I've tested dozens of denim brands as a style editor, but I pretty much only buy jeans from Everlane

Three side by side mirror selfies of a woman wearing three different pairs of jeans from Everlane
Executive editor Sally Kaplan wearing her favorite pairs of Everlane jeans. Sally Kaplan/Business Insider

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Good jeans can feel impossible to shop for. Trying new brands is always a total crapshoot, and it can be really hard to get the fit right when the same size is so different from brand to brand.

I've tested jeans from probably 50 brands over my many years as a style editor, but there are only a handful of places that I buy my jeans from now. I get a lot of questions from my friends about where they should buy jeans, and Everlane is always the place I send them.

Good jeans don't need to cost a lot, and Everlane's pricing is extremely fair. Pairs range from $68 to $118 for its core collection, with the stretchy blends being less expensive and the 100% cotton, no-stretch pairs costing a bit more. Plus, any order over $75 gets free shipping, so most pairs will help you meet the cutoff.

When you're buying luxury or designer brands, you're rarely purchasing better quality or more durable fabric — you're just getting more modern fits and maybe some name-brand cred. I've purchased from brands like Citizens of Humanity ($200+ per pair), and the quality is almost identical to Everlane, thanks to similar fabric weights and seam construction.

Besides the fact that its jeans are a good value, Everlane constantly releases new cuts to meet demand for popular trends, so there are always plenty of trendy styles to choose from.

Here are some of my favorite styles:

The Way-High Jeans (regular fit)

The author models the Everlane The Way High Jean in black with a pale blue button down and white loafers.
Sally Kaplan/Insider

When Everlane named these high-waisted jeans, they weren't kidding — I'm just over 5 feet tall and the waistband comes up very high on me. That said, the little bit of stretch in the fabric makes them one of the few high-waisted pairs that are truly comfortable to sit in.

The Way-High series of jeans includes a few different styles, and this particular one is the most classic with a straight leg. The black pair has a raw hem, while the other colors have a finished hem. I love how easy the raw hem is to cuff, but I also feel like it limits the jeans to casual outfits since it's a little less polished. 

In terms of sizing, there are three inseam lengths to choose from, and they go up to a size 35, which is new for Everlane (yay for more inclusive sizing!). I like to size up in denim because I prefer the flexibility and added slouchiness, but if you like your jeans to fit like a glove, go with your true size. 

The Way-High Curve Jeans

A woman with short brown hair taking a mirror selfie of an outfit with white everlane barrel jeans, a white tank top, and a white sweater around her shoulders.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider

Similar to the regular fit of the Way-High jeans, the curve style (which is designed to be a little roomier) has an extremely high rise and a tiny bit of stretch. The big difference between the two is that this pair has a barrel-like shape rather than a straight leg, making them comfier for people with curves and a little more unique in their silhouette. I love the Ecru color, but these come in a bunch of other denim washes, as well as multiple inseam lengths. They also now come in sizes up to 35.

The Rigid Slouch Jeans (Discontinued but available on resale sites like Poshmark)

The author wears the Everlane Rigid Slouch Jean in light blue with a black tank top and purple loafers.
Sally Kaplan/Insider

This pair has no stretch, but the fit is a little looser so I don't feel like I'm a sausage being stuffed into its casing. I love the slightly distressed look of the Broken-In Blue color and weighty feel of the denim. The thickness is really nice for cooler weather with boots and chunky sweaters, but the light shade means they're also easy to wear in the summer (if you're spending your day in the AC).

Editor's note: This pair has been discontinued, but the closest fit we've found would be Everlane's Cheeky Straight jeans

Shop all Everlane denim here.

FAQs

Do Everlane jeans run big or small?

Everlane's jeans mostly run true-to-size, but their rigid jeans can shrink pretty significantly when washed. I personally prefer to purchase the brand's rigid denim in a size up, but I stick with my true size in stretchy pairs. I recommend ordering two sizes and returning whichever doesn't fit.

Does Everlane offer free returns?

In stores, yes. However, online returns will incur a $7 fee that gets deducted from your refund. You have 30 days after your order's ship date to return items.

Are Everlane's jeans sustainable?

Dearest reader, that's a loaded question. Everlane highlights three factors related to sustainability: its use of organic cotton, working with factories that use less water, and eliminating the use of chemicals commonly found on restricted substance lists. All of these efforts definitely contribute to creating a more sustainable pair of jeans, but it's hard to say that its denim is truly 100% sustainable. Ultimately, we do find Everlane to be one of the better clothing companies for offering more sustainable alternatives to fast fashion.

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