My Favorite Jeans 👖 Under $100
Jeans are a mainstay of my wardrobe, and unless it’s sweltering, they’ll be a starting point for most of my outfits. While I do have a lot of premium denim in my wardrobe, some of my recent favorites are more budget-friendly.
My Favorite Women’s Jeans Under $100
I find slim, straight cuts to be the most versatile, so all of these are variations on that theme.
Chico’s Girlfriend Jeans
I tried my first pair of these a few months ago, and really love them for everyday wear. They’re comfortable, flattering, and lightweight. These are the So Slimming Girlfriend Crops.
I have this style in both the “Hudson River Indigo” and “Baybridge Indigo.” I’m wearing Chico’s regular size 0 in both. If you are in between sizes or want a slimmer fit, I’d suggest sizing down. They do stretch out a little bit.
Earrings | Necklace | Top | Bracelet | Bracelet (c/o) | Jeans | Sandals
Earrings | Top | Ring | Jeans | Sandals
Both washes I’m wearing have some light distressing which I like, but there are several styles available (some in prints and colors) without any distressing.
Sale alert! For a limited time, full-priced bottoms are Buy 1, Get 1 at 50% off!
Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny
Most Everlane pants and jeans are just little too high in the rise for me, but this mid-rise cut works well. I sized up to a 29 in this style. The ankle length is perfect.
Earrings | Necklace | Top | Bracelet | Jeans | Bag (similar) | Sandals
Another favorite style, the J.Crew Vintage Straight jeans are now 40% off in some washes, which brings them in under $100! Use code BYESUMMER.
And one pair that’s just a little over $100…
If you prefer your denim on the more substantial side, you might like these Slim Boyfriend Jeans (gifted) from Mott & Bow. They have the look and feel of more “rigid” denim, but still have a little stretch. They’re offered in size 24-32, in 3 lengths. I’m wearing the 28/28.
Mott & Bow has kindly offered my readers 10% off with code Susan10!
(Their “Mom” jeans have the same cut but a higher rise. You can toggle between the two styles to see the difference.)
Earrings | Necklace | Sweater (similar) | Jeans | Bracelet | Sneakers
To help your jeans last longer, try to wash them as little as possible. If they get stretched out, you can put them in a dryer on low-to-medium heat for 5-10 minutes. And when you do wash, turn them inside out and use cold water.
What style of jeans do you wear most often?
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Love the red/orange top!
I’m also a jeans girl! The jeans that get the most wear in my wardrobe are straight leg or boot cut styles. Most are full length but I have a couple pair of cropped/ankle jeans that I wear in the warmer weather. The best brand fits for me are Talbots, NYDJ, and Lauren Ralph Lauren. I don’t really wear jeans in the summer as it’s too hot where I live. I’m looking forward to some cooler weather so I can break out the jeans!
I say this with respect: it always amuses me how men think of “jeans” as a single thing but women see an infinite variety of them, each having a cute name. It’s like Eskimos who perceive 40 types of snow. 🙂
I love that analogy!
Inuit.
Have worn NYDJs for as long as they have been on the market. I have probably 15 or so pair currently. They don’t wear out. Just change in style. Always wear the same size.
Early in summer, I purchased the Chico Girlfriend crop and love them.
How does the Girlfriend style of jeans compare to the Boyfriend style? I have a pair of AG slim boyfriend jeans sized down and love them.
I’d say the cut is very similar. The rise is just a little higher than the AG’s, I think, but still below the waist.
Jeans are a go-to for me as well. Living in a colder climate (Canada), it’s part of the “uniform”. Loft has the jeans that fit me best. Skinny curvy. I have them in white, indigo, black and distressed (crops). They are long lasting, wash well and I always feel great when I put them on.
I like the look of the Chico’s girlfriend crops on you, Susan, so I set off to try a pair myself. Unfortunately they are out of petite sizes in the colors I need. I’ll keep checking in case they re-stock. Totally off the subject, but I’ve been eyeing the gold Cole Haan tennis each time I see this photo of you wearing them. My problem is I’m not sure how to style them with other color tops.
The new Liverpool Gia Glider pull-up jeans are game changers. Unbelievable comfort and style. You’d never guess they’re pull-up.
Heather
I rarely wear jeans… have never been a huge fan. But, my favorites are the Super Skinny from the Loft. No, I prefer cropped chinos or leggings!
Thanks – I purchased a light gray striped Girlfriend cropped jean from Chico’s for $25!
