The best jeans for women: a guide to ladies denim

A new pair of jeans is the quickest way to freshen up your wardrobe. They can be worn all year round and dressed up or down to suit any occasion. Different styles of jeans have come in and out of fashion over the year, which means there are plenty of options to choose from. But finding the pair that fit you perfectly can be tricky – skinny leg, high-waisted, low rise, bootcut, boyfriend, “mom” jeans – what does it all mean!? 

When picking the right jeans for you, it is important to find what feels comfortable to you and also what suits the rest of your style. If you’re petite, skinny jeans can help elongate the legs, whereas mom jeans may swamp you. If you are looking for smart jeans, a high-waist and darker denim looks more dressy, whereas a light-wash mid-rise jean is more suited to casual daytime wear. These are all just tips, though; essentially you can wear jeans anywhere, anytime, any way you wish. 

Investing in good quality denim is the best way to make the most of your jeans. If you find you wear them every day, then a cheap pair from Primark is realistically only going to last you a few weeks before they start fraying at the seams. Look out for high-quality denim from brands such as Levi and Mih that you can expect to last. However, if you only wear jeans occasionally, or are looking for a second pair of jeans for a particular occasion, you don’t have to spend a fortune to find what you’re looking for. High street brands such as River Island and ASOS offer some great styles at competitive prices. 

We’ve picked out some of the hottest denim trends on the market right now to cater to all styles and price ranges. From coloured skinnies to acid wash ripped boyfriend jeans, there’s a pair of jeans for every day of the week if you wanted! Which pair will be your favourite? 

1. J Brand High Rise Crop Straight Jean with Raw Hem and Abrasions

A straight black jean for smart/casual styles

Specifications

Best for: Smart/casual styles
Sizes: W23-32
Colour: Black
Type: High-rise, cropped, straight

Reasons to buy

+
Look like trousers
+
High-rise for comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Ankles will get cold 

These straight cut cropped jeans are a popular choice for both day and night wear. The black high-rise leg make these suitable for smart occasions, whereas the crop and distressed detailing suggest they could equally be worn on a summer's day. Those who bought these jeans felt they complemented either heels or a more casual shoe, and the black means they resemble a regular pair of trousers so you could even get away with them as workwear. They are pricey, but you can expect these jeans to serve you well if you’re someone who likes to wear them every day.  

2. AG: The Mila Skinny Mid-Rise Jeans

Classic blue denim for everyday wear

Specifications

Best for: Everyday wear
Sizes: W 23-32
Colour: Blue
Type: Skinny, mid-rise

Reasons to buy

+
Soft denim 
+
Hug your shape

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey  

The wonderful thing about jeans is that they pretty much go with anything, and that’s exactly what people love about the Mila Skinny Mid-Rise Jeans. The traditional dark blue denim has a slightly washed out thigh which gives them a casual feel and the skinny leg is designed to hug your figure, so if you hate a saggy bum, these are the jeans for you. Again, these are a designer brand so you can expect the denim to be of high-quality, and to wear very well. They are designed to be soft, but the more you wear them, the softer they will also become over time.  

3. Mih Jeans: Mimi Slim High-Rise Jeans

A slim-fitting pair of jeans that make a nice change to your standard blue denim

Specifications

Best for: Alternative style
Sizes: W24-32
Colour: Grey, khaki, black
Type: Slim, high-rise

Reasons to buy

+
Distressed seams
+
Retro style

Reasons to avoid

-
Need to be washed separately  

If retro is your thing, then these jeans could make a great alternative to you standard blue jeans or the latest on-trend skinnies. They come in three different colours and are cropped slightly with a distressed feel at the bottom to give them a little bit of edge. We reckon you could style these up or down, with heels or converse. They have belt loops, and five pockets which make them functional as well as stylish. They’re made from soft denim, but you do have to take care of them to ensure they stay that way; only put on a cold wash to ensure they retain colour and shape.  

