In this article
There are lots of advantages to being tall — seeing above the crowd at concerts and always being able to reach the top shelf of the pantry, for example — but finding jeans that fit can be a trade-off. I’m five-foot-two, and as I talked to several five-foot-eight-and-taller women for this story, I realized just how hard it is to track down a long-enough pair: Most jeans come in 27- to 29-inch inseams, and multiple taller women told me that their ideal inseam is at least 30 inches. Not to mention that “tall”-length jeans are often the first to sell out — and while petite women can get their pairs hemmed, those with a higher stature can’t just add extra fabric.
The good news: Among the stylish and tall (between five-foot-eight and six-foot-six) women I talked to for this story, there were plentiful recommendations for jeans with longer-than-average inseams. They include a range of styles — from skinnies and straight legs to looser cuts — so there’s a pair here for every taste and preference. And if you’re in the market for more specific denim, I wrote the Strategist’s guides to the best high-waisted jeans and mom jeans as well.
Update on August 29, 2024: Removed discontinued Judi Rosen jeans; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Sizes and lengths
Finding jeans in a range of sizes and inseams was a priority here — and on this list, you’ll see inseams that start at 30 inches and go up to 38 inches, in sizes 23 to 38 (with some plus-size-specific ranges like 14 through 28).
Stretch
There are two broad kinds of denim: stretch denim and non-stretch denim. I broke down the kinds of jeans on this list into three categories: “not stretchy,” “stretchy,” and “very stretchy.” Those that are “not stretchy” have no stretch at all and are made of 100 percent cotton. Those that are “stretchy” have about 1 to 2 percent stretch (from elastane, spandex, or Lycra). Those that are “very stretchy” have over 2 percent stretch — and often include polyester to help them keep their shape.
Rise
So you can get a sense of where these will hit you on your waist, I listed the length of the rise for each pair. Typically, above ten inches is considered “high-waisted.”
Cut
Even though there are lots of styles out there — skinny, baggy, straight leg, wide leg, flare, cropped, curvy, and so on — you probably already have a good idea of what kind of jeans you want. The story is (mostly) broken down by cuts, and you can use the table of contents above to jump right to the style(s) you’re looking for. (I don’t subscribe to the philosophy that skinny jeans are “out” — and actually, I heard about a few skinnies while reporting that have an especially leg-lengthening effect.)
Price
Keeping in mind different budgets, each pair is marked as $ (under $100), $$ (under $200), or $$$ ($200 and up).
Best jeans for tall women overall
Sizes and lengths: 23–33 (plus sizes 14W–28W here) with 30- and 33-inch inseams | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: 11.25 inches | Cut: Looser wide-leg | Price: $$
Some of the jeans I’ve owned and loved the longest are from Madewell — so I wasn’t surprised to hear that the brand was a longtime favorite of several of the tall women I talked to for this story. The brand is especially good for women over five-foot-eight because it offers two tall inseams: “Tall,” with a 30-inch inseam for those five-foot-eight to five-foot-11, and “Taller,” with a 33-inch inseam for those over six feet. (Just note: Almost all of Madewell’s jeans are offered in “Tall” now, but “Taller” fits are available on only select jeans and tend to sell out quickly.)
This wide-legged version of the Perfect Vintage Jean — a cut that’s often raved about and that works well on many different figures — is one of the few jeans in stock in “Tall” and “Taller” currently. The jean features what Madewell calls “Heritage Stretch,” a one-percent elastane that offers a little give without overstretching. For some more stretch, there’s the brand’s curvy collection, with most pairs featuring at least a percentage more of elastane. Former Strategist staffer Hannah Starke (who’s five-foot-ten) told us these are “the only jeans that fit my body correctly.” Jeans from the line are designed with more room in the hips and a longer rise to accommodate an hourglass shape — something that can be hard to find while shopping for tall-specific sizes.
Best (less expensive) jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 24–36 with 36- and 38-inch inseams | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: None listed | Cut: Wide-leg that’s slimmer through hips | Price: $
If you want to spend less, take note from the many tall women who recommend the ASOS Design line for its cheap price tags and range of inseams, which run up to 38 inches long. As our resident jeans expert, I see this wide-legged dad jean as a strong alternative to our best overall Madewell jean — the cut is similar, and it’s offered in 36- and 38-inch inseams; plus, the denim is non-stretch. If wide leg isn’t your thing, there are several other styles — from baggier boyfriends to tapered, straight-legs and slouchier, low-slungs — available with long inseams, as well.
