Many of our wardrobes are built on denim. It’s the timeless trend we’ve relied on throughout every decade since the 1930s when Levi’s introduced the world’s first pair of jeans designed exclusively for women. From dresses and jumpsuits to jackets and, of course, jeans. We relied on it in the 1990s, when head-to-toe coverage was the norm, and we continue to do so as we approach 2022 when the options seem limitless.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a jean wearer, you’re likely to have a denim garment or two in your favorite color. And while one perfect pair may be all you need at times, most of us will spend years searching for them. Not only must we consider fit and shade, but also, these days, deciding on a brand, to begin with, is a difficult task in and of itself.
It’s crucial to find a brand that caters to your height, shape, and personal style when it comes to perfecting the fundamentals of a capsule wardrobe. Denim is one of the most polluting textiles in the fashion business, so sustainability is an important factor to consider. According to Everlane, a single pair of denim requires roughly 1500 gallons of water to make, so it’s critical to know where your denim comes from and how it’s created.
So, where do we begin? There are, of course, the traditional standbys like Levi’s and Wrangler, but there is also a slew of new and lesser-known denim brands that prioritize responsible production while also creating for all shapes, sizes, and price points, and we’d like to spotlight a few of them today.
Continue reading to learn about six of our favorite lesser-known labels that we always recommend to our friends when they ask where to buy pants.
1. L’Agence
The insider community highly recommends L’ Agence. Most stylish girls now have a pair of these super-soft jeans in their collection thanks to word of mouth. Personally, I find them to be like a second skin, and the brand produces the greatest flares on the market.
L’Agence Margot Jean (Sale price $178.50)
L’Agence Oriana Jean (Sale price $159)
L’Agence High Line Jean (Sale price $192.50)
2. Weekday
Weekday is the place to go for the greatest denim on the high street. It comes in a wide variety of shapes, with each form available in a variety of color colors, and lengths. The jeans are stiff in the traditional sense, making them feel far more expensive than they are, and the cotton used by Weekday is either organic or recycled.
Weeday Rowe Extra High Straight Jeans (€50)
Weekday Body Extra High Skinny Jeans (€50)
Weekday Ace High Wide Jeans (Sale price €30)
3. Everlane
Everlane’s jeans are not only created in the world’s cleanest denim factory, which recycles 98 percent of all water used, but they also come in a variety of lengths (ankle, standard, tall) and materials (stretch, original, rigid) so you can find the most flattering fit for you. Everlane’s online denim guide is really useful, providing dimensions and detailed information on each type.
Everlane The Way-High Jean (€79)
Everlane The Original Cheeky Jean (€79)
Everlane The Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny (Sale price €35)
4. People Tree
People Tree, one of our favorite sustainable fashion businesses, has a denim collection made entirely of organic cotton that consumes 87.2 percent less water than conventional cotton. And believe us when we say it won’t let you down. It’s lots of wearables, classic pairs, such as the Cecile straight-leg design, which WWW UK assistant editor Elinor Block adores.
People Tree Cecile Straight Leg Jeans (€129)
People Tree Yara Denim Boilersuit in Blue (Sale price €117)
People Tree Ariel Wide Leg Jeans (€129)
5. Slvrlake
Slvrlake, a young brand from denim haven Los Angeles, is well worth investing in if you’re looking for perfect denim and are willing to part with some cash. The brand’s designers set out to make flawless premium denim in classic shapes that will last a lifetime.
Slvrlake LONDON SALTON SEA ($319)
Slvrlake Grace Crop Underground ($289)
Slvrlake VIRGINIA SLIM ROLLING WATERS ($349)
6. Agolde
Agolde is the brand for you if you want traditional, vintage-style straight-leg denim. It’s owned by the same firm as Citizens of Humanity, although it focuses on current cuts. Its eco-friendly organic denim can be found in Net-a-Net Porter’s Sustain range and is among the best I’ve seen. The cropped Riley is the closest I’ve ever come to discovering the ultimate pair of jeans for small women, and everyone on my Instagram feed seems to be wearing the ’90s Pinch Waist version right now. Yes, it’s an investment, but believe me when I tell you’ll notice the difference.
Agolde PINCH WAIST HIGH RISE KICK (€239)
Agolde BALLOON ULTRA HIGH RISE CURVED TAPER (€249)
