Like many women, I’ve had a hard time finding jeans my whole life. It’s a common struggle for most people, but especially if you have curves. My jeans either gap in the waistband or are too tight in the hips. With that in mind, I set out to find the best jeans for curvy women, and enlisted the help of experts as well, including a professional stylist and body acceptance advocate.
For the purposes of this guide, I focused on brands that have an inclusive size range, comfortable and stretchy materials and a great return policy. I personally tested over a dozen brands (I’m a curvy and petite person myself) and read online reviews. After some hits and misses, I determined that the NYDJ Marilyn Straight Jeans are the best curvy jeans overall, for their flattering fit and cut. The best value pick is Gloria Vanderbilt High Rise Jean, which is available on Amazon for less than $25. It has an elastic waistband so it’s super comfortable, even if you’re sitting down all day. Ahead, you’ll find all my top recommendations for a variety of different needs, styles and price points.
- Best Jeans For Curvy Women Overall: NYDJ Marilyn Straight Jeans
- Best Value Jeans For Curvy Women: Gloria Vanderbilt High Rise Jean
- Best Petite Jeans For Curvy Women: Spanx Ankle Skinny Jeans
- Best Straight Leg Jeans For Curvy Women: Liverpool Kennedy Straight Jeans
- Best Skinny Jeans For Curvy Women: Warp + Weft High Rise Jean
- Best High-Waisted Jeans For Curvy Women: Good American Good Waist Jeans
- Best Wide-Leg Jeans For Curvy Women: J. Crew Denim Trouser
- Best Mom Jeans For Curvy Women: Levi’s Mom Jeans
- Most Comfortable Jeans For Curvy Women: DL 1961 Florence Skinny Mid Rise Instasculpt
Best Jeans For Curvy Women Overall
Classic Silhouette And Lift Tuck Technology
Sizes: 00-18, 14W-28W (Plus, Regular, Petite) | Colors: Haley, Quinn, Rinse | Shipping and returns: Free shipping and returns within 30 days
All NYDJ jeans feature the brand’s Lift Tuck construction, which flattens the tummy area and boosts the curves in the back for a flattering effect, says Cassandra Sethi, NYC-based Personal Stylist at Next Level Wardrobe. I especially love the feel of these jeans, even though they are fitted, they aren’t too tight. They are soft and stretchy. Keep in mind: Size down for the best fit.
Best Value Jeans For Curvy Women
Elastic Waist And High Rise Fit
Sizes: 4-26 (Standard, Petite, Plus)| Colors: 14 in total, including Black and Denim Blue | Shipping and returns: Free shipping; free returns on select sizes and colors
With an elastic waistband and a blend of cotton, polyester and Spandex, these highly-rated jeans are remarkably comfortable. They have “real” pockets, despite the jegging construction, and are great for those who don’t like zippers or buttons (if you have sensitive skin or are postpartum, for example). Keep in mind: Longer tops are best to wear with this pair if you don’t want the elastic waistband to show.
Best Petite Jeans For Curvy Women
Inclusive Sizes With Shorter Inseams
Spanx Ankle Skinny Jeans
Sizes: XS-3X (Petite, Regular, Tall) | Colors: Midnight Shade | Shipping and returns: Free shipping and returns
If you’re on the shorter side, there’s no hemming required with these Spanx jeans, which come in three lengths, including Petite, with a 26-inch inseam. “Petite denim items can be pretty hard to find but Spanx has great options,” says Sethi. “I recommend the skinny, straight and wide leg pant.” All pairs feature Spanx’s famed body-shaping fabric, with four-way stretch. Keep in mind: This is denim with a snug, not relaxed, fit.
Best Straight Leg Jeans For Curvy Women
Leg Lengthening And Versatile
MOST POPULAR
Sizes: 0-16 | Colors: Halifax, Bennett | Shipping and returns: Free shipping over $175; free returns within 30 days
Up-and-coming brand Liverpool has great options for curvy women, says Sethi. The straight leg fit is especially comfortable and provides a lot of stretch (because of this, Sethi says the jeans can run big so she recommends sizing down). The Kennedy fit is versatile, and elongates your legs, she says. Keep in mind: Go one size down since these jeans might stretch out a bit.
Best Skinny Jeans For Curvy Women
Skinny But Not Too Tight On Your Hips And Thighs
Sizes: 14-24 | Colors: 4 total, including Twilight and Nightfall | Shipping and returns: Free shipping over $75; $7 return shipping fee (exchanges free)
Skinny fit jeans are often annoyingly tight for curvy types. Warp + Weft’s denim, however, sculpts and smoothes your body with a high-rise fit that’s extra comfortable and supportive without being constrictive. The 29-inch inseam is also versatile for wearing with almost any type of shoe. Keep in mind: This pair has a button fly and skinny styles, by nature, fit tight on the ankle.
Best High-Waisted Jeans For Curvy Women
From A Brand That Truly Understands Women's Bodies
Sizes: 00-26, 15-26 Plus | Colors: Blue867 | Shipping and returns: Free shipping over $125; returns within 21 days of order date, with restocking fee
“Good American really nails comfort, trend and size inclusivity,” says KatieSturino, a body acceptance advocate, author of Body Talk and founder of Megababe. Sturino is partial to the high-waisted pairs, which I found to be soft, stretchy and easy to wear. Keep in mind: Orders are subject to a restocking fee but it’s waived if you exchange sizes or opt for a store credit.