Alicia Jay, founder of blog Tall Swag, describes ASOS Design line as somewhat of a sleeper hit — the jeans are especially good quality at the cost (many are under $50), and at six-foot-six, she can get the length she needs. For those who don’t need quite that much length, there are pairs with just a 32-inch inseam that you can find throughout the site. The only downside here is that stock is unpredictable at best: Clothes sell fast and offerings change almost weekly. If you’re willing to constantly check on what hasn’t sold out, it’s well worth the effort.
Best jeans for extra-tall women
Sizes and lengths: 27–38 with 34- and 36-inch inseams | Stretch: Very stretchy | Rise: 9 inches | Cut: Skinny leg | Price: $
A handful of brands — including Height-of-Fashion, Alloy Apparel, Long Tall Sally, and Nineth Closet — create jeans specifically for women over six feet. While many of these brands make similar styles, I chose Amalli Talli jeans as the best of the bunch because they offer the broadest range of sizes (27 through 38) and inseams (from 34 to 38 inches, depending on the cut). Blogger Akia Danielle, who’s six feet tall, is also a fan — and, she points out, the founders of the brand are actually tall women, so “they get what we need.”
The brand’s best seller is the Jackson, which is almost sold out, but the Chandler Jean I’ve included here is the “sister” to that style — just with a closer-fitting leg and more accurate sizing (versus the Jackson, which the brand recommends you size down). It’s the only mid-rise pair you’ll find on this list, and is available in a 36- or 38-inch inseam.
Best plus-size jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 10–30 with 31- and 33-inch inseams | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: None listed | Cut: Super skinny leg | Price: $
Plus-size and tall-length are challenging-to-shop-for categories on their own, and it can feel downright impossible to find jeans that combine both. Luckily, Katie Sturino, founder of Megababe, told me about this pair from Torrid, a plus-size label that offers “tall” (31 inches) and “extra-tall” lengths (33 inches). The brand’s Bombshell jeans might be what it’s best known for: The style is well-fitting throughout the legs and has an elastic waistband so there’s little gaping between the hips and waist. (Torrid actually reengineered the jeans recently so there’s even less gaping.) While many skinny jeans can become baggy toward the ankles, Sturino assured us that “these maintain their shape all the way down.” Content creator Nikki Apostolou also loves these, and told us that they “hug my curves, cling where I need them to, and flatter my more apple-shaped figure.”
Best curvy jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–37 with a 32.5-inch inseam | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: None listed | Cut: Classic straight leg | Price: $
Abercrombie & Fitch has revamped its brand to offer more size-inclusive, trend-focused pieces without its signature moose emblazoned on everything. Its jeans have taken the focus recently thanks to how high quality they feel for such an affordable price (and they have been featured throughout our jeans coverage). Many of the brand’s denim styles come in a “curve” option, which fits those with wider hips and more of an hourglass shape better; it even offers plus sizes as well as tall lengths. This ’90s-inspired distressed pair has a 32.5-inch inseam for its “long” inseam (for those who are five-foot-eight to five-foot-ten) and an “extra-long” inseam for those who are five-foot-eleven and over (though the latter’s length is currently listed for this pair, which is why I only included the 32.5-inch inseam here).
Best straight-leg jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–34 with a 30- or 32-inch inseam | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 11.125 inches | Cut: Classic straight leg | Price: $
Levi’s is one of your best bets when it comes to high-quality, affordable jeans. The 501s were invented by Levi Strauss himself back in 1873. These are a favorite among the denim obsessives we’ve talked to, making appearances on musicians Aly and AJ Michalka and celebrity stylist Karla Welch’s “what I can’t live without” lists. Most notable for the purpose of this guide, the cut is offered in both a 30- and 32-inch inseam (which is not the case for all Levi’s). Artist Lucy Litman, who’s five-foot-eight, depends on the brand for its fit especially — and these have a true straight leg.
