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There’s no denying that the ’90s denim trend (Think: high-waisted, straight-leg) is surging back with a vengeance—and, admittedly, I was holding my breath waiting patiently for it to pass. As a curvy girl, I continued wearing my beloved skinny jeans in peace, blissfully aware that Gen Z was shaking their heads in disapproval. But weeks turned into months, and my curiosity finally got the best of me. I had to know: Can curvy girls wear straight-leg jeans, too?
The short answer is, of course we can. I couldn’t help but admire the cool-girl aesthetic that straight-leg jeans gave to every brave woman who wore them. The more I thought about it, I finally felt ready to take the plunge and play with pant proportions myself.
The Best Straight Leg Jeans for Curves at a Glance
- Best Overall: Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans, $98
- Best Cropped: Just Black Denim The Slim Palazzo, $98
- Best Vintage-Inspired: Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love High Rise Vintage Straight Jean, $77 (was $90)
- Best Budget: Quince Stretch High Rise Straight Jeans, $50
I’m a big believer in wearing what works best for your body type, but this daunting denim analysis got me thinking that maybe what I’ve grown accustomed to was in dire need of a refresh. After all, the idea of wearing a looser-cut denim bottom sounded inviting, especially after a year of wearing nothing but joggers, leggings and loungewear.
Courtesy of Rachel Richardson.
After a ridiculous amount of research (i.e. trying on way too many pairs of jeans) I’m happy to share that some denim brands really did deliver and I now own several pairs of straight-leg pants that I feel confident in. But, I should also mention that there was a lot of trial and error to get to this point.
To save time shopping, first consider how much stretchability you like in your denim, says Christine Chung, the president of Just Black Denim. “Leg opening measurement is another thing to look out for to see if you’d prefer a more slim straight or a relaxed straight [style],” she adds, noting that these measurements usually range from 9 to 11 inches.
Aside from that, my biggest style tip is to pair your ’90s-inspired jeans with a more streamlined top (like a chic bodysuit) to enhance your curves, ensuring that your womanly figure doesn’t get lost in all of that denim down below.
With that, read on for 7 curvy girl-approved straight-leg denim styles that live up to the hype.
Our mission at site team is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Levi’s is a site team sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
The Best Straight Leg Jeans for Curves
Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg Jeans $98 Buy Now Levi’s is a classic brand for that vintage aesthetic and the ribcage fit is one of the most flattering out there because it hugs you in all of the right places. These jeans are technically wide leg but they actually have more of a straight fit and the slightly (emphasis on slightly) flared leg makes them a fantastic style for curves. Take up to 40% off sitewide until December 15 at Levi’s.
Just Black Denim The Slim Palazzo $98 Buy Now Just Black Denim makes some of the comfiest jeans ever and I love that most of them have a decent amount of stretch to them for a more flattering (and flexible) fit. For a curve-friendly straight leg style, try The Slim Palazzo.
Abercrombie & Fitch Curve Love High Rise Vintage Straight JeanOn Sale 14% off $77 Buy Now Would it even be a roundup of the best curvy jeans without an Abercrombie & Fitch mention? The brand is a go-to for curve-friendly denim in a variety of trendy styles, including straight leg jeans such as the Curve Love High Rise Vintage Straight Jean.
Quince Stretch High Rise Straight Jeans $50 Buy Now For a budget-friendly pair of straight jeans that feels just as luxe as the designer brands, you’ll definitely want to slip into the Quince Stretch High Rise Straight Jeans, which cost just $50 for designer-worthy denim.
Madewell The Curvy ’90s Straight Jean $128 Buy Now Madewell is known for its well made (had to!) denim and has some seriously comfy and cute curvy styles, too. For a classic take on the trend, try The Curvy ’90s Straight Jean. In addition to standard sizes, you can also find these jeans in petite, tall, and plus.
Universal Thread High-Rise Straight Jeans $32 Buy Now If there’s any retailer that gets affordable curvy jeans right, it’s Target. This pair from Universal Thread has just the right amount of stretch and comes in a light and dark wash color shade. They’re available in sizes 00-26.
Everlane The Curvy Way-High JeanOn Sale 30% off $83 Buy Now I can confirm that this pair of high-waisted jeans from Everlane will make your outfit so polished because the fit is sleek and the material feels (and looks) expensive. Everlane went above and beyond with four washes and two inseam length options.
