Every day is a good day when you wear your favourite jeans. But before you found the one, you likely had to sort through the many denim brands on the market and engage in a try-on-and-error journey. When you know who makes your very perfect pair of jeans, the task becomes all the easier.
Some labels emphasise sourcing durable vintage fabrics that won’t lose their shape over time, while other bands focus on offering a customised fit by weaving elastic fabrics into more structured cotton fibres. In addition to fit, there are also the ever-evolving silhouettes, cuts, and colourways to consider.
Without getting too technical, we’ve rounded up the best denim brands to keep on your radar. Whether you’re looking for a steal from the Gap or are ready to invest in a high-quality option from Khaite, there’s something for everyone just ahead. Be sure to bookmark this page and make a mental-note of these labels before your next shopping rendezvous.
Vogue’s best denim brands at a glance:
A polished pair of jeans from Khaite will elevate those casual moments. The brand, properly pronounced “Kate” and founded by Cate Holstein in New York City, has been known for crafting high-quality wardrobe essentials since launching in 2016. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of light or dark-wash denim; you’ll cherish your Khaite jeans for years and years to come.
You’ll find the ever-enduring allure of the ’70s throughout Frame’s denim collection. With inspiration rooted in the ease of French dressing, Frame has mastered the art of creating perfectly flared jeans. Zoom in, and you’ll see that the label pays close attention to detail – like subtly emphasised seams and refined, barely-there distressing.
If you’re after sustainable jeans with flair, turn to Haikure. The made-in-Italy denim brand offers a plethora of designs, from cargos to flares, that have become favourites of Instagram style stars.
Designed in New York and manufactured in Los Angeles, Still Here’s jeans offer the best elements of East and West Coast influence. You’ll instantly fall in love with the cool-girl approved silhouettes, and once you slip on a pair the undeniable quality will keep you hooked on these beloved jeans.
Since launching in 2014 by Stockholm-based, husband-and-wife duo Elin Kling and Karl Lindman, Toteme has become a go-to for elevated wardrobe staples. If you’re in need of refined essentials that offer sophisticated ease, reach for the label’s Scandinavian-inspired designs.
Triarchy created a plastic-free alternative to elasticated jeans that hugs the body in all the right places. In 2011, founders Mark Adam and Ania Taubenfligel launched the brand, but production came to a halt in 2016 once they realised the negative impact denim creation has on the planet. Now, the label is back and better than ever, thanks to a lot of research and techniques that prioritise sustainability.
Since launching in 2010, Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding have expanded Mother into a full-range ready-to-wear collection that includes just about everything; from outerwear to accessories. But it’s the label’s jeans, which support local businesses and manufacturers in Los Angeles, that keep us coming back for more. You may well have seen Mother’s coveted denim threads on stars like Meghan Markle and Katie Holmes.
Get all of your premium casual needs from Citizens of Humanity. The brand is taking elevated jeans to the next level, ensuring every piece is hand-inspected by 40 different artisans. That’s good news for those who love stretchy denim because the brand’s elastic jeans are made to withstand several washes.
For timeless silhouettes with an effortlessly cool New Yorker-inspired finish, look to Rag & Bone to expand your denim collection. The brand forgoes trends and puts longevity first, creating silhouettes that you’ll want to wear year after year over and over again. And it’s not just the styles that matter: Rag & Bone has a quality-guaranteed policy, ensuring every item is made properly.
There’s nothing like a classic, and Levi’s trustworthy styles have truly withstood the test of time. No, literally. The brand was founded in 1953, and even Princess Diana was a fan of the American staple. Give its iconic 501s a try, or test-drive its newer waist-cinching Ribcage silhouettes.
Vintage lovers, this one’s for you. Just as the name suggests, Re/Done updates retro silhouettes with a modern twist. The journey started in 2014 for founders Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur by taking classic Levi’s jeans and giving them a flattering tailored fit. The label also receives major bonus points for the eco-friendly system used in the dyeing process to minimise water waste.
For a comfortable fit, Dl1961 is the brand to turn to. Since 2008, the label created a patented fabric that’s a combination of cotton wrapped around lycra to craft skin-like denim that moves with your body without losing its shape.
If you like the way stretch jeans mould to your body but are in the market for something that looks deceptively as structured as a vintage pair, Gap’s beloved jeans are sure to become a favourite. The iconic brand has championed classic American style since it was founded in 1969 and husband-and-wife duo Don and Doris Fisher had one mission when they opened Gap’s first store in 1969: to make finding a great-fitting pair of jeans easy for everyone.
There’s no better brand to turn to for vintage ’90s-inspired jeans than Agolde; the label ruled the decade and continues to breathe new life into the iconic easygoing silhouette. What’s even better, Agolde pushes boundaries, experimenting with unexpected cutouts and architectural shapes. Don’t let the playfully cool silhouettes fool you. While they might seem completely undone, each style was crafted by experts paying exceptional attention to detail.
For modern, cool cuts, bookmark Jeanerica. The Stockholm-based label founded in 2018 carries a roster of easy silhouettes in low-rise and relaxed fits.
With sizes ranging from 00 to 32, Good American has prioritised creating jeans with nearly every body shape in mind since Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede launched the brand. Good American also believes that finding comfortable, figure-flattering jeans shouldn’t be difficult; it should be the norm. And while denim is core to the brand, the label has expanded with sportswear, swim, and shoes.
No other brands have perfected the art of ripped, tattered, and distressed jeans like R13. Chris Leba founded the brand, which has a rebellious spirit, in 2009. You can infuse an instant rocker-chic aesthetic into your look with R13’s basics, like its reliable hoodies, cosy flannel shirts, and – the reason why we’re here – coveted jeans.
Is it possible to have a pair of jeans that fit just as well as your favourite pair of trousers? Louise and Gary Edgley think so. Crafted in Los Angeles, the founders of Slvrlake skip the embellishments and prioritise fit over everything. So turn to Slvrlake’s tailored denim pieces, which come in a plethora of colour-ways, for your easy-wear everyday essentials.
Nothing goes to waste in ELV Denim’s jean-making process. The London-based label, which was founded by Anna Foster, gives pre-loved garments new life by transforming them into sustainable creations. That’s not the only sustainable practice: ELV Denim’s jeans also cut back on water waste during the manufacturing process.
Whether you’re headed out to dinner or running errands, you’ll find a style to fit every moment in AG’s collection. The brand’s name represents founder Adriano Goldschmied’s initials, and since its start in 2000, the label has focused on fabric innovation, creating items from hemp, soy-based ink, and corozo buttons from South American tagua trees.
From cost breakdowns to factory audits, Everlane prioritises being open and honest with its customers. The label has also become a go-to for jeans created using renewable energy and air-drying techniques that cut down on CO2 emissions.
Here’s a label that names each style after the world’s most iconic models (Cindy Crawford and Joan Smalls, to name a few). Just like the supers, each pair of Grlfrnd jeans gets better and better over time. The durable fabric was made to age gracefully, leaving you with a perfectly lived-in finish. Keep up with the latest and greatest by shopping Grlfrnd’s always-on-trend selection of jeans.
Join fans Kate Moss and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and get the model-off-duty look with a pair of Goldsign jeans. You’ll have to move quickly to get your hands on a pair of these coveted jeans. Goldsign, which was founded in 2005, prioritises quality over quantity, so each style is made in small batches in Los Angeles.
Paige Adams-Geller launched her eponymous label in 2004, inspired by the experiences she’d had trying on denim as a fit model. Slim-fit and skinny jeans are the brand’s speciality – there’s even a cropped, straight-leg pair named after Vogue’s Sarah Harris.
