Charlie Bell
There are few better investments than the longest lasting jeans. An easy way to make your wardrobe more sustainable and offset your impact on the planet, finding high-quality denim you will never tire of is a surefire way to get the most out of your closet.
The carbon footprint of your best jeans may not be something you think about very often. However, research shows that making one pair of jeans produces 4-5 times the carbon footprint of one t-shirt, meaning your denim could be one of the least sustainable items in your wardrobe. That's why investing in a pair of long lasting jeans that will survive wear and tear for years to come is so important. Not only will it save you some cash as you don't have to repurchase them so often, but it will also encourage more sustainable shopping habits.
We asked our team which pairs of jeans they've had for the longest to find the longest lasting jeans out there. These are the go-to styles the woman&home team have worn for numerous seasons, that haven't needed to be replaced on the regular. With many top picks from the high street, these chic and timeless styles prove that you don't have to shop at exclusively sustainable clothing brands to curate a wardrobe that is kinder to the planet.
9 longest lasting jeans, worn and loved by the woman&home team
Our deputy editor, Anna Paul, said:
"I hate buying new jeans, so I'm a real brand loyalist when it comes to denim. I just find the whole process of finding the perfect fit stressful and I've been burned before when I think I've found the perfect pair only for them to lose their colour or shape after a few washes. That's why I'm a big fan of White Stuff as, in my experience, the jeans really do keep their shape over time.
"My absolute favourite is probably the now-discontinued Sky Straight 7/8 Jeans (sob) but the Brooke jeans are a very close second. They fit true to size and after countless washes the colour is still mostly in tact (I have the 'washed black' which have washed out to a slightly softer charcoal colour, but I think they actually look better for it). I've probably had them for about a year now which might not sound like long, but considering that I wear them all throughout summer and winter, I'm pretty impressed. Plus, they're on sale now for £28. I'm stocking up."
Fast fashion retailers like ASOS may not be the first place you think to shop when you're looking for the best long lasting jeans, but you can find some brilliant high-quality, affordable jeans here. The best jeans for tall women, according to our health editor, these provide a perfect fit and can be trusted to hold up for years.
Our health editor, Grace Walsh, said:
"I have owned these jeans for nearly three years and I can't fault them. Finding jeans that are the perfect length when you're tall can be a struggle, but these fit me perfectly. The mid-wash blue colour makes them ideal for everyday wear, and with added stretch, they are also some of the most comfortable jeans I own. When asked for jeans recommendations, this is always the pair that I tell people to buy. For such an affordable price and looking good as new after three years of wear, you can't get much better."
Our fashion writer, Amelia Yeomans, said:
"The Levi's Ribcage jeans make it into pretty much every jeans roundup I write, because they really are that good. I bought my pair secondhand and they had already been well loved, but even after wearing them consistently myself for the last two years, they look good as new. I love that they loosen up with wear to give a cool-girl look, but after a quick wash they snap back into shape instantly. With a smart-casual finish, I style them with everything from my best white trainers to chunky heels.
"I have worn these jeans at least twice a week since I got them, and there are no rips, snags, tears, stains, or anything that would hint at how much they've been worn. They are also undoubtedly the best straight leg jeans on the market due to the fact that they fit me perfectly, with enough room around my thighs to keep me comfortable. They also offer a few different leg lengths, making them my pick for the best petite jeans too. Levi's are definitely the highest quality jeans brand in my wardrobe, so they are well worth the slightly higher price tag for denim you can be certain will last for decades, if not longer."
Our deputy editor, Anna Paul, said:
"In my opinion, a pair of black skinny jeans is a wardrobe essential. Yes, they might not be super in vogue right now but I truly think these M&S Lily jeans are waiting patiently in my wardrobe until this fit has a revival (which absolutely will happen).
"These jeans are a slim fit without being super skinny and have just enough to stretch to feel comfortable and form-fitting. They look great with boots during the winter months and pair perfectly with sandals or trainers during the summer. They wash really well too and basically look (and feel) just as good as they did when I bought them three years ago. I can't sing the praises of these jeans enough."
