On a recent day at the office, Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay and I were lamenting the woes of wearing standing jeans for a full day of sitting. Standing jeans, as you may know, are those that give your hips, booty and waist a fabulously snatched look while standing up, but that become deeply uncomfortable when attempting to sit—the waistband digs in, the zipper presses uncomfortably against your belly, the crotch ventures ever northward despite having nowhere to go. We’ve all made the mistake of wearing standing jeans for the wrong occasion, but I assure you there’s a better way. Myself and five other PureWow editors found eight pairs of the most comfortable jeans for sitting, standing, walking and generally living your life to the fullest that also happen to make our bums look incredible. Because we shouldn’t have to trade the hopes of faking a Kardashian-level booty for being able to breathe while eating lunch. Read on for all our top picks and a breakdown of what makes each pair more comfortable than any other.
The 8 Most Comfortable Jeans, According to Picky PureWow Editors
aka our favorite sitting jeans
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Most Comfortable High-Rise Jeans
1. Everlane Way-High Sailor Jeans
What We Like
- eight wash options
- made of organic cotton
- flattering high rise
What We Don’t Like
- reportedly run small
Everlane
Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera only recently discovered the joys of Everlane denim, but has been living in this High-Waist Sailor style ever since. “I’m obsessed,” she raves. “They have just the right amount of stretch to keep them comfortable, but they still hold their shape throughout the day. I love the Sailor cut because I don't find myself constantly pulling them up.” She does recommend going up one from your usual size for maximum comfort, as do many other reviewers (it’s noted that the model pictured has also sized up), but assures that the waistband won’t gap and the butt won’t sag in one size up. The slight A-line silhouette isn’t quite as wide as a ‘70s bell bottom but still offers plenty of room in the legs. And with 2 percent elastane woven into the organic cotton, the material has just enough stretch to allow for a full range of movement while maintaining the look of raw denim.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 23 to 33
- Materials: 98 percent organic cotton, 2 percent elastane
- Inseam Length: 27.5 and 29.5 inches
Most Comfortable Straight-Leg Jeans
What We Like
- timeless silhouette
- roomy cut
- great for tall frames
What We Don’t Like
- reportedly run big and long
- high price point
Frame
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Stephanie Meraz adores these straight-leg jeans by Frame for an elevated look that’s still mighty comfy. “They’re made with the most comfortable cotton-elastane blend that’s oh-so stretchy-yet-fitted and incredibly soft,” she notes. “I’m used to a non-stretch denim that’s borderline suffocating, so the fact that this is anything but is a breath of fresh air. They hug my bum and waist like a glove, and the relaxed, straight-leg silhouette looks even better on (trust).” Her only qualm? They run a little big (though that may not be so bad from a comfort standpoint). “They run big and long, which isn’t so terrible for tall gals but not great news for petites. I’m 5’7” and had to get the hems take up to avoid pooling on the floor.”
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 23 to 34
- Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
- Inseam Length: 27 inches
Most Comfortable Petite Jeans
3. Mother Petite Lil’ Hustler Ankle Jeans
What We Like
- designed specifically for petites
- super-soft fabric
- reportedly fits true to size
What We Don’t Like
- high price point
Mother
More and more brands are offering jeans specifically made for petites, including Meghan Markle-approved Mother. Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals Rachel Bowie was skeptical that denim with such a high price point would really be that different from more affordable brands, but ultimately deemed them worth the splurge, especially if comfort is a top concern. “I'm such a massive fan of Mother Denim,” she tells me. “I find the material to have the perfect amount of stretch, it feels buttery soft and is butt-hugging in all the right places. As a petite person, too, their petite collection (and regular fit cropped styles) hit perfectly at ankle-length. The Hustler Fray is my fave silhouette!” Other reviewers say the fabric strikes a great balance between feeling soft and lovely but also providing enough hold to hug your curves. And as Bowie notes, the denim only gets better with wear.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 23 to 34
- Materials: 94 percent cotton, 5 percent polyester, 1 percent elastane
- Inseam Length: 25.5 inches
Most Comfortable Wide-Leg Jeans
4. Old Navy High-waist Wow Wide-Leg Jeans
What We Like
- eight wash options
- five inseam lengths
- under $50
What We Don’t Like
- tend to stretch out over time
Old Navy
Wide-leg jeans are often most flattering when they also have a high waist, but that runs the risk of lots of pinching and restricting around the waist and stomach. However, that is not the case with these affordable Old Navy jeans. “Old Navy jeans are honestly the best across the board,” says Assistant Editor of Branded Content, Madeline Merinuk. “They’re an unbeatable price point and the quality and fit always blows me away.” She owns this style in a few different washes, both in the petite cut for a perfect length, no hemming required. In fact, all of the eight color options come in regular, tall and petite lengths, and some also come in short and long, giving you five different inseam options for finding the ideal fit for your frame. Merinuk notes these fit true to size, but some reviewers say they went down one from their usual size and were still quite comfortable, thanks largely to the addition of polyester and spandex in the denim.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 0 to 30
