The Best Jeans for Larger Thighs

These Jeans Will Flatter Thicker Legs

Woman lying on a park bench in jeans
Get inspired to style skinny jeans with our must-have denim fashion guide. Zave Smith/Getty Images

If you've got meaty or athletic legs, you know it can be a challenge to shop for jeans. Women with bigger thighs often get frustrated when shopping for jeans because it's hard to find the right pair to fit you well, without emphasizing the size of your upper legs. Don't give up, though — there are plenty of jeans that are cut to flatter larger legs, if you just know what to look for. Here's our helpful shopping guide to the best jeans for big thighs, so you can find the perfect pair to balance your shape.

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Start With a Darker Wash

Old Navy Curvy Boot Cut Jeans in New Rinse

Old Navy

 

A dark wash jean is your best friend if you have big thighs. Dark wash jeans are also versatile for both work and play, making them a budget-friendly, versatile choice for wearing to the office and on weekends.

Darker shades of denim have an overall slimming effect. A deep indigo wash (or even black denim) is a great choice for creating the illusion of slimmer legs.

When buying dark jeans, look for a clean finish, without too many distracting details. Whiskering, fraying and distressed styles may be trendy from season to season, but are not ideal for ladies with grown-up sized legs.

Jeans to Try:

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Straight Leg Jeans

NYDJ Marilyn Stretch Straight Leg Jean

NYDJ

 

Do you love to look up to date? Straight leg jeans may be a great choice for you, then. These fashion girl favorite jeans feature a breezier, more relaxed silhouette than skinny jeans, and are cut to skim over your thighs, giving legs a longer, leaner look.

Falling in a straight line from hip to toe, and usually designed in either a standard mid-rise or flattering high-waist fit, straight leg jeans are a stylish, flattering, and comfortable choice if you have big thighs.

Straight leg jeans are a great choice for denim-friendly days at the office, worn with a pretty blouse or button-down shirt. After hours, simply change up your accessories — try adding a chunky necklace and over-sized sunglasses — and you're ready for the weekend.

Take a look at fashionable ways to wear straight leg jeans now.

Jeans to Try:

  • Everlane Authentic Stretch Cigarette Jean
  • Levi's 314 Shaping Straight Jeans
  • NYDJ Marilyn Stretch Straight Leg Jean
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Boyfriend Jeans

Citizens of Humanity Emerson Slim Boyfriend Jeans

Citizens of Humanity

If you have thicker thighs, you know that too-tight jeans are not your best friend. Boyfriend jeans are fashionable for casual wear, but also roomy enough to skim your thighs, without accentuating what you don't want to showcase. Just like with real-life boyfriends, though, you may have to try on a few to find your perfect match.

Long length is one key to flattery — buy your boyfriend jeans too short and you risk entering the dreaded mom-jeans territory (which may be hip for teens, but can be disastrous if you have a grown-up, womanly shape). You'll also want to look for a pair of boyfriend jeans that fit you snugly across the hips and fall in a nice, straight line over the leg.

While cuffed boyfriend jeans are popular, you may want to skip this style. Rolling up your jeans can visually shorten your bottom half, unless you're taller than average, making your legs look wider than you'd like.

You can also experiment with all different colors of denim washes — but do know that the darker the rinse of your jeans, the more they'll visually slim your legs.

Get outfit ideas for styling boyfriend jeans.

Jeans to Try:

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Flare Jeans

7 For All Mankind Slim Illusion Dojo Flare Jeans

7 For All Mankind

 

Flare jeans are a fashionable way to balance a bottom-heavy figure, because they create a distracting contrast between your thighs and lower legs — and bonus, they're a confident, stylish choice for work and weekends.

A standard flare jean style has a slim fit through the hips and thighs, then kicks out into a wider shape just below the knee. This bell shape at the bottom draws attention downward and helps to balance your figure, making you look slimmer overall. Just be sure to avoid jeans with color fading on the legs, as this will highlight wider thighs, which defeats the purpose.

For comfort and flattery, shop for a pair of flares with a bit of stretch in the fabric (one percent-plus Lycra should do it), and stick to a wearable, medium-rise style.

Jeans to Try:

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Bootcut Jeans

Joe's Jeans High Rise Honey Bootcut Jean

Joe's Jeans

Bootcut jeans — so called because you conceivably can fit a pair of boots under them — are a subtler version of flare jeans. These jeans are a great option if you want to achieve the same thigh-balancing benefits as you get from a flares, but don't feel a ‘70s-inspired look matches your personal style. They're also very versatile, matching with many different fashion looks and shoe styles.

If you go with a boot cut jean style, be sure to go all the way with a floor-skimming length, to elongate those legs.

Jeans to Try: