I Asked My Tallest Colleagues What Jeans They Love Best
As much as we love The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, we know that the perfect jeans are not a one-size-fits-all situation. Whether you're curvy, petite, plus-size, tall, or a combination of fits, finding the perfect jeans takes time, patience, and effort. Even though online shopping has made it simple to send several styles to your doorstep at once, they can easily disappoint if you don't know exactly what you want—or what fits you best. In addition to searching for qualities that are important, like style, wash, fit, and price, it's also important to be aware of something that isn't always apparent in online photos: length.
Both petite and tall frames require different inseams, and while tailoring is always an option, what's better than finding a practically perfect fit straight off of the rack? We already polled our short-statured colleagues to unearth the best denim styles for petite women, so it was only fair that we provide the same assessment for the more statuesque ladies among us. And you bet they delivered the deets. Ahead, you'll find a roundup of the best jeans for tall women, according to Who What Wear staffers 5'7" and up. Scroll through for their selections and honest recommendations. You can shop with maximum confidence and end up with minimal returns.
Shop the best jeans for tall women
Kara, 5'11"
"These jeans were made for height. Whether you're naturally tall or can't leave the house without a three-inch heel, these jeans effortlessly complement taller silhouettes. I like these because sometimes wide-leg styles are too short and can make me look boxy. There is enough length at the bottom that doesn't cut you off and you can easily rock a heel or boot."
"I have nothing but praise for AG for creating flared denim styles perfectly suited for tall women. The problem I commonly run into with flared jeans is they are usually too short, and the flared style ends up looking awkward at the bottom. These are long enough that you can wear them with a heeled boot, which I love!"
"These might look deceiving online, but trust me, they look great on! Sometimes, a straight-leg fit can actually look cropped for those who are on the taller side, which can be a nightmare to style with shoes! I like these because I can wear them with heeled sandals or boots and still achieve the straight-leg look."
ChiChi, 5'9"
"These jeans are my absolute favorite pair and fall on me beautifully. I have wider hips, so pants ride up weirdly or have huge gaps in the waistband when they aren't designed to accommodate my body. At this point, I've tried many brands of jeans, and I'm constantly on the hunt to find jeans that fit properly and are made well. The Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise jeans are the current top contender."
"All of Abercrombie Curve's denim are great for tall women."
Natalie, 5'8"
"I'm 5'8, so for the most part, I can get away with wearing regular-size jeans. But when I want to wear a heel of any sort, Ref's Cynthia High Rise in Long is my go-to. I love how elongated these make my legs look. Plus, they have that quintessential '90s look to them with a fitted waist and relaxed legs."
"The high-rise straight cut of these jeans is equally flattering."
Eliza, 5'8"
"I absolutely love these jeans, as they land perfectly around my ankles, allowing me to wear both boots and heels with them. One issue I always run into is that the crop on most jeans, because of my height, falls in an odd way, which means I have to decide if I want to wear them with heels or boots, but never both."
"Abercrombie's denim selection is great because it's all offered in various different lengths and sizes. For example, this style comes in extra short, short, regular, long, and extra long, as well as curvy."
Jacqui, 5'8"
"These Old Navy jeans have become such a staple in my wardrobe. The long straight leg and super-high waist give this 1950s grandpa vibe, which I'm totally in love with. I'm 5 8" and got a size 4, which has an inseam of 31 inches, perfect with a midi heel or flats if you're going for this season's puddle-pants look."
"For a more puddly look, I usually go to Zara, as the brand offers a ton of options marked 'long length,' and really, all of Zara's jeans are long by nature, so they're great for tall people."
Schuyler, 5'8"
"I’ve been a Madewell jeans stan for as long as I can remember. They're perfect for tall girls and have a variety of lengths to choose from. The regular vintage cut is slightly too short for me—I'm 5'8" and prefer a raw hem but have a hard time finding just the right length in this style. I bought these in the tall length and cut the hem myself, making them hit perfectly at the ankle and achieving the distressed, unfinished look that I love."
"I've always had success finding the perfect length with Zara jeans, from cropped styles to wide-leg full-length pairs. These hit right at the floor, so I'll pair them with heels or booties for that extra miles-long leg look."
Sierra, 5'7"
"The baggy trend has served me well as a person with long legs because I can always count on this category of denim to have a slightly longer inseam. I almost didn't buy a single pair of new jeans this fall because I am loving what I already have, but this Reformation pair changed that for me. Clearly, I'm not the only one who thinks so as I can tell they're bound to sell out by the end of the year."
"I love that J.Crew offers a plethora of options to help best fit my body. I'm tall, but I also have curves, so when I found this pair that checked all boxes—high-rise, hugged my thighs in all the right ways, AND hit my ankles—I was hooked."
Kate, 5'11"
"These are my tried-and-true tall denim. Both flattering and comfortable, this pair is perfect no matter if you're going from desk to dinner to dancing. The fringe is a fun pairing with ballet flats and heels but also works well with boots for the winter. Plus, there are so many washes to choose from!"
"Growing up, there were few jeans that fit me like J.Crew jeans did, and this couldn’t ring truer today. I love this pair for a more polished look at the office with a cut that is simple yet chic—and can survive a full day of sitting at my desk. No exposed ankles here!"
Atiba, 5'8"
"I love ASOS Tall section for my denim, and these are one of my all-time favorite jeans! They're the perfect shade of blue, long, and straight-leg, so they're great for pairing with boots in the fall/winter months."
"These jeans from Urban Outfitters are the ones that I always reach for! I adore the faded color and looser fit, but they have stretch so they make your butt look good too."
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.
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