Best Wide Leg Jeans For Curvy Women
On-Trend And Ultra Flattering
Sizes: 23-37 (Classic, Petite, Tall )| Colors: 4 total, including Wesly Wash and Washed Black | Shipping and returns: $5 shipping (free for J.Crew Rewards Members); $7.50 for returns online (free in-store) within 30 days
J.Crew has transformed into an inclusive brand with a wide variety of styles for curvy women, say Sturino. These denim trousers are fitted through the hip and wide in the leg, which makes for a comfortable combination. I like dressing these up to the office or down on the weekends. Keep in mind: This pair only comes in 1 wash.
Best Mom Jeans For Curvy Women
A Classic That Comes In 15 Sizes
Levi's Women's High Waisted Mom Jeans
Sizes: 24-39 | Colors: 16 colors, including Indigo and Black | Shipping and returns: Free shipping; free returns on some sizes and colors
Levi’s does retro moms jeans at their finest. The relaxed fit in the hips and thighs is great for curvy bodies and the high rise accentuates your waist. Keep in mind: The tapered leg style might not appeal to everyone.
Most Comfortable Jeans For Curvy Women
Stretch Denim That Retains Its Shape
DL1961 Florence Skinny Mid Rise Instasculpt 30"
Sizes: 23-34 | Colors: Warner | Shipping and returns: Free shipping and returns
DL1961 is a celebrity-favorite denim brand. Their high-quality designs and performance fabrics makes them hard to beat in this category. For curvy women, their Instasculpt technology smoothes and sculpts, and it doesn’t lose its shape either, even though these jeans are machine washable. Keep in mind: The price is high but the jeans will last.
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How to Pick The Best Jeans For Curvy Women
If you’re curvy like me, shopping for jeans can be a challenge. Personally, I usually have to try on about 10 pairs to find one that sort of fits, and might still have a too-big waistband or a too-tight ankle. Luckily, retailers are finally getting the memo that not all women have the same shape and size, and many brands have now introduced a variety of curve-friendly denim options lately.
When choosing the right denim, here’s what to pay attention to:
The material: A stretchy fabric not only ensures comfort throughout the day, but also gives you a better fit. Stretch denim will hug you in all the right places and some denim lines even have built-in technology that helps to shape, tighten and lift. Look for a blend of cotton and spandex on the label.
The wash: A dark, straight-leg denim is a classic style that can stand the test of time. A very distressed, light wash is trendier, and can also widen legs, so be mindful of that. “I recommend staying away from denim that has any distressing or contrast stitching,” says Cassandra Sethi, a personal stylist at Next Level Wardrobe. “It’s important to keep the denim classic so you can create outfits and not get bored with your jeans in six months.”
Where you buy your jeans: Since denim sizes vary wildly, check the return policies of the retailer you’re purchasing from. Trying on pairs in a physical store might save time in the long run, since you won’t have to mail anything back that didn’t work. However, if you’re busy or don’t enjoy trying on clothes in public, doing so in the comfort of your own home may be less frustrating. “Remember you have to try a lot of jeans on to find the best fit,” says Sethi. “Unfortunately, there is no consistency in sizing among brands—and even within brands—so you’ll probably need to try at least five different styles of jeans and brands when shopping.”
The cost: A more-expensive designer pair may fit better, and offer a longer shelf life than a fast-fashion cheap pair. If you rarely wear denim or want an on-trend silhouette or style, though, choosing a budget-friendly option can be a wise move.
How Should I Style Jeans As A Curvy Woman?
“Right now, I’m really into the new dress code called ‘power casual,’” says Sethi. “This was coined by workwear retailer M.M.LaFleur, and it’s all about mixing elevated pieces with casual pieces.” She recommends pairing denim with a blouse and blazer for a polished look. “For shoes, try a leather loafer or ballet flat,” says Sethi. “You could also dress down the outfit with a fun pair of sneakers for a casual or no dress-code office.”
How Should I Wash My Denim?
Correctly caring for your jeans helps ensure that they last and maintain the best condition possible. “You always want to wash your jeans inside out and on a warm setting,” says Sethi. “More often than not, you should air dry your jeans and not throw them in a scorching dryer as it’ll wear down the denim fast. After your jeans air dry, you can put them in your dryer on a light setting for about 15 minutes.”
You also don’t need to wash your jeans after every wear. Check to see if they need cleaning by 1) seeing if they smell and 2) looking closely for stains. If you answer yes to either, you need to wash them. “Following this 1-2 test will save you time on laundry because you’re only washing if you really need to,” adds Sethi.
Where Are The Best Places To Shop For Size-Inclusive Denim?
“I know I am not alone in saying I am loving what J.Crew is doing right now,” says Katie Sturino, a body acceptance advocate and influencer, author of Body Talk and founder of beauty brand Megababe. But you also don’t need to limit yourself to one retailer. “There are so many great jeans out there right now,” adds Sturino. “My personal favorites are by Good American–they really nail comfort, trend and size inclusivity. Right now, I am gravitating towards high-waisted, flared styles.”
Remember that sizing can vary greatly between brands and even within the same retailer. Try not to focus on the numbers and instead the fit and comfort of the item.
