9 Best Pairs of Boyfriend Jeans to Add to Your Closet Now
This trendy style is way more flattering than you think.
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Shopping for boyfriend jeans might seem daunting compared to classic skinny or wide-leg jean styles, but you don’t need to raid your boyfriend’s closet to get the look. Boyfriend jeans are defined by a boxy, loose fit through the hips and thighs, a mid- or low-rise waist and a slight taper at the ankle — sometimes with a cuffed hem.
As an analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab with a background in apparel, I regularly review popular jean styles, evaluating fit, comfort and style with our consumer testers. Here are some of my top boyfriend jean picks from high-performing denim brands to help you nail an effortless, relaxed look.
A true boyfriend jean, this pair from Levi's checks all of the boxes: a mid-rise waistline, a slouchy fit throughout the hips and thighs, a tapered leg and a cuffed hem. Made with a blend of cotton, polyester, Viscose and a bit of elastane, the denim is soft and stretchy with added flex and a more comfortable feel. The jeans come in 27-inch and 30-inch inseams, but they're meant to be slightly cropped, so expect to show some ankle. Along with additional inseam lengths, these jeans are available in plus sizes up to size 26.
The tried-and-true pair from our favorite denim brand is loved by hundreds of online reviewers, including one who shared, "These are so soft and comfortable. Quickly becoming the only pair I want to wear." And the jeans come in nine different washes, so you can stock up on a few pairs to match everything in your wardrobe.
If you're shopping on a budget, you can't go wrong with a pair of jeans from Old Navy. The brand's denim is affordable yet stylish, and the pairs I've worn last for years and years. Despite the more masculine cut, the jeans shouldn't feel restrictive because of the stretchy material, and some online reviewers even recommended sizing down for a more secure fit.
One online reviewer commented, "I love my BF jeans! Snug in the right spots [and] loose in the right spots. " A GH tester described them as "a great jean when you want that slouchy, not-trying-too-hard fit."
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One of our go-to brands for jeans, Gap carries a more inclusive range of sizes than most other brands we've evaluated with petite and tall options, along with short, regular and long inseam lengths. While they may be called "Girlfriend" jeans, they're really a boyfriend style complete with the typical laid-back, relaxed feel. The jeans have minimal stretch like a more traditional pair of boyfriend jeans, but users say the roominess in the hips makes up for the more rigid material.
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Free People is known for its unique takes on the latest trends. The brand's boyfriend jeans are more voluminous than other styles with fuller legs and a more rounded barrel cut, rather than tapered. And they're cropped, which makes them the perfect pair for showing off your favorite boots or stylish flats.
GH staffers love to wear Free People's jeans, sharing that they always get compliments on them because the styles stand out. The 100% cotton jeans are more structured than other featured pairs, but the cut of the legs leaves plenty of room for movement.
These boyfriend jeans from Lucky brand are more approachable because they lie somewhere between a classic boyfriend jean and a straight-leg pant. The mid-rise pair should hit right below the belly button and extends down to the ankle with a standard 29-inch inseam.
Leave them full-length for a chic style, or cuff the hems by rolling them up a few times for a more masculine look. Depending on the wash you choose, the denim may have a slightly different fabrications, but the styles are primarily cotton with some added stretch fiber for comfort.
Though these jeans aren't a traditional boyfriend style, they still encompass the relaxed and lived-in vibe that boyfriend jeans offer because they're slouchy and sit lower on the waist. A part of Abercrombie's Curve Love line, the jeans are designed with more room in the hips and thighs, which helps to prevent whiskering across the legs or gaping at the waistline if you have a curvier figure.
One online reviewer said, "I get so many compliments about the fit." The jeans come in more than 25 washes (the most of any pair featured), and they're available in five inseam lengths ranging from extra short to extra long.
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American Eagle's "Ex-Boyfriend" jeans are meant to look like the pair you stole from your forever-ago boyfriend that you refuse to give back, hence the name. The 100% cotton denim is structured, but there's some stretch in the waistband for a comfier feel.
With a slouchy fit overall fit, these jeans are especially roomy in the hips and thighs, thanks to the drop-crotch design, which gives them a boyish edge. In my opinion, American Eagle has perfected the distressed denim look, but the brand also carries non-distressed options for something that looks more put together.
Unlike some other relaxed styles that look more wide-legged and shapeless than the typical boyfriend style, these jeans from DL1961 are boyfriend jeans through and through. The pair has a very classic boyfriend jean look but offers a roomier cut in the leg, which is great because the jeans are primarily cotton with just 1% stretch fiber.
The wide, rolled cuff lends a vintage feel that's similar to men's jeans in the 1950s. When I've worn denim from DL1961, I've found it to run tight in the waist, so I personally recommend sizing up and suggest reviewing the brand's size guide before buying.
Another pair that's not quite the classic boyfriend style, these jeans from Madewell have a baggier cut all the way down the leg, rather than tapering at the hem. They're designed to pool at your ankles for an oversized, loose effect. GH editors and analysts love Madewell's jeans, sharing that they're high quality and worth the price.
Plus, online reviewers are obsessed with this best-selling pair, including one who commented, "They're so flattering and go with everything. The quality, fit and versatility were exactly what I wanted."
What to look for when shopping for the best boyfriend jeans
When shopping for a new pair of jeans, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✔️ Material: Jeans are made of denim, a twill weave material that works well for bottoms because of its structure and durability. The majority of jeans use denim made of cotton, which is a natural fiber type, and it grows softer with time and wear. Some jeans incorporate synthetic fibers like polyester and stretch fibers including spandex and elastane, which improve the stretch of the fabric and therefore the flexibility of the jeans.
If you're looking for something super soft with a more lived-in feel, opt for a pair of jeans that uses Viscose or Tencel, regenerated cellulose fibers that are smooth and drape nicely. With boyfriend jeans, you'll find a mix of fabrications, including 100% cotton pairs, styles using just a touch of stretch fiber and styles with high percentages of synthetics or regenerated cellulose fibers.
✔️ Rise: True boyfriend jeans are mid- or low-rise jeans that hit at or below the belly button, meant to simulate the fit of men's jeans. It's likely that the jeans will meet your natural waistline and hang off of your hips.
✔️ Inseam length: The inseam length is the measurement from the crotch to the hem, running down the inner seam of the jeans. It's a good idea to take your measurements at home before denim shopping so that you can choose the proper inseam length. Most jeans have a standard length of 29 or 30 inches and may be available in short or long options as well.
How do I style boyfriend jeans?
Jeans are universal, so you can really style them however you like. But for some inspiration, I recommend leaning in to the masculine cut of the jeans and pairing them with a simple T-shirt, a loose rugby top or even an oversized blazer. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you could dress the jeans up and add a more feminine flair with a pair of kitten heels and a button-up top or blouse.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine started at the Good Housekeeping Institute as a home and apparel reviews analyst in the Textiles Lab in 2022. She has a background in apparel and was a fashion history lecture before working with Good Housekeeping, so she is one of the Institute's style experts. Constantine has tested and covered apparel and accessories of all kinds including swimwear, workout gear and stylish boots and has written about and given guidance on other jean content including skinny jeans, baggy jeans, jeans for teens, petite jeans, jeans for tall women and more.
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