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My Friend Is Looking for New Jeans—I Sent Her This Flattering Levi's Style That's a Staple in My Gen Z Wardrobe

It’ll be the centerpiece of your spring outfits.

Published on April 7, 2026 06:00PM EDT

By Kaitlin Clapinski Kaitlin has 5+ years of editorial experience covering fashion and beauty. She's also an avid collector of vintage and new Levi's jeans.

Walter Jones and Alix Bancourt wearing casual denim outfits in a fashion street style setting showcasing jeans in different styles — Credit:
Getty Images

Levi’s 501 ‘90s Jeans are the perfect pair of denim that everyone should own.
The 501 jeans are 30 percent off at Levi’s right now.
Shop more iterations of the on-sale style including the 501 Curve Jeans, 501 '90s Ankle Jeans, and 501 '90s Lightweight Jeans.

Have you ever heard of Plato’s theory of the chair? Stick with me: It essentially states that every physical object is an imperfect representation of its perfected theoretical form. Basically, nothing beats the OG, and to me, a classic pair of Levi’s 501s are the perfect, untouchable pair of jeans that every other similar pair is trying to be. Owning a pair is a non-neogitable in completing a capsule wardrobe, and you can snag them right now while they’re 30 percent off.

Levi’s 501 '90s Jeans

Credit: Levi's

$110

$77 at Levi.com

As a 24-year-old, things in my life are constantly changing (my skin, closet, routines, pretty much everything), but Levi’s 501 jeans have been a wardrobe staple I’ve counted on since I was in high school. I’ve always had a hard time finding jeans that fit me, but the mid-rise, straight-leg fit on the 501s fit both my waist and my thighs—a rarity for jeans—in a really complementary way. The thighs are loose, but not baggy, and the waist is snatched, but not so tight I can’t sit. They’re also so comfortable.

A person takes a selfie in a mirror wearing a red top and jeans while standing in a living room setting — InStyle

I’m 5-feet-6-ish and typically jeans are either too short or too long, but the 501s have that perfect just-covered-ankle fit that is universally flattering with any shoe. I have multiple pairs in different sizes that vary depending on how I want them to fit. For example, I go two sizes up for a baggier style. I’ve worn them with sneakers, flip-flops, flats, loafers, clogs, and pretty much every shoe combination imaginable.