Jeans that not only look great but flatter women over 60 started to appear in stores a year ago and have only become more popular. The new jeans styles have a higher rise, wider legs, and boot cuts that are comfortable and flattering for women our age. We look at the best styles for your body type, followed by our choice of the 10 best jeans for women over 60.
This article was originally published in 2020. The selection of jeans was updated April 2023.
A guide to wearing the new jeans
If you have been wearing skinny jeans for the past (#) years you may need to remember a few things about less restricting jeans.
Your jeans must fit in the waist and rear, not tightly but with a flattering hug.
If not, it will look as if you simply dragged on an old, pair of too-big jeans. The new styles are looser than skinny jeans, of course, but not baggy all over.
Don’t haul out a pair of jeans from the early nineties (or the 70s!) and think you’ll fit right in.
You won’t. Designers make subtle style changes every season. Trust us, it’s easy to distinguish 2023 jeans from the mom jeans of the 90s. You want to look spiffy, not as if you don’t care.
Watch the stretch.
We all love stretch, especially now that we’re in our sixties. Stretch was particularly important with skinny jeans, which were more like leggings than jeans. Stretch was necessary to get them on. But too much stretch can bag out the knees and rear and make your new, high waist, looser leg jeans look sloppy.
A good rule of thumb is that stretch should not be more than 5% of the overall fabric content. Stretch comes in a variety of different names like spandex and elastane. If the denim is soft and pliable, you may be able to get away with 100% cotton.
Choosing the best jeans for your body type
Ten pairs that we want in our closets illustrate the best of the new styles. They can be found at retail stores and online. We’re adding to cart now…
We may have an affiliate relationship with some of them, which means we will earn a small commission if you purchase anything through the links on this page.
The Way-High® Sailor Jean by Everlane
Everlane makes comfortable wide-legged jeans that are all-forgiving for just about any body type, yet they’re so stylish. Add to the easy drape of the fabric by pairing them with a French sailor tee or a hip skimming sweater. These flattering jeans say we’ve left the skinnies behind…and good riddance. $128 at everlane.com
Citizens of Humanity Annina High Waist Trouser Jeans
Legs that go on and on. The Annina High Waist Organic Cotton Trouser Jeans from Citizens of Humanity feature a leg-lengthening trouser cut but have a relaxed vibe. Made of nonstretch organic-cotton, they feature a high waist, tonal stitching, and light fading for lived-in appeal. $238 at Nordstrom.com
Spanx, the inner wear company that specializes in smoothing and redistributing your assets, has ventured into outerwear. These pull-on flare jeans are the perfect wear everywhere with anything style. Designed with premium stretch denim, high-rise coverage and hidden core shaping technology, this jean puts a new twist on a retro silhouette. $148 at spanx.com.
Joe’s High Rise Pathway Wide Leg Jeans
The new wide leg jeans from the Andrea Lublin x Joe’s Jeans Pathway Jeans are cut high on the rise and wide at the hem, yet fitted across the butt and hips. The Pathway Wide Leg is crafted from a deep indigo with a drop front yoke, polished hardware and angular pockets. Dress them up with strappy sandals or go casual with a pair of white sneakers.
If you are venturing into the wide leg jean look for the first time, these are a perfect choice. Joe’s Jeans are known for their quality and reputation so be prepared to pay a little more. Available at joesjeans.com; $ 153.00 (sale price, reg $ 218.00)
High Waist Straight Leg Jeans by HINT OF BLU
Hint of Blu’s high-waist jeans are crafted from stretch denim and tailored with a straight-leg fit and classic five-pocket styling. They have comfortable stretch and hold their shape after washing. Waistine isn’t too high (e.g., not “rib cage”) and they have a classic shape and simple silhouette. These are the daily-wear jeans you’ve been looking for. Priced at an affordable $59 at Nordstrom.com.
Madewell Baggy Straight Jeans
If you miss your slouchy jeans of old, these are for you. They’re straight-legged, loose in the hips, and made of all-cotton nonstretch denim that molds to your body. And in a nod to today’s trends, and our bodies, they have a waist-accentuating high rise. $49.00 on sale ($98.00 regular price) at Nordstrom.com
7 for All Mankind ® b(air) – Kimmie Bootcut Jeans
7 for All Mankind brings an L.A. vibe to its jeans, including these Universally flattering five-pocket Kimmie bootcut jeans. Cut from lightweight and incredibly soft b(air) denim they feature a contoured waistband for a gap-free fit. The versatile pair is finished with subtle fading and 3D creases. (B(air) is an innovative fabric that combines weightless technology with denim.) 7 for All Mankind, $179 at Nordstrom.com
There is a reason that boyfriend jeans have endured while their skinny cousins are on the way out. Their casual fit makes them very comfortable and if you have slim ankles, the rolled-up cuff is flattering. Pair them with a tee and flats or a tailored jacket and a snazzy belt.
JJill’s cotton-rich blend is soft yet shapely and has just the right amount of stretch. On sale for $59.99 (reg $89.99) at JJill.com
Agolde Criss Cross Upsized High Waist Jeans
These jeans have a flattering leg with an element of surprise thrown in. (Of course, you won’t want to cover the crisscross feature with a sloppy sweater; choose a short sweater over a tucked in shirt to expose the unique waist band.) If you are one of those lucky people with a slim waist but more going on in the hips and butt, these jeans will focus the eye on your waist. $198 at Nordstrom
GAP High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans With Washwell TM
GAP’s new take on the classic Cigarette Jean, these slim, ankle-length classic jeans have more room than its True Skinny but are just as comfortable. With an 11-inch high rise, they are made of 94% cotton, 5% recycled cotton for softness, and a touch of stretch with 1% elastane. The company maintains that because the denim is soft, these jeans will mold to your body after a few wears, even with minimal stretch.
These jeans are part of GAP’s water-saving Washwell™ program, which uses less water at the mill, manufacturing and laundry stages. Compared to conventional wash methods, Washwell™ has saved millions of liters of water since 2016. $69.95 at GAP.com
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Blue Hare editors Clare Galloway andd Verlee Prybyloski contributed to this article.
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