Comfy, chic, universally flattering, and available in a surplus of versatile silhouettes that match just about any aesthetic, black denim is one of those wardrobe staples that transcend style and time. Whether your vibe is more grunge or glam and your budget tight or loose, there’s a pair out there for you. And before you go a-searching, stop — we already hunted the best ones down. Ahead, scroll into 23 pairs of black jeans worth shuffling into your peak-comfort clothing rotation.
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Uniqlo U Regular Fit Straight Jeans
Christophe Lemaire always hits the mark with his no-fuss designs for Uniqlo’s U imprint — and these perfectly proportioned stovepipes are no exception. One reviewer added a tantalizing comment: “This is a steal for the price, very much like high-end denim minus the price tag. This is non-stretch denim with an 11-inch rise and they are fitted around the hips with a slightly balloon shape in the leg. Very on-trend and for the price, perfect.” (She also advised, as other reviewers did, that the style runs large.)
Uniqlo U Regular-Fit Straight Jeans, $, available at Uniqlo
Everlane Way High Jean
We are very ready to believe the hype surrounding Everlane’s newly-launched denim fit. With a 12”-inch rise, they’re about as high-waisted as they get, and they’re manufactured at a LEED-certified factory that uses renewable energy to manufacture these dungarees. For the most part, customers found that they offered a rare mix of structure and comfort, thanks to a hair of stretch woven into the organic cotton. According to reviewer SEOT: “These jeans fit perfectly, don’t stretch out too much and have the perfect width down the leg (for me). They are high without being uncomfortable!”
Everlane The Way-High Jean, $, available at Everlane
Good American Good Legs Crop
The reputation of Khloe Kardashian’s denim and activewear line has almost eclipsed her own star, thanks to an inclusive mix of sizes and fits that boast a “no-gap” waistband. Customers vouch for this seemingly magical feat of tailoring: “They fit like a glove and are so comfortable,” wrote Christina G. “And no waist gap! Finally!! I’m 5 feet tall and got the cropped, which are still a little to long but I just roll the bottoms up a little and it’s perfect. 10/10 would recommend.”
Good American Good Legs Crop, $, available at Good American
Agolde Ultra High Rise Balloon Leg Jean
This becoming new iteration of bow-legged dungaree has many aliases — from balloon to barrel. Whatever you want to call it, we’ve fallen very hard for this strangely appealing new silhouette.
Agolde Ultra High-Rise Relaxed Balloon-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie
ASOS DESIGN High Rise Slim Straight Leg Jeans
If you’re looking for a narrow and seriously rigid pair of black dungarees, you may be able to end your search — these noir numbers from ASOS have customers singing the praises of their slim-legged, high-waisted fit. (Would-be-purchasers are also advised to size up.)
ASOS DESIGN High Rise Stretch Straight-leg Jeans, $, available at ASOS
Levi’s Icon Wedgie
Where would a denim roundup be without mention of the Wedgie? The butt-boosting powers of this vintage-inspired fit is legendary, and of course it comes in black. “These are perfect — I have no butt and they give me one! I’m 5’ 5”, 119 lbs.; I got a size 26,” wrote FreeBird3 on Urban Outfitters’ website. “True to size, so comfortable and flattering I bought the last pair in the store so hurry.”
Levi's Levi’s Wedgie Icon Jean, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Warp + Weft MXP Plus
Our plus-size style expert Chichi Offor swears by denim brand Warp + Weft for their inclusive sizing and eco-friendly manufacturing practices — each pair uses 1,400 fewer gallons of water than your average jeans. They’re also low-impact in their pricing, with this pair of skinnies clocking in under $100.
Warp + Weft MXP Plus, $, available at Warp + Weft
Goldsign The Low Curve High-Rise Tapered Jean
We’ve been spotting a lot of these slouchy, bow-legged styles ’round the web these days; eagerly ambulance-chasing the damaged reputation of skinny jeans (which, by the way, are very much still alive) in the hopes of hopping into our carts. As lovers of nearly every shape of pant, we’re falling hard for this new silhouette — and Goldsign’s chic iteration is calling our names.
Goldsign The Low Curve high-rise tapered jeans, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Mango Mom-Fit Jeans
These simple, high-waisted jeans are part of Mango’s “Committed” collection, made from sustainable cotton and treated with an eco-friendly wash.
Mango Mom-fit Jeans, $, available at Mango
BDG Premium High-Waisted Relaxed Straight Jean
Sometimes you just want a good, old-fashioned, (new) pair of ripped-up jeans — and Urban Outfitters’ BDG imprint has just the top-rated ticket. “These jeans are so cute they fit so well and I love the style and cut of them. They fit me perfectly which is hard to find with jeans. They are a thicker material which I love, because the are so much more durable and don’t lose their shape,” wrote xxchrisxx.
BDG High-Waisted Distressed Straight Jean, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Universal Standard Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans
We love the retro wide leg and high waist on these expertly tailored jeans — and so do many of Universal Standard’s customers. “From the very first time I wore these, I’ve had people tell me how great they look — and I have to agree,” wrote reviewer Meredith C. “The fit is flattering, the color is great, and they’re clearly well-made. These will be perfect for work and can be dressed down for a more casual look. I’m excited to explore the many possibilities.”