You can browse the latest M&S discount codes to save money on your next purchase, too.
If you're looking for the best high waisted jeans that don't compromise on comfort, you've found them. With four-way stretch for a structured yet soft fit, these are skinnies that won't make you feel restricted. And the best part? They can really be trusted to last you well. The longest lasting jeans our team have tried, this high street pick is a no-brainer. Wondering how to style high waisted jeans? Pair with some dressy flats and a loose blouse this season.
Our content director, Laura Crombie, said:
"I've had one pair of these since my honeymoon, which is 10 years ago! They never sag and wash really well - two key components of the best long lasting jeans."
Topshop jeans have always been a favourite of ours, and we have had pairs of Topshop denim in our wardrobe for as long as we can remember. The soft Jamie style is a classic for good reason, and this updated flared silhouette will make a timeless addition to any capsule wardrobe. Take a look at how to style flared jeans and start planning your seasonal looks.
Our editorial intern, Emily Smith, said:
"Topshop jeans have never let me down. With reliable sizing and a range of denim hues, these jeans are my number one go-to. I've had these jeans for around a year and wear them multiple times a week, and they're yet to show signs of aging. They wash amazingly and fit super well because of their stretchy material! If you're after a stretchy, comfortable, and reliable pair of flares, the Jamie jeans get my vote every time."
Crafted from responsibly sourced cotton, these long lasting jeans are made fairly and ethically as well as being high quality. River Island produces some of the best jeans for curvy women if you're after both trend-led and classic styles you will never tire of for very reasonable prices. Our fashion editor's favourite, these come style expert approved. Swap out your best summer dresses for these skinnies once fall rolls around and enjoy them for years to come.
Our fashion editor, Rivkie Baum, said:
"Admittedly I'm not the biggest of jeans wearers, but when I do, it's always a high waisted style from River Island. The trusty black skinnies are my absolute go to and I love that the mid-weight, high quality jeans go up to a size 28, making for a really inclusive pair of plus size-friendly jeans. With enough stretch for comfort, but enough rigidity that you still get a little light sculpting, I've had my River Island jeans for over two years and they're still in good shape."
Our fashion writer, Amelia Yeomans, said:
"I picked up a pair of these Wrangler jeans in a charity shop several years ago and they're still going strong. I have no idea how well worn they were before I bought them, but thanks to the dark blue hue, there are still no signs of wear here. Made with 98% cotton and 2% elastane, they don't feel stretchy but instead have a nice amount of room that makes them comfortable to wear all day long.
"I'm petite so I did opt to cut the legs a couple of inches to get the right leg length, but even left with a raw hem they haven't become messy or unraveled over the years. I find the dark blue colour to be extremely versatile and easy to dress up or down, so not only have they lasted me years, but they can also be worn again and again no matter the occasion - a true rival for the best designer jeans."
It's no surprise that another pair of Topshop jeans makes this list. This brand was known for its jean collection and with a great price tag for high-quality denim, they tick every box. Despite the fact that our shopping writer purchased these jeans several years ago, they are still just as trendy today, proving the longevity of a truly good pair of jeans. If you're after a slightly more tailored alternative to the best wide leg jeans, we love the tighter cut of this style.
Our shopping writer, Hannah Holway, said:
"I've had these jeans for four or five years now and I still wear them all the time. Despite the light blue denim hue they haven't faded at all, keeping the same look as when I first bought them. They're also super stretchy, so much so that I wear them whenever I'm working from home and they haven't become saggy anywhere. They're not like the very thin material of Topshop Joni jeans but they're also not too stiff that they feel uncomfortable - the perfect balance for a long lasting pair of jeans."
What to look for when shopping for the longest lasting jeans
Aside from our team's recommendations there are a few things to look out for when shopping for long lasting jeans. Fashion stylist and jeans lover, Antonia Kraskowski offers these words of advice:
"When it comes to finding denim that lasts more than one season, look for styles with a low elastane level for several reasons. While rigid denim may take longer to break in and mould to your body, ultimately once those jeans are hugging your curves, they’re less like to lose their shape and fit. Stretchy styles will fit perfectly for a short time before areas begin to lose their shape and become baggy, meaning they need washing to shrink them back, causing accelerated wear and tear to the fibres.
