I'm On a Lifelong Quest to Find Jeans for Tall Girls—These 7 Picks Tick Every Box

If you know, you know.

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Brooke Ely Danielson wearing jeans
(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

I’m six foot one—and yes, that’s tall. Finding denim that actually fits my length has been a lifelong pursuit. In high school, I was forever tugging at hems or pretending cropped jeans were intentional (they weren’t). Then I grew another inch in college, and the quest continued. For tall women, finding jeans that hit at just the right length—and flatter rather than distort proportions—is a niche skill set. It’s one of those “if you know, you know” challenges, and if you do, you share. No gatekeeping here.

Denim shopping is already a maze of fits, washes, and rises. Add height into the mix and it becomes an art form. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of pairs, from designer labels to under-the-radar brands, and I’ve learned a few key things. First: inseam matters, but so does rise and fabric composition. A 34-inch inseam is great, but if the rise is too short or the denim doesn’t have structure, it throws everything off balance. I pay close attention to the blend—cotton with just a touch of stretch keeps the shape while offering comfort.

Brooke Ely Danielson wearing denim

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

Brooke Ely Danielson wearing denim

(Image credit: Brooke Ely Danielson)

When I shop online, I always check the inseam measurement (most brands bury it in the “details” section), and I save myself frustration by filtering for “tall” or “long” fits whenever possible. My current rotation includes a mix of straight-leg and wide-leg silhouettes from J.Crew and Madewell (they offer tall and they are long!), with the occasional flare for when I want a ’70s moment.

My go-to brands include FRAME, Citizens of Humanity, Veronica Beard, J.Crew, Madewell, Khaite, and Levi's. And these are just to name a few! If anyone reading this has suggestions, let me know. Now that I have mentioned Khaite, let’s dive into the details. This designer brand makes the most delicious premium denim. The style I wear religiously are the high-rise Danielle jeans—these are so long I considered tailoring them! Can you believe it? This style is one you’ll wear for decades to come.

The best pairs I’ve found this season strike that perfect balance between tailored and lived-in—long enough to skim the top of a boot or sneaker, with just the right drape. A well “lived-in” feeling jean is the pinch waist from AGOLDE. I’ll share seven that have truly earned their place in my wardrobe: styles that don’t just “work” for tall frames, but feel elevated and timeless.

Because when you finally find denim that fits, it’s not just about length—it’s about confidence, proportion, and the quiet satisfaction of getting it exactly right.

Brooke Ely Danielson
Brooke Ely Danielson
Contributing Editor

Brooke has held editorial positions at Shape, Glamour, and Vogue, as well as contributed to In Style, Well + Good, Mind Body Green and Aspen Magazine. Brooke has also consulted for several brands, including Aztech Mountain and Tory Burch. Brooke has also made on-air appearances on the TODAY show, Fox5 among other media outlets while in her role as the Fashion & Lifestyle Director at Shape magazine. She runs the Substack 12 Seeds.