The thought of shopping for jeans might make you feel nauseous, but buying new jeans, when you find the fit you love, is pure joy. When it comes to the best jeans for women, comfort is top of the wish list - I should know, I asked the HELLO! team for their top denim picks and what came out on top, always, was the most comfortable jeans for women. These are the pairs my colleagues would recommend to a friend, the pairs they swear by to wear all day long without a pinch of discomfort. Leggings, you can take a seat because some of these jeans are as comfy as you.
The high street has a monopoly on brilliant denim, with the best fitting jeans across cuts, washes and shapes. I for one only ever buy high street jeans, having been a long time fan of Topshop's jeans and more recently, found & Other Stories' denim to be as trend-led and stylish as their designer counterparts. Comfy jeans aren't as hard to find as you might think, you just might need to try on a few pairs before you find the HG for you.
The HELLO! team are a group of women of all shapes, sizes, needs and wants in a jean, and the HELLO! team's recommendations have thrown up all manner of comfy jeans for women that I've never even tried or considered. If it's comfort and denim you're after, this is the shopping list for you.
Comfortable jeans for women - what to look for
Firstly, consider the type of denim. If rigid jeans put you off, look for jeans with stretch, and a high waistband can provide relief from a mid-rise jean which tends to cut into your waist. You can also try 'jegging' style jeans, if you're really not a denim fan, which mirror the comfort of a legging but with a denim fabric mix.
Try straight leg or boyfriend style fits, which aren't too tight or restrictive, and always read the reviews to see what fellow shoppers have thought of the jeans you're considering.
And I hate to state the obvious, but jeans are one of the most objective wardrobe essentials going, and trying on a few (or many) pairs might just be your best option. With editor's recommendations of comfy jeans, you'll have a good place to start.
How I chose the most comfortable jeans for women
- Reviews: We asked the HELLO! team for their favourite denim brands on the high street, and the styles they swear by. They commented on fit, comfort and sizing. We've made it clear when a HELLO! editor has recommended it, or whether it's been chosen from the hundreds of online reviews.
- Comfort: Where possible, I've called out the comfort factor from either our team's reviews or verified online reviews. All of the jeans in the edit have been called 'comfy' by shoppers, or the team.
- Brands: Only high street brands feature in this edit; if ever you needed proof you don't need to spend a fortune on your true blues, this edit does the talking.
- Inclusivity: Where possible, we've chosen brands that carry a range of sizes from 6-22+.
- Price: We're keeping things affordable here, with denim choices under £100.
The most comfortable jeans for women
1/10
H&M Wide High Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested
"There's a reason why H&M jeans sell out every season," says H&M denim fan and HELLO!'s Lifestyle Managing Editor Kate Thomas.
"Super flattering, true to size and ultra affordable, they stock some of the best denim styles on the high street. I'm obsessed with these wide high jeans which come in loads of shades and cost under £50."
If you want an extensive range, head to H&M who carry over 250 pairs of women’s jeans in all styles, shapes and washes, with prices starting from a bargain £9.99.
2/10
Topshop Jamie Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
"Personally, I've never met a pair of jeans from Topshop I don't love. I wear them to the office, for dinner with friends and I've been known to wear them to the park with my five-year-old. Trust me, I wouldn't wear them to run around after her in unless they were comfy.
"It's the Jamie though that is one of the comfiest I've ever tried. They're stretchy without being skin tight or looking like jeggings, and pleasingly high-waisted, which I personally find the comfiest.
"Topshop jeans for me have always, and I mean always, comfortable, well-fitting and long-lasting - not to mention a good price point too. I even wore Topshop maternity jeans, they're that comfortable " - Carla Challis, Shopping Partnership Editor
Topshop’s jeans are some of the best-selling on the high street. Their comprehensive range is packed with styles to suit every single body, from the Insta-fave Editor jean to the skinny Joni.
A pair of Topshop's iconic Jamie jeans sell every 2 seconds – that’s how good they are.
Created with a super stretch technology designed to shape and lift for a flattering silhouette, these are your wear-anywhere essentials.
3/10
Mango Cropped Flare Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
"Honestly if there's a brand I look to for trend-led jeans it's Mango - it's like a secret high street star, who create comfy jeans in great cuts. I love the low prices, which doesn't reflect the quality. It's second to none. This pair are, for me, as comfortable as leggings and the pair I wear when I'm feeling like I want a smart pair of jeans," - Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor.
