Being tall comes with a number of privileges. It’s easier to reach things high up on shelves and can help with basketball skills (supposedly). But there are disadvantages to it as well. For starters, getting comfortable on an airplane is nearly impossible and finding jeans that don’t make you feel like you're back in middle school with your flares embarrassingly high above your sneakers after a turn through the dryer can be a challenge. As someone who hit 5 '9'' fairly young, it’s a trauma that still conjures nightmares full of embarrassment to this day—which is why I often stick to more forgiving ankle-length jeans.
Finding the perfect fit can be tough for all body types, but at least jeans for short women can be hemmed—an option tall girls don’t have most of the time. That being said, there are plenty of great jeans with a longer length if you know where to look. To find the best jeans for tall women on the market, I spoke to fellow tall women and stylists about their favorites.
Just because a particular style, like high-rise or low-rise cuts, may be on trend doesn’t mean they’re flattering to everybody. It’s all about the wearer's personal preferences, proportion, and silhouette. Someone with a long waist probably wouldn’t want to cave to the low-rise craze because that would elongate the torso. And “a person who is short-waisted may not want to do a high-rise because it would truncate or shorten the body,” says Hollywood costume designer and stylist Mary Danner. “But you could do more of a mid-rise or a low-rise.”
While there are no hard and fast rules to jean fit and there are a wide array of body types among tall women, wide-legged jeans often do look great. “A taller frame and stature can hold a wide leg silhouette more proportionally,” says Danner.
The variabilities in comparing jeans to shoes are large and differ from person to person, but there are some general rules of thumbs. When going for a cropped look, you want to make sure you’re not showing more than two inches over the ankle “if you don’t want to look like you’re going for high waters,” says Danner.
Meanwhile, cigarette jeans should hit right around the ankle and, while it all depends on shoes and personal preferences, most other cuts should hit about one inch above the back of the heel.
This affordable pair of jeans from Everlane boasts the perfect ‘90s-style fit for women who struggle to find the right length. The super high-waist is flattering, holding in what you want to hide without feeling uncomfortably tight. It boasts a straight leg from hip to ankle in a variety of inseams including a longer-than-average 29.5 inch.
These organic crops feature a trendy super high-waist with a flattering straight leg in multiple inseam options.
Best high-waisted jeans for tall women
These relaxed, wide leg jeans come with a straight hem and high rise for a loose, chic silhouette. The ankle length inseam is meant to be a bit short, which gives taller women more leeway. However, this pair starts with a longer-than-usual 29.5-inch inseam regardless.
These stylish wide leg women’s jeans are comfortable and designed with tall women in mind.
Best oversized jeans for tall women
Anyone who’s ever tried to wear a pair of white jeggings probably has encountered that weird-looking leg grab and ripple around the crotch. That won’t happen with this pair from Revolve. “It’s nice and straight through the leg with a slight knee flair to lengthen the leg without sucking onto the calf,” says Danner.
The white wash of AGOLDE’s most popular cut updates the classic look with on-trend details.
Best white jeans for tall women
These very affordable pants wear like jeans but feel like leggings. They’ve received thousands of rave reviews on Amazon for their snug fit that offers some stretch and hidden belly-slimming panel. One reviewer said, “I have had two kids, I’m six feet tall and I have my mom tummy. These are the only pants I can wear without having any issues and the only ones I feel are flattering.” Sold.
These Levi’s are affordable, comfortable, and hold you in.
Best stretchy jeans for tall women
One of Danner’s favorite jean brands, these relatively affordable skinnies from Not Your Favorite Daughter have racked up rave reviews from women of all heights for their perfect and comfortable fit. Their lift and tuck technology shapes and curves the butt while the no gap back ensures your underwear isn’t ever going to show.
These skinnies from NYDJ flatter most body types and are hailed for their all day comfort.
Best skinny jeans for tall women
The classic jeans were created by Levi Strauss himself back in 1873—and there’s a reason they keep coming back around in style. I personally own several pairs. The iconic straight leg and trim fit through the hip work well on most bodies. Plus, for the tall women among us, this quintessential cut is available in both a 30-inch and 32-inch inseam.
These classic straight legs look great and never go out of style.
Best straight leg jeans for tall women
These chic trousers boast a decently high rise, slim fit and 21.5-inch leg opening with a large hem, offering a cool ‘70s-style silhouette. Made with a thick stretch material, they offer room to move around (in case you’re throwing your leg over a saddle) yet hold their shape throughout the day. Again, these are another personal favorite of which I own multiple pairs. The multiple length options help ensure you don’t end up with those unintentional high waters flares like you did in middle school.
These retro-style flares offer a slim fit with several length options to fit women with long legs.
Best flared jeans for tall women
These waist-accentuating high-rise mom jeans with a tapered leg are a perennial hit for good reason. They’re casual and comfortable, while lengthening your legs to the point of looking like a ‘90s supermodel. An added bonus: The Perfect Vintage jean is available in a variety of washes and fits, including a curvy cut wide leg, that can suit basically everyone.
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These ‘90s-style mom jeans combine style with comfort with several inseam options.
Best mom jeans for tall women
Khloe Kardashian’s line of denim have all been designed to fit a wide range of body types, unsurprisingly, with a particular emphasis on jeans for curvy women. This cut is a best-seller due to its one-size-fits-four design that is intended to fit no matter what—period bloating, weight fluctuations, an over-the-top vacation, you name it. It also comes in long to cover a wider array of heights.
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These Good American jeans are designed to not just fit a wide range of body types but complement different body shapes as well.
Best plus-size jeans for tall women
Abercrombie has shed its early 2000’s reputation as a brand that exclusively caters to rail-thin models. Its extensive line of curvy jeans is one of the most flattering on the market. Danner is particularly fond of this flattering cut that comes in a wide selection of washes, sizes, and inseam lengths from extra short to extra long. “I like a straight leg like this on curves, because it’s elongating,” she says.
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These elongating jeans are on-trend and designed specifically for curvy bodies.
Best curvy jeans for tall women
These jeans designed for women with long legs come with a standard 33-inch inseam. It features a straight leg fitted in the waist, butt, and hips—which is intended to elongate long legs even more. The silhouette is also an on-trend cropped style that looks great with anything from boots to a classic pair of white sneakers.
These organic cotton jeans combine a flattering, super high-waist with straight leg crop that hits just right.
Best cropped jeans for tall women
These “Iconic perky butt jeans,” according to New York Magazine are “flattering as hell.” That’s why they’ve become a staple among downtown NYC fashion circles. But what makes them great for tall women, no matter where they live, is that they’re cut long and are meant to be tailored.
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These jeans may be a splurge but are hard to beat for butt lift.
I chose our picks from personal experience (I’m 5’ 9” myself), recommendations from other tall women, online reviews, and spoke to Hollywood costume designer and stylist Mary Danner about what specific jeans work best.
A height over five feet eight inches is considered tall.
The most flattering cuts come down to an individual's preferences and proportions, but more often than not tall women tend to carry a wider leg especially well.
It’s hard to name all the brands that carry tall jeans. A few of my current favorites are Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Madewell, Not Your Daughters Jeans, Good American, and the others listed above.
There are a number of brands that are catering to curvy figures these days, like Abercrombie & Fitch, Good American, and Spanx. Again, it depends on the person and their style preferences, but Danner does suggest a flare or wide-leg that drops off the hip for tall, curvy women because “it flatters the curve of the hip and lengthens the leg.”
But Danner adds, “Whenever I do fittings, we pull so many jeans because jeans are so personal to fit—it’s not one-size-fits-all.”
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