“Let’s go shopping for plus-size jeans” is a statement which used to give me absolute nightmares. Even when my editor commissioned me to write this article and also asked me for some self-shot imagery, the panic started: Will I find the right styles, and will the sizing be consistent?

Being a plus-size girlie with a small waist and much larger hip, finding the best jeans for women that actually fit and don’t leave that huge gap above my bum (that even a belt can’t hold together) isn’t the easiest task at hand, but luckily the fashion game for us babes over a size eighteen has gotten slightly better over the past few years.

Skinny jeans with a lot of stretch used to be my go-to, because they moulded to my curves, but to be totally transparent, that was also the only real jean style that I could fit into my shape during most of my teens.

Sometimes I wanted that tighter skinny fit with a bodysuit underneath, but sometimes I just wanted a casual baggy jean with an oversized white shirt or a vintage band tee. I used to think that feeling confident in jeans meant that it had to be a style that was sculpted to my silhouette, but now I know it’s whatever you feel comfortable in.

Stiff, structured denim, ’90s wide fits, restrictive waistbands, and generic silhouettes have meant that options have fallen short on what’s available for curvy women in the past – but it doesn’t have to be this way anymore. We have so many more options, as we deserve.

We are seeing designers such as Sinead O’Dwyer and Karoline Vitto use denim in their size-inclusive collections throughout Copenhagen and London Fashion Weeks. The high street has zero excuses not to include us.

So here at Glamour, we have curated the ultimate edit of the best plus-size jeans with great size ranges to help plus-size women find high-quality denim that makes them feel their very best. Shopping for plus-size jeans (or any size jeans, for that matter) is no one’s favourite pastime.

PSA: If you’re looking for the best petite jeans or the best tall jeans, we’ve got you covered there, too.

How to shop for plus-size jeans, my top tips

As mentioned before, most of us don’t have the luxury of trying on items in store, which ultimately leads to a lot of online returns. I would strongly recommend checking the reviews from each site to see if they run big or small, always check the materials to understand if there is any stretch in the fabric and make sure you also have your personal measurements handy, the size chart will be your best friend here (as sadly we all know different stores don’t always offer the same sizing).

How I tested the best plus-size jeans

I would have loved to tell you that I found all five pairs of these jeans while walking down Oxford Street, but as you will be well aware, if you are above the UK average size of an 18, the high street experience does not cater to curves. I called in my favourite online retailers and tried and tested these jeans at home. Each pair I styled up the same, with a white kitten heel mule and a Good American bodysuit, so you can really see the fit. I am 5’8, I have a small waist that moulds into a wide hip, big belly and curvy bum. I wear a UK 22 on the bottom, but sometimes size up or down depending on the cut (don’t worry, I’ll let you know if I’ve done this below). Let’s get into it…

These Paige jeans do come at a luxe price point, but I can absolutely see why. They have a butter-like softness with a high stretch waist, holding you in without feeling like you can’t breathe. Made from 93% cotton, these are a pair you can wear out for dinner with the girls and won’t need to unbutton them by the time dessert comes round. I love the raw hem and the slightly shorter length, which looks great with a little mule heel. These wide-leg jeans are going to be a winter staple for me.