Finding the perfect pair of jeans can feel like an endless search, but I’ve got you covered. After trying jeans from countless brands, I always find myself coming back for more from these affordable favorites for high quality pieces. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite budget friendly jeans for 2024!
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A good pair of jeans is a wardrobe staple and for good reason. You can style them so many ways! However, no one wants to spend an arm and a leg on a piece of clothing. These are cheaper jeans that you would NEVER guess weren’t expensive jeans.
Not only do these brands offer incredible styles that keep up with the latest trends, but they also make the shopping experience a breeze with their easy return process. Because let’s be real, sometimes you need to return denim. The best part? These jeans are budget-friendly without compromising on quality.
After checking out these finds you’ll be left wondering why people spend hundreds of dollars on a great pair of jeans when you can score these fantastic options for so much less. It’s hard work finding jeans so I’ve done the work for ya. So, if you’re on the hunt for stylish, durable, and everyday jean options, keep on reading. Any body type can work with these!
*all prices listed in this article are subject to change per the retailer.
H&M
My top pick for affordable denim is H&M! Surprisingly enough, I own two pairs of denim from H&M that are actually some of my favorites of all time in a straight-leg fit. I tried some on a whim in store and loved them! I was also pleasantly pleased to find that they fit pretty true to size and each style was consistent in sizing. I was able to buy my normal size. Talk about well-fitting jeans.
High Waisted Wide Leg Denim $29.99
This pair of denim is perfectly high-waisted right over your belly button and the perfect classic wash. You truly can’t beat the price, they are the best jeans! Pair with a white t-shirt for an easy look. Available in multiple different wash options.
Ultra High Denim $29.99
This fit is the trendy, casual style you see everywhere. The slight flare at the bottom is cute and the wash is sleek. This is the perfect pair to tuck blouses into!
Other H&M Denim Under $30
Madewell
I know you’re probably thinking this is a joke because Madewell is known for being a *tad* pricey and the fact that it’s included in a budget post is a bit skeptical. But hear me out! While the normal retail prices are high, the clearance section is where it’s at. You can find so many pieces for less.
Here is what I would do (since a lot of the clearance finds have very limited stock) – start by going to the Madewell denim clearance section. Then, filter it to only show you your size. Next, filter it to show you products from low to high prices. You’ll automatically have all of the best deals available in your size at the top of the page.
Madewell is a great place to shop for jeans because of their free shipping and returns policy for Insiders (that’s just their free loyalty program). So you can do a little fit tester at your house with your best friends and then ship back what doesn’t work. They’re also known for always having a good fit.
High-Rise Roadtripper Authentic Skinny Jeans $39.99
A fantastic pair of dark wash classic jeans from Madewell? Count me in! These beauties are available currently in quite a few sizes and would make a great closet staple. They’re the best cheap jeans!
Baggy Straight Cargo Jeans in Thetford Wash $39.99
Feeling trendy, anyone? How fun are these cargo jeans by Madewell? Another budget friendly pick that is in stock in a multitude of sizes. Not to mention they are the most comfortable jeans.
Other Madewell Denim Under $40
Target
Coming in third place is Target. It’s the one-stop shop for just about everything and that is one of the best parts. When H&M and Madewell don’t have anything that catches the eye Target is next up. Target has great prices and the quality feels nice on their jeans and denim.
Women’s High-Rise Sailor Wide Leg Ankle Jeans $28
Can you tell a pattern here? I’m not a fan of the super skinny pants anymore. Wide leg is where it’s at! It’s so much more flattering and comfortable too.
Women’s Mid-Rise Super Wide Leg Jeans $36
Okay yes we have another pair of wide-leg jeans! I can’t stop with this new look ok!! These look so designer and are a fantastic price point and good quality. They’ll last you a long time, too. If you’ve been loving straight leg jeans then wide leg is your next adventure!
Other Target Denim Favorites Under $35
Old Navy
Old Navy has awesome denim. Sometimes they can be hit or miss, and I’ve found the sizing isn’t as consistent as I’d like. But, the returns are pretty easy and if you live close by to one it’s a no brainer. Order online and return in store to save on return shipping costs.
This is the one I’d shop at for your man, too! Sometimes you an even find selvedge jeans at Old Navy.
Also, I will note that with Old Navy the retail price is going to look a bit higher but they are always running a 25-40% off sitewide deal it seems. Definitely wait for one of those to make these finds under $40!
