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The Denim Shopping Guide

By Racked Fashion
Photo: Joe Harper

Racked has affiliate partnerships, which do not influence editorial content, though we may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. We also occasionally accept products for research and reviewing purposes. See our ethics policy here.

Finding the right jeans can take a few tries, and often requires sifting through several different stores, brands, and styles to find the right pair - which is why, for our annual denim guide, we put together several different stories.

Below is everything you need to know to shop for jeans this season, including the fall trends you won’t be able to escape if you tried; brands that clock in at under $150; the places to go if you’re looking to try on a dozen-plus pairs; and how (and where) to shop for vintage denim. We also asked our editors to share their absolute favorite pairs; a list that will probably need updating after this fall.

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.

The Stores With the Most Options

How many different brands can you find at Shopbop? Barneys? Here, the stores with the biggest selections, broken down by all the important numbers, including size and price ranges.

Denim on racks

The Brands to Shop Right Now

The shapes you'll see the most of this fall — kick flares! straight legs! — plus the brands that are doing them the best.

Great Jeans Under $150

Where to go when you're not looking to spend a fortune, from the mall to indie e-comm.

Jeans with denim jacket
Vintage denim

Vintage Denim 101

What's the difference between Levi's 501s and 505s? Consult our illustrated guide, where you'll also find the best places to buy them.

What to Tell Your Tailor

You have the denim; now it's time to make them fit perfect. Here's everything you need to know — like how much it'll cost you — before taking them to get tweaked.

The Best Jeans I Ever Bought

A handful of Racked editors share their all-time best denim purchases.

Style Inspiration

Five very different outfit ideas, and what to pair with them, all inspired by the most casual and laid-back New York Fashion Week to date.

denim skirt

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Man, It’s a Hard One: Why Can’t I Find a Vintage Santana ‘Smooth’ T-Shirt?

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These Beaded Bags Are Fun as Hell

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Your New Pet Rock Is This $2 Pumice Stone

View all stories in Shopping