Where Can I Find: Black Skinny Jeans to Replace My Old Favorites?

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

My favorite go-to black jeans — Urban Outfitters’s BDG high-waisted black jeans — have given out after years of wear, and I desperately need to replace them. Any recommendations? Not looking to spend a TON of money, but for a good pair that will last, up to $175 is fine. I prefer the high waist for waist definition. —Andréa

So the good news is you absolutely do not need to spend around $175 — hell, you don’t even need to spend $100! There are finally more brands beyond Levi’s and Gap making quality denim for under a hundo, which makes spending more than that feel kind of silly, if I’m being honest.

Regardless of price, black skinny jeans are, IMO, the baseline of any good wardrobe, but they’re one of the more annoying things to shop for because every pair looks exactly the same but (surprise!) fits wildly differently.

This question was asked in our Facebook group — which you should join! — last week, and a lot of great reader responses came in, a few of which are included throughout here. I’ve peppered some of my own personal favorites, along with those of my coworkers, below as well. Let’s get to it!

My top pick from our reader recommendation thread is Everlane’s High Rise Skinny Jeans (sizes 24 through 32) because the fit is simple and the price ($68) is really good compared to other premium lines that are the exact same quality. They come in an ankle length and a regular length (there’s no tall at the moment) and also in a mid-rise, should you want to keep that belly button exposed. (Not me — I like my jeans to land right under my bra.)

Universal Standard’s Slim Cut Seine Jeans come in two lengths, a 32-inch inseam and a cropped 27-inch inseam, and in sizes 8 through 28. The fabric is less stretchy than some of the brand’s other styles (which at the moment don’t come in black), but promises to fit your body nice and snug. If you’re not sure what size to buy, keep in mind that the brand has a really cool policy that allows you to exchange “core” pieces (like these) at any time for another size.

Gap’s jeans come highly recommended from a few readers and Racked editors. The Super High Rise True Skinny Jeans are $69.95, but since Gap is always on sale, they’re currently marked down to $59. The size range (24 through 35) is a bit more extensive than some of the other brands on this list, and the jeans come in short, regular, and long inseams.

Speaking of long inseams, Topshop’s Jamie Jeans routinely receive glowing reviews from the tallest person that works here whenever this question is posed. All of the regular lengths have some sort of embellishment, funky hem, or coating on the denim, but the tall lengths are just plain and simple black skinny jeans for $75. Right now, they’re available in sizes 28 through 34.

J.Crew’s 9” and 10” high-rise jeans also fit this bill. They come in petite, regular, and tall lengths, and as of very recently, up to size 35. (33, 34, and 35 are all sold out so far on the 10”, but are available in the more narrow leg opening.) Madewell also makes what’s basically the same exact pair for $128.

Warp + Weft makes denim in sizes 00 through 24, but it doesn’t carry a “true black” skinny jean at the moment — the options instead include a really dark rinsed black and a coated black. If you’re open to a straight leg, these (size 00 to 14) and these (size 14 through 24) are great pairs.

Good American carries two styles of high-rise black skinny jeans: the Good Legs Black Skinny and the Slim Zip Skinny (those don’t have a front fly, but rather a button and zipper on the side hip). Sizes start at 00 and go up to 24 in both styles, and prices are $149 and $129, respectively.

Did I miss any? Join our group and share your favorites.

Racked occasionally accepts products for research and reviewing purposes. For more information, see our ethics policy here.