:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(2999x0:3001x2)/the-best-jeans-for-older-women-tout-badge-1d71f2b412e14a8eb3ea94f9928eb5a1.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "The Best Jeans for Older Women, Tested by Our Moms and Grandmas"){kind=icon}
We all understand the struggle of finding the right pair of jeans. The task of running from store to store to try on countless pairs of denim (or, if you’re of a certain age, “dungarees”) becomes even more tiring and difficult to fit into our busy schedules as we age. And who would want to spend their precious free time doing the disappointing and downright despairing task of trying on jeans?
Experts Say
We spoke to celebrity stylist Zoe Gofman, who’s styled famous moms like Adriana Lima and Shanina Shaik. “Denim is timeless!” Gofman tells PEOPLE. “Denim can be worn at any age for any shape and size.”
To make your life easier, we set out to find the best jeans for older women, keeping in mind comfort, price, and of course, timeless style. We tapped women 45 and older, including moms, grandmas, and friends, to test out jeans from popular brands like Gap, Levi’s, and Spanx. Our testers wore their jeans while walking, working, and running errands, then washed them and wore them again to provide us with in-depth notes on the fit, comfort, and durability of each pair.
We’re not talking about “mom-jeans” — we’re talking about jeans for mom. Fashion has no age, so keep reading to find your next favorite pair of jeans.
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Super stretchy and comfortable
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Sculpting tummy control
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Stylish flare cut makes legs appear longer
There’s no need to give up comfort for style when choosing the best jeans — because Spanx Flare Jeans masterfully combine fashion and functionality. The fabric is smooth, soft, and (most importantly) ultra-stretchy.
The high-waisted jeans have a leg-lengthening effect thanks to the slim fit and ankle flare. And, thanks to the discrete tummy control technology in the waist, they also helped our testers feel more snug and secure in the pants.
Our only qualm is that we wish the front pockets on the pants were actually functional pockets and not just a design feature. The jeans also tend to run long, so keep that in mind when choosing from one of the three inseams. But those few downsides didn’t take away from our love of these comfortable sculpting jeans.
Size Range: XS–3X | Material: 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% Lycra elastane | Inseam: 32 (petite), 34 (regular), 37 inches (tall) | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle inside out with like colors; tumble dry low
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![A person wearing Spanx Flare Jeans]()
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PHOTO: People / Kuiper
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![A person wearing Spanx Flare Jeans]()
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PHOTO: People / Ashley Johnson
Expert Style Tip
“I love dark denim for fall and fitted straight leg because it can be worn with any type of shoe, and on multiple occasions.” — celebrity stylist Zoe Gofman
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Timeless, fitted-straight style
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Super durable construction
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Fitted through hips and thighs
You might already be familiar with the iconic Levi’s 501 jeans — they’ve been worn and loved for more than 150 years. The classic style and durable material has yet to go out of fashion, so we know that we’ll love these jeans for years to come.
The straight style hugs the hips and thighs, though some of our testers experienced a little gapping around the waist. You can choose between four inseam options, which is great for those looking for petite jeans and extra-tall folks who aren’t always catered to in jean lengths. The pants have a classic button fly and zero stretch, which gives them a sturdy vintage feel and helps them keep their shape over time, but the lack of stretch may not be every wearer’s preference. But if you’re looking for a pair of long-lasting jeans that’ll never go out of style, we highly recommend these.
Size Range: 24–34 | Material: 100% cotton | Inseam: 26, 28, 30, 32 inches | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, normal cycle, wash inside out; tumble dry medium
People / Elaine Metrus
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Super soft and comfortable
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Stretchy material moves with you
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Mid-rise cut with slight flare is very versatile
For those who prefer a mid-rise cut, this option from Old Navy that feels shockingly high-end is your pick. The soft, stretchy material moves with you, making them feel ultra comfortable through any activity — whether you’re running errands, chasing around kids and grandkids, or sitting at an office desk, we found the stretchy waist to be comfortable all day.
If you’re used to high-waisted styles that hold in the upper belly, then you might find that these lack support in that area. But, for anyone interested in comfortable mid-rise denim that offers a lot of bang for your buck, then these Old Navy jeans are a fabulous choice.
Size Range: Regular (0–30), Petite (2–18), Tall (4–18) | Material: 62% cotton, 30% polyester, 7% recycled cotton, 1% spandex | Inseam: 30 (short), 32 (regular), 36 inches (long) | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, inside out with like colors; tumble dry low
People / Kuiper
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Not too stiff and not too stretchy, the Mid Rise Baby Boot Jeans from Gap are just right. The pants felt incredibly comfortable throughout the day, even after sitting at a desk for eight hours. These pants had just the right amount of stretch so that they held their shape without feeling too loose at the end of the day but allowed us to sit, stand, and move around comfortably.