Mango's jeans are renowned for being fashion-forward and many of their best-loved styles are made in a plethora of colours. Lots of their designs are made from sustainable fibres or processes, reducing their environmental impact.
4/10
M&S Boyfriend Ankle Grazer Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
HELLO!'s Sophie Hamilton is a big fan: "I love M&S jeans as they are flattering, fit well and are really comfortable - plus the waist has give which is essential for us 40 somethings!
"This pair are my daily jeans, they have a bit of stretch so move with you and don't dig into the tummy."
The M&S denim selection has grown in kudos in recent years, and now includes denim dresses, skirts and dungarees too. But it’s their jeans we fall back on time and time again, for their blissfully comfortable fit.
Holly Willoughby’s go-to M&S jean is the boyfriend ankle grazer – she calls the style out as one of all-time her favourites.
Why? They’re versatile, flattering and have added stretch, so you can actually move in them too.
5/10
ASOS DESIGN Tailored Barrel Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
"ASOS jeans are always welcome in my wardrobe, as they're affordable - usually under £40 - and comfortable. The denim is usually quite thick, but not stiff, and they are quite true to size which isn't something you can always say for jeans! This pair really flatters and taps into the barrel leg jean trend that's everywhere right now." - Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor.
ASOS might be the go-to for more on-trend jean styles, like extreme wide leg or cropped, but their classic, core range is where it’s at for jeans as comfy as your pjs.
6/10
River Island High Waisted Relaxed Straight Leg Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
"Despite being called straight-leg, they definitely have a wider fit and my initial thought was how comfortable they are. After spending over a decade in skinny jeans, and slim-cut pairs, comfy denim is still a revelation to me. I will say they do come up a bit oversized.
"They're rigid denim that's made from 100% cotton and feels high quality. I love how versatile they are. They so easily create different looks, from casual and grungy to more polished, they'll be a hardworking piece in your wardrobe." - Hollie Brotherton, Senior Lifestyle & Commerce Writer
River Island’s denim covers everyone – available in sizes 4 to 28, there’s petite fits, plus and maternity too as well as short, regular and long leg lengths.
7/10
Levi's Ribcage Ankle Jeans
HELLO! Tried & Tested:
"I caved and bought these after seeing everyone (almost!) on Instagram saying how amazing they were. I didn't want to believe the hype but yep, they're pretty comfy and I've tried other Levi's jeans in the past that I couldn't get on board with.
"The ribcage is amazingly high-waisted, which I loved for flattering my tummy area, and surprisingly soft around the waist. They don't dig in, and look great with tops tucked in.
"According to reviewers, they stretch up to 5cm so they're super flexible!" - Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor.
Iconic denim brand Levi's is loved for its cuts, colours and styles, but also for comfort - read reviews of any Levi's and you'll see them saying how comfortable they are.
8/10
Gap High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans
Editor's Note:
"Gap are renowned for quality and comfort, with their jeans being popular throughout the years for just that."
From slim fit to baggy and wide leg, Gap's vast range of jeans delights shoppers for their comfort and price. Reviews applaud their longevity too, rarely fading or going out of shape in the wash.
9/10
New Look Hannah Straight Jeans
Editor's Note:
"Although I haven't tried these jeans, I have plenty of friends that have - and swear by them. They're the jeans my sister swears by, who often says they're the only jeans she'll wear because they're as comfy as wearing leggings."
New Look’s jean selection starts from £15.99, and a universal go-to place for comfortable but affordable denim. There’s literally a cut and style for everyone.
These Hannah jeans couldn’t live up to their comfortable reputation any more – they’re even made with comfort-stretch denim. Ankle-grazing, sit on the waist and straight leg for the win.
10/10
Good American Good Legs Straight Compression Jeans
Editor's Note:
"These Good American jeans are on the pricier side, but the fact they sell out surely shows they're good - and a scan of the reviews is glowing.
"The compression fit is designed to hug, fit and sculpt your body but have a bit of stretch so they not only hold you in and smooth your silhouette, but created to be comfy to wear all day long."
Good American, the brainchild of Khloe Kardashian, are an international denim brand with innovative technology to make jeans unlike anyone else, in a variety of sizes from 0 - 30.