Best rigid-denim jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 00–15 (equivalent to 22- to 32-inch waists) with 30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, and 38-inch inseams | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 11.75 inches | Cut: Slimmer straight-leg | Price: $
“I feel like ’90s Shania Twain in these jeans,” says six-foot-two artist Melly Wirtes, adding that the Wranglers are made of a stiffer denim that holds its shape in a way that reminds her of vintage jeans. The slimmer-fitting straight-leg comes in 30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, and 38-inch inseams, which is the widest range of inseams on this list. The waist sizes are odd-numbered, so Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens, who wrote an ode to the jeans in 2019, recommends going for a size 3 if you’re a size 2, a 7 if you’re a 6, and so on. She also suggests sizing up a bit in the inseam “because it’s 100 percent cotton and will shrink just a teeny bit,” she notes. “After a few washes, they’ll ease into the comfortable, thrift-store-faded patina these jeans are known for. Or wash them a little less and prolong their A.P.C.-like stiffness.” Her review even convinced a few friends — including former InStyle fashion features director Laurel Pantin — to buy their own.
Best slim-fit jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–31 with a 33-inch inseam | Stretch: Not stretchy or stretchy options | Rise: 12 inches | Cut: Fitted through hips with a straight-leg | Price: $$
Reformation’s denim is designed for those who are leggier: 32- and 33-inch lengths are almost standard across the brand’s jean page. The Cynthia cut in particular was a favorite among tall women I consulted with, and is available in rigid and stretch denim. According to Katie Schmidt, owner of Passion Lilie, the style gives the illusion of even longer legs, and artist Melly Wirtes, who’s six-foot-two, has worn her Cynthias so much she says they now fit like a glove. (Wirtes also notes that the Abercrombie Ultra-Rise jeans above are somewhat of a dupe for this pair — though the Abercrombies have a slightly slimmer leg opening.) White Lotus star Meghann Fahy is a Cynthia Jean devotee, as well. “The jeans never stretch out too much or lose their shape,” she told us.
Best loose-cut jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–32 with a 32-inch inseam | Stretch: Not stretchy | Rise: 11.25 inches | Cut: Relaxed straight leg | Price: $$$
“I hoped the company’s jeans weren’t actually as good as people say, partially because they’re so expensive and have become somewhat ubiquitous,” says former Strategist writer Chloe Anello. But it turns out this pair is among the best she’s ever owned. Rigid denim — meaning there will be zero stretch — flexes over time, starting off tight, then molding to your body. She calls them “extremely high quality” for that fact and believes she’ll have them for a long time. Not all of Re/Done’s jeans offer different inseam lengths, but this pair comes in a 32-inch inseam. If you’re looking for a similar option with a lower price tag, Emily Atkinson, a Nashville-based elementary-school teacher who is five-foot-nine, recommends checking out Gap, which actually has a respectable selection of tall options in 32- and 34-inch inseams.
Best cropped jeans for tall women
Sizes and lengths: 23–39 (plus sizes 14–24 here) with a 31-inch inseam | Stretch: Stretchy | Rise: 12 inches | Cut: Classic straight leg that’s cropped | Price: $
It may seem a little ridiculous to include cropped jeans in a post about tall jeans, but hear me out: If you do want cropped jeans, not all pairs work for tall people — some look pretty strange because the proportions are completely off. So if you’re going for a more abbreviated look, Whitney Powell, a global client executive at LinkedIn and editorial director of blog Whit Wanders who is five-foot-11, recommends the famed Levi’s Ribcages, known in the Strategist circle as the “Goldilocks of jeans.” These have a wider leg than the brand’s Wedgies (otherwise known as our favorite jeans). Powell likes that the traditional straight-leg shape doesn’t taper and makes legs look longer, even for those who are already on the taller side. Since the jeans come in three inseams (27, 29, and 31 inches), you can decide whether you want only a slight crop versus something that resembles more of a pedal pusher.
Some more jeans for tall women we’ve written about
Our experts
• Emily Atkinson, Nashville-based elementary-school teacher
• Akia Danielle, style blogger
• Alicia Jay, founder of tall-focused fashion blog Tall Swag
• Lucy Litman, artist
• Whitney Powell, a global client executive at LinkedIn and editorial director of blog Whit Wanders
• Mallory Rice, writer and editor
• Alison Rogel, blogger behind Raised Rogue
• Katie Schmidt, owner and designer of ethical fashion label Passion Lilie
• Hannah Starke, former Strategist social-media editor
• Katie Sturino, founder of Megababe and body-positivity advocate
• Melly Wirtes, artist
• Lauren Witonsky, yoga instructor
Additional reporting by Chloe Anello.
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