The Best Straight Leg Jeans for Women: Mid Rise, Easy Fit and High Rise
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Our picks at a glance
- Best Mid RiseLevi Strauss Signature Gold Women's Totally Shaping Mid Rise Straight JeansCheck price on Amazon
- Best Easy FitLee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort with Flex Motion Straight Leg JeanCheck price on Amazon
- Best High RiseLevi's Women's 724 High Rise Straight JeansCheck price on Amazon
These three straight leg jeans differ in rise, fit through the hip and thigh, and stretch. All three women's pairs are well rated on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com, and cover a mid rise, an easy-fit pair that sits just below the waist, and a high rise.
How we picked
We searched Amazon for women's straight leg jeans, set aside sponsored results and unbranded listings, and kept listings rated 4.3 or higher across at least 200 ratings. At least one result, the Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda, is tapered rather than straight, so we kept only listings sold as straight. Then we saved each finalist's fabric, rise, measurements, seller and return terms.
For a men's pair, see Levi's 505 vs 501. To finish the outfit, see the best white sneakers for women.
Best Mid Rise: Levi Strauss Signature Gold Women's Totally Shaping Mid Rise Straight Jeans
The most rated of the three. This is Levi Strauss & Co.'s Signature Gold label, which the listing describes as super stretchy denim that hugs your curves. The fabric field lists 65% cotton, 33% polyester and 2% elastane, and the page title says it is also available in plus sizes. The listing contradicts itself on stretch: the wash we checked is labeled non-stretch while the bullets call the denim super stretchy. It gives no rise or leg measurements beyond calling the rise mid.
What the listing says
- 65% cotton, 33% polyester, 2% elastane
- Bullets: super stretchy denim; variant name: Non-stretch
- Mid rise, straight leg; zipper closure
- Also available in plus sizes (per page title)
Best Easy Fit: Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort with Flex Motion Straight Leg Jean
Lee describes a straight leg that sits just below the waist and is eased in the seat and thigh, with what it calls elastic waistband technology. Along with the Levi's 724, it is one of two picks that give full measurements: a 10-inch rise and a 15-inch leg opening on a size 10 medium, and short, medium and long lengths of 29, 31 and 33 inches. The fabric is 78% cotton, 20% polyester and 2% spandex.
What the listing says
- 78% cotton, 20% polyester, 2% spandex
- Sits just below the waist; eased in the seat and thigh
- Rise 10 inches; leg opening 15 inches (size 10 medium)
- Lengths: short 29, medium 31, long 33 inches
- Elastic waistband technology (per Lee)
Best High Rise: Levi's Women's 724 High Rise Straight Jeans
The only high rise here. Levi's describes it as slim through the hip and thigh, with a 10 1/4-inch rise and a 13 3/4-inch leg opening, narrower than the Lee's 15 inches (the Lee measured on a size 10 medium; the Levi's listing does not say which size; the Signature Gold listing gives no leg opening). Inseams are listed as 30, 32 and 34 inches. The wash we checked is a stretch denim of 70% cotton, 29% polyester and 1% elastane. Its 4.3 rating sits right on our floor.
What the listing says
- High rise 10 1/4 inches; leg opening 13 3/4 inches
- Inseams: short 30, regular 32, long 34 inches
- Slim through the hip and thigh
- 70% cotton, 29% polyester, 1% elastane (stretch)
Side by side
| Jeans | Rise (as listed) | Fabric (as listed) | Leg opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levi Strauss Signature Gold Women's Totally Shaping Mid Rise Straight Jeans | Mid rise | 65% cotton, 33% polyester, 2% elastane | Not stated |
| Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort with Flex Motion Straight Leg Jean | 10 inches, just below the waist | 78% cotton, 20% polyester, 2% spandex | 15 inches |
| Levi's Women's 724 High Rise Straight Jeans | 10 1/4 inches, high rise | 70% cotton, 29% polyester, 1% elastane | 13 3/4 inches |
What to look for
Rise
Mid rise, just below the waist and high rise sit at different points. Where a listing gives a rise in inches, compare that rather than the name.
Leg opening
A smaller number means a narrower leg, but check which size the listing measured; the Lee listing notes measurements vary by size.
Stretch
Elastane or spandex adds give. Check the fabric field, since wash names can disagree.
Length options
Some listings offer short, regular (or medium) and long lengths. Check whether the listing calls the figure an inseam; the Lee listing does not.
The bottom line
- Best Mid Rise: the Signature Gold Totally Shaping, the most rated; check its stretch labeling.
- Best Easy Fit: the Lee Ultra Lux, eased in the seat and thigh, with full measurements.
- Best High Rise: the Levi's 724, the only high rise, with a 13 3/4-inch leg opening; rated 4.3.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these is high rise?
The Levi's 724, with a 10 1/4-inch rise. The Signature Gold pair is mid rise, and the Lee sits just below the waist.
Which has the most stretch?
By the fabric fields, the Signature Gold and the Lee each list 2% elastane or spandex, and the Levi's 724 lists 1%. But the Signature Gold wash we checked is labeled non-stretch while its bullets say super stretchy, and the 724 wash is labeled stretch. Check the wash you pick.
Are these available in plus sizes?
The Signature Gold page title says it is also available in plus. Check the size selector on the other two.
Which has the narrowest leg opening?
Of the two listings that give one, the Levi's 724 (13 3/4 inches) is narrower than the Lee (15 inches, measured on a size 10 medium; the Levi's listing does not say which size). The Signature Gold listing gives no leg opening.
Why are the ratings different from what I see on Amazon?
Ratings change over time. The figures here are what each listing showed on the date at the top of this page.
Ratings and listing details were checked on Amazon on the date shown at the top of this page. We have not worn these; everything above is from their Amazon listings.
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