Waisted OG Loose Jeans $44.99
This is what I’d imagine someone buying if they only wanted one, maybe two pairs of denim they could quickly grab from their closet. Nothing too trendy or wild, just an awesome classic straight-leg silhouette with a subtle wash.
High-Waisted Wow Straight Jeans $34.99
The most perfect pair of black jeans if I ever did see some! These jeans look so much more pricey than they actually are. Stocked up in all sizes! They are a happy medium between skinny and straight legged. They could be the only jeans you need.
Other Old Navy Jean Options
Walmart
Walmart has really stepped up their game in the past few years. My favorite brands for clothing from Walmart are Scoop, Free Assembly, and Time and Tru. Most of the time you can shop in store and take a trip to the changing room to try on and explore the options. If online is more your thing, the website is awesome.
Sofia Jeans Women’s Diana Cargo Pants $26
Another cargo option for all you trend setters! Baggy jeans are so in. Combined with a high-waisted jeans style and they are perfection.
Time and Tru Women’s High Rise Straight Crop Jeans $20
Another great Walmart find. Sometimes they have more jeans available than other times, so if you can find them in your size scoop them up! I’m obsessed with any high-waisted pairs and these are the perfect length for summer.
Loft
I’ve had great luck at Loft over the years finding affordable denim . They quality of the denim is top notch. Now, this is another retailer that I would NOT pay full price at. The sale section is just too good with good deals and high-quality denim! You can almost always find things for a fraction of the cost. The sizing is also consistent and you can go with your usual size. You don’t need much stretch and they normally have just the perfect amount. They aren’t non-stretch denim, but they won’t stretch out to the point of being baggy.
I’m not going to include prices with these because it really varies depending on what type of promo they are running. Sometimes it’s take 40% off sale, or 50% off sale, or price as marked. I just try to stay at or under $40 for jeans so I’ve found some to share that fit that criteria.
Cuffed High Rise Straight Jeans in Light Wash Indigo
How fun are the cuffs on these? I love the wash and straight leg feature, too. These are a great price now that they are clearance and this great jean as of now is stocked in most sizes!
Faux Leather Trim High Rise Straight Jeans in Black
Ready for some high street fashion? A pair of black jeans for Fall is a must and the faux leather trim on these make them unique. Bonus points that they are a very reasonable price.
Other Loft Jean Favorites Under $40
ThredUp
If I’m shopping on ThredUp, I love to look for jeans from Banana Republic, Everlane, Wit & Wisdom, and Good American. While those retailers might be a bit out of budget normally, thrifted they are great finds! I won’t include any actual examples below since each piece on ThredUp only has one in stock. However, I’ll give some tips below on how to ensure you’re happy with the denim you buy on ThredUp.
For jeans it can really be a gamble buying from a website like ThredUp because you really can’t return them without having to pay a hefty return shipping fee which makes the return not even worth it. You’re pretty much stuck with them once you buy. However, now that I’ve figured out how to shop I rarely have the issue of them not fitting.
Here is what I do – if I’m buying from a brand I know my jeans size, that is easy. Start by filtering to that size only. Still do this next step, but you’ve already increased your chances if you know you have worn this brand before in a particular size and it fits.
The most important part? Check the actual dimensions, not size. This is what I do for success. Now that I’ve figured out exactly how many inches I’d like the waist, inseam, and rise to be I can look for those numbers. For example, just because a pair of jeans says that they are a size 4 doesn’t necessarily mean they will fit if you are a traditional size 4. By looking at the actual measurements you can get a much better idea of if they will have a comfortable fit.
ThredUp has all of that information in the description of each listing so just be sure to look for it. Happy thrifting! I know you can find the perfect pair of jeans to add to your denim collection. I’ve been shopping with them the past few recent years and think it’s a great website.
Conclusion
I don’t buy the narrative in the fashion industry in North America that investing tons (some people spend hundreds on a single pair!) in denim is the only way to get premium denim or designer jeans. Some of my favorite pairs of jeans that actually feel luxurious were no more than $25. Check the clearance racks and buy from retailers that align with your budget. You don’t have to be a fashion editor to do a little digging and find the hidden gems!
If you’ve found affordable jeans at other retailers, I’d love to know! I’m sure there are plenty of other options out there to score some major deals on a new favorite pair of jeans.
