The Best Jeans of 2023, According to Bazaar Editors

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Between fresh denim trends that arrive every season and timeless denim cuts that are always in stores, the best jeans for women are really in the eye of the beholder.

When I asked Bazaar editors to test and review their favorite jeans for fall, I received recommendations landing at every point on the denim spectrum. Some editors like a vintage wide-leg sized up for a slouchy fit; others are all in on rigid, dark-wash denim with a tapered leg (the better to spotlight a strong leather boot, of course). One editor makes a convincing case for the return of cargo pants with pair done in denim. Two editors named the same pair of ’90s straight-leg jeans as their absolute favorite—but they’re wearing theirs in completely different ways.

Ultimately, the beauty of this year’s best jeans is their ability to speak to a variety of tastes. While washes and silhouettes vary, all the denim we recommend has in common a comfortable fit and endless styling potential. (Checking the tag for fabrication details and double-checking for the right inseam will ensure you find a pair as perfect as our editors’ favorites.) Ahead, shop the best jeans of 2023 for every body type, budget, and personal style—as tested by Bazaar editors.

Cary High-Rise Slouchy Wide-Leg Jeans

“These are the kind of jeans you buy and then proceed to wear every single day after. I ordered two sizes up for an extra baggy feel, which is how I prefer to wear my denim in the fall. The slouchy look and wide-leg silhouette make these jeans such a great shape to play with, when it comes to layering. Basically they’re like the perfect middleman between a big snug sweater and tiny little hot slingback heels." —Tara Gonzalez, senior fashion editor

Sizes: 23–33

Washes: Light, mid, dark, espresso, and more

Black Rigid Swigy Jeans

“I bought these Ganni jeans preworn, from Poshmark, and they’ve quickly become my favorite pair. They’re straight-legged, not cropped (I love longer jeans), and have the most perfect high-rise waist. The Ganni patch on the back is an added bonus.” —Ariana Marsh, senior features editor

Sizes: 24–32

Wash: Dark

Blue 501 ’90s Jeans

“When it comes to jeans, you can’t beat classics like Levi’s. I appreciate this pair’s timeless straight-leg fit, which makes it ultra easy to style with anything and everything in my closet. They look especially great with a chunky knit cardigan and ballet flats.” —Chelsey Sanchez, digital associate editor

Sizes: 23–32

Wash: Medium

’90s Mid-Rise Straight Organic Jeans

“I will be wearing these straight-leg jeans all season. There’s something so flattering about a mid-rise: It’s high enough to comfortably cinch at the perfect place on your waist, and also looks flattering with a T-shirt or thin knit tucked in and pulled out slightly with a belt. They’re also great with an oversize button-down shirt or flowy sweater over top. These hit the ankles at the ideal spot to wear cool Mary Janes, flats, and Chelsea boots when it’s colder.” —Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, senior fashion and accessories editor

“The first time I wore these Agolde jeans and posted a photo in them, my friends all assumed they were custom or that I had gotten them tailored. In reality, they just fit that perfectly. The mid-rise isn’t too high, and the silhouette isn’t too snug—these are a tried-and-true straight-leg that I’m positive I’ll be wearing on repeat through the rest of the year.” —Bianca Betancourt, culture editor

Sizes: 23–32

Wash: Mid denim

Tommy High-Rise Straight Jean

“Boyish jeans have such a good shape, especially the Tommy. It’s tight around the hips but loose around the legs, for a fit that feels a little slouchy but still adult.” —Izzy Grinspan, deputy digital editor

Sizes: 23–32

Wash: Black

Petit Standard Jean

“These are the jeans that you marry! That is because owning them takes a lifetime commitment. In return, they will be the only jean you’ll ever want to wear.

“I love the way they break in, form to your body, and record in their deep blues the life you've lived in them. To this extent I never really wash them. When they need a reboot, I put them in the freezer or with a drier sheet on high in the dryer. (If that's too extreme, I also recommend rinsing them in cold water with dark Woolite, then hanging to dry.) The slimness and modern cut looks great with anything. For that Left Bank Parisian look, pair it with a sweater, tweedy blazer, and a brown loafer. C'est chic!" —Miguel Enamorado, accessories director

Sizes: 24–36

Wash: Indigo

Jeans No.2

"I’m obsessed with everything Commission does but I especially love their jeans – a little classic, a little not, perfect fit and just the right indigo wash." —Brooke Bobb, fashion news director

Sizes: 24–36

Wash: Dark indigo

The Carly Cargo Jean

"I'm obsessed with this cargo pair from Favorite Daughter. It's so versatile and can be styled in so many different ways from season to season. For fall, I'm wearing mine with a tank top and a cardigan for a fresh off-duty look." —Alicia Banilivy, fashion market and retail credits editor

Sizes: 22–34

Wash: Highway

Enora Cigarette Jean

"I probably don’t go a month without wearing these high-rise black jeans from DL1961. They’re easy, classic, and go with everything. Plus, they’ve only gotten comfier with time, and I love a denim staple that you can take from the couch to the office to the party without needing a sweatpants break." —Rosa Sanchez, senior news editor

Sizes: 23–34

Wash: Nightshade

The Standard Jeans

"Asket made me a convert to straight-leg jeans—this pair specifically. Before I found them, I was more or less convinced that tapered styles didn't work with my curvier legs. Turns out, I just wasn't wearing ones with Asket's perfectly slim-but-not-too slim leg, comfortably proportioned hips, and a little hit of stretch. You'll see me wearing them throughout the fall with a faux-fur lined aviator jacket, sweater, and loafers, then in the spring with a structured poplin top like Tove's." —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor

Sizes: 23–34

Washes: Stone wash, stone bleach

The Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

"I've been wearing Madewell's curvy fit jeans for years now and they've never let me down. This particular pair is the rare wide-leg for curvy and extended sizes that has a polished, trouser-like structure while giving me the space I need to be comfortable through the hip and thigh area. They also hit at just the right length for my favorite satin ballet flats to peek out from underneath the hem." —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor

Sizes: 23–33, 14W–28W

Wash: Black rinse

Wedgie Straight Fit Women's Jeans

"I’m a longtime fan of Levi’s wedgie jeans, which are much more comfortable than the name implies. The fit and the price are right, and the fact that they come in two different lengths makes them ideal for those of us who are under 5'3"." —Izzy Grinspan, deputy digital editor

Sizes: 23–34

Washes: Light, medium, dark

Comfort Stretch 70s Straight

"Picking a favorite pair of jeans is like choosing a favorite child, but right now my go-tos are Re/Done's comfortable yet structured high-waist '70s straight jeans, which literally fit like a glove. Since their material features a slight stretch, I never have to worry about the waistband awkwardly digging into my skin. Plus, they're actually long enough to cover my ankles, which is always a bonus—and something I often struggle with when it comes to finding great denim." —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor

Sizes: 23–32

Wash: Black

Ella Straight Jean

"DL1961's fit is absolutely amazing, and this high-rise pair is an absolute wardrobe classic. I wear mine with mules, boots, and ballet flats—the options are endless." —Alicia Banilivy, fashion market and retail credits editor

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

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