
2. Agolde '90s Pinch Waist High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
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 work 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:
So classic.
I love the vintage wash on these.
This is the cropped version.
Shop '90s Pinch Waist Cropped High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans:
For those of us who like to show a little ankle.
Just don't come near me with any coffee.
3. ARKET Jade Cropped Slim Jeans
These are another pair I've had in my wardrobe for many years, but still feel crisp and brand new every time I wear them. As you can see they have a slight taper leading to a flattering 'slim' ankle, perfect if that's what our looking for. I find they pair perfectly with loafers and ballet flats, as well as slipping nicely over chunky chelsea-style flat boots come winter.
How smart are these?
Just add a trench coat.
The 2025 version of my classic blue pair.
Take these from day to night.
4. Toteme Twisted Seam High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
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 sie 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:
See? Perfection.
Ooh the darker denim looks so chic.
5. COS Column Jeans
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 column jeans. In fact, I have theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 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.
The denim of these feels like such good quality.
This deeper shade is next on my list.
How cool do the look with sandals too?
Shop More of My Favourite Straight-Leg Jeans:
Great for tall people.
These jeans are TikTok famous.
Kendall Jenner regularly wears Khaite's Danielle jeans.
A really easy, loose and cropped straight leg style to throw on for relaxed weekends.
Such a bargain.
I own this pair too, and they wash really well.
I'm a huge fan of M&S's other jeans, so I keep meaning to try the Sienna straight legs.
These could pass for designer.
If you prefer a mid-rise, check these out.
I haven't tried Dala jeans yet, but the buzz among the fashion industry is real.
A pair I see recommended by experts a lot.
