10 Best Mom Jeans in 2022 (Wardrobe Stylist-Reviewed)

Taissha is a wardrobe stylist who helps women and men build functional wardrobes with essential pieces that are classic and versatile. She says, "My favorite brand that carries mom jeans is Levi's. You can never go wrong with a pair Levi's because of how well-known and classic they are. Madewell, Old Navy, Top Shop (from ASOS), H&M, and Mango also carry some great options. 

The good thing about these brands is that they have an easy return policy, and when you shop online, you'll have more options to choose from." You can read more tips and advice on which pair of mom jeans you should get in the buying guide below, and you can also follow her on Instagram for general fashion tips!

Mom jeans have a few defining features. One non-negotiable is a high rise; mom jeans sit at your natural waist above your belly button, emphasizing your hourglass figure. They’re usually looser in the hips and thighs, leaving some room for movement (and food), with a straight or tapered leg.

Compared to boyfriend jeans, mom jeans are less baggy and designed to emphasize your curves rather than hide them. However, they’re not as form-fitting as skinny jeans, making them more comfortable and casual.

We picked our favorite mom jeans after plenty of research that's been backed up with some advice from a wardrobe stylist! Here are the factors we kept in mind while selecting our best mom jeans:

• Jean material matters for comfort and durability
  
• Different leg fits flatter different figures
• The wash of the jean should match your personal style
• Make sure you match your inseam and waist measurements

You can read more about why these factors are important in our buying guide below. For now, here's our list of the best mom jeans for women. 

Our list includes a variety of mom jeans, both fast fashion and premium denim. You'll find straight-legged jeans, tapered jeans, and cropped jeans, so you can pick the silhouette that makes you feel your best.

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Taissha G. LaReau.

Modern mom jeans come in a range of materials, washes, and leg styles. Here are some things to consider to help ensure a comfortable and flattering fit.

Mom jeans are designed for comfort, with a loose fit around the hips and thighs. The composition of the denim will affect how stretchy they are and therefore their durability and comfort.

Cotton is a natural fabric that’s durable and breathable. Jeans made from 100 percent cotton will be quite sturdy and thick. However, it's not elastic, so cotton jeans have limited stretch and can feel restrictive. Cotton also tends to shrink in the dryer. And when it stretches out, it won’t bounce back to its original shape until you wash it again.

However, since mom jeans have a looser fit, stretch may not be as much of an issue. If you choose to buy 100 percent cotton jeans, it’s best to buy them small and break them in. As you wear the jeans, they’ll soften and form to your body over time, creating a pair of ultra-comfortable pants.

If you prefer some stretch to your jeans, look for a blend of cotton and elastane, also called Spandex or Lycra. Elastane adds elasticity to the fabric, helping it return to its original shape when stretched. It can make for a more comfortable fit, as well as more flexibility and ease of movement.

You can find jeans with anywhere from one to 10 percent elastane, but for mom jeans, it’s better to stay within the one to three percent range. Higher percentages are best for form-fitting styles like skinny jeans or jeggings and are harder to care for.

A one to three percent elastane blend will give you a bit of stretch in the waist and legs, while still retaining the classic denim look and feel. However, there is a trade-off. Jeans with elastane in them won't last as long as pure cotton jeans and are thinner in general.

To increase the life of your jeans, look for a cotton blend containing polyester. You can find jeans made from just cotton and polyester as well as jeans that combine cotton, elastane, and polyester.

Polyester is a synthetic material that adds strength to jeans. It doesn’t stretch, so it can help counteract cotton’s tendency to become baggy. Additionally, it dries quickly and resists wrinkles and abrasion, keeping your jeans looking nice for longer. 

On the flip side, polyester isn't a very breathable fabric, so it may make the jeans a little less bearable to wear during hotter months. The addition of polyester also makes the fabric a bit stiffer.

The modern mom jean has a high rise that makes your waist look thin and flatters your booty. The style of the legs can vary. Some mom jeans have tapered legs, which is the classic style, while others have a straight silhouette.

Tapered legs will emphasize the difference between your hips and ankles, which can create an hourglass look for people with straighter bodies. On the other hand, a straight leg will create a more even balance between your upper and lower body.

You’ll still get the hourglass shape thanks to the high waist, but with less emphasis on your hips. Whether tapered or straight, a cropped leg is generally a universally flattering look that’s great for warmer weather. We would warn, however, that those with petite frames should try to avoid cropped flared jeans, as they can make you look shorter!

In general, look for cropped jeans that hit a few inches above your ankle to help elongate your legs. And if you want to try both styles, remember that you can always roll up the ankles to create your own crop!

And besides tapered or straight legs, you can also find different overall jean fits, like relaxed, slim, or wide. Relaxed fits are a bit looser, especially around the thigh and butt areas, making them a bit more comfortable. 

Slim fits are similar to skinny jeans, in that they are tighter all-around, but they do differ from skinnies in how their leg openings tend to be a bit larger. If you love skinny jeans, they're great transitional jeans to try out. Lastly, wide-fit jeans are wide all around. They tend to be baggier, with the widest leg openings of the bunch, making them the most comfortable. 

While the classic mom jean is a medium blue color, you can now find this style in a range of washes. Light wash and white jeans are great for summertime and casual wear, while darker wash and black jeans tend to look more put together.

Darker colors like black are also easy to match with almost anything already in your wardrobe! You can create a classic black and white silhouette, as well for those days you want to be a little more formal. Darker colors also help to create the illusion of a slimmer figure.

Regular blue washes have a standard casual, jean look and is also relatively easy to pair. You can dress them up or down, but they're easy to throw on and work for all seasons. Lighter white or blue washes have more of a summer feel to them, so you can get a pair to make your wardrobe more versatile.

In addition to the color, consider whether you want any kind of distressing. This could include fading at the hips and knees, as well as rips and holes on the legs. In general, distressing will make the jeans look more trendy and youthful. But if you want a year-round look, you may want to stick with blue jeans with no distressing for a classic mom look that won't go out of style.

When buying mom jeans online, it’s important to know your measurements so you can find a pair that fits. Since mom jeans are high-waisted pants that help cinch in and emphasize the waist, you want to make sure it fits well or it won't flatter your figure. Before you start shopping, get a tape measure and write down your waist and inseam measurements. 

To measure your waist, wrap the measuring tape around your natural waist, above your hips. To find this spot, you can also bend to the side and look for the point below your ribs where your body creases. To measure your inseam, start just below your crotch and measure down your leg to your ankle.

While some jeans only come in one length, others let you choose between a few different inseams, which is especially helpful for tall and petite people. You can also measure a pair of well-fitting jeans instead of your body; however, make sure that they’re high-waisted to get an accurate waist measurement.

Don't let your money go to waste! By following these five tips, you can make your jeans last even longer than they normally do.

Now that you have the perfect pair of mom jeans, it's time to complete the look. Check out more of our favorite summer accessories below.

Mom jeans may be in, but straight-legged jeans are also making their way back into the fashion scene. And if you're looking for vintage-style jeans from an eco-friendly brand, then check out Boyish, recommended by fashion blogger Chante Williams.

Besides mom jeans, there are plenty of amazing, comfortable, and stylish jeans out there. Check out Amazon's best sellers list if you want to find some other great options!

Author: Melissa Jong

Updated by: Karis Kim, 10/27/2021

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