25 Best Black Jeans for Women in 2023

(Image credit: Christian Vierig)

By Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Julia Marzovilla

published 21 January 2022

At the beginning of each season, I sort through my wardrobe to determine the pieces that need replacing. When it comes to my denim collection, I feel like I’ve got the blue jeans category covered; I also have a beloved pair of white jeans that I wear constantly. But my black jean selection is...a different story. Luckily, the search for new black jeans isn't difficult. Whether you gravitate toward black jeans that are skinny, high-waisted, cropped, or a combination of styles, a good pair of black jeans go with everything and will be a mainstay in your wardrobe for years to come.

You might assume that black jeans are only a fall or winter favorite, but allow me to prove you wrong—many of these pairs work beautifully for spring and summer as well. Below, meet your new favorite year-round staple (and once you’ve found your new favorite pair of black jeans, here’s how to style them).

1/25

Everlane The ’90s Cheeky Jean

‘90s Jeans

Everlane’s washed black are the coolest way to rock a ‘90s-inspired fit. Cut from rigid cotton, the straight legs are perfect for tucking ankle boots into.

2/25

Good American Good Waist Crop Side Slit Jeans

Cropped Jeans

If you’re on the shorter side, these jeans were basically made with you in mind. They have a shorter inseam that won’t leave you looking like you’re drowning in fabric.

3/25

Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans

Ultra-High-Rise Jeans

Levi’s has been making top-quality jeans for almost 200 years (!), so it’s safe to say that they know how to make a killer pair that you will own forever. While the classic 501 style is forever, mix it up with the label’s ribcage silhouette, boasting a soaring 12-inch rise.

4/25

Warp & Weft MXP Plus High Rise

Sustainable Jeans

Warp & Weft is committed to sustainability at every step of the design process. Their jeans save an average of 1,400 gallons of water during production, and their fabric is made from 20 percent recycled denim, plastic, and cotton. Bonus: They look and feel really, really good.

5/25

Citizens of Humanity Calista Curve

Parachute Jeans

Unabashed by volume? Look no further than Citizen of Humanity’s best-selling parachute leg jeans.

6/25

Zara Z1975 Mom Fit Jeans

Mom Jeans

Yes, you can find a great pair of jeans for under $50. Zara’s jeans are affordable, look great, and to prove it, they sell like hotcakes.

7/25

AG Jeans Alexxis High-Rise Vintage Slim Straight Jeans

Slim-Straight Jeans

The ultimate black jeans to pair with chunky loafers this season? Unquestionably AG’s high-rise vintage slim-fit.

8/25

Madewell High-Rise Skinny Jeans

Long-Inseam Jeans

Madewell makes many of their jeans in four lengths: petite, standard, tall, and taller—but this pair has been reimagined to fit those with a curvier shape. They now feature a narrower waist with a contoured band and a longer inseam for a better fit all around.

9/25

COS Relaxed Barrel-Leg Jeans

Barrel-Leg Jeans

Get the feel of cropped wide-leg by opting for a modern barrel cut leg. Offset the bagginess by styling yours with a pair of dainty flats or kitten heels.

10/25

Reformation Liza Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans

Super-High-Rise Jeans

There are high rise-jeans, and then there are ultra high-rise jeans. You know—the ones that sit comfortably above your belly button. These jeans from Reformation are definitely in the latter category.

11/25

Agolde ‘90s Jeans Mid Rise Loose

Wide-Leg Jeans

Wide-leg jeans are super on-trend right now, and this pair from Agolde fits the bill to a T. The cropped hem and mid-rise fit complete the look. Plus, they come lightly distressed and faded, so you'll get cool points.

12/25

Pilcro The Split Straight Jeans

Split-Hem Jeans

Anthropologie’s exclusive label Pilcro is made from planet-friendly fabrics and is size-inclusive, to boot. Speaking of boot, the subtly flared split-hem is totally back in style.

