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Since I started covering the jeans beat (and writing about every style from high-waisted to plus-size), I have often heard variations on the phrase “these remind me of my mother’s.” But today’s mom jeans have come a long way since the originals were described as a “disgrace to denim” — and now they’re as beloved as the boyfriend or the bootcut. They’re more sculpted than the ones of the ’80s, says stylist Jessica Cadmus, and they’re meant to be a little cheekier too. But the basic blueprint has remained the same: Mom jeans have a higher waist, a straight-leg cut (like Levi’s 501s), and usually come in lighter washes. To help you find the perfect pair, I asked more than a dozen denim enthusiasts to recommend their favorites. Then I went ahead and tried a number of pairs to see what they’re all about for myself. Below you’ll find a true assortment of mom jeans, including ones affectionately known at the Strategist as the “Goldilocks of jeans.”
What we’re looking for
Sizes and lengths
Stretch
More often than not, if you read the tag on a pair you picked out, you’ll see the words “spandex” or “elastane,” which are synonymous with stretch. You don’t need a lot of stretch to be comfortable — around 2 percent is plenty, and will ensure that the “jeans snap back after each wear,” according to Cadmus, who notes that “above that would be [considered] extra stretchy.” For a pair of jeans to be considered “rigid,” they should have no stretch, so made from 100 percent cotton. Though it might sound contradictory, rigid jeans will form to your figure over time, which is why denim aficionados find them appealing. I’ve categorized every pair below as either “not stretchy” (if they’re made completely out of cotton), “stretchy” (for those featuring 1 or 2 percent stretch), or “very stretchy” (if they contain more than 2 percent stretch).
Rise
A curve-accentuating high rise is a mom-jean must; it’s probably what gave mom jeans their original (unfair) reputation. You want the rise to reach somewhere near or above the belly button, according to Cadmus. Most high-waisted jeans have a rise of ten or more inches (and many brands will list the rises of different sizes when you search through their sizing charts).
Cut
A true straight leg is what makes a mom jean a mom jean. The leg is neither tight nor too relaxed, explains style coach Kim Hancher. And on the subject of length: If you’re going classic, a mom jean, according to Hancher, is “just shy of full length” to show off your tennis shoes, the footwear of choice back in the day. I did my best to describe the shape of each pair below so you can compare (and contrast) the different pairs.
Wash
There are two schools of thought on the proper shade for mom jeans. Historically, Cadmus tells us, the jeans will be in a light wash without any sort of treatment (so no distressing or fading). But as the style has evolved, many brands have started making deeper blue washes that are not “too light and definitely not dark,” Hancher says. It’s a matter of preference, so I noted whether each pair below is light, medium, or comes in both.
Price
Each recommendation is denoted as either $, $$, or $$$ for under $100, under $200, or $200 and up, respectively.
Best mom jean overall
Sizes and lengths: Sizes: 23–39 (plus-sizes 16–24 here) with 26-, 28-, and 30-inch inseams | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: 10.85 inches | Cut: Slightly tapered straight-leg | Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $
You really can’t go wrong with the Wedgies from Levi’s — which might be the jeans we’ve written about the most on the Strategist. I always hear about them when I’m working on any story about jeans. The Wedgies also have what could be the most inclusive size range on the list — available in sizes 23–39 and plus sizes 16–24, along with 26-, 28-, and 30-inch inseams (covering petites and talls) — so it felt right to give them the “best overall” title.
In trying the Wedgies myself after requesting a pair from Levi’s, I can confirm that they are truly great jeans. Their straight-leg silhouette is an ideal in-between, neither too narrow nor too wide, and the 26-inch inseam falls just at my ankle (I’m about five-foot-two). They are on the more rigid side of stretchy — with 1 percent elastane — so they might feel tight in the beginning. Be patient, though: The jeans still have some give, and the weight of the denim is what helps the jeans shape to your body over time.
How the Wedgies fit has also endeared them to blogger Hailey Rizzo: “Where they elevate the ‘mom’ look is through the booty, whether you’re working with one or not,” she says, with none of the “long and flat” look. Or, if you’d like an even slimmer style, Sara Zucker, director of social media at KORRES, has a version of Wedgies called the Icon Fit: “If you’re going to dip your toe in the pool of frump, [these are] the easiest way.”
Best (splurge-worthy) mom jean
Sizes and lengths: 23–33 with a 26- and 28-inch inseam | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: 11.5 inches | Cut: Cropped, slimmer straight-leg |Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $$
Agolde is another brand I heard about a lot while reporting this guide. Though the Rileys are pricier, starting at just under $200, they’re beloved by Strategist staffers and a self-proclaimed mom-jean fanatic, filmmaker (and former New York photo editor) Stella Blackmon. Blackmon only owns mom jeans, some of which she says fall into “borderline unflattering” territory. But she praises the Rileys for their slimmer-than-traditional silhouette, higher-than-average rise that makes her legs look longer, and button fly that’s “like an ode to the jeans my mom loved when I was growing up.”