4. 7 For All Mankind Aubrey skinny high-rise jeans

These jeans are all about comfort with a high-rise fit infused with elasticity

Specifications

Best for: Comfort
Sizes: W23-32
Colour: Blue
Type: High-rise crop

Reasons to buy

+
Elasticity for comfort
+
Slimming effect

Reasons to avoid

-
Very casual 

These jeans are designed with style and comfort in mind. The high-rise and skinny leg is designed to hug your figure but with an elasticity that allows you freedom when you move. The turned up hems aren’t for everyone as they make these jeans very much causal wear, but you can expect these to be a comfortable alternative to full-length jeans when putting together a summer outfit that still looks chic and sophisticated. If you’re someone who usually finds jeans uncomfortable to wear, then you might find these change your opinion! 

5. Levi's Innovation Super Skinny Jean

Smart looking skinnies for a figure-hugging look

Specifications

Best for: Super-skinny jeans
Sizes: W25-32
Colour: Black, dark blue
Type: Skinny

Reasons to buy

+
Smart/evening wear
+
Full leg 

Reasons to avoid

-
Cool wash only  

Levi’s are known for their high-quality denim, so if you want a pair that will last, you can rely on Levi. This pair of jeans offers a smart and sophisticated version of the on-trend skinnies, with the option of black or a dark denim wash that we think would look great dressed up or down. For those who don’t like wearing dresses or skirts, the skinny jean is the perfect item to dress up for a night out on the town, or to throw together a semi-professional look. These have a long leg, unlike a lot of the cropped jeans currently in fashion, and the skinny style will hug your figure for an almost spray-on look.  

6. Farleigh High Waist Deconstructed Slim Mom Jeans

A high-waist and slim fit that will really show off your figure

Specifications

Best for: Figure hugging
Sizes: W24-36 L30-34
Colour: Dark blue
Type: Skinny, high-waist

Reasons to buy

+
Different leg length
+
Complements the waist

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the comfiest  

These high-waisted jeans would be great for anyone who wants to show off their curves. The dark denim combined with the crop design gives these jeans a smart/casual feel, and the pleat down the slim leg adds a unique touch to these jeans that the others don’t have. Those looking to find a sophisticated pair of jeans on a budget can expect good things from this high street brand at ASOS. The jeans are easy to wash and they also have different leg sizes to cater to different heights. 

7. River Island Plus Molly Coated Jeans

Coated skinny jeans for bigger sizes

Specifications

Best for: Plus size
Sizes: 18-28
Colour: Black
Type: Skinny

Reasons to buy

+
For curvy girls
+
Full length

Reasons to avoid

-
Not 100% cotton  

Curvy ladies love these jeans from River Island. The skinny plus size style is figure hugging and those who bought them say they are great as a smart pair of trousers for work or going out. Some didn’t like how the material feels, but the long leg and stretchy material is said to make them super comfy to wear. These jeans are also incredibly affordable so would make a nice additional pair for your wardrobe if you’re not someone who wears jeans every day.  

8. Original Mom Jeans in Dex Aged Wash

Complete your casual-chic style with these ripped mom jeans

Specifications

Best for: Ripped
Sizes: W24-34, L30-34
Colour: light blue washed
Type: Ripped mom jeans

Reasons to buy

+
Stretchy denim for comfort
+
Ripped detail for casual look

Reasons to avoid

-
 More about style than practicality 

The mom jean is the newest denim trend to hit fashion lines, and these ASOS ripped jeans combine a touch of retro with it. The light wash makes a change to the standard blue denim and ladies who bought these jeans found the high-rise waist to be flattering and comfortable. They’re purposely slightly baggy, but still keep a tapered style down the leg which makes a nice compromise for those who don’t want super skinny jeans but still want to retain some shape. They may certainly be more about style than practicality, but if you like to keep up with the latest trends then we recommend giving these jeans a try. They’re also easily machine washable and come at a reasonable high street price!