- Materials: 63 percent cotton, 30 percent recycled polyester, 6 percent recycled cotton, 1 percent spandex
- Inseam Length: 29, 30, 31, 32 and 34 inches
Most Comfortable Baggy Jeans
5. American Eagle Strigid Baggy Straight Jeans
What We Like
- five inseam lengths
- made using sustainable methods
What We Don’t Like
- few wash options
American Eagle
I’ve worn American Eagle jeans for years (since high school, actually) and still maintain they are a phenomenal affordable option that doesn’t skimp on quality. Case in point, this super-comfortable baggy straight style that combines all the timelessness of a true straight leg with the comfort of adding just a smidge more room from hip to ankle. As for the waist, the high rise holds your curves, but doesn’t squeeze them and doesn’t pinch when sitting or bending. But the real draw here is the material. AE’s Strigid line combines the feel of a rigid jean with that of stretch denim for a “best of both worlds” end result. It’s soft, lightweight and moves with me throughout the day, but has the same look and appeal as vintage, 100 percent cotton denim. And like all of AE’s jeans, there are not two, not three, but five inseam lengths to choose from to ensure you won’t have to spend extra time and money hemming the cuffs to fit your height.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 000 to 24
- Materials: 87 percent cotton, 13 percent recycled cotton
- Inseam Length: 27, 29, 31, 33, and 35 inches
Most Comfortable Cropped Jeans
What We Like
- made of OEKO-TEX certified materials
- 13 wash options
What We Don’t Like
- only one inseam length
- no reviews at time of publish
Sézane
“I love Sézane denim!” raves Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu. “It takes a minute for them to stretch slightly, but I’ve been living in them since they arrived. I love that the Le Crop has a looser leg, but is still a little snug in the waist so I feel buttoned up.” She notes these jeans hug your curves but are not constricting, and the brand suggests if you are between sizes to opt for the larger of the two. The fly closes with buttons rather than a zipper, allowing for a bit more stretch post meals. And if you find you love these jeans as much as Wu, there are a whopping 13 different wash options to shop, including multiple classic blues, black, white, gray and a number of brighter shades. My only gripe? There’s just one inseam length available at the time of publish.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 0 to 16
- Materials: 99 percent organic cotton, 1 percent elastane
- Inseam Length: 26.8 inches
Most Comfortable Low-Rise Jeans
7. Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Low-Rise Baggy Jeans
What We Like
- under $100
- 24 wash options
- available in Curve and Classic fits
What We Don’t Like
- reportedly run big
Abercrombie & Fitch
I know many millennials immediately blanche upon hearing the words “low rise,” but at 8.5 inches, these A&F jeans have more of a mid-rise fit than a true low rise. As someone with a short torso, I find they hit me in exactly the right spot to feel comfortable and flattering without any risk of flashing a whale tail when I bend over. I also prefer the Curve fit (over the Classic), which is specifically designed for folks with a smaller waist and wider hips, so there’s absolutely no pulling or tension on my hips and also no gapping in the waistband. That said, I did go down one size from my usual and found they fit much better, so if you’re between sizes you’ll likely also want to go with the smaller of the two. As for the fabric, I love that it has some stretch but not a ton, and feels soft to the touch. The baggy silhouette also gives my legs plenty of room to bend and move, and honestly looks more like a wider straight-leg than the super-baggy jeans of the ‘90s. Add to that an impressive 24 different wash options, and you’ve got yourself a new favorite wardrobe staple.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 23 to 37
- Materials: 99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane
- Inseam Length: 27.25, 29.25, 31.25, 33.25 and 35.25inches
Most Comfortable Trendy Jeans
8. Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
What We Like
- under $100
- three inseam lengths
- available in Curve and Classic fits
What We Don’t Like
- not as timeless as other silhouettes
- few wash option
Abercrombie & Fitch
Barrel leg silhouettes are the latest and greatest in denim trends for 2024, but if you also want a pair that is supremely comfortable, Meraz is a big fan of this Abercrombie design. “They’re the coolest thing since sliced bread,” she tells me. “I’ve seen a ton of iterations of the style, but none quite like this. The balloon effect at the sides is just big enough to look dramatic without reading comical or cartoonish. They’re made with a heavyweight, rigid denim, so the weight will naturally weigh them down and push them lower. I actually sized up not one but two sizes because I wanted the mid-rise fit to sit extra low on my hips, and while I should have only gone up one size, I still love how they look like the ultimate street style jeans—and I especially love how they don’t squeeze my waist or thighs in the slightest.” Other reviewers also recommend going up one from your usual size to achieve a sightly oversize fit (while avoiding looking overly baggy), and like all of A&F’s denim styles, this one comes in both Classic and Curve fits.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 24 to 34
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
- Inseam Length: 26, 28 and 30 inches
