There’s a time and a place for every type of denim. Some days, though, you might not have it in you to deal with stiff, skinny pants but still want bottoms that look more put-together than jeggings. That’s where the best pull-on jeans come in: You should be able to step into them and pull them up in one smooth motion—no shimmying required. Similar to sweatpant jeans, they usually skip traditional closures in favor of stretchy waistbands and a softer feel; unlike them, they’re made from true denim (or close to it), with enough structure to hold their shape and read like classic jeans. To find pairs that lived up to that promise, I tested a range of styles and wore them everywhere, from work to weekend. I paid close attention to how they fit, if they held their shape, and how well they looked with my outfits. Below, find my favorite pairs.
Our top pull-on jean picks
- Best for Summer: We The Free Breezy Denim Pull-On Jeans, $78
- Best for Evening: SPANXshape EveryWear Flare Jeans, $138
- Best for Weekends: Marine Layer Ella Wide-Leg Pant, $138
- Best for Work: Everlane The Gardener Pull-On Jean, $134
- Best for Everyday: AE Dreamy Drape Stretch Low-Rise Pull-On Baggy Jean, $36
Best for Summer: We The Free Breezy Denim Pull-On Jeans
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We The Free Breezy Denim Pull-On Jeans
Free People
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What we love: These pull-on pants were a joy to wear. They’re muhteşem lightweight and their extra-wide, swishy legs allow for plenty of airflow (a godsend on warmer days). The high-rise waistband is stretchy and soft without a hint of compression, and the pants have deep pockets that accentuate the hips. The worn-in wash and dramatic flare give them that relaxed, boho vibe associated with Free People’s designs. They ran long on my 5’4” frame, but that’s nothing a heel can’t fix.
Styling tip: Complete the ’70s vibe with granny espadrilles and a flowy peasant blouse.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Inseam may be too long for shorter legs; pockets gap slightly along the hips
- Sizing: XS–XL (Griggs wears size large)
- Material: 100% cotton
- Inseam: 32”
- Washes: 9
Best for Evening: SPANXshape EveryWear Flare Jeans
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SPANXshape EveryWear Flare Jeans
Spanx
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What we love: These are one of the most sculpting pairs of pull-on jeans I tried. They’re compressive through the waist and hips for tummy control with a slim leg that flares subtly from the knee. Despite how form-fitting they look, they’re fully pull-on, with no zipper or button (though they do have belt loops). “Most of the other pairs I tried were looser in the waist, but these were more structured in that area yet still comfortable enough to squat in. I wore them out dancing with friends. They do wonders in the butt-lifting department. In black, they made quite a statement and my legs looked a mile long. Worth highlighting: The pull-on flared jeans come in a wide range of plus sizes (up to 3X, and in three inseams).
Styling tip: Because they’re stretch denim, the jeans can lose a bit of waistband shape with wear over time—add a belt to help keep them in place.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Lose shape in waist over hours of wear
- Sizing: XS–3X in petite, regular, tall (Griggs wears size petite large)
- Material: 84% cotton, 14% polyester, 2% Lycra elastane
- Inseam: Petite 30”, regular 32”, tall 35”
- Washes: 3
Best for Weekends: Marine Layer Ella Wide-Leg Pant
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Marine Layer Ella Wide-Leg Pant
Marine Layer
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What we love: These are my current go-to pants to wear during the day on weekends. They’re so soft—almost like sweats—but more substantial, so they hold their shape without wrinkling. They have a real zipper, button, and functional pockets, so they read like true jeans, but the elastic waistband and drawstring make them sneakily easy to pull on and off. They’re comfortably high-waisted, and the cut lands somewhere between a wide-leg fit and boot cut jeans (just slightly relaxed). The visible white drawstring helps cinch the silhouette, though it’s also the detail (along with the extra-light wash, one of summer’s biggest denim trends) that tips them more casual. Still, that’s part of the appeal if you’re after a laid-back look for errands, coffee runs, or watching a kids’ soccer game from the sidelines.
Styling tip: To style these wide-leg jeans for a night out, swap sneakers with kitten heels and throw on a structured blazer.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Drawcord sticks out
- Sizing: XS–XL (Griggs wears size petite large)
- Material: 100% cotton
- Inseam: Petite 28”, regular 30”
- Washes: 3
Best for Work: Everlane The Gardener Pull-On Jean
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Everlane The Gardener Pull-On Jean
Everlane
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What we love: These strike a more polished note than most pull-on styles, thanks to their thicker denim and dark blue wash. The subtle darting at the knee, oversized hip pockets, and a whisper of a barrel leg that tapers at the ankle keep the silhouette feeling structured and cool. The pockets are useful—I could easily fit my phone without it feeling bulky—and the back waistband has hidden elastic, so you get some stretch without it being visible from the front. They also hit at a great length on my shorter legs. My only note is that, despite the ‘pull-on’ in its name, I couldn’t technically actually get them on and off in one motion.
Styling tip: To elevate these barrel jeans for the office, pair them with a knit top and a slingback heel in brown or burgundy—two of the season’s trendiest shoe colors.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Technically not pull-on
- Sizing: 23–33 (Griggs wears size 30)
- Material: 60% organic cotton, 40% Tencel Lyocell
- Inseam: 28.5”
- Washes: 5
Best for Everyday: AE Dreamy Drape Stretch Low-Rise Pull-On Baggy Jean
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AE Dreamy Drape Stretch Low-Rise Pull-On Baggy Jean
American Eagle
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What we love: These ended up being one of the most wearable pairs in the lineup, especially for shorter legs. The cropped, slightly barrel-leg fit hit right at my ankles, and they come in multiple inseams, which makes getting the length right much easier. They’re extremely soft with a hint of stretch fabric and an elastic waistband that’s not too restrictive. They’re easy to take on and off, and though they’re comfy enough to lounge in, they still function like regular jeans with their four pockets. Available in only two lighter washes, the mid-rise jeans are a great everyday option at an under-$50 price point.
Styling tip: Try an extra-slim sneaker and an oversized button-down shirt for an effortlessly casual look.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Limited washes
- Sizing: XS–XL in short, regular, long (Griggs wears size regular large)
- Material: 86% cotton, 13% Tencel, 1% elastane
- Inseam: 28–32”
- Washes: 2
How we tested
I wore eight pairs of pull-on jeans over two weeks—to work, while running errands, and out to dinner and dancing—to see how they held up in real life. Each pair was washed and re-worn to assess durability and shape retention. I paid close attention to comfort, fit, and how easy they were to pull on and off, along with whether they stretched out over time and if they were available in a range of sizes and inseams.
