The Ultimate Guide To Buying Jeans & 15 Brands To Shop From Across Budgets

Skinny Fit: Till a decade back, whenever someone mentioned jeans, we’d imagine our beloved skinny jeans. They fit extremely snug, sticking to your body, and have a universal appeal. Easy to dress up or down, they pair effortlessly with several styles of tops and shoes, adding to their appeal. Confused about what to wear to work? Throw on a pair of skinnies with a white shirt, or are not sure what to wear to date night? Wear a black crop with them! So. Many. Options. Many believe that these are very last season, but we believe everyone should have one good pair. A huge plus is that skinny jeans have a natural slimming effect, which is great for all body types. 

Straight-Leg Fit: Perfect for people who don’t want to go the skinny jeans route, straight jeans are your go-to if you want that streamlined effect. Straight-leg denims have a straight cut from waist to hem. They are great for laid-back casual looks. The clean lines make it a good option for everyday wear and even for the office when paired with a shirt. They look great on apple, hourglass and athletic body types. 

Relaxed Fit: These are jeans that are looser than regular, but not baggy. They are meant to provide maximum comfort and have been quite the trend recently. Not to forget, they’re summer-friendly because they don’t stick to you in the heat, providing breathability. They’re suitable for all body types, since they don’t accentuate your body parts; however, if you do want to show off your curves in this type of fit, we recommend going for a high-rise.

Bootcut Fit: They were all the rage some years ago. With a tinge of retro, these jeans are perfect for people with pear-shaped bodies. The cinching at the upper thigh allows for some tuck control while allowing for a more balanced silhouette–the flared bottom half balances out the hip, making you look taller.

Flared Fit: Flared jeans have become hugely popular in recent years, thanks to the comfort levels that come with them. They are fitted from the waist and hips, and dramatically widen as they come down, somehow resembling the bell shape. The form gives the illusion of a longer height, and again, the comfort will always be on fleek.

Mom Fit: Mom-fit jeans gained popularity in the 80s and 90s, as seen on many pop-culture shows like Friends, and they are all very popular presently as well. As opposed to the wide-legged flared jeans, mom-fit jeans sit well above the natural waist and have a tapered bottom half. 

Boyfriend Fit: Relaxed, loose, and moderately baggy, boyfriend jeans have become a cult favourite now. The laid-back aesthetic goes well with all kinds of topwear, keeping you both comfortable and chic all at once. It sits slightly low on the waistline and has straight, tapered leg style, often rolled up at the ankles. 

Baggy Fit: As the name suggests, baggy jeans will give your legs full room to breathe. They typically have a lower crotch, a looser waistline, and provide ample space for movement. Rooted in hip-hop fashion, they are now a streetwear must that you absolutely can't go wrong with!

This may seem tricky, it's really a mission! But it's possible if you factor in all possible outcomes.

Measure All Parts Of Your Body: Most of us measure our waist and stop at that, but for the perfect fit, don't forget to measure your thighs, hips and inseam and correlate it to the size chart on the brand's website. Every brand has different sizing, so don't be lazy and match your measurements every time. A life hack is to measure a pair that fits like a glove and look for similar sizing.

Fabric: The type of fabric will give you an idea of how stretchable the fabric will be. Most denim jeans are made from cotton yarns in a twill weave that are not stretchable. What you get in the market is usually a mix of cotton and Lycra, so, read the fine print to know what it'll feel like. 

Size-up: If you're in doubt, or are in between sizes, buy a size-up! You can always get it altered for a snug fit.

Don't Experiment: It's best to stick to styles that work for you. Finding new styles requires physically trying them to see how they look on your body. So, unless you're going out toe shop, stick with what you know works the best for you.

Low-Rise: Low-rise jeans rest below your hips, usually 2" below the navel. These are great, especially for petite frames. It suits people who have a slender body.

Mid-Rise: One of the most figure-friendly rises, which is comfortable for almost all body types, sits just below the navel. So, if you're confused about which one to buy, this one's it. 

High-Rise: Preferred by people who have an hourglass figure, as it helps accentuate the figure. This rise goes up to the waist, usually 2" above the navel. Also suited for people who are conscious of a heavier midriff area, as it helps cover that area.

A topic not much talked about, but should be is how to care for your jeans. It sucks to lose your favourite pair just because it wore out too quickly, and to prevent that, follow these tips:

Wash Less: We would recommend washing jeans after every 4 to 5 wears in general.

Cold Wash: When washing, always try and use cold water as that prevents colour from fading and the jeans from shrinking.

Wash your jeans inside out to avoid colour fading

Hang Dry: Tumble dry might cause extra wear and tear on the fabric, so it's recommended to hang dry in sunlight. 

When it comes to jeans, Levi's needs no introduction. You can look at the logo from miles away and know it’s a Levi's. They’re sustainable, super durable, and have been providing us with our favourite pair of jeans for decades now. They have a wide range to choose from and an awful lot of options for skinny jeans, so if that's what you're looking for, do check it out.

