Which skinny jeans are best?
After a few years of slouchy styles dominating the market, skinny jeans are back in fashion. That’s right — the leg-hugging style popular in the 2000s and 2010s is in vogue again. Whether you’re trying them for the first time in 2025 or cycling back to a trend you loved in the past, there are tons of skinny jeans to choose from. Luckily, we’ve made this guide to help you pick the best pairs for you.
What to know before you buy skinny jeans
How skinny jeans fit
Skinny jeans are intended to hug your body from the waist down to the ankle (though more recent styles are a little looser around the ankles than the skinny jeans of 15 years ago). You should be able to sit down without risking exposure of your back end regardless of your chosen rise, and you should be able to move about as you would in yoga pants.
Unfortunately, even the best skinny jeans tend to display one common fit issue: the dreaded “waist gap.” However, it usually accompanies a perfect fit on the hips. The alternative is often a fitted waist with a too-tight fit on the hips.
The solution is quite simple. Select a pair of skinny jeans that comfortably fits the largest part of your body and spend roughly $10 to have a tailor take in the waist. While you are there, have the tailor perfect your inseam as well. That will elevate the fit of your skinny jeans to a new level, and it requires minimal effort and money.
Rise
The best skinny jeans are available in four rises. Since bodies are diverse, pay attention to the measurement of the rise and the intended placement.
Low-rise is 5-8 inches high and should land about 2 inches below your belly button.
Mid-rise features an 8-9-inch rise and should sit below your belly button.
High-rise is 9-10 inches high and should land right at your waist.
Ultra-high-rise is over 11 inches high and should land above your belly button.
Regardless of your chosen rise, many manufacturers have cued in to the fact that people enjoy sitting down without being pantsed. Thus, the best skinny jeans will boast a lower front rise and a slightly higher back rise to accommodate the dissonant sitting and standing coverage requirements.
Inseam options
Your selection is a matter of preference and body type. Generally, skinny jean inseams are available in ankle, regular or tall.
What to look for in quality skinny jeans
Material
The best skinny jeans offer the same benefits as any quality denim and should not be mistaken for leggings. The durability of denim lies in the mix of premium cotton with synthetics such as spandex/elastane, polyester and rayon. Occasionally, you will find premium skinny jeans with lyocell in them, an ultra-soft semi-synthetic.
Many cheaply-made “skinny jeans” tend to skip the cotton, and since durability correlates with fabric weight and premium fibers, those imposters wear out very fast.
High stitch count
The number of stitches per inch on your pair of skinny jeans dictates the strength of its seams. The best skinny jeans boast eight to 10 stitches per inch, and cheaply made skinny jeans have fewer than eight stitches per inch.
Hand-sanded whiskers
Inspect the wear patterns, or “whiskers,” created by the manufacturer. A laser likely created them if the marks are uniform and lack depth. However, if they mimic actual wear and tear with depth and irregularities, they were expertly made by hand with sandpaper.
How much you can expect to spend on skinny jeans
Affordably made yet quality skinny jeans cost $30-$80. In comparison, many of the best skinny jeans cost $100-$350.
Skinny jeans FAQ
What if you do not have time to take your skinny jeans to a tailor but want a perfect fit?
A. Many department stores nowadays have a professional tailor on staff who will take your measurements on the spot and send your new jeans to you when they are done.
How should you wash your skinny jeans?
A. Follow the instructions on the jeans but make sure to turn them inside-out before washing them. For best results, hang them to dry.
What are the best skinny jeans to buy?
Top skinny jeans
7 For All Mankind Women’s Ankle Skinny Jeans
What you need to know: These are the best skinny jeans and feel like an ultra-soft pair of leggings.
What you’ll love: These jeans mold effortlessly to your body, and their mix of cotton, lyocell, polyester and spandex makes them incredibly comfortable.
What you should consider: These are not very size-inclusive.
Top skinny jeans for the money
721 High-Rise Skinny Jeans by Levi’s
What you need to know: These are the best skinny jeans for those who do not want to sacrifice quality for price while on a budget.
What you’ll love: These boast 23 washes in sizes 20-46, and they are sturdy, with a mix of 60 percent cotton. The front rise is 10 inches and the back rise is 14 inches, with an inseam range of 28-32 inches.
What you should consider: While these skinny jeans are very affordable, the prices vary by the wash you select.
Worth checking out
Ultra Skinny Jeans by Paige Jeans
What you need to know: These are flexible and comfortable jeans that have just the right amount of stretch in all the right places.
What you’ll love: These jeans are available in four washes, sizes 23-32 and boast a rise of 8 inches with an inseam of 29.5 inches. They are buttery soft and so comfortable that you may forget you are wearing jeans.
What you should consider: As with the 7 For All Mankind jeans, Paige could greatly benefit from expanding its range of available sizes.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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