Best Jeans 2023

The terms jeans and pants are often used interchangeably, but there are real distinctions. Jeans are a specific type of pants made from denim fabric - a durable cotton twill textile woven with a diagonal ribbing known as the twill weave - and they are known for sturdiness and versatility. Pants is the broader term for trousers and bottoms of many kinds, made from cotton, polyester, wool or blends, in styles from dress pants and slacks to chinos.

That definition frames this guide to the best jeans of 2023. Below: how jeans differ from other pants in cut, occasion and trend behavior; the ten denim brands with the strongest hold on fashion influencers; and the ten department stores and online retailers where designer jeans were best shopped. Influencer popularity can change on a dime, so treat the brand list as a snapshot of the year.

Jeans vs Pants: Cut, Occasion and Trend

In style and cut, jeans are characterized by the classic five-pocket design - two front pockets, two back pockets and a small coin pocket - and a relaxed, casual build, usually with straight or slim-cut legs. Other pants vary far more: dress pants are tailored and formal, while chinos and slacks run straight, tapered or wide-leg. In use, jeans are the wardrobe staple for casual and everyday wear, from weekend outings to relaxed social gatherings, while the versatility of other pants depends entirely on style and material.

In trend behavior, jeans are a decades-long classic whose washes, cuts and styles cycle regularly, while tailored trousers, wide-leg designs and high-waisted shapes come and go with the seasons. Two style families the year kept returning to are covered in their own guides here: ripped jeans and mom jeans, which are always in style for moms. The jeans guide in Fashion Influence answers the definitional questions in product terms.

Ten Denim Brands Influencers Favored

Levi's is the iconic American anchor of the list, with classic styles, wide fit and wash ranges, and a following among influencers and enthusiasts alike. Re/Done, based in Los Angeles, repurposes vintage Levi's with a modern twist - a unique, sustainable approach. AG Jeans is the premium comfort pick, Frame blends heritage craftsmanship with modern design and flattering cuts, and Good American, co-founded by Khloé Kardashian, leads on inclusive sizing and body-positive, curve-hugging fits.

GRLFRND does vintage-inspired, distressed premium denim; Mother, also Los Angeles-based, is the laid-back cool-girl label with comfortable fits and unique washes; Citizens of Humanity is the luxury end, with premium fabrics and impeccable craftsmanship; Topshop is the accessible, trendy option at friendlier prices; and Agolde pairs vintage-inspired styles with sustainable practices for eco-minded shoppers. The designer jeans guide covers the premium tier in more depth.

Where to Buy Designer Jeans

Department stores anchor the list: Nordstrom for its extensive designer selection, Bloomingdale's for a curated mix including AG Jeans, Frame and Citizens of Humanity, Saks Fifth Avenue for luxury and trend-led styles, and Neiman Marcus for premium denim with exceptional quality and design. Each carries a different brand mix, and availability varies by season.

Online, Net-a-Porter carries established and emerging designer denim, Farfetch connects shoppers with boutiques worldwide, Revolve curates trendy contemporary denim, Shopbop mixes classic and on-trend pieces, Mytheresa curates for fashion-forward shoppers, and Selfridges in the UK houses a wide designer range. Check each store's current site for its live denim offering. For making rather than buying, wholesale women's jeans covers the trade side, and the best fashion shopping of 2023 guide tours the year's great stores.

A final buying note: designer denim rewards trying on. Rise, leg shape and wash change how the same size fits from brand to brand, and premium fabrics relax with wear, so a pair that feels snug in the fitting room often settles into the intended fit. Department stores with patient denim departments earned their place on the list above partly for that fitting-room work.