There are few retail experiences that are as frustrating for women as shopping for jeans.
We’ve all been there — literally jumping in a fitting room to tug on a pair that’s too tight here, too loose there — and nothing like what you thought they looked like on the rack.
If you take your hunt online, sizing across brands and styles is anyone's guess and the washes in the studio photos end up looking totally different in real life. Manage to find a pair that checks every box? You'll probably be confronted with a steep price tag at checkout, forcing you to choose between your budget and a decent pair of jeans.
Enter: Us! The Shop TODAY team knows these struggles all too well, so we did the hard work for you. We collectively tried on more than three dozen pairs of jeans in a range of silhouettes Old Navy has deemed "key styles" for this upcoming season. To be totally transparent, not everything we pulled on was a perfect fit. But with sizes from 0 Petite to 18 represented, we subjected our favorite pairs to squat tests, long walks and all-day wear. The best part? Everything we tried — and loved — is under $40 right now.
To see how everything measured up, just keep reading.
Old Navy's fall denim line
In a very polarized fashion climate, where certain denim styles are quick to be deemed "in" or "out," there truly is something for everyone in this collection. Old Navy's lineup is pared down to four key silhouettes: a high-rise slim (a skinny-straight hybrid), a high-rise straight, a mid-rise barrel and a slouchy, mid-rise baggy jean. For good measure, we tried on a couple more of the brand's newest denim styles, adding a cuffed, high-rise wide-leg and a denim dress to our must-test list.
“Of the bunch, the vintage slim jeans are actually the ones that fit me best,” shares associate editor Kamari Stewart. “I was surprised at how well the inseam length actually worked for me, since most seem not to. I’m between sizes right now and the larger size fits best. I also like that I was able to cuff the bottoms a bit for a different look.”
The classic straight-leg denim from the line earned praise for its versatility and extra-high rise (it measures about an inch higher than Old Navy's standard high-rise pairs).
"These jeans are the perfect hybrid of a skinny and boot leg and look great with sandals or a pair of flats," says associate editor Shannon Garlin. "If you’re on the shorter side, I definitely recommend getting the petite length because they run long."
For anyone looking to dip their toe into the barrel jean trend, our team thinks this is an excellent starter pair.
"I had been wanting to try a barrel style since they were trending earlier this year, and these ones did not disappoint," reports associate editor Sierra Hoeger. "I didn’t receive the full clown-barrel-pantaloons effect, as I have thicker thighs, but you could still tell they had excess fabric at the sides... They fit perfectly everywhere I could’ve asked: the waist, thighs and they even sat perfectly at my ankles. No cuffing here!"
These also happen to be my personal favorite of the bunch. As a petite girl (I'm 5'1" on a good day), I echo Hoeger's positive sentiments on the length — it's rare to find a pair of jeans that fits me right off the rack without needing hemming or cuffing. But because these are designed to be cropped at the ankle, they fit perfectly from the moment I pulled them on. I will note, these didn't work out for some of the taller folks on the team in the regular cut, so be sure to opt for the tall fit if you're over 5'6" or so. Also, mine definitely came with a bit of a factory scent, which isn't out of the ordinary for new denim right out of the package, but I'd recommend washing them before you wear for the first time.
"Jeans are always the toughest item for me to shop for in my wardrobe, especially at this moment in time as my lower body is in the process of evolving thanks to all the spin classes I do," deputy managing editor Jess Bender shares.
"Between having limited hips and butt but thicker thighs and a lower stomach on this 5’6”, size 12 frame, it’s hard to nail the type of rise, stretch and style that’ll accommodate this current stage in my life. Out of all the jeans Old Navy generously sent my way, their mid-rise slouchy jeans checked all the boxes in terms of what made me feel most comfortable and not constricted, though the sizing gave some minor gapping in the back (but a belt easily solved that issue)... The length elongated my frame compared to other denim I own. While not hitting the ground in heels or chunky sneakers, those who are shorter than me may want to either tailor their jeans or commit to a petite option."
"I loved the fit of these, it felt like I could wear them all day," adds social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo. "I sized up because I wanted them to be loose, but I definitely could have kept my normal sizing. They fit higher up on my waist, so not so mid rise, and they do fit long, so if you are on the shorter side you might need to get them tailored. A really great structured pant for larger thighs and midsections."
"I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I like a mid-rise jean," says writer Danielle Murphy, who also counts herself among the fans of this denim silhouette. "I’ve been on team high-rise since they became popular years ago, and I swore I’d never go back. However, I feel so cool wearing this fit. I love how my regular tops and tees fall right at the waistband and I don’t have to tuck them in. I also love the 'slouchy' look, which is both super comfy and makes me feel like I’m in on a fashion trend without trying too hard. I wish they had a zipper closure instead of just buttons (just a personal preference), but that’s not a dealbreaker. Best of all, these come in petite sizes so I don’t have to spend money on hemming them."
“I absolutely live in jeans, so I’m always excited to try the latest denim trends and new arrivals, especially from trusted brands like Old Navy,” says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. “I tried five pairs from the new collection, and while most of them ran big, I loved the fit of this pair. The high waistline is slimming and flattering, without feeling compressive like other pairs of high-waisted jeans I own. I love the wide leg for professional settings, but the cuffed bottom also adds a casual element that would make me reach for these on the weekend. I’m 5’2”, and these jeans are a bit too long for me to wear with flat shoes, but they’re perfect for my favorite platform Converse and the kitten heels I wear at the office.”
"I have had success with Old Navy jeans on and off over the years, and out of the 6 options sent to me by them, this was the only one that was closest to fitting right," admits senior social media editor Kate McCarthy. "It’s a super baggy style, and I wish I could have tried on the next size down, because I think that would have fit me better. These jeans are super comfortable, seem durable, and stylish. Only issue was that they probably run a bit on the larger side. However, being 5'8", these were a great length for me."
"I’m obsessed with the dress," gushes Garlin, who owns the frock in two colors. "It’s not too short and passes the finger length test so you can feel comfortable wearing it to work. The fabric is thick but I still felt cool wearing it in hot weather... I can’t wait to pair it with tights and boots for the fall."
More editor-approved Old Navy denim
Associate producer Alexa Arent identifies as a "diehard skinny jean fan," and she says her favorite pair is this high-waisted style from Old Navy. It's available in six washes, including a few true blue denim hues from light to dark washes, plus white and black shades.
Looking to give the flare jeans trend a spin? This style is a safe bet, as it's one of Old Navy's top sellers in the jeans category and has over 13,000 ratings on the brand's site. Reviewers note these run a bit long, so consider opting for the petite fit if you're on the shorter side.
Some of Shigo's go-to pieces for the warmer months are long shorts, so it's no surprise that she has these on her wishlist for the end of summer. We're particularly into the white wash for the final weeks of the season.
How we chose
Old Navy sent us items from its new denim collection in a variety of sizes to try. Our editors wore them for a range of activities and provided unbiased and honest opinions, and we also included some extra tried-and-true denim favorites from the brand. We chose to highlight Old Navy because of its popularity and affordable price point.
