Jeans may be the antithesis of travel pants—they’re not as stretchy, forgiving, or comfortable as a pair of joggers or leggings—but they’re still a suitcase staple. Wrinkles are usually few and far between, and when it comes to versatility, denim reigns supreme.
While I rarely fly in jeans, I always pack them to pair with most tops—including plain T-shirts, crewneck sweaters, and oversized button-downs. In the past, I’ve brought a few pairs of jeans when traveling, all packed according to different scenarios and outfits. A distressed light wash pair for walking around during the day; dark skinny jeans for dinner or a night out; a straight-legged silhouette and a wide-legged pair, just in case I felt like wearing them. Spoiler: I never wore them. Not only did this strategy weigh down my suitcase, it also made packing stressful and inefficient.
This year, I knew I had to end this multi-year-long battle, so I set out to find a singular pair of jeans I could rely on for every mood, event, trip, and ensemble. After purging my closet of skinny jeans (too outdated), ripped denim (too unprofessional), and anything too short or too tight, I began to look through J.Crew’s denim options. If I’ve learned anything from a decade-plus of online shopping, it’s that I can usually rely on the retailer for quality pieces that outlast most trends and become essentials in my wardrobe. As I scrolled through styles and washes, I kept my eye out for three things to maximize their versatility and longevity: 1) jeans with a high waist, 2) a timeless straight-legged style, and 3) darker, non-distressed denim.
With these specifications in mind, I decided to order the High-rise ’90s classic straight jean in Rinse wash. The traditional five-pocket style comes in classic, petite, and tall lengths; I’m 5’8”, just on the cusp of regular versus tall, but decided on the latter to account for any shrinkage in the laundry. The second I tried on these J.Crew jeans, I knew I’d found a unicorn in the denim world. The waist was supportive but allowed me to breathe, move, and sit. While I’m still pro leggings for most flights, these are comfortable enough to fly in without any painful pinching or suffering. The fit was slim through the hips and thighs but straight in the legs—flattering, timeless, and simultaneously casual yet polished. I immediately began to plan the outfits I would eventually wear while traveling.
Since then, they’ve come with me everywhere: In Austin, Texas, I paired the jeans with a black tank top and sneakers. In Nantucket, a boxy, blue linen button-down and leather sandals completed the look. I packed ankle cowboy boots, a turtleneck, and a fur vest for dinner and drinks in Jackson, Wyoming. And in London, I layered a sweater with a waxed jacket and added a pair of loafers. Not once did the jeans sit idle and unworn in my suitcase.
Given the success of these J.Crew jeans in rinse wash, I also invested in the same pair in charcoal wash. Equally comfortable and true to size, this purchase rounded out my closet’s need for denim. Now any trip I take is accompanied by one pair (if not both, when I have the space)—and I recommend them to any traveler searching for that perfect pair of wear-anywhere, do-anything jeans.
