The Best Black Jeans for Every Budget, Body Type and Style

A good skinny jean will hug you in all the right places, while simultaneously smoothing your silhouette and elongating your frame. These Wit & Wisdom jeans do exactly that with the help of the brand’s proprietary Ab-solution design, which uses power-mesh panels at the hips, front and rear to give you a gorgeous, smooth line from all angles—and a little booty lift, too.

Everlane’s straight-leg jean is actually a washed black, but the cut is just so good we couldn’t not include it. It comes in two inseam lengths (26.5 inches and 28.5 inches), so petite gals don’t have to worry about taking them to the tailor, and the “Curvy” fit is designed to nip in at the waist to prevent the dreaded waist gap from occurring. Beyond the impressive fit, Everlane’s jeans are also made using eco-friendly and sustainable methods as an added feel-good bonus.

Yes, these jeans are described as straight-leg, but in reality, they fit more like a skinny jean with just a little extra room in the calf. Add to that a 12-inch front rise and you’ve got yourself a spectacular everyday jean that will fit even the longest torso beautifully. The Liza is also made with just enough Elastane to really hug your curves without feeling like a jegging or running the risk of stretching out.

We’re obsessed with DL1961’s Hepburn jeans, which manage to have just the right amount of volume in the leg to make our waists look itty-bitty and elongate our frames without looking baggy or comically large. This cropped version pairs especially well with ankle booties that hit right at the distressed hem. (Just be sure to tuck in your top to get the full waist-cinching effect.)

Paige’s new Transcend technology is focused on ensuring that the denim won’t stretch out or fade over time, even if you wear your beloved skinny jeans multiple times a week. And based on reviews, this pair really lives up to that goal. “These jeans are the most beautiful, saturated black color,” reads one review. “They are perfectly stretchy and hug my curves, but don’t start to sag after a few hours. Really love this pair!” The only thing to note is that multiple petite shoppers found these to be too long for their frames, and lots of reviews suggest going a size down for this particular pair.

Madewell’s Perfect Vintage Jean is, indeed, perfect. At least according to reviewers (including two PureWow editors). It comes in 19 different sizes, and that’s not even counting the petite and tall inseams. Plus, the black hue is deep without being too saturated and the pockets are ideally placed to give your bum a super-flattering lift, no squats required. Much like the Everlane style above, Madewell’s “Curvy” fit was specifically designed for those with a larger hip-to-waist ratio. That said, some reviewers suggest going down a size for the best fit in this wash.

The kick hem gives these cropped jeans a little bit of flair we can’t get enough of. Combine that with a deep black hue and you’ve got yourself a pair of jeans that feel almost like trousers and look just as fab with a blazer and pumps as they do with a graphic tee and backless slides. They do come with more spandex than most other pairs on this list, so if you’re between sizes we suggest sizing down.

These skinny jeans are incredibly soft and are made from Levi’s Sculpt fabrication to help create a super-smooth, sleek silhouette from waist to ankle. They also come in four different inseam lengths—28, 30, 32 and 34 inches—meaning they’ll hit at just the right spot whether you’re 5’2” or 6’2”. Levi’s recommends you wash your denim once every ten wears (provided there are no stains) to help keep that dark black shade from fading or your jeans from stretching out.

We adore the combination of utility detailing and the vintage-inspired straight-leg fit on these Warp + Weft jeans. The end result is a pair that feels special, but still wearable day-to-day. And just like all of Warp + Weft’s denim, the ASE Utility is made using sustainable, eco-friendly methods that use way less water than traditional denim and clean dyes to achieve that gorgeous deep-black hue.

Reviewer's rave about the super-comfortable fabric with just enough stretch to hold you in without feeling constructive (although the brand does recommend sizing down in this style). The rise is also that Goldilocks point between mid and high, making these an incredibly flattering option no matter your body type. “This is the jean I’ve been hunting for!” reads one review. “The rise holds me in but doesn’t chafe my torso, the fabric is really comfortable, the bootleg is so flattering and is just the cut I wanted. They fit like a denim glove but are as comfortable as leggings.”

If you’ve been writing off AE as a brand just for teens, think again—the denim selection is much more than just super-trendy mom jeans. This ‘90s-inspired style in particular is listed as a boyfriend cut, but fits more like a straight leg, and is just loose enough to be comfortable without looking baggy. The black wash is also a major draw in that it's uniform throughout (no weird whiskering at the hips here) and is not so deep as to be confused for trousers, nor is it so washed out it reads as gray. Oh, and did we mention these jeans also come in five different inseam lengths? All for just 50 bucks.

