Finding the perfect pair of jeans shouldn’t require multiple trips to the department store and hours upon hours spent in a dressing room. But because it’s hard to find a jean that hugs you in all the right places—and is office-appropriate—it often does. No more. Here, our favorite pairs:
Straight-Legged: This budget-friendly pair will quickly become a wardrobe staple for work and weekends. Wear them with a suit jacket in the office or a snug little tee and heels when going out with the girls post-work. (The Flirt, $20; oldnavy.com)
Super-Skinny: These stretch denim jeans forgo trendy studs, ankle zippers, and fancy stitching, thus making them more office-appropriate despite their leg-hugging look. Unless you work in the fashion industry, wait until the weekend to wear them with patent-leather platform heels. (J Brand ‘914’ ‘The Cigarette’ Stretch Jeans, $158; nordstrom.com)
Do It Up Dark: A classic cut, touch of sheen, and dark indigo wash put these jeans on par with your favorite pair of slacks. Dress them up with a bright, silky blouse and heels; for casual Friday, consider topping the look off with a soft cashmere sweater and grounding it with your favorite pair of flats. (Classic Medium Wash Trouser Jean, $98; bananarepublic.com)
Weekend Wear: When weekends are your only chance to truly relax, it makes sense to spend them in unstructured clothing. These boyfriend-style jeans beg to be worn with an old tee and cozy sweater to a casual weekend brunch or simply while you’re spending the weekend catching up with TiVo. (Current Elliott ‘The Boyfriend’ Jean, $229; shopintuition.com)
Fabulous Flare: This oh-so-classic pair of dark denim shows off trim thighs before widening at the knee with a subtly hip, boot-cut flare. Give the look a bit of height with a pair of great heels and a simple tee or turtleneck in a vibrant hue. (Boot-Cut Flip Flop in Mercer, $165; 7forallmankind.com)
