I have always had a love/hate relationship with black and/or gray jeans. A quick google of ‘gray jeans’ often brings up pairs like this, with a soft, gray wash that’s too boring for words. It breaks my brain. And while I know one might argue that black jeans are considered classic, I’ve always found them too…dark (haha). But it’s exactly this solid uniformity (whether in black or gray) that I don’t like. It might be because I wear so many boring tops (white tees, black sweaters), but I prefer my jeans to be a little more interesting. I’m looking for some sort of variation in the wash, the stitching, something. Black jeans can look like black trousers…without the lovely drape and ease of trousers. (NOTE: One exception to this rule are black, faux-leather pants. The texture makes them interesting.)
That said, I do have two pairs of – technically speaking – black jeans that I can recommend. Both pairs have a wash that isn’t uniform, and interesting details: Levi’s XL Baggy Jeans in ‘Influential Lady – Black’ and Rachel Comey’s Elkin Pants in ‘Black’.
LEFT: Levi’s (size 27, 29″ inseam), sweatshirt (s), boots | RIGHT: Rachel Comey Elkin Pants (size 6 – also at Garmentory), sweater (s, older colorway), sneakers
The Levi’s XL Baggy Jeans are around $100, 100% cotton, and one of my very favorites pairs of jeans (I own them in several colors). The shape is perfection, the wash has juuuust enough variation and the drawstring waist adds an interesting detail. They’re available in sizes 23 – 34, with inseams of 29″, 31″, and 33″. Highly recommend.
The Rachel Comey pants are annoyingly expensive, but they’re also freaking fantastic. Rachel Comey pieces defy trends, and I’ll be wearing these cropped jeans loooong after cropped jeans are over. The button fly and back waist detail (click through to see) are so cool. Rachel Comey pieces are investment pieces for sure, but I’ve yet to regret a single Rachel Comey purchase. Available in sizes 00 – 14, inseam 25.5″ and made from 100% cotton.
Ok! Those two pairs are *the most* classic black wash jeans I’ll happily wear. But with Spring on the horizon, I’m starting to flirt with the idea of a lighter pair of gray jeans…
Gray Jeans For Spring: 10 Seriously Cute Pairs
For years, I would try to round-up black/gray wash jeans with that exact faded wash I like. Some years I could find 5-6 really solid pairs, other years I’d have to skip it because the washes were all too dark or too uniform. This year, however, it’s madness: there are SO many good freaking pairs of gray (faded black?) jeans, so if you like this look as much as I do, you’re in luck.
Here are 10 pairs of faded black / gray jeans with a wash that meets my – very exacting – requirements. Additionally, I was looking for a pair with some interesting details, too. I’m trying these jeans on with this tee and a pair of heeled Sorel boots because it’s still freaking winter up here in Vermont, and I won’t be busting out the ballet flats anytime soon. (The heel helps with the length – tall girls are going to be happy with this try-on.)
1. Rag&Bone Sweatpants Jeans
Where To Buy: Saks | Nordstrom | Shopbop
Sizing: Inseam 33.5″, fits TTS (wearing size 27)
Composition: 100% cotton
Of all of the jeans in this try-on, these are my favorite. They really do feel like they’re made from terry, yet they look 100% like jeans. Even the waistband holds up like real jeans, without being squeezy. Despite the softer fabric, the wash is GORGEOUS. Rag&Bone has completely nailed the faded black wash – these are the standard to which I’ll hold all other black washes for years to come.
tee (s, more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
These are jeans for traveling (wear ’em on the plane, wear ’em out to dinner), and for people who still wear sweatpants a whole heck of a lot, but need something a little more put-together.
2. Free People Palmer Cuffed Jeans
Where To Buy: Free People | Nordstrom
Sizing: Inseam 29″, runs big, wearing size 26
Composition: 100% cotton
These are ridiculously comfy and cute. The waistband detail and cool pockets give these jeans an almost vintage sailor vibe, and I love the contrast stitching.
tee (s, more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
While I’m sort enough to wear them full-length (I’m 5’3″), these jeans are really meant to be cuffed. Voila:
OMG SO CUTE.
3. Icon LA Debby Jeans
Where To Buy: Amazon | Shopbop | Revolve
Sizing: Inseam 32.75″, TTS (wearing size 27)
Composition: 100% cotton
These jeans were SUCH a fun surprise! The cool shoelace belt, the star detail on the pocket, and the overall shape – there’s no doubt that these are the coolest jeans of the try-on. Even my teenager complimented me on them.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
The only thing I’d like to point out is that they’re a *little* overwhelming on my shorter frame. While they look fresh & springy, it was a lot of fabric around my waist and hips. I’ve never tried this brand before, so I j really would have to wash and dry these jeans (and cut them to the proper length) before I could fully report. Let me know your thoughts on Icon Denim – if there’s enough interest, I could do a deep dive. For SCIENCE.
