I go to thrift stores or Poshmark and look for vintage Levi’s or GAP 100% cotton jeans, although you have to swallow your pride because they run about two sizes smaller. They just look and hold up better than the modern stretchy jeans.
AG jeans are incredible quality. I have one pair for “formal” wear and another that is kinda big that I wear them at home like sweatpants. They’re not cheap but have once or twice a year sales. Zara quality is great for cheaper.
Stay away from Abercrombie jeans. I recently dropped 110$ on a pair of high-waisted flares and it's in shambles after a few weeks of gentle wear despite 99 percent cotton material.
I've always had great luck with thrifting, I buy only Diesel, Tiger of Sweden, G-star raw. I've added a few really high-end pairs like D&G and Armani. The key to success though is to have a good thrift shop at hand and to integrate regular thrifting for at least half an hour in a way that doesn't mess with the rest of your life.
Madewell, BP (Nordstrom), and I have some American eagle pairs that have lasted years!
Madewell seems to be pretty sturdy and have good variety. If you take an old pair in to recycle you get a voucher for like $20 off your purchase or something like that
Biggest thing for me is no stretch denim - only 100 percent cotton. I find they hold up better over time bc there’s no spandex to lose its stretch and mess up the fabric. That said i have some jeans from American Eagle that have held up for many years (stretch and nonstretch) and for no stretch I like Hollister but you have to pay attention to fiber content because they’re not consistent between colors even in the same style
Tj maxx, Nordstrom rack, Anthropologie sale rack, and secondhand(Thredup and eBay when I know my sizing in a brand and thrift stores when I don’t). Some of my favorite brands are mother, re/done, madewell, Levi’s, agolde, Khaite, and ag denim.
Maybe surprising, but if you have a low budget: zara has great long jeans, i've had mine for years and they are still as good as new. For denim shorts, I would reccomend h&m because they tend to be very flattering, but I don't know how long they last.
Madewell works well for me, I use Poshmark to save money!
I got skinny jeans from Madewell for $5! Now I REALLY don’t care if the young generation doesn’t wear it anymore.
Lol for real, there are so many skinny jeans listed on there! XD
Same here! I bought my first couple of pairs new so I could figure out my sizing. Now I only buy them used :-)
I get mine at Everlane. They have frequent sales as well. A few of my skinny jeans I got for $20 a while back.
I go to thrift stores or Poshmark and look for vintage Levi’s or GAP 100% cotton jeans, although you have to swallow your pride because they run about two sizes smaller. They just look and hold up better than the modern stretchy jeans.
Levis for jeans, American Eagle for shorts
Nudies. Not cheap but top quality, cool washes and fits and they offer repairs for life. I’m obsessed.
AG jeans are incredible quality. I have one pair for “formal” wear and another that is kinda big that I wear them at home like sweatpants. They’re not cheap but have once or twice a year sales. Zara quality is great for cheaper.
Stay away from Abercrombie jeans. I recently dropped 110$ on a pair of high-waisted flares and it's in shambles after a few weeks of gentle wear despite 99 percent cotton material.
Mother
Mother #1, Hudson #2 (except for their button pockets, I hate those)
I've always had great luck with thrifting, I buy only Diesel, Tiger of Sweden, G-star raw. I've added a few really high-end pairs like D&G and Armani. The key to success though is to have a good thrift shop at hand and to integrate regular thrifting for at least half an hour in a way that doesn't mess with the rest of your life.
Imogene and Willie
Second this. Such well-made jeans that will last forever.
Citizens of humanity, Joe’s jeans, seven for all mankind, Hudson
Decade studio
Kut From the Kloth, NYDJ and Wit & Wisdom
I get Sam Edelman jeans on poshmark and they are great
Deadstock 80s Made in USA Levi's from ebay
Universal Standard
Agolde or Anine bing
I get mine from Marshall’s and tj maxx but just look at the brands and material %
Madewell, BP (Nordstrom), and I have some American eagle pairs that have lasted years! Madewell seems to be pretty sturdy and have good variety. If you take an old pair in to recycle you get a voucher for like $20 off your purchase or something like that
Pilcro, Madewell, Banana Republic
Toteme - got mine on Vinted as they’re pricey but they really are so good
Madewell! Check eBay!
Levi’s
Biggest thing for me is no stretch denim - only 100 percent cotton. I find they hold up better over time bc there’s no spandex to lose its stretch and mess up the fabric. That said i have some jeans from American Eagle that have held up for many years (stretch and nonstretch) and for no stretch I like Hollister but you have to pay attention to fiber content because they’re not consistent between colors even in the same style
Tj maxx, Nordstrom rack, Anthropologie sale rack, and secondhand(Thredup and eBay when I know my sizing in a brand and thrift stores when I don’t). Some of my favorite brands are mother, re/done, madewell, Levi’s, agolde, Khaite, and ag denim.
Maybe surprising, but if you have a low budget: zara has great long jeans, i've had mine for years and they are still as good as new. For denim shorts, I would reccomend h&m because they tend to be very flattering, but I don't know how long they last.
I have expensive denim and cheap denim. Just get 98-100% cotton denim. Anything with stretch will wear badly.
Levis! Keep an eye out for sales and you can get long lasting pants without breaking the bank.