My Spring 2021 Denim Favorites

Denim styles are in flux right now, so I thought I would round up my spring 2021 denim favorites. This is basically an update to my 5 Favorites: Denim Edition that I’ve posted several times in the past.

These days, straighter styles are trending, along with higher rises and lighter washes. While I still love a skinny jean, I’m finally embracing some other styles as well.

I have a lot of jeans, as I wear them daily, so I have more than I’m listing here. But these are the ones I find myself reaching for most often, now that I’m finally able to wear my spring clothes.

Also, Shopbop is having their annual The Style Event, so a lot of these jeans are on sale right now! CLICK HERE to shop all my Shopbop Sale Picks.

My Spring 2021 Denim Favorites

#1. Mother Insider Crop Step Chew Hem Jeans

at Saks (fully stocked) // at Nordstrom // at Neimans ($50 off with code INC50)

Mother jeans are some of the best I’ve ever worn. The denim looks and feels amazing, it’s generally very flattering and holds its shape, and the washes are practically works of art. Also, Mother jeans are made in Los Angeles, which is hard to find these days! Of course, you pay a premium for these unicorn jeans. I realize they don’t fit everyone’s budget, but if I have to choose my all-time favorite jeans to wear right now, it’s the Mother Insider Crop in the Dancing On Coals wash (pictured here).

I wasn’t sure I was crazy about all the distressing at first, but I’m loving the ultra casual style and the texture the rips jagged step hem. If you don’t care for the distressing, the Sweet and Sassy ($50 off with code INC50) or Hey Sun washes are both really good too. They both have a raw step hem, but no other rips or distressing. I’ve tried all three, and they are all suuuuper soft and comfortable. They run true to size, or some say they size down if in between; I my usual size 28.

#2. Levi’s 724 High Rise Straight Crop Jeans

sold out; similar here

Okay, this is mean because these jeans are no longer available, but I love these for a white version of a distressed crop straight jean. They have the more modern straight silhouette without being too wide, and the inseam is the perfect crop length for me. For comparison’s sake, these jeans have a 9.5″ front rise, 25.25″ inseam, and 11.75″ leg opening.

If you like the style and don’t need the white denim, Shopbop has two pairs of Levi’s 724 high rise crops in their spring event sale. In fact, I got mine during this sale around this time last year.

I found a similar pair at Bloomingdale’s, but they have a 28″ inseam and 14.5″ leg opening, so they’re a bit longer and wider than mine. I’ll be on the lookout for something more similar that is stocked for this season, and when I find something good, I’ll update this post.

#3. AGOLDE Sophie Mid Rise Crop Skinny Jeans

at Nordstrom // at Shopbop

I still like a crop skinny jean for spring, and the wash on these AGOLDE Sophies is a really nice medium indigo blue with a good deal of sanding and whiskering to give them a lived-in look without being sloppy. They’re also verrrry soft and comfortable. The fabric is only 33% cotton, so they’re very stretchy, but they have great shape retention and never bag out.

AGOLDE is a newer made-in-the-USA denim brand that is making waves. In fact, two of their styles made my spring denim favorites list. These are a mid-rise crop with a 26″ inseam, 10.25″ leg opening, and 9.75″ front rise. They run true to size; I have the 28.

#4. Good American Good Legs Crop Jeans in White001

at Nordstrom // at Good American

I wanted to include a white skinny, and I debated between these and the Paige Hoxton, but I settled on these Good American Good Legs. They’re less expensive than the Paige, the denim is slightly thicker, and they’re more widely available. Plus, I cut my Paige Hoxtons to make them shorter, so when I post pictures of me wearing them, it’s not an accurate representation of how they will come to you.

Good American is known for making jeans with tummy control and butt-lifting technology. They’re also specifically designed for curvy figures, and they promise not to gape in the waist. When you pull them on, they feel suuuuper tight, sort of like wearing Spanx, but they settle in quickly and become very comfortable.

I have these in the black wash, and I wore them on repeat all fall and winter, so I decided to try the white for summer, and I’m so glad I did. I recommend buying these your true size; I have the 6.

#5. 7 For All Mankind Josefina High Waist Boyfriend Jeans

at Bloomingdale’s (20% off with SAVEMORE) // at Zappo’s // at Nordstrom // at

While boyfriend jeans aren’t exactly on the cutting edge of fashion at the moment, they’re always a good option to have in your closet, and I’m enjoying the relaxed cropped fit right now. I tend to wear this style more in the spring/summer than in the fall/winter because I love how boyfriend jeans pair with sandals and a white tee for a casual girl next door vibe.

These jeans are very soft and comfortable, and the light wash and higher rise keep them looking current. I’ve always appreciated the consistent quality of 7 For All Mankind denim, and these do not disappoint. They wash and wear well, and they don’t bag out or lose their shape. They’re currently 20% off at Bloomies, and they run true to size; I have the 28.

#6. Daily Ritual Girlfriend Jeans (Bleach Wash) $39.90

at Amazon

You can probably tell from my other denim picks in this post that I’m a bit of a denim snob… although, I prefer to call it discerning. I ordered these Daily Ritual jeans from Amazon to have some lower priced options to recommend, and color me surprised when I liked them enough to add them to my closet! They’ve been in my regular rotation ever since.

These jeans are the best bargain to come along this season. They’re very soft and comfortable, they hold their shape well throughout the day, and the straight crop style is right on trend. I measured mine (although Amazon brands are not known for their consistency) and they have a 9″ rise and a 26.5″ inseam. They run true to size (I have the 6), and this is the Bleach Wash.

#7. AGOLDE Toni Fray Hem Straight Leg Jeans

at Nordstrom // at Shopbop // at

I discovered the AGOLDE Toni last spring, when I purchased this blue denim pair. I wore them a bit, but not as much as I thought I would. I’ve been reaching for them more this spring, and then I picked up this black pair with the raw chewed hem, and I absolutely LOVE these.

They’re soft and comfortable, and they have that on-trend straight crop styling without being too wide and baggy. They’re included in the Shopbop sale too! If you don’t like the chewed hem, the Montage wash is the same wash with the traditional hem. These jeans run true to size, or you may be able to size down if in between; I have the 28.

#8. KUT from the Kloth Amy Crop Straight

at Zappo’s

KUT from the Kloth does a good job with denim under $100, and I just added the Amy crop straight to my closet. I feel like these are a good substitute for the Mother Insider crop step chew hem jeans (#1 above) — they have the same vibe at a much more wallet-friendly price. In fact, these are currently on sale at Zappo’s!

I recommend sizing down in most KUT from the Kloth jeans, and I have these in the size 4. They were a bit snug at first, but they do stretch out some, which is typical for this brand.

#9. Mother The Insider Crop Jeans in Not Guilty

at Shopbop

I didn’t include these in the graphic, but I wanted to throw them in here as an honorable mention — especially since they’re part of the Shopbop sale! These were my first ever pair of Mother Insiders, and they’re so flattering. I’ve struggled a bit to style the crop flare style, but I’ve worked it out, and I’m excited to start wearing them more. Here’s now I’ve styled them for spring and for winter.

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