Elasticated styles also tend to be made of thinner fabric which again will affect how long they last as they are likely to wear through on high pressure points such as knees and groins more quickly than their rigid denim counterparts."
What is the carbon footprint of making jeans?
According to estimates from the UN, the fashion industry contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 20% of wastewater. Factors such as how clothing is transported, produced, and then disposed of all contribute to the devastating impact on the environment.
For example, a single pair of jeans requires 1kg of cotton, and producing that uses around 10,000 litres of water. That’s enough drinking water for one person over an entire decade - and that’s just one pair!
There are a lot of different types of jeans: skinny jeans vs straight jeans and mom jeans vs boyfriend jeans to start. And the average person owns seven pairs. That is seven decades worth of water for a person. Frightening, eh? Much of this wastewater is full of chemicals and dyes that impact our rivers and oceans as well. This is all before our jeans even enter our wardrobes.
Despite making some of the longest lasting jeans on the market, Levi Strauss estimates that a pair of their signature 501 jeans will produce the equivalent of 33.4kg of carbon dioxide equivalent across its entire lifespan. That's about the same as driving 69 miles in the average US car. These emissions are from a combination of production, packaging, transport and consumer use - mainly from washing.
This is where we come in. If we changed our approach to how to wash jeans so that we were doing it every 10 wears, rather than every two, we could reduce water usage and climate-change impact by up to 80% - a big improvement in the carbon footprint of jeans.
UK consumers use more hot water than American or Chinese consumers, and if they washed jeans in cold water instead of warm, it would reduce climate impact by 21%. How we dry our clothes is important, too. Line drying is a lot more planet-friendly than using a tumble dryer.
“You don’t need to wash clothes as often as you might think. You can hang your clothes out to air, for example, rather than washing them after each wear. Reducing the amount of washing that you need to do is the best way of making sure that microplastics don’t get into the water system,” says Fee Gilfeather, Oxfam’s sustainable-fashion expert.
How to reduce the carbon footprint of your jeans
- Wash jeans after every 10 wears, rather than every two
- Air your jeans outside rather than washing them whenever you can
- Wash jeans in cold water instead of warm
- Dry them on the line rather than using a tumble dryer
- Buy the best-quality jeans you can afford and wear them longer
- Shop second-hand
How else can we offset the carbon footprint of jeans?
As well as washing less, there are other small things we can do to help offset the carbon footprint of jeans and other clothes. Think investing in higher-quality, long lasting jeans, holding onto them for longer and wearing them more often.
If we continued to wear our clothes for just nine months longer, it could reduce their environmental impact by 22%, according to a report by recycling charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Hands up if you have clothes in your wardrobe that don't fit you anymore? Or have never even been worn in the first place? You're not alone. Research by Oxfam found that the average adult currently owns at least two items that remain unworn.
Thanks to our thirst for new trends, the lifespan of our clothes has been significantly shortened, but holding on to our clothes longer will help the planet, as will resisting the urge to buy anything new. And seeing as jeans are a fashion mainstay, it’s definitely worth investing in one of the longest lasting jeans instead of 'throw-away' cheap pair.
“Buying clothes that are made to last is better for the planet, but you can also extend the life of your clothes by repairing them. Consider stitching on buttons that have fallen off or patching up holes. That way, you reduce waste and reduce the need to buy new clothes, all of which is a drain on the planet’s resources,” adds Fee.
Around 350,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in landfill in the UK every year and many of these items could have been recycled or upcycled into easy sewing projects (most of which are simple enough you don't require one of the best sewing machines).
When you are ready to get rid of clothing, think first about how you can give it another lease of life. Donate old items to a charity shop or vintage store, learn how to sell clothes online or take them to a car-boot sale, or have a clothes swap with friends.
