8 Best Denim Brands With Top-Notch Quality and Fit

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Your favorite jeans might be older than your last relationship, and honestly, they’ve probably been more reliable. 

This type of pants has been a wardrobe staple for nearly a century, evolving from rugged workwear to a fashion essential that flatters every body type. The best jeans for women define fit, comfort, and durability, from timeless straight-leg cuts to selvage and flare styles.

Read on to discover eight of the best denim brands on the market, including what makes each stand out from the crowd.

8 most popular jean brands 

If you love jeans, add these eight denim brands to your closet. 

1. Levi Strauss & Co. 

Levi Strauss & Co., widely renowned as one of the best jeans brands, was founded in 1853 by the businessman Levi Strauss. This brand pioneered the blue jeans industry, transforming what was once thought of as merely workwear into a fashion staple for all. Levi’s innovations in dye washing created the first riveted jeans, setting the foundation for modern denim. 

‍Standout styles:

• 501 Original Fit: Levi’s timeless straight-leg design has been popular for generations. 
• Ribcage Straight Ankle Women’s Jeans: These jeans feature an ultra-high-rise waist, accentuate the hips, and elongate the legs. 

‍Selling points: 

• Sustainability initiatives: Levi’s Water<Less technology reduces water usage during production, reflecting the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility. 
• Cultural impact: From Gold Rush miners to modern fashion icons, a sturdy pair of Levi’s have been a stylish part of history. 

Find Levi Strauss & Co. jeans for less on ThredUp, starting at $7.99. 

2. Wrangler

This jeanswear brand was founded in 1947 in North Carolina. Wrangler originated as a denim brand tailored for cowboys and rodeo performances, emphasizing durability and function. Over the decades, they’ve evolved into a mainstream fashion brand while maintaining their rugged roots. 

Standout styles:

• 13MWZ Original Fit: Wrangler’s first jeans model, which features a straight-leg design, remains a favorite among brand enthusiasts.
• Retro Premium Bootcut: These jeans combine a classic bootcut fit with a modern style for a contemporary take on traditional Western clothing. Try them in denim-on-denim for a “Canadian tuxedo” look. 

Selling points:

• Authentic heritage: Wrangler’s designs are deeply rooted in cowboy and rural culture, offering authentic Western styling. 
• Innovative comfort: Wrangler uses technology like Cool Vantage for its moisture-wicking properties, absorbing sweat and keeping you dry. 

Discover Wrangler denim at affordable prices on ThredUp, starting at $8.99. 

3. AG Jeans 

AG Jeans was established in 2000 by Adriano Goldschmied, an Italian designer often called the Godfather of Denim, and Yul Ku, a textile expert. Goldschmied co-founded legendary denim brands like Replay and Diesel before creating AG Jeans in Los Angeles, California. This premium denim brand is known for their impressive variety of jean washes and their sustainability initiatives. 

Standout styles:

• The Farrah Skinny: These high-rise skinny jeans give you a sleek silhouette but have a stretchy, yielding fit, suitable for casual and formal settings. 
• Ex-Boyfriend Slim: This best-selling twist on oversized “boyfriend” jeans has a relaxed fit and is made of AG Slouchy Slim Denim. 

Selling points:

• Eco-friendly practices: AG Jeans uses sustainable fibers and advanced technologies to minimize their denim’s environmental impact. 
• Premium quality: The brand’s dedication to high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship means your denim will last years.

Browse ThredUp to find AG Jeans for a fraction of typical retail prices, starting at $7.99. 

4. Agolde 

Agolde emerged in 1993 as A. Gold E., founded by Ron Herman and Adriano Goldschmied. They were then relaunched by Jerome Dahan in 2014. Agolde is a premium denim brand that draws inspiration from vintage styles to create contemporary denim garments. Their pieces are designed and made in California. 

Standout styles:

• 90s Pinch Waist: These jeans, with a high-rise waist waist and straight-leg fit, offer a nostalgic look that hasn’t fallen out of vogue. 
• Criss Cross Upsized: This Agolde style has an asymmetrical waistband, offering an alternative to traditional denim styles.

Selling points:

• Ethically sourced production: Agolde emphasizes eco-friendly manufacturing processes, including the use of organic and recycled cotton.
• Innovative designs: Agolde experiments with unconventional cuts and details, appealing to shoppers looking for something different. 

Find Agolde gems at wallet-friendly prices on ThredUp, starting at $18.99. 

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5. Madewell

This popular denim brand was launched in 1937 in Massachusetts. They began as a workwear brand, and in 2006, they were acquired by J.Crew, which planned to focus on more modern, fashion-forward designs and denim. Today, Madewell is a sustainability-minded denim and apparel brand synonymous with stylish, quality designs that resonate with a broad audience. 

