Does anyone else feel personally victimized by rigid jeans? After consistently reaching for more comfortable bottoms like relaxed trousers, leggings, and ribbed pants instead of jeans for more weeks than I care to admit, the thought of putting on a pair of heavy, rigid denim sends shivers down my spine. Will I be able to go a full day without wanting to tear them off? Will my jeans even fit like they used to? These are the anxieties circulating in my mind as I look over at my well-curated denim stack, which has sat idly in my closet recently.
Nonetheless, I don't think I could live without jeans, and although it will take me a bit to get used to wearing 100% cotton denim again, I think I've found the pairs to help ease me back into wearing jeans more frequently again. I've finally found the time to sort through my denim pile and figure out which ones aren't serving me currently and which ones I'll be wearing for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Relaxed styles like barrel jeans and wide-leg options are the most appealing right now, as are any jeans with a significant amount of stretch in them.
Since I'm confident that I'm not alone in this search for comfortable yet stylish jeans to help bridge the gap back, I went ahead and shared my current favorites as well as the most comfortable pairs online with the best reviews. If you relate, keep scrolling to see and shop them all.
Shop the 5 Pairs I Love and the 5 I'm Letting Go Of
Parting With: Mother Denim High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Holding On To: We the Free Lucky You Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
At first, I thought the barrel-style denim trend wasn't my cup of tea, but now, it's my favorite. This pair from Free People not only encapsulates the on-trend silhouette perfectly, but it's also incredibly soft. They sit comfortably at the waist and loosely balloon at the leg, making them my most-worn jeans in the past few months. A keeper, for sure!
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Parting With: Mother The Dazzler Mid-Rise Slim Jeans
Holding On To: Citizens of Humanity Ayla Jeans
If you told me I spent over $150 on jeans a few years ago, I would've laughed in your face. But after spending a little too much on multiple "cheaper" jeans and being dismayed, I decided to give the highly rated Citizens of Humanity jeans a try. Usually, baggy jeans tend to be baggy only on my waist but tight at my thighs, and these jeans were perfectly loose all around.
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Parting With: Zara High-Waisted Slim Fit Jeans
Holding On To: Zara Z195 High Rise Long Length Straight Cut Jeans
On the affordable end of things, Zara has usually not let me down. I love that this pair is a happy medium between skinny jeans (which are just too uncomfortable on me now) and extra-baggy pairs. Zara's denim is also softer than traditional brands, which is a plus for those looking for comfier denim.
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Parting With: Agolde '90s Pinch Waist Straight-Leg Jeans
Holding On To: Agolde '90s Mid-Rise Straight-Leg Organic Jeans
I know most people are big fans of Agolde's '90s Pinch Waist style, but I've always found the waist on that pair to be a little too stiff for my liking. I much prefer the mid-rise and relaxed feel of the other '90s option I've shopped out above.
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Parting With: Levi's Wedgie Icon Fit Jeans
Holding On To: Levi's XL Flood Jeans
I love Levi's, but I'm sorry—the Wedgie jeans are another style I just can't seem to stick with as I prioritize comfort in my wardrobe. After seeing the Levi's XL Flood Jeans on TikTok, I immediately knew that these were my jam. I've taken them to the tailor to get them hemmed a bit, but other than that, they're everything I've been looking for in dramatic wide-leg and "baggy" jeans. They still have structure at the waist, but it's balanced with the relaxed flow of the general silhouette.
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Shop Top-Rated Jeans
"These are seriously the best pair of jeans I own, so flattering and comfy!" — Nordstrom reviewer
"I have been searching for the perfect pair of baggy jeans, and these are them. They are just the right amount of looseness and are super comfortable. If you're in between sizes though I'd recommend sizing down." — Free People reviewer
"I don't usually write reviews for clothing, but have to hop on and say this is the perfect wide-leg jean! A lot of wide-leg jeans fit kind of saggy around hip area and I'm just not a fan of that look, this one fits tight on the hip but relaxed everywhere else. Nice wash that goes with lots of things, can dress up and down. The length is just right, can wear with sneaker or heels, fabric is super soft and stretchy so very comfortable to wear as well." — Nordstrom reviewer
"First, I absolutely love this silhouette, polarizing as it is. I bought two, 24 and 25 in the darker wash, I already own the lighter more cropped pair in the 26. While I do like the lighter wash, the darker one is denim perfection. I hover between 26 and 27 in non-stretch women's denim. If you like a more fitting higher waist, I would definitely size down, The cut is quite roomy, and the 24, while snug, is still comfortable to wear all day. If you're even remotely considering getting these and are waiting for a sign, consider this review, that sign." — Shopbop reviewer
"Well, this brand is a little bit of heaven. The denim is really soft and comfy, while also somehow having good structure. These are high on the waist for sure." — Nordstrom reviewer
"These jeans fit great! Stretchy material and hit at all the right places. Decently high waisted but not too tight, which makes it great for wearing to a desk job. I am 5’4 and these jeans are not too long to wear with sneakers or flats!" — Nordstrom reviewer
"Excellent feel to the denim, perfect amount of stretch (which to me is just a little). Love the unfinished bottoms! I feel like a cool mom when I wear these!" — Nordstrom reviewer
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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