Universal Standard Carrie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Universal Standard
Gap Factory Mid Rise Classic Straight Jeans
We always consult the elder statesbrand of denim to see what’s cookin’ in the world of affordable dungarees — and we were drawn to this slim, straight-legged pair. Turns out we weren’t alone: “I've been looking for black jeans for a long time. Tried ten brands. These are the winner. Enough cotton to keep them feeling like jeans but some stretch too make them comfortable. I'm 5’ 9” and I got tall. I could wear a heel,” wrote reviewer Shoop on Gap.com.
Gap Mid Rise Classic Straight Jeans, $, available at Gap
& Other Stories Mood Cut Cropped Jeans
The cropped boot-cut or “kick flare” that has ruled our shopping carts in the past few seasons is still alive and well, and it looks extra-sleek when rendered an inky black.
& Other Stories Mood Cut Cropped Jeans, $, available at & Other Stories
Madewell 10” High-Rise Skinny Crop Jeans
If the recent news surrounding TikTok’s condemnation of skinny jeans has you cry-donating your arsenal of body-con denim, stop right there. Skinny jeans are very much alive, acceptable, and available in delightfully faded black washes, like this top-rated iteration from Madewell. As Refinery29 fashion writer Georgia Murray recently explained, “If the generation below you isn’t taking the piss out of everything you say, do and wear, you’re doing something wrong — it’s simply the natural order of things.” Hear hear! Now add those skinnies to cart and don’t look back.
Madewell 10" High-Rise Skinny Crop Jeans, $, available at Madewell
Topshop Jamie High Waist Black Jeans
See? Even Topshop is still making them.
Topshop Jamie High Waist Black Jeans, $, available at Nordstrom
We The Free Ellie Wide Leg Jean
If you’re in search of an old-school, early-2000s-scale leg opening, Free People’s easy-breezy throwback trousers may just do the trick. “Absolutely love these jeans,” wrote Jamie G on the brand’s website. “I’m so disappointed the blue hasn’t come back in stock in my size. They do run a bit small, I had to go up one size, and they are long but I love the high waist, plus they are super flattering! I need more colors!”
We The Free Ellie Wide Leg Jeans, $, available at Free People
MM6 Maison Margiela Black Carrot Jeans
We didn’t know that our wardrobes were missing a cropped stovepipe black jean with an exposed button fly until we laid eyes on these perfecter-than-perfect pair from avant-garde French fashion house MM6. Sure, they cost a pretty penny — but they’re certainly very pretty.
MM6 Maison Margiela Black Carrot Jeans, $, available at SSENSE
H&M Mom High Ankle Jean
On the opposite end of the price spectrum are these nerdy-cool ankle-height dungarees from H&M — which shoppers have awarded with a whopping 1,382 reviews and 4.3 stars. “I LOVE THESE. The quality is incredible for the price. It’s a nice balance between fitted and loose so that I feel super comfortable without going full-blown vintage mom jeans silhouette, LOL,” wrote a reviewer.
H&M Mom High Ankle Jeans, $, available at H&M
Express Super High Waisted Black Modern Straight Jeans
This unassuming and straightforward trouser appears to hit the mark with exacting jeans-wearers. One reviewer testified: “I am 5’ 5” ish, curvy with a smaller waist and thicker thighs. I ordered a size 10. Pros: The high waist comes above my belly button. These jeans feel like ‘real’ jeans, whilst they are soft, comfortable and holds their shape pretty well. Although — they do loosen up some by the end of the day. I could literally wear these jeans all day. They are slimming without that ‘cutting off circulation/stuffed in’ feeling.”
Express Super High Waist Straight Leg Jean, $, available at Express
Boyish Billy Jean
Boyish gets our seal of approval for their manufacturing practices, which include minimizing the consumption of excess water and toxic dyes and employing ethical factories. The brand’s stylish and well-priced wares don’t hurt — and of course they have plenty of on-trend dark denim to choose from.
Boyish The Billy, $, available at Boyish
John Galt Crispina Jeans
Contrast stitching is another nostalgic trend that we can get behind — and no denim color showcases this Y2K-era detail better than black. These John Galt trousers seem to be a winner: despite being available in only one size, these throwback trousers have racked up 23 reviews and four stars.
John Galt Crispina Jeans, $, available at Pac Sun
Old Navy Mid-Rise Super Skinny Plus-Size Black Jeans
“Yessss +1,” wrote a satisfied customer of these top-rated black skinny jeans. With an under-$40 price tag, sizes that range from 16 to 30, over 200 reviews and four stars from Old Navy shoppers, the numbers of this mathematically perfect pair certainly add up.
Old Navy Mid-Rise Super Skinny Plus-Size Black Jeans, $, available at Old Navy
Reformation Kaiyo High & Skinny Jeans
Leave it to Ref to turn out the skinniest pair of skinny jeans we ever laid eyes on, complete with an ultra-high rise and cool vintage-y waistband detail that makes us yearn for a good body suit or bra top to go with it.
Reformation Kayo High & Skinny, $, available at Reformation
Pilcro and the Letterpress Pilcro Ultra High-Rise Pleated Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Anthropologie
We The Free Florence Flare Jeans
If you’re in search of an old-school, early-2000s-scale leg opening, Free People’s easy-breezy seamed trousers may just do the trick. “I bought these on a whim and I'm so incredibly glad that I did,” wrote chelckt on Free People’s website. “They are perfectly high waisted and have the perfect flare. They are a tad on the long side for me, but that didn’t stop me from immediately buying the black color as well. The blue denim is true to its color. Don't miss out of these!”
We The Free Florence Flare Jeans, $, available at Free People
Levi's Trendy Plus Size 721 High-Rise Skinny Jeans, $, available at Macy's
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