‍Standout styles:

• The Perfect Vintage Jean: This design features a high-rise waist and a tapered leg for a flattering fit reminiscent of classic vintage jeans. 
• The Stovepipe Jean: This straight-leg pair has Magic Pockets® and super-stretchy denim. 

Selling points: 

• Denim recycling program: Madewell encourages customers to recycle old jeans in exchange for discounts, reducing textile waste and promoting sustainability. 
• Inclusive sizing: This denim brand offers a wide range of sizes that make them accessible to a diverse clientele. 

Discover affordable, preloved Madewell garments on ThredUp, starting at $7.99. 

6. Everlane

Everlane, founded in 2011, set out to disrupt the fashion industry by focusing on transparent, ethical production. While they were originally a direct-to-consumer online retailer for men, Everlane expanded many of their styles toward women’s fashion, and opened several flagship stores within recent years. This apparel and denim brand gives shoppers detailed insights into manufacturing processes and costs. 

Standout styles:

• The ’90s Cheeky Jean: These jeans, inspired by vintage designs, offer a high-rise crest with a straight leg. The end result is a form-hugging, flattering fit. 
• Selvage Slim-Fit Jean Indigo Rinse: These organic stretch jeans are woven on shuttle looms in Italy and have 2% stretch for comfort. 

Selling points:

• Sustainability first: Everlane’s selvage denim is made with organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Many of their jeans are manufactured at Saitex Factory in California, one of the world’s cleanest production facilities. 
• Transparent pricing: Every Everlane product breakdown includes costs for materials, labor, duties, and transportation, so customers know exactly what they’re paying for. 

Find secondhand Everlane denim and more for less on ThredUp, starting at $7.99.

7. American Eagle 

American Eagle was launched in 1977 and quickly became a go-to for youthful, Americana fashion. They gained prominence in the 2000s with their denim jeans, offering stretch fits and inclusive sizing long before competitors. Their jeans are best known for their comfort, affordability, and trend-driven styles, making them a favorite among students and young professionals. 

Standout styles:

• Strigid Low-Rise Ultra Wide-Leg Jean: Low-rise, wide-leg jeans are in style, and this American Eagle pair delivers with its slouchy fit and stretch waistband. 
• Next Level Curvy High-Waisted Skinny Kick Jean: These jeans for curvy women are fitted in the thigh with extra room in the hip. 

Selling points:

• Inclusive sizing: American Eagle carries women’s denim in sizes 000–20, with some styles available in size 22. The Curve Love line is available in sizes 24W–33W.
• Eco-friendly initiatives: The brand’s Real Good collection features denim manufactured in a factory that meets the AEO Water Leadership Program’s standards. 

American Eagle garments are available on ThredUp, starting at $5.99.

8. Abercrombie & Fitch 

While founded as an old-school outdoor gear retailer in 1892, Abercrombie’s jeans and other garments have gained a massive following in recent years. Once famous for preppy, logo-heavy fashion, this popular apparel brand has now become known as a denim powerhouse with sleek, trendy styles and high-quality materials.

Standout styles:

• Curve Love High-Rise ’90s Relaxed Jean: This is one of Abercrombie’s top-selling straight-leg jean designs for a reason: They have a classic ’90s cut and sit at your natural waist, bucking high and low-rise fashion trends. 
• High-Rise Dad Short: These denim shorts have a relaxed fit through the hips and thigh. They’re not overly short, so Dad doesn’t need to worry about you showing too much leg. 

Selling points:

• Curve Love Fit technology: This Abercrombie collection has different waist-to-hip ratios, ensuring the jeans hug your curves without leaving too much of a gap elsewhere. 
• Premium fabrics: Some of Abercrombie’s older jeans use selvage denim, while many newer styles use high-stretch, cotton options. 

Don’t miss Abercrombie & Fitch pieces on ThredUp, starting at $5.99. 

Find top denim brands on ThredUp 

Exploring different denim brands can feel overwhelming, especially with a century of style options to consider, but with ThredUp your perfect pair is just a click away. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless appeal of Levi & Strauss 501s, the modern structure of Agolde’s straight-leg jeans, or Everlane’s selvage denim, there’s a fit and style for every body type. 

If you’re ready to refresh your denim wardrobe, ThredUp makes it easy to find quality denim jeans at a fraction of typical retail prices. Our dedicated Denim Shop offers a multitude of mixing and matching options to elevate your everyday look. 

Explore preloved denim today and embrace a more sustainable way to shop.

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