Denim is in right now. Whether it be vintage-inspired denim – a raw, deep blue made to be worn in for years – or modern denim – stretched thin and taut, cropped above the ankle – denim is here to stay. For those looking to move beyond the standard Levi 501, here are six pairs of jeans made to be statement pieces in your wardrobe. 

FOR MEN:

Wrangler Cowboy Cut

For me, the best bang-for-your-buck pair of denim on the market right now is the Wrangler Cowboy Cut. While their promotional photos are full of classic western outfits, the jeans are not exclusive to the western aesthetic. Rather, they are the modern version of the jeans from the ‘60s and ‘70s. With a straight leg and a higher waist, this pair is perfect for a simple but comfortable wear. Coming in at $54.99, these pants are cheaper than Levi’s denim, the supposed intro to good denim. With a ton of different colors and two different styles – a straight leg and a slim leg – the Wrangler Cowboy Cut is a great way to start your journey into denim. 

Stan Ray OG Painter Pants

The next step up from the Cowboy Cuts is a great pair of Painter Pants. Known for their abundance of pockets and white accent stitching, Stan Ray’s OG Painter Pants are a great intro into the style without having to commit to finding a retro pair online. The Stan Ray’s are a very angular pair of pants, each pocket and loop is cut with straight lines, which can be a turn-off for some. But, the interesting array of pockets, loops for paint brushes and white accent stitching gives the pants a special, easy-to-identify look. 

The big problem for me is that the pants only come in waist sizes from 26-38, limiting a good swath of the population from ordering this. A price double that of the Cowboy Cuts of $110 puts the Stan Ray’s into the middle-high end of the denim scene. The price is deserved with quality raw-denim made to be worn day after day for years before hitting its peak style and machined in Texas.  

A.P.C. Standard Jeans

The A.P.C. Standard Jeans are the highest quality jeans from the highest quality brand. The French brand was started in 1987 to help ensure that high-quality raw denim would be available. Founder Jean Touitou makes his jeans as basic as he can, using high-powered machinery and great materials. The A.P.C. Standard jeans are the reintroduction of the jeans that brought the company fame. While their other styles of denim have many different colors, the Standard comes only in Raw Blue. The jeans are supposed to be hard and rough at first, but within a week of wearing, they fit to your legs and movement, and the color starts to fade, giving the pants a gorgeous patina. 

The same problem with the Stan Ray’s exists with the A.P.C. Standard’s: The brand only offers sizes 27-36. Made for the standard European wearer, the A.P.C. will give wearers the perfect, hard-worn jeans that will last. All of this – the Japanese raw denim, the emphasis on good machining, the focus on simplicity – leads to a steep price: $240. 

FOR WOMEN:

Curvy Mom Jeans

American Eagle jeans have great quality and look good on the wearer. Their curvy mom jeans are fit for anyone who has curves and for anyone who likes a limitless waistband. These jeans come in two colors – Washed Black and Emotional Blue – and range from prices of $49.95 to $59.95. American Eagle titles them “Real Good” fit for a reason – they fit true to size and maximize comfort and moveability. Curvy Mom Jeans are meant for everyday lifestyle wear, and its length comes to just above the ankle. The ripped jeans come in three colors – Indigo Skylight Destroy, Salty Air and Cool Classic – contain a high rise fit, settling just above the waist. These jeans are a must-buy.

Old Navy Loose

For less expensive jeans, try Old Navy, specifically their loose jeans collection. There are five categories to this type: OG loose, balloon jeans, baggy loose, curvy OG loose and wow loose. This denim fit is for anyone looking for a stretchy fit with lots of room to move in. Loose jeans are perfect for the spring and summer because they won’t stick to your skin when the weather gets hot and sweaty. The colors come in just about every shade of blue you can think of and black. This type of jean is meant to widen the hips and provide a vintage feel, mimicking the ‘90s and ‘80s look. Although the prices aren’t a big difference from American Eagle, these jeans fit any top and any body. 

Everlane’s Wide Carpenter

For a new, unique style of jeans, Everlane offers the Wide Carpenter Jean. At a whopping $128, you get a loose fit, deep pockets and length that falls down to the bottom of your feet. The pockets are stitched to be different from your normal Levi jeans, consisting of patch-work pockets and slanted front pockets. The Carpenter jean gets its name from the deep pockets and small straps on the sides used to hold tools such as hammers, screwdrivers and nails. The brand runs in sizes 23 to 33 and fits true to size. Everlane’s pants come in one color, Pale Sky, giving it a soft, washed-out look.