These classic skinnies have tons of rave reviews at Nordstrom, with shoppers praising them for their durability, the fact that they don’t attracted dust or other fuzzies and the flattering leg shape, which has a small kick right at the hem to prevent them from looking like leggings. Per one repeat shopper, “[These are] a great pair of go-to jeans. Slimming and a good fit even for those of us with hips!” Note that a few reviewers recommend going down one size, especially if you are between sizes.

Despite the name, Agolde’s pinch-waist styles are wonderfully comfortable. The “pinch” simply refers to a cinched in waist that eliminates annoying waist gaps. And while they don’t come cheap, we can attest to the staying power of these black-wash jeans. “Agolde is my absolute go-to for denim, because they don’t stretch or fade over time, making them well worth the investment,” says one PureWow editor. “And I’m not someone who is all that precious with her clothing, although I am sure to never put them in the dryer.”

Just like the Wit & Wisdom skinnies above, this bootcut jean comes with built-in power-mesh panels to help smooth your stomach and hips, while giving your rear a nice lift. And with a 32-inch inseam, these are an excellent length to wear with heels or heeled booties, both to the office and to dinner with friends. A word of advice, however: Don’t wash these jeans in hot water or stick them in the dryer. The low-cotton fabrication makes it likely that they’ll shrink in the heat, so stick to cool or cold wash cycles and air-dry if possible.

We love Good American jeans for the brand’s size inclusivity and focus on women with larger bums and hips, much like co-founder Khloé Kardashian. You definitely don’t have to worry about waist gaps in this straight-leg pair, and the 10.5-inch front rise looks fabulous with tucked in shirts or crop tops. The high-stretch material helps prevent the knees or rear from sagging over time, but they still have the look of classic vintage denim. Oh, and they also come in 16 different sizes.

For those who love the look and feel of jeggings (after all, nothing is easier to tuck into a pair of knee-high boots), this American Eagle pair is our absolute top pick. Unlike other designs, AE’s jeggings have a true zip-and-button closure and pockets in both front and back, so they can’t be confused with actual leggings. The proprietary Dream fabrication, which is sustainably made, ensures that the knees won’t sag after just a few hours—or even a few days—and it smooths your silhouette from waist to ankle.

There’s a reason Levi’s has stuck around as an all-star denim brand for so long, and it likely has something to do with the impeccable fit of its jeans. Reviewers love the flattering straight leg silhouette, but more than that they mention how these jeans just get more comfortable over time. “I’ve been wearing these for maybe three years now and while they’ve definitely loosened a bit, they feel like they’ve conformed to my body and were tailor-made for me,” raves one PureWow editor. “And the black wash has yet to fade since I’ve been really careful about always washing inside out in cold water.”

If overalls are your jam, we highly recommend this Universal Standard pair. A loose-but-not-too-loose cut allows you to move in comfort but still look polished and grown up. And if you prefer a slimmer fit, just go down a size (or two)—the stretch fabric won’t dig into your hips and will instead give off major ‘70s babe vibes.

Finding jeans that hug and smooth your stomach that aren’t super high rise is a major challenge. But this 1822 Denim pair does just that, thanks to a mesh tummy panel and smoothing faux pockets at the front. And don’t let that affordable price point fool you. Per one happy shopper, “I was very skeptical of buying jeans for $45. But I’m happy I did! They are perfect length and super comfy and stretchy. They color is very dark black, which is what I wanted. The quality is excellent and expect these will hold up for years.” Another reviewer describes the feel as “butter” and compares them to her favorite athleticwear, so you can pretty much guarantee these skinnies will be mighty comfortable.

This straight-leg jean has a waxy finish that gives the look of leather with a beautiful, subtle shine we adore. They still maintain the feel and comfort of denim, just with a more dressed up vibe. And they’re far more breathable than a traditional faux-leather or leather pant. As an added bonus, that wax coating will help your jeans to stay true to their original color and not fade or gray over time.

Another Kardashian-approved pair, these skinny jeans have almost 100 five-star reviews at Nordstrom. Shoppers rave about the slimming look and stretchy fabric, but more than anything else they love how these jeans give your booty a fabulous lift. Some suggest going up a size, as they tend to run small, but we advise choosing your size based on your smallest measurement to avoid any gapping or sagging.

We don’t normally love the look of baggy wide-leg jeans, but the distressing at the knees of this eco-friendly pair help to break up the silhouette and prevent you from being swallowed whole by all that fabric. We suggest wearing these beauties with a block-heel bootie or pointy-toe heels to really maximize their leg-lengthening effect. But be advised, there is no stretch to these jeans, so double check your size before you order.

Aritzia only just launched denim a few years ago, but it has already become a go-to for one petite PureWow editor. “I really appreciate that there are 26-inch inseams, so I don’t have to waste time bringing every new pair to a tailor.” There are also two different black washes to choose from—Black Eyeliner (above) which is slightly more faded, and Stay Black, which is a true deep black hue—depending on how rich you want the color to be.