The 10 Best Mom Jeans for a Relaxed Fit and Trend-Forward Look

Mom jeans are, without a doubt, one of the most iconic (if not the most iconic) denim styles fashion has ever seen. The term "mom jeans" first started out as a joke on a "Saturday Night Live" sketch—but there is no joking about how much we love this jean style, which refers to a popular type of denim donned by moms in the '90s. With favorite '90s fashion trends in constant circulation recently, everyone and their mothers are rocking mom jeans.

"They are comfy and allow for simple combinations that will have you instantly ready for whatever the day takes you," says celebrity stylist Tanya Tamburin.

With their great popularity comes many—and we're talking many—mom jean options to choose from, including ones that are more of a nod to the waistline silhouette with different cuts like wide leg or baggy. So, we set out to narrow down the best mom jeans. From the OG jean to modern twists on the comfy style, keep reading for Byrdie’s top picks for mom jeans.

Best Overall: Levi's 501 Original Fit Jeans

The iconic 501 Original jeans from Levi's also happens to be one of the original mom jean styles—like, the same style worn by moms in the '90s. For that reason, plus others we will get to in a minute, this legendary jean style is our best overall pick. In addition to being the original mom jean, we love this Levi's style because it features a tailored yet relaxed fit and is made to fit the body like a glove, molding over time to curves the more you wear it. It's also available in a ton of great washes and you can even find some 501s in different colors and patterns, too.

Price at time of publish: $108

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: 23-34 | Inseam: 30 inches | Rise: 11.125 inches

Best Designer: Maison Margiela Cut-Out High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans

Despite how comfortable they are, this pair by Maison Margiela makes mom jeans look effortlessly cool. Available in a faded blue medium wash, the relaxed mom jeans with stylish cutouts are made from 100 percent rigid cotton denim, which means they take some time to break in. But, once they do, they will stretch and mold over your body and quickly become your most comfortable, go-to pair of jeans—with personality.

Price at time of publish: $760

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: 0-12 | Inseam: 32 inches | Rise: High rise

Best on Amazon: Levi's Wedgie Icon Fit Jeans

If you’re shopping for mom jeans on Amazon, you can find some great options, including ones from iconic brands like Levi’s. Case in point: These Wedgie Icon Fit Jeans from Levi’s are available on Amazon. Available in 13 different washes (our favorite being the tango light) and made from durable 100 percent cotton, these high-rise mom jeans are the epitome of the trend with the comfort, effortlessly cool style, and versatility to match.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: 23-32 | Inseam: 28 inches | Rise: 10.875 inches

Best Classic: Lucky Brand Drew High Waist Mom Jeans

If you’re looking for a classic pair of mom jeans, the Drew High Waist Mom Jeans from Lucky Brand are it. The high-waisted silhouette has a touch of distressing, which gives them a lived-in feel; a '90s-worthy light wash; and a chic yet relaxed fit. The traditional mom jeans were made from 100 percent rigid cotton, but this pair has a small bit of spandex in them, which makes them a tad more comfortable and will be faster to break in.

Price at time of publish: $99

Material: 99% cotton, 1% elastane | Size Range: 25-29 | Inseam: 28 or 30 inches | Rise: 11.5 inches

Best Ultra-High: Everlane The Way-High Jean

The beauty of mom jeans is their high rise, so we love an option that takes things a little higher. The Way-High Jean from Everlane comes in nine different washes (including some darker washes, which we love), and both regular and long sizing. In addition to the amazing waist length, the jeans are made with 2 percent elastane, which gives them some incredible stretch.

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane | Size Range: 23-35 | Inseam: 27.5 or 29.5 inches | Rise: Ultra-high

Price at time of publish: $118

Best Stretchy: Mott & Bow Mom Hubert Jeans

For a pair of mom jeans that stretch a little more—and fit a little tighter—we are obsessed with these Mott & Bow jeans. Made from an ultra-stretchy blend of cotton, polyester, and elastane, the high-waisted jeans have 23 percent elasticity with a hip-hugging fit.

Material: 96% cotton; 3% polyester; 1% elastane | Size Range: 24-32 | Inseam: 28 inches | Rise: 10.25 inches

Price at time of publish: $129

Best Extended Sizing: Eloquii Classic Fit Stretch Denim Mom Jean

Leave it to Eloquii to make the perfect pair of mom jeans. These come in a darker wash as well as a light wash with distressed detailing, so you can find a pair that truly matches your styling needs. The high-rise denim also features a contour waistband and a silhouette that is straighter in the hip and thigh area with a tapered leg. And, although they have that classic denim look, the jeans are made with a little bit of spandex, giving them some nice stretch, too.

Material: 99% cotton, 1% spandex | Size Range: 14-32 | Inseam: 25.5 inches | Rise: High

Price at time of publish: $90

Best Curvy: American Eagle Stretch Ripped Curvy Mom Jean

Most mom jean styles are straight at the hip and thigh, which makes curvy and stretchy silhouettes a great choice for those with curves. Our top pick for the best curvy mom jean is the AE Stretch Ripped Curvy Mom Jean. The high-waisted light-wash denim comes with a lived-in feel with ultra-soft and stretchy mid-weight fabrication and a limitless waistband.

Material: 81% cotton, 13% modal, 5% polyester, 1% elastane | Size Range: 000-20 (in X-Short, Short, Regular, Long) | Inseam: Not listed | Rise: 13 inches

Price at time of publish: $60

Best Baggy: Nichole Lynel Jean Jam

Baggy jeans are one of the most popular trends of the year, so we love to see the combination of a classic mom jean and baggy jean silhouette. The Jean Jam Denim Jeans from Nichole Lynel are made of cotton denim and fit the waist at a high rise while boasting that baggy silhouette we all can’t get enough of.

Material: Not listed | Size Range: 28-38 | Inseam: Not listed | Rise: High

Price at time of publish: $40

Best Shorts: Levi's High Loose Shorts

It’s hard to talk about mom jeans without also drawing attention to mom shorts. If you love this classic silhouette but are looking for something to rock during the warmer seasons (without taking a pair of scissors to your beloved mom jeans!), these high-rise mom shorts from Levi's are our top pick for a pair of denim shorts due to their more A-line silhouette and longer inseam that look identical to the very shorts our moms wore in the '90s.

Material: 79% cotton, 21% TENCEL™ lyocell | Size Range: 23-34 | Inseam: 3.5 inches | Rise: 13.25 inches

Price at time of publish: $70

What to Look For When Buying Mom Jeans

Fit

The most important thing to look for when shopping for mom jeans is fit. Your jeans should fit you well at the waist—not too tight or too loose—and have a little more room in the legs. The length depends on the style, but the traditional mom jeans should have a hem that meets the ankles or can be rolled to the ankles.

Comfort

Mom jeans are the ultimate comfy jean, so comfort is non-negotiable. Comfort can come down to fit, but it can also depend on the fabrication, amount of stretch, and how the style fits to your body.

Why Trust Byrdie

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON Magazine to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. Jessie’s signature look is jeans and a T-shirt, with mom jeans being her all-time favorite denim style. She has spent countless hours sourcing the best options for her personal wardrobe, and she used the knowledge and experience she gained from doing so to inform her research while sourcing the best mom jeans for this piece.