With a booty-hugging fit and a slight flare at the ankle, these mid-rise jeans have an on-trend style that would flatter any body type. The bootcut isn’t too dramatic for daily wear but still adds a little bit of visual intrigue to the pants. We clearly loved these jeans, though we did find that they run slightly small, so keep that in mind when choosing your size.
Size Range: 24–35 | Material: 2% elastane, 13% recycled cotton, 81% cotton, 4% elasterrell | Inseam: 31.5 (regular), 35.5 (tall), 29 inches (petite) | Care Instructions: Machine wash
People / Amy Cramer
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Can jeans really be gap-proof? After testing the Good Classic Slim Straight jeans from Good American, our quest for jeans that snugly hug the waist and hips is finally complete. The stretchy pants didn’t gap at the waist on any of our testers across a variety of sizes, shapes, and heights. We loved the supportive high-rise, which comfortably holds in the tummy. Plus, the slim cut made our legs appear longer.
These jeans fit true-to-size, but if you’re not a fan of close-fitting jeans (especially when sitting), then you may want to try one of the more relaxed styles on our list, like the Old Navy Mid-Rise Wow Boot-Cut Jeans.
Size Range: 00–14, 15–30 plus | Material: 68% cotton, 26% recycled cotton, 4% polyester, 2% elastane | Inseam: 28 inches | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold inside out, dry flat or hang dry
People / Alyssa Brascia
What to Know About Jeans for Older Women
Fit and Comfort
The first factor to consider when picking out a new pair of jeans is the fit you’re looking for. While some jeans have a looser, baggier fit, others provide a snugger fit that holds in the thighs, waist, and stomach. Both tighter-fitting and baggier jeans can be dressed up or down, so the style that’s right for you is dependent on your preferences.
It’s also important to consider the material makeup of denim because this will determine how soft, stiff, stretchy, or structured your jeans will feel. Denim that has at least 2 percent elastane or spandex, like the Spanx Flare Jeans, will feel stretchier, while 100 percent cotton pants, like Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans, will have a more structured fit.
Cut and Style
Another thing to consider when choosing denim is the cut — think about the rise of the waist, the length of the leg, and the looseness or tightness of the waist, leg, and ankle.
Your choice will ultimately come down to your personal style, but professional stylist Zoe Gofman has some tips for picking out a pair you’ll love. “Taking note of what shoes you have in your inventory will affect the type of denim you should be looking for,” Gofman says. “If you want to wear them with heels, look to wear more of a straight leg or oversized fit. If you want to wear them with a boot, go for more of a skinny fit.” While trendy wide-leg jeans are definitely having a resurgence, classic straight and slim cuts are a timeless choice.
Length and Inseam
A pair of jeans will look different on everyone who tries them, and the length of your legs will determine how long the pants fit you. Some jeans come in multiple lengths, so consider your height and how long you prefer your jeans to fall when picking out your size.
Think about the shoes you want to wear with your jeans when choosing a length — if you tend to choose flatter shoes like walking sneakers or comfortable ballet flats, then you’ll want to make sure that your jeans are short enough that the hem won’t drag on the ground. If you want to wear jeans with heels or boots, then you might want to look for a longer length, which can help to elongate the leg.
Behind the Scenes
In order to determine which jeans are best for older women, we recruited our moms, aunts, sisters, and grandmas. Our testers included women ages 23 to 64 who wore sizes 2 to 22, and we ensured that each pair of jeans was tested by three women of different heights, ages, and sizes. In total, we tried 19 pairs of jeans from 13 different brands, evaluating them for the following qualities:
- Comfort: For busy moms, finding jeans that are comfortable and stretchy enough to move with you throughout the day is paramount. We wore each pair of jeans for multiple days, taking note of every small detail, from the fit in the waist and hips to any itchy seams or tags. We wore the jeans while walking, standing, running errands, sitting at our desks, and chasing our kids and pets around the house to make sure that they felt comfortable through any and all movement.
- Durability: We washed each pair of jeans according to their instructions and inspected the pants after washing them to see whether their fit had changed. We also took photos of the jeans before wearing them and then again after our testing period, and compared the photos to see if we could find any changes in the fit, any loose threads, or other marks or rips that would indicate a lapse in quality.
- Value: After thoroughly testing each pair of jeans, we considered their price and whether the quality of the pants matched their cost. Pants that washed well, looked great with a variety of outfits, and felt comfortable all day scored higher in terms of value.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Cai Cramer is a staff shopping writer at PEOPLE who’s been writing about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle for more than three years (though she’s been testing those products for much longer). For this story, our PEOPLE team relied on insights from a variety of testers, including women from ages 23 to 64, with heights ranging from 5-foot-1 to 6 feet tall and sizes from 2 to 22. She also spoke with celebrity stylist Zoe Gofman to determine what factors were most important to look for in a pair of jeans.
Meet Our Expert
- Zoe Gofman is a professional stylist whose work can be seen on stars like Adriana Lima and Tayshia Adams, as well as in magazines like Glamour.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.