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Jeans can be one of the more difficult things to shop for, and when you’re tall, an added hurdle is finding pairs that are long enough. The average inseam for most jeans is 32 inches, which is usually suitable for a woman that’s approximately 5’6”.
In my lifetime, I’ve tried on numerous pairs that ended up looking like they were intended to be cropped (I’m 5’8”). That might slide for a pair of skinnies, but it definitely doesn’t work for everything. After spending countless hours trying on jeans throughout fitting rooms across the country, I’ve finally found some of the best brands for tall girls — and their best fits for long legs.
Gap
There’s no place like Gap for basics. Back in 1969, founders Don and Doris Johnson created the brand simply because Don couldn’t find a pair of jeans that fit. Now, they’re the number one seller of denim online, right before Levi’s.
Gap denim has an almost surprising variety of sizes and lengths — they offer sizes 24 through 35 in short, regular, and long lengths. (A heads up: you can only find the long lengths on Gap’s website.) One great fit for long legs: the Stretch 1969 Baby Boot Jeans ($69.95), which kick out at the calf and are slim throughout the hip and thigh.
Madewell
The J.Crew-owned brand is known for its denim. According to designer Joyce Lee, “Madewell is for denim lovers — or basically, anyone who appreciates timeless designs that put you at ease.” Madewell’s jeans are available in regular lengths (29” inseam) as well as tall (32” inseam) and taller (33”).
The new 9” High-Rise Skinny Jean ($128) has a particularly great fit if you have long legs — it’s the brand’s stretchiest jean yet.
Frame
The Los Angeles-based denim brand Frame has the seal of approval from one notable tall person in particular: model Karlie Kloss. Kloss first partnered with Frame on a collaboration after telling founders Jens Grede and Erik Torstensson that she’s never been able to find jeans that are long enough (she’s 6’2”!).
One of the most popular pairs inspired by Kloss — the Forever Karlie Flare Jeans — have an impressive inseam of 38 inches. (They’re sold out on Frame’s site, but you can buy them at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus for $219 in a small batch of sizes.) If you want to try something cropped that actually hits at the right spot, see the Nouveau Le Mix ($449), which are fun, trendy, and yes — unfortunately quite expensive.
M.i.h
Self-described as the “denim girl’s denim brand,” the British label M.i.h was founded just over a decade ago in 2006 by Chloe Lonsdale, and now the ethical and sustainable brand is sold in more than 40 countries.
M.i.h jeans are offered in a variety of styles, including skinny, boyfriend, cropped, and flares, and the inseams go up to 35.5 inches. A favorite this season is the cropped wide-leg Caron Jean ($260), which you can personalize with patches, embroidery, and more.
Levi’s
Godfather of jeans Levi Strauss invented the blue jean along with tailor Jacob Davis back in 1873. Almost 150 years later, Levi’s are still king when it comes to denim.
Levi’s offers up to a 34” inseam, and the site allows you to filter results specifically by length, as well as rise, waist, and fit. The coveted Levi’s 501 Original has been updated with a skinny style — the 501 Skinny Jeans ($98) — which fit great, and are a reinterpretation of the very first pair created. If you’re tall, you should also try the 710 Super Skinny Jeans (on sale for $45) for the extra stretch that’ll flatter long legs.
Hudson
Hudson Jeans is known for sourcing its denim from some of the best mills in Europe and Japan to create and design high-quality premium jeans right here in the United States.
They’re also designed with tall girls in mind; Hudson’s skinny jeans have a 32” inseam, the straight and bootcut jeans are made with a 34.5” inseam, and the flares have a 35” inseam. (We recommend the Mia Midrise Flare, $205, to wear with heels.)
American Eagle Outfitters
What sets American Eagle apart from the rest of the brands on this list is that sizes range from 00 to 20 — which is quite impressive for any brand right now, let alone a mall brand. If you’re tall, American Eagle offers long and even extra-long lengths online.
Considering that AEO’s denim averages around $50, you can buy about four for the price of one premium pair. Two standouts right now: the AEO Denim X Jegging ($49.95), which fit like a legging but are designed to hold their shape, and the online-exclusive Vintage Hi-Rise Jean ($49.95).
Paige
Paige is one of the few American denim lines founded by a woman. As a former fit model for premium denim brands, Los Angeles native Paige Adams-Geller knows denim inside and out.
Paige has an exceptional offering of extra-long lengths — the Leggy Extra Long Ultra Skinny ($179) has a 35.5” inseam!