13/25

Mango Flared Jeans With Pocket

Flared Jeans

Flared jeans are back in a big way. Mango’s affordable design has a ton of stretch with two front pockets for a retro look.

14/25

We The Free Crvy High-Rise Lace-Up Skinny Jeans

Lace-Up Jeans

If pure black denim feels too harsh in warm weather, try a pair that are made to look like they’ve been washed dozens of times. These retro-feeling jeans by We The Free come with a lace-up detail at the front that adds a rocker-girl vibe.

15/25

Ksubi Playback High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

Slouchy Jeans

Boyfriend-style jeans aren't exactly wide-leg, but they do feature roominess throughout. Ksubi’s are some of the best on the market, whether you style them straight or rolled at the hems.

16/25

G-Star Raw Arc 3D Low Rise Boyfriend Fit Jeans

Low-Rise Jeans

Low-rise jeans? They’re back, baby. Get into the resurgence with G-Star’s slouchy black boyfriend silhouette.

17/25

DL1961 Patti Maternity Jeans

Maternity Jeans

Denim might not seem ideal when pregnant. But trust, DL1961’s black maternity jeans are as comfortable as they are fresh-looking.

18/25

Tu Es Mon Tresor The Diamond High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

Retro-Inspired Jeans

For a retro-inspired look with a sustainable twist, look to Tu es Mon Tresor’s faded straight-leg pair. They take inspiration from the ‘40s and are woven on a vintage loom.

19/25

L’Agence Oriana High-Rise Straight-Leg Coated Jeans

Coated Jeans

Coated jeans like these work for either day or night—it all comes down to the styling. Wear them with sneakers and oversized button-downs for a more casual look, and pair them with a crop top and heels for a going-out look.

20/25

Re/Done High Rise Stove Pipe

Best-Selling Jeans

There’s a reason everyone loves these jeans from Re/Done so much. They have a rigid, high-waisted fit that gives off a ’70s-inspired vibe. In short: They’re a classic wear-everywhere style.

21/25

NYDJ Piper Relaxed Crop Straight Leg Jeans

Plus-Size Jeans

Who said denim had to be uncomfortable? These cropped jeans are designed to hug curves and feature a no-gap waistband.

22/25

Hudson Jeans Barbara High Waist Ankle Super Skinny Jeans

Super-Skinny Jeans

Combat skinny-jean stretch-out with this black pair by Hudson Jeans, made from the brand’s power-stretch denim that retains its shape, wear after wear.

23/25

Noend Farrah High Rise Crop Kick Flare

Raw Hem Jeans

Los Angeles-based brand Noend makes vintage-inspired jeans that are completed with modern touches, like the unfinished hem on this pair. Their jeans are made from sturdy denim that won't lose its shape after years of wear.

24/25

Frame Denim Le Color Ripped Jeans

Distressed Skinny Jeans

You can’t go wrong with a good pair of black skinny jeans in your closet—they go with everything and look timeless year after year. Frame makes some of the top-selling jeans on the market, so these distressed jeans deserve a spot on your must-buy list.

25/25

Mavi Alissa Super Skinny

Super-Soft Skinny Jean

Meet your everyday, high-waisted, ultra-soft black skinny jean. It retains its shape no matter how you lay down or walk in it, and the stretch ensures you can actually breathe while sitting down and working from your desk.

Laura Lajiness Kaupke is a freelance writer and editor covering fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, and lifestyle topics, including beauty, home, fitness, and travel. You can see her work across various outlets, including VOGUE, Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE, Glamour, Town&Country, InStyle, Esquire, Women’s Health, Brides, Refinery 29, Coveteur, The Zoe Report, Popsugar, Byrdie, WWD, Footwear News, Well+Good, The Editorialist, among other titles and brands. Laura has worked in the fashion industry for over 11 years and held senior fashion editor positions at Popsugar and The Zoe Report, with additional experience as a copywriter and fashion publicist.