Love the Chico’s Girlfriend Crops! Bought a pair early this summer, and plan on getting another pair soon! I’ve been having a problem finding jeans that fit, but these work well
My two favorites are the American Eagle mom jean and Vintage America’s boyfriend jean. I’ve got a 10-12 inch difference between my hips and my waist (depends on bloating), and those two actually work for my frame.
Hi Susan,
What is the name of the color of the aqua Vince blouse?
Also, while I wear Chico’s jeans…both girl friend and boyfriend, my “go to” is JAG. I like their pull on and zip up styles and they last forever. I am not a fan of the waist button lump!
I bought a pair of LL Bean flannel lined jeans last year for those cold winter days and they are glorious and cute and amazingly not bulky.
Jan
Hi Jan, this one is Moroccan Mint. I have a pair of those flannel-lined jeans that I take to Colorado during ski season. Agree, they are super!
Just want to start the morning with telling you how much I am enjoying seeing your new colors, hair length, and new photo locations! It is invigorating and inspiring to see these changes!
Charlene H
Thanks so much!
I’m not a jean wearer, but bought a pair of Citizens of Humanity last year on another bloggers rec. I really like them and think they are slimming and comfortable. What I really like in this installment are your blouses. They all look great and I’ll be purchasing some. Thanks!
I pretty much live in jeans, no special brand, whatever catches my eye in terms of colour, style & embellishment. I prefer straight leg & boot cut. My best source? Thrift shops. They always have scads of jeans in every shape, style, make & colour imaginable & I love to grab an armful & try them on to see what I can find. I prefer a light wash but have them in every colour under the sun, including pumpkin orange, red, turquoise & one pair of a rather eye-searing lime. What pair I wear depends on my mood: sedate ordinary jeans when I’m on the go, ones with decorative stitching or sparkles on the butt when I’m feeling flamboyant, colourful ones when I feel like making a statement. I wear them with every kind of footwear: tall boots, short boots, mocs, loafers, sandals of every heel height, pumps. They’re the most versatile item of clothing you can own, in my estimation, & look great dressed up or down & at any age.
Those UNIQLO barrel leg jeans that you encouraged me to buy! Got some in white too. Those, a distressed pair of Citizens of Humanity, and a very baggy pair of Agolde boyfriends. Basically I have moved to full-on Big Pants mode;).
It is so cool that Gigi is now a part of your pictures; she is the sweetest (I’m a cat person, however, I do love dogs as well). I have never paid 100 or over for jeans. First, I don’t pay full price for clothing, second, I don’t have to. My newest jeans are fabulous, they fit me in the bottom, which has been a struggle for me for awhile, I have a small one but New Directions Sleek Sculpt fits perfectly around the bottom & through the legs. Having to wear jeans are always depressing when they never fit well on me, although I wear them anyway. I’m really am in love with the New Directions jeans, I bought them on sale for $9 each (I bought wine & navy, regularly $49) & it is the perfect length for me! The sweat you have on is wonderful & is 40% off with code BYESUMMER & comes in XXXS all the way through 3X. I so look forward to your posts, you are my inspiration!!
My favorites are NYDJ and I have a couple pair of Eileen Fisher jeans that I love. I have some Chico’s and JJill jeans that are real daily workhorses in my closet. I live where is is too hot for jeans (for me) in the summer and am looking forward to breaking them out of the closet. Thanks for the recommendation on the Chico’s jeans I might give them a try soon.
I love your tops! I wear straight leg, waist high jeans. I have a few which are a different cut but I feel more comfortable in the first ones. I hate low rise. I’m going to buy me some colored shoe strings. I’ll bet you were the cool girl in school.
I too love jeans but finding ones that fit well can be a challenge. I tend to do better with skinny jeans, NYDJ and Levi’s are what’s in my closet that I wear the most. I’m not hippy at all.
I find that a lot of brands/styles bunch up and wrinkle behind my knees, which drives me nuts. They look fine from the front, but I look in the back and then back on the rack they go. That’s why I prefer leggings and skinnies. Anyone else have that problem? I may be too picky?
I love those fun coral/orange blouses!
I love jeans. Always have. Can’t imagine my wardrobe without them. Currently I like Simply Vera Vera Wang. Most jeans are too tight in the waist. Even though I wear a smaller size I am straight up and down with no discernable waist. So they fit the best. I like skinnies and ankle length also. It’s warm where I live most of the time so I try to find lightweight denim.
Hi Susan,
I’m a little late joining in. I love the J Crew vintage straight jeans. They’re not too skinny, but a slim silhouette. What I also like about them is the rise. A 9ish” rise works best for me because I’m short waisted.
Wow Susan! The jeans with the red top and metallic sneakers looks great on you… sexy/sporty fun! I always look forward to your posts, thank you.