The Right Summer Jeans Do Exist—I Found 3 Pairs Worth Adding to Your Closet

Finding the right pair of summer jeans isn't talked about enough when warm-weather wardrobing comes up. While the idea of putting on “hard pants” in the balmy height of summer might not be top of mind for everyone, I find the right pair is crucial for summer nights where I live in New England—to avoid a bay breeze and bug bites after the sun sets.

That said, I’ve been in a bit of a go-to denim funk lately and have definitely been craving some new silhouettes to experiment with. The short-lived summer season is always a great time to play around with new looks, and locking in on summer denim now helps me ease right into fall dressing.

I always make sure most of the pieces in my closet can be worn in more than one season, especially jeans. I recently tried on three pairs of CK Jeans’ styles of the moment—an authority on denim in my book—and loved how each one gave off a totally different and equally lovable summer vibe. Here’s how it all went down.

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Low Rise Baggy Jeans

I am so thrilled to lean into baggier denim silhouettes these days (mainly for comfort), and this low-rise baggy did not disappoint. This pair felt suspiciously easy to throw on, like sweatpants-level easy, but there really was no funny business about them. The low-rise was nice for showing a sliver of skin exposed by a shrunken rugby shirt, and I loved how much they pooled on the bottom when I added a pointed-toe kitten heel. I’m 5’8” and felt like these were generous in length, so my fellow talls should rejoice, and tinier peeps should have their tailor on standby. I also really enjoyed the darker wash when paired with black and white; it felt sharp and a little more unexpected, especially since everything in summer tends to be so sun-faded and washed out.

90’s Straight Leg Jeans

For those seeking comfortable, loose jeans that aren’t too baggy, this pair ticks all the boxes. These are perfectly mid-rise, which feels totally right for right now and complements pretty much whatever top you want to wear with them. No style troubleshooting required! For my taller frame, the length was long enough for an effortlessly “cool” look without dragging—perfect for my super flat Teva flip-flop. I love this bleached-out wash for summer and paired it with a crochet “going out” top, which will be a great look for rooftop cocktails or harborside dinner where a breeze is unavoidable. I do think the color will also look fab with a navy sweater and loafers come September.

Ultra High-Rise Wide Leg Jeans

Living in coastal New England, I definitely connected with the ‘70’s-esque sailor vibe of this pair. They were a little short on me, so I leaned into the slight crop to show off the ankle-wrap detail of my dressier flatform sandals and a bodysuit to tuck into the high waist. These were definitely the “sexier” option of the three pairs I tried on, which of course is open to one’s own interpretation, but for me they were a little more fitted on the butt and really snatched the waist. If you are looking for a more boyfriend-like fit for these I’d say grab one size larger than your usual but if you’re looking for a comfortable date night jean, keep to the size you’d normally wear.