Say, Stretch Jeans!
I have more than 20 pairs to share.
It’s not a coincidence that I’m suddenly interested in stretch jeans. A few weeks ago, I was feeling it’d be good to try and carve out a little more wiggle room in my life in 2025. Of course, wanting bendy clothes to express a more flexible dream world is so on the nose, I almost couldn’t write it. But I ordered a bunch of stretch styles, just to see.
I was wear-testing these Paige ones (below) when the L.A. fires started last week. In the immediate days that followed, I found myself reaching for them over and over, not because I didn’t have access to my closet, but because they felt so great and fit everywhere; they made life easy by holding up and needing little. A literal stress test, passed with flying colors. “When things are tight, who wants rigid?,” my friend Robyn said. Give me fabric with exceptional recovery – an industry term for a jean’s ability to bounce back. Is that a metaphor, or what? I want nothing less than that for my hometown right now.
Now, I’ve covered stretch jeans before. Ayr’s Secret Sauce, Madewell’s 90s Straight – which also comes in Curve – and Khaite’s Danielle all have stretch. This is not a new-year-new-me post. I still love my rigids, no one is converting. In fact, many of you already believe in stretch and generously shared your favorites in the JOJ Chat. Thank you, I’ve included some of your recs below. It’s been really fun for me to try new things, and though this isn’t a fully comprehensive survey of all the stretch denim out there, I do hope it offers a range of vibes for different bodies. There are more than 20 pairs of excellent jeans in this letter (!). And so, without further ado…
To properly cover stretch denim, I have to include Paige. Paige was started by L.A.’s legendary fit model Paige Adams-Geller, who poured everything she learned fitting jeans with the world’s best denim designers (Jerome Dahan, Adriano Goldschmied) into perfecting her own five-pocket proportions. Technology-first fabrics and a keen sense of how women want to feel in jeans are Adams-Geller’s gift. I challenge you to find a pair of Paiges that make your butt look bad. What attracted me to the Serena was the looser leg shape – roomy around the hips and thighs and straight from the knee down. A good reminder that not all stretch jeans needs to be tight. I repeat, not all stretch jeans needs to be tight.
Heads up, L.A., Paige is generously offering wildfire victims 50% off any new items purchased in-store, plus 2 free pairs of jeans and 2 free tops. Proof of residency is required. Participating store locations include The Grove, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach. Paige, if you’re reading this, Thank You.
Meanwhile, my sister Kim turned me on to the Buck Mason Rider, a high waisted straight leg that comes in six washes. I’m wearing D022 in a size 24, though I’m sure I’d be more comfortable in a 25 (size up!). It’s made of hefty 12oz denim with 1% elastane. (For a refresh on what stretch content really means, see my interview with Madewell’s denim director Mary Pierson. A JOJ readers also explains it below.) The Rider in a word? Classic. You need a jean that looks like the archetypal, textbook illustration of a blue jean? Here she is:
In my opinion, DL1961 has never gotten the credit it deserves from the American denim market. A leader in sustainability and stretch fabric technology, DL1961 is a vertically integrated family-owned company based in New York that makes really great-fitting jeans using all the right materials and methodologies – recycled cotton, chemical-free Dystar Liquid Indigo, waterless lasers. A decade ago, they were doing this four-way stretch that was amazing, which is why I thought of them for this post.
This is the Patti Straight, a high-rise made of the brand’s proprietary DL Ultimate denim (67% cotton, 31% Tencel, 1% Lycra). It’s silky-soft, really tight, and easy as leggings to wear, with fake front pockets (no linings? No problem). Looking at it off the body, I couldn’t see the Patti getting over my hips. I still can’t believe how comfortable it is given how tightly it hugs me all over. A testament to the fabulous fabric.
Bonus: Now through January 31, DL1961 is donating 100% of its proceeds to World Central Kitchen in support of their wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Watch me make the shape of a heart with my hands like my daughter loves to do.