Price: Starting at INR 1,149 

Uniqlo is all about classic designs and functionality. In general, they have some of the best basics, from T-shirts to jeans. Though they have a limited selection of jeans on their website, they've made sure to include some of the most popular styles—flared, paper bag, skinnies, straight cut and more, so be assured that you'll find something to your liking. A must checkout is their EZY series, which is made from ultra-stretch material and claims to look like denim yet feel like sweatpants. Plus, they’re size-inclusive!

Price: Starting at INR 590

Mango is known for its chic and effortless collection. They’re always on top of their game, introducing new styles and fashion-forward apparel and accessories. When it comes to jeans, their website is quite easy to navigate, with the different styles of jeans clearly chalked out. They have six main categories—skinny, mom, flare/bootcut, straight, wide and culottes. 

Price: Starting at INR 1,490

Established in 2018, Freakins is all about comfort while celebrating authenticity, independence and free spirit. One of the LBB crew members only buys their jeans from here, so we know they're good for sure in terms of quality. They have a good selection of jeans to choose from, featuring several styles from sleek carpenter jeans to denim culottes. If you’re on the hunt online, then this brand is great for you.

Price: Starting at INR 999

A homegrown brand which has some cool options in relaxed fits. We love that they have unisex options available. We've spotted Komal Pandey in their yellow jeans and actress Nauheed Cyrus rocking their relaxed straight-fit jeans too. So, our reliance on this brand for a good pair has only grown!

Price: Starting at INR 1,600

We've seen so many Off Duty ads by now, and for good reason. It has made a space in the hearts of the users for its quality and has been featured in Vogue as well. You'll find a wide range of fits here—cargo, wide leg, boyfriend/mom/dad fit, bootcut and more. As mentioned on their website, all jeans are soft and made with stretchable fabric, and you can find their size chart for different jeans styles here. 

Price: Starting at INR 1,550

Their denims are pricey but of really good quality and will last you for a good time. The website is nicely segregated by different styles (bootcut, slim, straight, boyfriend, wide, skinny and flare), which makes it easy and convenient to shop. This bootcut one is a personal favourite, something I would save up for. 

Price: Starting at INR 7,200

We all know this one all too well, for the quality, honestly, I feel they're well priced. My jeans from here have always lasted me a good four to five years. They have a different collection every season, so better to buy what you like without waiting too much. I personally suggest their high-rise collection. They also have paperbag jeans, which seem to be a very comfortable fit for summertime. 

Price: Starting at INR 2,890

You'll find tons of different styles—straight, wide, ribbed, cargo—for men and women, from what we could check, all of them are 100% cotton and available in many sizes, catering to most. The brand does everything, from cutting and stitching to embroidery, all in-house which justifies the cost and also ensures highest quality product.

Price: Starting at INR 2,390

We've spotted multiple influencers in Lea Clothing, from Malvika Sitlani to Kritika Khurana (aka @thatbohogirl) and Kusha Kapila. We love that they have a wide variety of options to choose from in western and ethnic wear, with sizes going up to 5XL. And while they may have gone viral for their trendy corsets and 'fits, their jeans deserve equal attention.  

Price: Starting at INR 2,990

Bluer is a brand that we have been eyeing for quite a while for cool fits, especially jeans. They have options in cargos, straight-fit, mom-fit, and skinny-fit, and all so very affordable! Plus, it seems they are always up to date with trends, as we can find all of them lined up on their website, from embroidered patch pockets to acid-wash denims. 

Price: Starting at INR 1,490

If we are talking about jeans, then there is no way ONLY should not be on the list. The brand has some of the most "basic but not boring" jeans that will last for years on end. Wide, flared, relaxed, straight— name it— and they have it, that too in ample options. They also have those slouchy ones that the fashion set is going crazy over right now.

Price: Starting at INR 1,035

Falling in love with Outcast is damn easy. Their entire range is too chic and cool at the same time to skip. And that includes their denim section, too, of course! From bootcut and flared to cargo and low-rise, they have the best of all the jean types. The only issue we have faced is with the size range, which usually just goes up to a 32-inch waist. 

Price: Starting at INR 1,799

We were amazed by the brand the second we landed on their website, because wow, it is cool. And while it goes without saying how amazing all the pairs are, what really stood apart for us are the colourways, which include smokey grey, austin blue, stormy night, and a lot more that you would want your jeans to be in!

Price: Starting at INR 3,000

It didn't take much time for Cider to become a cult-favourite, and for all the right reasons. Their designs never not hit the right mark— and while, yes, they might be a bit on the higher pricing scale, but definitely worth it. If you want to hop onto all the jean-related trends, this is the brand you can fully rely on!

Price: Starting at INR 1,800