Picking jeans has historically been a struggle. Some denim is sized in numbers—whether that’s 00-28 or 23-40—and some pants stick to non-numerical sizes like small, medium, large, and extra large. To add insult to injury, there are jeans that are rigid and others that are more stretchy. If you’ve ever shopped for jeans , you know two things. First, you’re aware that opting for stretchy jeans is usually your best bet. Second, you know that buying a pair is a small investment.
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We scoured the internet, interviewed stylist and fashion influencer Narges Motamedi , and tested half a dozen pairs for ourselves. There were some that didn’t stretch at all, even though they touted that label on their tags. There were also some options that were too stretchy, looking more like yoga pants than denim. We weeded out the duds and included affordable options, as well as splurges totally worth your coin.
The Best Stretchy Jeans at a Glance
- Best Overall: GAP Mid Rise Vintage Slim Jeans , $47 (Originally $80)
- Best Curvy: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Straight Jeans , $28
- Best Wide-Leg: Everlane The Way High Sailor Jean , $128
- Best Straight-Leg: Lee Women’s Stretch Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean , $36 (Originally $43)
- Best Petite: Good American Soft-Tech Good Petite Straight Jeans , $127 (Originally $169)
- Best Mom Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Mom Jean , $72 (Originally $90)
- Best for Pregnancy: Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel™ Straight Maternity Jeans , $35
- Best Utility: Everlane The Utility Barrel Jean , $118
- Best Splurge: Reformation Jax Stretch High Rise Straight Jeans , $168
- Best Shapewear: SPANXshape™ EveryWear Flare Jeans , $148
- Best Pull-On: Good American Power Stretch Pull-On Flare Jeans , $89
- Best Skinny: Forever21 Stretch-Denim Skinny Jeans , $13 (Originally $20)
Motamedi provides insight into how to best choose stretchy jeans, which materials have the most “give,” and got a dozen of her favorite picks, down below.
How to Choose Stretchy Jeans, According to a Stylist
Consider How You Want to Feel
“The most important thing to think about when you’re shopping for stretchy jeans is how you want to feel in them,” says Motamedi. Do you want to feel fashionable, sexy, utilitarian, or down to earth? If fashionable is your vibe, Motamedi says you’ll want to opt for something timeless with patchwork or accented pockets. “If you want to look sexy, though, a flare is the way to go.”
Take a Look at Your Closet
It’s also worth considering what type of jeans you already have, Motamedi adds. “Like if you already know that skinny jeans are your jam, then you can shop for stretchy jeans in that fit.” But if you want to switch it up, then you better put those skinny jeans down. “Maybe reach for a straight leg fit or some mom jeans.”
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Stay True to Size
“A lot of people think that you should size down because the jeans are stretchy, but that’s not always a good approach,” says Motamedi. Instead, the stylist recommends sticking to the size that you would wear in less stretchy jeans. “Even if they’re a little small, the stretch has a lot to give.”
What’s the Best Material for Stretchy Jeans?
Typically, stretchy jeans are made with a handful of materials, says Motamedi. On the garment tag, you’ll see cotton, polyester, and nylon, among other things. What gives jeans that stretch, though, is elastane—a.k.a. spandex. To be sure, these two terms are interchangeable, since elastane and spandex are the same thing. “Or maybe you’ve heard of Lycra,” Motamedi says. “That’s a brand that produces proprietary spandex. They have their own trademark, but it’s essentially the same thing.”
What’s most important, points out Motamedi, is the percentage of elastane, spandex, or Lycra. “Most pants will have about one percent of that stretchy material, which gives more stretch than it sounds like,” says the stylist. “You can also go as high as four percent before you really start getting into yoga pants territory.”
Read our honest reviews of 12 stretchy jeans from brands like Everlane, Good American, The Gap and more.
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