When people talk about having a “daily uniform,” they usually mean having a rotation of similar outfits to make getting dressed every day easier and avoid decision fatigue. When I say that I have a uniform, I mean that I literally now wear the same pair of jeans every single day.
Since leaving the corporate world of pantsuits, blazers, and ill-fitting work dresses (I’m a law student now), I have begun a process of reshaping and connecting back with my personal style. So, a few weeks ago, after realizing that all I wanted to wear was a good pair of dark-washed denim jeans with a sweater and some form of a clog, I began a journey to find the perfect pair. I searched for weeks, scoured hundreds of websites, ordered (and returned) over 20 pairs, and lost precious hours staring at myself in dressing-room mirrors, wondering how I got here and if the jeans I envisioned in my head even existed.
I wasn’t sure about whether I wanted 100 percent cotton or something with a little elastane. I was pretty sure that my perfect pair would have an A-line straight leg — though I tried on some that did not. They needed to be long enough for me to cuff, and of course, come in an indigo dark wash.
We’ve all heard this story before, except my story ends with me sitting down, writing this article, and wearing the perfect jeans. Below, some of my favorites, and the ones I eventually bought.
Great, but ultimately too stretchy
These are $80 (but seemingly always on sale) and have a relaxed, straight fit. The wash of these jeans was exactly what I was looking for, and they were long enough to cuff. However, the denim itself was 99 percent cotton and one percent stretch, which resulted in jeans that felt a bit too thin and a bit too stretchy for what I was vying for.
These Mavi Jeans had the exact cut I was looking for, and are a stunning deep blue. They come in two lengths and are made with sustainable fibers. I loved the weight of the denim, but unfortunately, they had too much stretch for my liking.
These were too cropped
I always admire the selection of jeans from & Other Stories — they tend to be affordable and sturdy. I tried their Wide Cropped Jeans, which are a blend of organic and recycled cotton. These were incredibly flattering and came in the thick, sturdy denim that I was looking for. They also have a five-button fly, which is a detail I always appreciate. Ultimately, as their name should have given away, they were too cropped for what I was looking for.
Too flared and too stretchy
These Boden ones are the perfect shade of dark indigo blue and have gorgeous caramel-colored stitching details. I also appreciate that these come in four different inseams, so I was able to order a pair long enough to cuff. I truly loved the fit of these jeans; the leg was wide throughout the entire leg, with plenty of space around the knees. However these jeans had a slightly more flared style than what I was looking for, and they do contain 1 percent elastane which creates a comfortable stretch but not what I was looking for.
I realized at this point that I really needed to commit to something that was 100 percent cotton. They end up stretching naturally with wear and are more durable in the long run, and I wanted a pair that would stand the test of time.
Not stretchy! But too balloon-y
These, made from non-stretch recycled cotton denim, have a high rise, and taper down the legs. I’m five-foot-four and they fell right above my ankles. They sort of felt like the less exaggerated version of the popular balloon jeans that are making their way through the trend vortex right now. I also found these easy to style with sandals, booties, and my favorite GH Bass loafers. Though I loved the fit, I had to stay focused on finding straight-leg jeans and not stray from my goal. Pass.
Then I went to the A.P.C. store in Soho
Feeling as though this entire denim undertaking was hopeless, I decided to pay a visit to the maestros of denim: A.P.C. At their store on Mercer Street in Soho, I tried on the Elizabeth and the Seaside Jeans. The Seasides are a wide leg jean in stonewashed indigo denim, with topstitched pocket outlines, giving them some sailor style charm. These were too soft for my liking but extremely comfortable. The Elizabeth jeans are ’70s-inspired wide-leg jeans made with A.P.C.’s classic raw denim, which is the opposite of comfortable. Though I love A.P.C. and their commitment to high-quality denim, I wasn’t ready to commit to the work it takes to break in raw denim.
The runner-up winner …
The Uniqlo Wide Straight Jeans fit the bill practically perfectly and will only run you about $50. These are a dark indigo straight-leg jean made of 100 percent cotton denim. I love how boxy and loose these are throughout the leg. I also really appreciate that Uniqlo jeans come in a 30-inch inseam so you can tailor the jeans to your preferred length. My only quibble was the weight; they are a bit thin, which made me concerned about durability and longevity. I ended up holding onto these because the price was right and I think they will be a great addition for the warmer months, when I feel like styling it with my favorite white flowy top.
The winner!
During my Soho trip, I ventured to Nudie Jeans, which had been recommended to me by a few people on the internet. Nudie’s motto is “every pair of jeans we make is designed to be your ‘forever jeans.’” Seemed promising. I tried on the Clean Eileen, one of their six denim styles.
I think I may have shed a tear once I zipped these on. No pair of jeans has ever fit me so well. The Clean Eileen is made with 100 percent cotton and has a rigid denim fit. They are straight-leg jeans that slightly hug your hips and have durable copper hardware. The denim is heavy and sturdy, a weight I’ve only encountered in my vintage Levi’s. They come in five different inseams; I decided on a 32-inch inseam so that I would be able to cuff them. Plus, Nudie Jeans offers free jean repairs for life, which makes the $200 price tag seem more palatable. Every other pair of jeans I own has been neglected since I bought my Nudie Jeans. And I wear them every which way: with clogs, with loafers, with dresses, with sweaters.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
