The Best Jeans I’ve Ever Worn are $37 (and Often on Sale)

I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to buying jeans. They’re always either too loose, too tight, too high-waisted, or not high-waisted enough. Or I find them to be just downright uncomfortable. But denim is an essential part of a wardrobe, and I was determined to find the right pair. To my surprise, I came across the perfect jeans not at a fancy online shop or high-end chain but at — wait for it — Old Navy. 

Growing up, Old Navy was synonymous with the matching red, white, and blue flag shirts my mother bought our family to wear on the Fourth of July. Another summer meant another patriotic short-sleeve tee or spaghetti strap tank I would wear for approximately five to six hours at a barbecue before retiring it immediately to my pajama drawer. However, Old Navy has grown and evolved over the years, and its clothing selection, including my beloved Wow wide-leg jeans, is a testament to this.

_{Prices are accurate as of April 28, 2025. Subject to change.}

Old Navy High-Waisted Wow Wide-Leg Jeans

I loved the Wow jeans from the moment I pulled them on, but I stumbled upon them nearly by accident. Old Navy is owned by Gap Inc., which also includes Banana Republic and Athleta, and their online shops bundle carts together to make shopping and shipping seamless. The Wow jeans came up as a suggestion while shopping through The Gap’s scoop-neck tees. I clicked “add to cart” without realizing they came from the other brand. I think it was meant to be.

I have never worn a pair of jeans this much. For one, they’re incredibly comfortable. Some jeans arrive tough and stiff and take forever to break in, but not these. Crafted from a blend of cotton and polyester, these felt delightful right off the bat with their stretchy, lived-in texture and loose, roomy legs that are slightly baggy without looking cartoonish. What I especially love about these bottoms is that although they are labeled as high-waisted, they don’t dig into my stomach like other high-waisted pants. They comfortably sit right below my belly button and have ample breathing room around the waist. They also boast an easy, breezy zipper fly closure with just one button (thank God) and large enough back pockets to stash my phone, wallet, and keys when I feel like leaving the house sans handbag. Like most women’s jeans, though, the front pockets are small.

However, what impresses me most is how versatile they are — they virtually go with anything. You can quickly throw them on with sneakers and a boxy T-shirt to run errands; pair them with flip-flops and a loose button-down blouse for warm weekend plans; or dress them up with strappy heels and an ankle-length tailored leather trench coat for a dinner date.

I’ve gotten more compliments than I can count on these jeans, and people are always surprised when I tell them they’re from Old Navy. I currently own them in the medium wash but have my eye on the calla lilies and dark indigo options as I feel like I can get a lot of mileage out of these fellow easy-to-style shades. Thankfully, the price is also unbeatable at around $37 and often discounted to around $20 or so. Time to stock up!

Feature Image Credit: Elena_Alex_Ferns/ Alamy Stock Photo