Amazing skinny jeans are sleek, timeless, slim-fit, and comfortable, giving new meaning to the phrase “hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.” However, when it comes to how to find the best skinny jeans, it’s a bit of a solo mission: You can listen to all the reviews, but ultimately, it takes test-driving a few different pairs in order to lead you to The One—or, if you’re lucky, maybe even a few.
Of course, from a design perspective, there are a few essential elements that go into a wonderful denim design, and we asked experts at Baldwin, AYR, and Mother to divulge what they are. Below are the qualities they credit to creating the best—maybe even perfect—pairs of skinny jeans, and most importantly, some telltale signs of quality denim that you can spot even before you get into a pair. Scroll on for their advice and to shop some of our favorites skinnies available right now.
“The perfect skinny jean takes all key elements into consideration: the quality and composition of the denim, modern hardware and the pocket placement, shape and proportion. The seams should lay flat alongside the body and shouldn't torque or pucker. I’d also recommend examining the interior of the jeans. Good-quality jeans should be as beautifully made on the inside as well as the outside. But at the end of the day, the perfect jean should make you feel good when you are wearing it.”
— Shayla Guy, head of women’s design, Baldwin
Shop Baldwin's Top Skinny Jeans Pick:
“Fabric is a huge part of the puzzle: Understanding how to work with the stretch mechanics of a fabrication while you are fitting the jean is paramount to the best fit. We work with fabrications that have stretch ranges from 30% to 80%. One of our best-selling jean fabrics has five component fibers in its makeup, including Tencel. Tencel is made from natural cellulose found in wood pulp. This helps the fabric naturally moisture wick and because of its soft hand aids in the jean ‘mold’ to the body with wear. Recovery is everything, especially with skinny jeans. Bagging out is the worst feeling, so for us, we choose to make the investment in incredible quality from the beginning to ensure a great fit wear after wear.
“Hands down The Chiller in Eclipse is the most loved style right now. It’s the perfect washed-out black with a raw cut hem—no matter how tall you are, makes your legs (and bum!) look amazing—the rise is so flattering.”
— Jac Cameron, co-founder and creative director, AYR
Shop AYR's Top Skinny Jeans Pick:
“Fabric is key. You want your jeans to hold you in and not flatten your bum nor stretch out as wear them throughout the day.
"Also, look at a brand's best sellers, as this is the best way to determine the longevity and quality of the denim."
— Tim Kaeding. co-founder and creative director, Mother
Shop Mother's Top Skinny Jeans Pick:
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Next, take a look a what five gorgeous models over 50 can teach us all about style.