I Own 29 Pairs of Jeans, But I Always Wear These 5

It would be fair to call my burgeoning denim collection unreasonable. No one needs 29 pairs of jeans. But between an obsession with picking up vintage finds and a job that involves a lot of testing of new denim trends, I've managed to accumulate quite a collection. But here's the honest truth: While I'll wear anything once (or even a handful of times), there are really only five denim styles that I trust to wear year after year and season after season.

Every pair of jeans serves its own specific purpose. Vintage denim is my weekend go-to, while a sleeker dark wash is the ideal for more professional settings. And while you should always dare to embrace a trend or two, when it comes down to jeans you'll wear for the next 10 years, these are the five styles that are worth investing in. Check out my full breakdown below.

On the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans for work? Dark-wash kick-flares are it. The wash adds just the right amount of polish, and if you look fast, it's easy to mistake them for trousers. A cropped kick-flare will let you show off your statement heels or let you pair with sneakers without needing to get them hemmed.

Vintage (or vintage-inspired) jeans are my weekend go-to. Since I tend to keep things casual, a high-rise jean with a simple tee or a crop top is the perfect transitional outfit. When in doubt, add a cool pair of sneakers, and it's an ensemble that goes straight from daytime fun to drinks.

If I had to pick a style of denim I consider most flattering, it would hands down be a black flare. The hue and shape elongate and slim the leg, making me feel like I have supermodel proportions. When I'm picking an outfit for date night, these jeans are an easy choice.

Finding the perfect pair of white jeans has always been a struggle for me. If the fabric is too thin or the fit too tight, I just don't feel comfortable. That's why I'm convinced that the best white jeans are a wide-leg. The fit helps alleviate my anxiety about fit and lowers the risk of underwear showing through too.

It should come as no surprise that among my staple pairs of jeans, skinnies made the cut. Most women have at least one pair of these body-hugging jeans in their rotation. Since the cut tends to be so simple, I find myself gravitating toward styles with a little bit of distressing or interesting design details to make them feel unique.