Designer denim brands may want you to think that a great pair of jeans should cost north of $200, but I’ve never spent more than $100 on my favorite jeans and they all come from the same place: Gap. I’ve been loyal to Gap jeans for years because the quality, value and comfort can’t be beat. Sure, I’ve tried other brands like Levi’s and Madewell, but none make me look and feel as great as my Gap jeans. From denim trends to timeless styles, I can always count on the brand to have what I’m looking for.
Need more convincing? Check out my favorite styles of the season and find out exactly why Gap jeans are superior.
Best Gap jeans
Since comfort is key, my picks for the best Gap jeans all fall into more forgiving silhouettes. I’ve been experimenting with the more trend-conscious cuts of the season — it’s my job as a fashion editor, after all — and am here to report that they’re surprisingly wearable and fun to style.
Why I love Gap jeans
Denim that lasts
First and foremost, Gap makes affordable denim that holds up extremely well for its under-$100 price point. I purchased my first (and favorite) pair in 2021 and they still look and feel brand new. (They’re a cropped, high-waisted jean that the brand has since cycled out, but Gap currently has a similar cut called the High-Rise Stride Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans.)
Denim naturally loosens up as you wear it, which helps with comfort and fit. My original pair tends to relax after a day of wear, so they never feel too tight on my waist or too rigid in the legs. Conversely, they don’t loosen too much, to the point of looking unintentionally baggy.
I’m not precious with how I launder my jeans, so they’ve been through the washer and dryer countless times. Yet, each time they emerge from the dryer, they’ve snapped back to their original form.
There’s a style for everyone
If you browse Gap’s website for jeans, you’ll see they have pretty much every style covered. There are classics like wide leg, straight leg and bootcut jeans, and also trendy cuts like baggy denim and barrel jeans. Most styles come in multiple washes, so you can really find the right pair for you.
Multiple fit options
One of my favorite things about Gap is that most of its pants and jeans come in Regular, Tall and Petite sizing. Alternatively, you can opt for a short, regular or long inseam in a Regular fit. This is important to me as a five-foot-two person with short legs and a long torso. Even some petite jeans can be too long for me, because of my proportions.
This is far less of a problem at Gap, although I’ll admit I’ve even had to get some of Gap’s petite jeans hemmed. However, they’ll be just an inch or two too long, versus the foot of fabric I’ve had to remove from some other brands’ jeans. Plus, that’s only with specific styles. I’d say half of my Gap jeans were perfect right off the shelf.
Nonetheless, I appreciate the sizing options — it remains a challenge to find actually good, size-inclusive clothes. And jeans? There’s a reason shopping for denim is notoriously nightmarish.
Thankfully, I’ve never had any meltdowns over my Gap jeans. Even the ones I’ve ordered online have ended up fitting well. If anything, I think the waistband tends to run a tad larger than other brands.