The cut is one of Agolde’s best sellers, and the company has a whole collection of Rileys in different washes (with names like “Sphere” and “Escape”) and lengths (26 and 28 inches). Though most pairs are made with a stiffer, thicker, non-stretch denim, there’s a “stretch” version with 1 percent elastane that I tried out in a shade called “Divided.” The jeans are bordering on tight when you first step into them. But, by the second time I put them on, I felt like they were already starting to mold to my shape. And if I may brag a little, the Rileys do make my butt look unbelievable. My pair has a 28-inch inseam, which I have to cuff. But the 26-inch option will be just right for those who are on the shorter side. Content creator Amy Serrano, who’s five feet tall, told me that the 26-inch inseam makes for a full-length jean on her.
Other mom-style jeans of note from Agolde, if the Rileys aren’t for you: the longer-length Lanas, which Chelsea Portner, a former project manager at BuzzFeed, likes “as a lanky girl with hips and no butt,” and the baggier Pinch-Waist, which Hancher loves for nipping in through the top and being fuller through the thighs.
Best mom jean for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–33 with a 33-inch inseam (plus 28 inch-inseam for petites and 30-inch inseam as the standard) | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 12 inches | Cut: Traditional straight-leg | |Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $$
Those who are taller than five-foot-eight should consider Madewell’s “Tall” collection. It’s a favorite of tall women I’ve talked to, including former Strategist writer Chloe Anello, who, at five-foot-nine, is a loyalist to the line. She especially appreciates that there’s not just one, but two tall-specific inseams: tall, with (at least) a 30-inch inseam to fit people between five-foot-eight and five-foot-11, and taller, designed for those who are over six feet. The only problem is stock can be volatile and tends to sell out fast. (You know the drill: Don’t dillydally.) That’s why I selected the still-in-stock ’90s Straight Jean to receive the “best mom jeans for tall women” title: It comes in a “standard” inseam of 30 inches, with the “tall” version featuring a 33-inch inseam. It also checks off other mom-jean criteria I look for, with a high, 12-inch rise and old-school straight-leg shape. These jeans will be about as rigid as they come, as they’re made from non-stretch denim. They’re also available in “curvy,” designed for those with an hourglass shape. If you frequently have gapping at the waist, the curvy version is a good bet: Former Strategist social-media editor Hannah Starke, who’s five-foot-ten, says Madewell’s curvy styles are “the only jeans that fit my body correctly.”
Best extra-high-rise mom jean
Sizes and lengths: 23–33 (plus-sizes 14–24 here) with 27- and 29-inch inseams | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: 12 inches | Cut: Slimmer through hip and thigh with a classic straight-leg |Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $
Levi’s Ribcage jeans are a longtime Strategist favorite — whenever they go on sale, we often give them the title of “deal of the day.” We often label them the “Goldilocks of jeans” for being leg-lengthening, figure-hugging, and vintage-looking all at once. The super-high waist (with a 12-inch rise) is their biggest selling point; Strategist editor Maxine Builder describes it as “deliriously high,” easily clearing her belly button. Serrano says the effect is “legs for days.”
The Ribcages will feel rigid at first despite containing 1 percent elastane. In trying them alongside our top-pick Wedgies, I thought the Ribcages took a little more time to break in through the waist — though the more I’ve worn them, the more comfortable they’ve become. That said, the Ribcages also have a slightly wider leg than the the Wedgies, which gives your thighs some breathing room. New York deputy editor Alexis Swedloff says they have “just the right amount of flare.”
Best mom jean for petite women
Sizes: 23–37 with 26.5-, 28.5-, 30.5-, and 32.5-inch inseams (extra-long inseam not listed) | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: None listed | Cut: Classic straight-leg | Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $
Ever since we first heard about this pair of Abercrombie jeans — first when Strategist writer Arielle Avila asked women who were five-foot-three or shorter about their favorite denim — they’ve continued racking up praise among the women we’ve spoken to (see our plus-size and tall-specific jean directories). But since the brand makes two petite-specific lengths to pick from, “extra-short” for those under five feet and “short” for anyone over five feet but under five-foot-three, I thought there was no better option for this title. Beyond the inseams, these are really well fitting. Photographer Lizbeth Hernandez likes the curve-hugging fit, while Serrano praises the pair’s cheeky, butt-lifting capabilities.
Best mom jean for plus sizes
Sizes and lengths: 16–30 with a 31-inch inseam | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: None listed | Cut: Traditional straight-leg | Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $
Content creator Sydney Scott introduced me to Target’s in-house, plus-size label Ava & Viv as an affordable alternative to some of the higher-priced, size-inclusive denim brands. She’s been impressed by the quality of these jeans, especially since they usually cost less than $50. This High-Rise Straight style is a version of her now sold-out pair, with a traditional straight leg from hips to hem. Scott notes that while straight-leg styles can be hard to find in plus sizes, hers fit “pretty shockingly great.” The rise isn’t listed, but the denim does have some stretch (in the form of 1 percent spandex) that’ll help ensure there’s not much gapping in the waist.
Best rigid-denim mom jean
Sizes and lengths: 24–38 with 28.5- and 32.5-inch inseams | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 10.5 inches| Cut: Classic straight-leg |Wash: Medium wash | Price: $$$
The Feel Studio was started by stylist Stevie Dance, “a devout Levi’s wearer,” who modeled the Genuines after old 501s. They come recommended by Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens, who says that “like vintage jeans, they also have no stretchiness” — but after wearing them a couple of times, “they literally molded onto my body.” Dancer Eva Alt agrees, adding they’re “like the pair you always hope to find at a vintage store — just without the work.” A note: The label suggests these run small — those who like their jeans stretchier might find them even more so — so double check the size chart against your measurements and purchase accordingly.
[Editor’s note: Some sizes are currently sold out, but you can sign up to be notified by email when yours is available again.]
Best (less expensive) rigid-denim mom jean
Sizes and lengths: 23–31 with a 29-inch inseam | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 12 inches | Cut: Slightly cropped, fuller straight-leg |Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $$
Reformation jeans usually are made with leggier people in mind, though Katie Schmidt, owner and designer of ethical fashion label Passion Lilie, points out that the Cynthias can give anyone the illusion of longer legs. That’s something Strategist editorial coordinator Kelsie Schrader seconds — even though she’s five-foot-two, she had a “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants moment” when she put these on and they weren’t too long on her frame, tight through the thighs, or loose at the waist. Schmidt explains that a touch of stretch gives them that vintage mom-jean feel despite being made from Reformation’s rigid denim. But that’s not to say these are uncomfortable to wear. In fact, Schrader describes the Cynthias as so comfortable she’d be ready to do a bike commute in them. “Normally when people call jeans ‘comfortable’ I want to ask them how much Levi’s is paying them to say that, but truly, these are comfortable,” Schrader says.
Best (even less expensive) rigid-denim mom jeans
Sizes and lengths: 23–34 with 30- and 32-inch inseams | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 11.125 inches | Cut: Classic straight-leg |Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $
The century-old 501s are sort of the gold standard when it comes to jeans — it’s the cut that started it all for the denim company. It’s also a long-established Strat favorite: the words “these remind me of vintage 501s” are a refrain in our jeans coverage. This “Original Fit” pair features the famous straight leg and a buttoned, rather than the usual zippered, fly. Gabrielle Arruda, a designer-slash-blogger (and Project Runway alum) is a recent convert. “They are the jeans you can actually wear all day,” she says, but points out that the darker washes seem to have a “slightly tighter weave, so they don’t naturally stretch out as well.” These 501s are also a favorite among celebrities we’ve talked to over the years, including stylist Karla Welch and musicians Aly and AJ Michalka. Welch (who has collaborated with Levi’s on occasion) used to break them in by wearing them into the bathtub as a teen — and her advice is to keep “wearing them, and wearing them, and wearing them, and wearing them” until you achieve the perfect fit. AJ Michalka compliments their butt-boosting cut, adding that “Levi’s never fails — they just get jeans and always have.”
Best vintage-style mom jeans
Sizes and lengths: 23–33 with 26.5-, 28.5-, and 30.5-inch inseams | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 11 inches | Cut: Tapered straight-leg | Wash: Light and medium washes | Price: $$
If you’re searching for something especially reminiscent of the jeans seen on ’90s sitcom moms, turn to these from Everlane. “Strangers have stopped me on the street to ask me where I got my pair,” says former Strategist audience-development senior manager Mia Leimkuhler (who happens to be a noted Everlaneologist). According to Leimkuhler, the jeans are made from a “sturdier, more rigid denim” compared to the brand’s Original Cheeky Jean. I favor the vintage-y, stonewashed quality of the ’90s version more, which is why I included them here. But the Original is another acceptable mom jean. Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo — whose “ultimate denim dream” is to look like Geena Davis or Susan Sarandon in Thelma & Louise — describes the pair as “extremely comfortable and flattering,” along with confidence-boosting.
Some more mom jeans we’ve written about
Our experts
• Eva Alt, dancer
• Chloe Anello, former Strategist writer
• Gabrielle Arruda, designer and blogger
• Stella Blackmon, filmmaker
• Sahra Brandt, stylist
• Samantha Brown, stylist
• Strategist editor Maxine Builder
• Jessica Cadmus, stylist
• Lauren Chan, founder of Henning
• Piper Gore, stylist
• Allie Greenberg, brand director at Richer Poorer
• Kim Hancher, style coach
• Monica Heisey, Strategist U.K. contributor
• Tessa Jennifer, founder of Auralie
• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor
• Ali Levine, celebrity stylist
• Aly and AJ Michalka, musicians
• Chelsea Portner, a former project manager at BuzzFeed
• Hailey Rizzo, style blogger
• Katie Schmidt, designer of ethical fashion label Passion Lilie
• Kelsie Schrader, Strategist editorial coordinator
• Sydney Scott, content creator
• Karla Welch, stylist
• Sara Zucker, director of social media at KORRES
Additional reporting by Lori Keong and Chloe Anello
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