The Frame Pixie Arrow is today’s bootcut for petite people like me. (Longer legs can shop the 33” inseam here.) Made of what Frame calls Structured Stretch (99% cotton; 1% elastane), it comes in three washes and doesn’t need a whole lot of explaining. But scroll back up. Look at me in the DL1961s v these Frames and tell me my legs don’t look longer below. It’s not the shoes. I needn’t say more.
Reader Recommendations
The JOJ jeaniuses know stuff about stretch, starting with one for men…
LL Bean’s BeanFlex Jeans. “I keep them upstate and wear them in lieu of ‘soft pants’ to run into town or lounge around the house with company. I just love the way they move with you, and still look (kind of) polished.” – BJ Jacobs (Jane Says: Guys, are you reading this?)
The Re/Done Comfort Stretch 70s Straight. “I had to size down one size because the stretch was stretching, but overall it has remarkable recovery. Perfect slim-straight leg (not skinny), flattering pockets. It’s the GOAT for me. I wear them with silk tops for first dates, baby tees for pub trivia, turtlenecks for the office. They can’t fail. Also, the AGoldE Stovepipe. To me the ‘stretch’ variant isn’t that stretchy. It’s the ideal swap for a 501 if you find that actual 501s do the weird bunching-in-the-groin thing, like it does for me. The Stovepipes are that ideal full length true straight + high rise + butt flattering silhouette. My waist is 29 inches and I sized down to a 28 in both styles.” – Amber Nelson of
. (Jane Says: The AGoldE Stovepipe was also recommended by another reader.)Citizens of Humanity Emerson Jean. “2% stretch, if it counts.” (Jane Says: It does.) – Neela.
Eddie Bauer High-Rise Voyager Boot Cut. “Enough stretch to be comfortable. But still jeans, and they come in a light, medium, and dark wash.” – Susan K (Jane Says: These are under $100 and come in Regular, Petite, Tall, and Plus sizes.)
Madewell Kick Out Crop Jeans in Lenoir wash. “I sized down. They are perfect with a Chelsea boot, but I haven’t tried them with any other shoe yet. The stretch makes them super comfortable for my fluctuating waist line (#middleage), but they do not bag out in the butt like many others do. I’m considering ordering them in black too.” – Beth C (Jane Says: Madewell’s Denim Director Mary Pierson is also “big on the kickout,” she told me.)
“I have a pair of & Other Stories Straight Leg jeans that I got after my second babe when I needed more stretch/movement than my go-to vintage 501s. They're high waisted and 99% cotton. They wash and wear really well, and keep their shape. I've had them for 5 years, I get compliments in them still, and they're going strong. And inexpensive!” – Anne Gill (Jane Says: I’ve linked to the only pair of & Other Stories stretch jeans I could find on the internet. They may not be the ones Anne has. Most of this brand’s jeans are currently non-stretch.)
“My work uniform always includes the R13 High Rise Skinny in black marble. I am on my feet for several hours a day and need my clothes to stay out of my way. They look polished but forgettable, allowing me to focus on switching things up with a black or navy sweater, blazer, or light top. It keeps the focus on me instead of my clothes. I have long legs and they hit my ankles perfectly and can be dressed up with a loafer, or go more sporty with a black sneaker. They’re pretty expensive but I often find them on eBay for as little as $30.” – Morgan Torres (Jane Says: I’ve linked to R13’s current skinny styles, which are not high rises. Though it’s hard to comp R13s, these skinny Levi’s 721s have the kind of style anonymity that Morgan describes, for under $100. Also available in curve sizes.)
Spanx jeans. “I mostly design and sew my own jeans so I can get a custom fit, but Spanx jeans are the only ones out there that I feel fit me well. Most mid and high rise jeans gap at the back waist and have extra bunchy fabric at the front crotch, for me. I was hesitant to try Spanx jeans because I'm opposed to shapewear, both on principle and in practice, but their jeans don't have compression. They don't have front pockets or a zipper fly, but they somehow still feel like real pants. They have what looks like pocket linings in the front that are made from a bias cut non-stretch fabric that prevents the jeans from stretching out and keeps everything feeling held in without squishing your internal organs. They don't stretch out after you put them on, so choose a size that fits when you first put it on. I'm 5'11" and a size 14ish and I wear the XL in the 34" inseam with flats or sneakers. Other fabric nerd thoughts on stretch denim - I prefer my jeans to have a tailored but not tight fit. I find stretch denim to be more comfortable, even when I'm making jeans for myself and can get a perfect fit. I find that denim that stretches about 20% – meaning, 10" of fabric will stretch horizontally to 12" – is a sweet spot. The jeans will still have structure but give wiggle room for movement or feeling bloated. Denim that stretches about 10% will behave mostly like a rigid denim with a little more give. Denim that stretches 30% or more will feel like leggings.” – Ann (Jane Says: I love the specificity of this recommendation so much.)
Nili Lotan’s Celia and Meghan jeans. “ They have stretch but also just feel like lightweight or cotton trousers. I also love the feel of Jamie Haller jeans— the Kenickie, specifically. Basically a really soft malleable cotton that still looks like a jean.” – Ana S (Jane Says: I have the Kenickie and love it. Here is a post in which I’m wearing it, see No. 16.)
“I have a pair from Re/Done called the 90s High Rise Loose that I really enjoy because of the thickness of the denim. I am a size 30 and appreciate how it holds everything in.” – ABCaumartin (Jane Says: Most current versions of this style are 100% cotton. I have linked to a pair that has stretch and is on sale in sizes 31 & 32.)
“I bought a pair of Madewell Stovepipe jeans in the fall and love them! They have the perfect amount of stretch - not too clingy, but I feel gently hugged by them. I recently bought a second pair (different wash & hem) and they’re also fabulous.” – Jessica Grosman (Jane Says: The Stovepipe is nearly 50% off in all colors right now.)
“Mother makes so many styles, and a great selection with stretch. I always size down if the jeans has even 1% elastane which is a great ego boost. Mother’s elastane jeans don’t seem much different than their 100% cotton ones in terms of fit and look, I think that’s the key. They just feel nicer.” – SFG (Jane Says: Mother’s new petite line Lil’ has so many great stretch styles. Flare lovers will appreciate the proper short-leg proportions of the Weekender.)
Thank you for reading. Angelenos, there are some wonderful free markets and fundraising sales going on this weekend and next week, keep scrolling for the details. I send you all my love. Denim Forever.
Jane
More good links for L.A. locals impacted by the wildfires…
Joe’s Jeans, Leset, Favorite Daughter, and more have come together to create a Free Market Pop Up. Get new clothing for men, women, and children. Pajamas and beauty supplies are available, too. Limit 10 items per person and proof of residency is required. Saturday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm; 9517 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 90232.
Kalon Studios is continuing their Free Market next week. Fire victims can come collect new clothing and beauty supplies donated by small, local businesses. (The Only Jane gave a bunch of jeans, jumpsuits, and totes last week). Follow @lawildfire_freemarket for updates on inventory drops. Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm; 3559 1/2 West Casitas Ave, Los Angeles, 90039.
Clare Vivier is hosting a closet sale TODAY (1/18) at the auxiliary space next to the Clare V Silverlake store. Amazing designer and vintage pieces from Clare's own closet and more will be sold, with 100% of proceeds going to the Red Cross for Wildfire relief. Saturday, 10am - 5pm; 1402 Micheltorena Street, Los Angeles, 90026.
Loved this post!! Finally cool looking Jeans for comfort & hygge times. I’m dying for that Bode shirt. I absolutely adore the Barn jacket I bought from you💙Janine
Loved this post on straight leg jeans. I have been eyeing the Sezane Clyde trench and wondered how you would describe fit/sizing since it looks like the cut is a bit oversized.
Thank you!