4. Mother Denim The Ditcher Roller Sneak
Where To Buy: Amazon | Shopbop
Sizing: Inseam 32.25″, TTS (wearing size 27)
Composition: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Ok, Mother. THIS is what I love to see from Mother Denim – a suuuuper soft jeans, in a perfectly faded wash. These jeans are ridiculously comfortable, with a realllly good bum.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
5. GAP High Stride Cuffed Jeans
Where To Buy: GAP
Sizing: Inseams Petite 29″, Regular 32″, Tall 34″, fit is a little small (wearing size 28)
Composition: 99% cotton, 1% stretch
GAP is really good at spoofing designer denim these days, and these jeans are a good example of that: soft, great wash, decent bum (although not as god at Mother) and the big cuffs. These are really fun Spring jeans.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
6. SLVRLake Re-Work Mica Paneled Jeans
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
Where To Buy: Shopbop | Amazon
Sizing: Inseam 35″, fit TTS (wearing a size 27)
Composition: 100% cotton
There’s something about these jeans that is just freaking cool – beyond the two-tone wash. I love the lower rise of the waistband, and the tomboyish fit.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
SLVRLake does the cool-kid thing so well, and if you’re tall, these jeans would be perfect. On me, I couldn’t quite get the vision, until I messed around with a “real” outfit:
sweater (s)| jeans | boots (also available, here) | bag | necklace
Therrrrre we go.
7. GAP Horseshoe Jeans
Where To Buy: GAP
Sizing: Inseam 27″, fits TTS (wearing size 27)
Composition: cotton 95%, recycled cotton 5%
I was wondering if I would like that sort of acid-wash thing that seems to be everywhere. I do not.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
What I learned, however, is that I hate horseshoe jeans with heeled boots. Instead…
8. AGoldE Kristen Jeans
Where To Buy: Free People
Sizing: Inseam 31″, fits TTS (wearing size 27)
Composition: 100% cotton
These are so freaking fun and, once again, so overwhelming on me. If the waist/hips fit better, I’d wash them, dry them, and cut them to fit, but the seam detail, on my shorter self, is too much.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
Tall gals, go nuts.
9. Maje Balloon Jeans
Where To Buy: Saks | Nordstrom | Bloomingdale’s | Neiman Marcus
Sizing: Inseam 34″, fits TTS (wearing size 6)
Composition: 100% cotton; pocket lining: 67% polyester/33% cotton
I was hoping these would be a (slightly) more affordable version of my Rachel Comey jeans…nope. While Maje pants usually fit perfectly, these jeans were clearly designed for someone much taller. And I didn’t love the extra fabric in my middle.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
That said, once I recreated the original outfit I had been drooling over…I can see the vision.
Still not good enough to keep, tho.
10. Free People Good Luck Barrel Jeans
Where To Buy: Free People
Sizing: Inseam 26″, sizing TTS (wearing a size 27)
Composition: 40% recycled cotton, 17% cotton, 43% lyocell
People LOVE these jeans. And while the shape is pretty good, and the wash is really pretty, on me, they just looked…off.
tee (more sizes at Bloomies) | jeans | boots
I’m a solid ‘meh’. In this case, it might be the styling, but honestly? I don’t want to work that hard, haha. While I suspect these jeans might look really pretty with ballet flats and a eyelet blouse, I ALSO need them to work with my Vermont clothes, too.
Once again, just a reminder to wear what you love, and BE PICKY. Especially if something is “trending”. All that means is that you’ll have a ton of choices, so take the time to find something that is *exactly* right for you.
xo,
S
FWIW – I have several pairs of the FP barrel jeans and go up one size. I like the fit so much more than I do in my regular size.
All of these jeans look like perfection on you! I think I’ve been influenced.
Coming to this post to let you know that I bought the Rag & Bone jeans. OMG- I *adore* them. I have already worn them 3 times, and each time I do, people stop and ask me about them. The length, drape and wash are perfection. You were spot on- perfect for travel and then dinner, work, or running errands. So comfortable! I am debating on trying the Icon LA or the Mother ones you featured to have a pair of gray denim that is true denim. Which did you prefer?
The Mother ones are great, but more in the “normal jeans” category. The Icon LA are….seriously freaking cool. But there’s some volume there that I wasn’t prepared for, and the denim is more like *real denim* – a little thick, a little bit stiffer – not the thin, drapey stuff of Mother Denim or rag&bone. That said…the pair of jeans I can’t stop thinking about? Yup. It’s the Icon.
Well you may have to purchase them and style in the spirit of researching for your followers. (aka me!)