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I Tried On Hundreds of Jeans in 2025—Here are my Top 10

By Swedan Margen

I Tried On Hundreds of Jeans in 2025—Here are my Top 10

It’s the time of year when we start reflecting on what really matters. Like jeans! No, I kid, though I do think it’s worthwhile to take stock of what we wore and loved in 2025, and celebrate the pieces that really delivered—i.e. made life easier, more expressive and fun. For me, that’s jeans. I tried on hundreds (yes, hundreds) of pairs this year and was delighted more than ever by the variety of styles I had to choose from. 2025 was really the year anything goes (er, went?). Barrel, straight-leg, bootcut, slim fit, high rise, skinny, stretch, rigid, wide… all of these fits had a place in fashion, and in my weekly rotation. And although I cycled through dozens of styles over the past twelve months, some really rose to the top and ran on repeat.

Here, my 10 Best Jeans of 2025—with a bonus pair that’s sure to stay relevant through 2026 and the years and years to come.

1. The Only Jane Bob Jeans

The Bob Jean in Big Sky

The Only Jane

The Bob Jean in Big Sky

I designed and introduced this slight barrel style at the very beginning of the year. It has a curved leg and side seams that twist to the front—a detail that nods to vintage. Made in Los Angeles with American-milled denim, it’s a style I feel really good about and wear at least once a week.

2. R13 Jane Jeans

Jane Stretch High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

R13

Jane Stretch High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

This high rise has a slightly flared leg—great for cowboy boots and pointy-toed party shoes. R13 jeans are always so rich and considered. The indigo just oozes blue.

3. DL1961 Taylor High Rise

Taylor Relaxed Barrel Ultra High Rise 27" Jeans | Flax - 23 / Flax

Taylor Relaxed Barrel Ultra High Rise

One of my all-time favorite barrels, the Taylor’s leg is curved just right. A long rise gives the fit a mens-y vibe. I wore this jean all fall and winter with a black belt and boots. It’s also one of my go-to travel jeans because it’s roomy and easy to wash.

4. Aflalo Bronte Jeans

Brontë Jean in Rigid Denim

AFLALO

Brontë Jean in Rigid Denim

A very good Night Jean—my term for dressed-up denim—because the wash is dark and the fit is so polished. For those of us with shorter legs, a wide cuff is cute.

5. Old Navy High-Waisted Vintage Slim

High-Waisted Vintage Slim Jeans

Old Navy

High-Waisted Vintage Slim Jeans

This was my gateway jean to skinnier styles. It’s soft. It’s comfortable. The fit is a chef’s kiss. And it’s impossible to beat the price.

6. Ruadh Quinn Jeans

The Quinn Jean

This hefty, high-waisted jean technically came out in 2024, but I wore it so often in 2025, I had to include it here. Wear it with boots or any block-heeled shoe. Delicate flats will get swallowed by this one.

7. Ossou Noon Jeans

Noon Jean in Horizon Wash - Horizon Wash / 24

Ossou

Noon Jean in Horizon Wash

Jane on Jeans readers know I rave about this style constantly. It has a high rise and slim, tapered leg, a clean wash and fancy, jewelry-inspired hardware. It goes with nearly every shoe on earth and also comes in a neutral clay color, which will be big next year, just wait.

8. Buck Mason Roper Jean

M082 Roper Jean

Buck Mason

M082 Roper Jean

The Roper is one of the best executions of a bootcut style I’ve seen. I actually prefer to wear it on the long side, like real cowboys would so their boots stay covered when straddling a horse. Made of Japanese denim, it has a little bit of stretch so you can wear it extra tight, as intended.

9. Mother Reifler

Petites the Lil Reifler

Mother Denim

Petites the Lil Reifler

This jean is a perfect mashup—70s rise, meets 80s leg shape, meets 90s wash. I love that it comes in petite sizes for those of us with shorter legs because the spur-bite rips at the hem makes the Reifler hard to shorten. Size wisely.

10. Jamie Haller

The Crease Jean in Raw Rinse

Jamie Haller

The Crease Jean in Raw Rinse

The crease down the middle makes this jean so dress-up worthy. Wear it with Jamie’s Lennon boot, you can’t go wrong.

Bonus Style for Luck: Levi's '90s Selvedge Jeans

501® '90s Selvedge Women's Jeans

Levi

501 '90s Selvedge Jeans

A denim best-of without a pair of Levi’s 501s just wouldn’t feel complete. This version made of selvedge denim is destined to be as iconic as its now-vintage predecessors. I love it with a moccasin and socks. Or a flat, flat boot and cozy crew neck sweater.

Originally published by whowhatwear.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.

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I Tried On Hundreds of Jeans in 2025—Here are my Top 10 - Vanity Fair Fashion