The best tall jeans list gets written a lot, usually by people who haven’t worn a 36-inch inseam in their life. I’ve spent the last year rotating nine tall brands on the same 5’11” body, in the same cut categories, wearing them the same way. These are the ones that actually earned their spot.
My ranking criteria: real tall inseams (not 34-inch passing as tall), construction that survives 12+ months of rotation, rise that flatters a long torso, dye quality that holds, and pricing that makes sense relative to the wear life. Ten brands went in, six earned a spot on the list. The full framework behind every pick lives at Brand Guides.
How the best tall jeans got ranked
Each pair was tested on my body (5’11”, 28″ waist, 38″ hip, 36″ inseam to ankle bone) for a minimum of 10 wears and 6 wash cycles before ranking. Criteria:
- Inseam accuracy: does the published inseam match the actual measured inseam?
- Fit consistency: is the size-to-measurement relationship reliable?
- Construction: do seams hold, hardware last, and hem stitching survive?
- Dye quality: does the wash hold through washes, or does it fade/warp fast?
- Price-to-wear-life ratio: how many wears per dollar spent?
- Cut availability: does the brand cover multiple cuts (skinny, straight, wide, bootcut) or just one?
1. American Tall — the specialist winner
American Tall is the brand built specifically for tall shoppers. Inseams run 34, 36, and 38 across the line. The curvy (American Tall Curve) version adds 2–3 inches to the hip at the same waist. Construction is 11-oz cotton with reinforced stitching; my 2-year-old straight leg in dark indigo has no seam failures.
Price: $108–$128 retail, $68–$88 on seasonal sale.
Inseam range: 34″ / 36″ / 38″
Cuts available: skinny, slim, straight, bootcut, wide leg, flare
Honest negative: size range caps at 22; the slimmer fits pull at the thigh on athletic builds.
For the dedicated review, American Tall Jeans covers every cut.
2. Madewell Tall — the premium everyday pick
Madewell added tall sizing across select cuts, with inseams to 36 inches in styles like the Baggy Jean Tall and Superwide Leg Tall. Fabric is premium — 12-oz rigid cotton in most washes — and the wash selection is strong. Dye quality, especially in black rinse and true indigo, holds 15+ washes without drift.
Price: $128–$158 retail, $90–$115 on the 30% off sitewide.
Inseam range: up to 36″
Cuts available: baggy, wide leg, straight, a narrow selection of slim
Honest negative: tall isn’t available on every cut; the Perfect Vintage Jean and many skinnies stop at regular length.
3. Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long — best for curvy tall
Abercrombie’s Curve Love adds 2 inches at the hip and thigh at the same waist; Extra Long adds 3 inches to the inseam, landing around 35.5 inches. The combination is one of the only mainstream answers for curvy-tall bodies. 99% cotton / 1% elastane, $90 retail with the rolling 25% off effective at $68.
Price: $90 retail, $68 effective.
Inseam range: 35–35.5″ in Extra Long
Cuts available: 90s Relaxed, Ankle Straight, High Rise Skinny, select wide leg
Honest negative: Curve Love Extra Long isn’t available on every cut; popular washes sell out fast.
Full breakdown at Curvy Tall Jeans.
4. Gap Tall — best value mainstream
Gap Tall is the widest-available mainstream tall line. Inseams cap at 34 inches, which works for 5’9″–5’10” shoppers or ankle-length preferences at 5’11”. Construction is middle-of-the-road — 10–11 oz cotton, standard stitching — but at the sale price ($35–$45) the value is strong. Wash selection is the widest on this list.
Price: $79.95 retail, $35–$45 on the 40–50% off sitewide.
Inseam range: 34″
Cuts available: ’90s Loose, Easy Straight, Slim, Wide Leg, Bootcut, High Rise Skinny
Honest negative: 34-inch cap means this isn’t a true tall solution for 5’11″+. Wash quality varies — dark indigos hold, mid-indigos fade unevenly.
Deeper review at Gap Tall Jeans.
5. Old Navy Tall — best for cheap tall jeans
Old Navy Tall is the cheapest reliable option in the category. Inseam caps at 34 inches; fabric is 9–10 oz cotton with stretch. Construction is the weakest on this list — expect 18 months of rotation before the knee area thins or seams start to show wear. At the sale price ($25–$35), that’s acceptable for rotation pairs.
Price: $44.99 retail, $25–$35 on sale.
Inseam range: 34″
Cuts available: Rockstar, Extra High-Waisted Wow Straight, Wide Leg, Slouchy
Honest negative: fabric weight is light, dye fades within 10 washes on most colors, stitching can show wear at the inner thigh.
Full review at Old Navy Tall Jeans.
6. Good American — best for hip-generous shorter tall
Good American builds every jean for curvier builds and caps their longest inseam at 34 inches on most cuts. The hip-to-waist proportions are excellent; my size 4 Good Legs runs 38″ hip at 28.5″ waist. At $135–$175 retail, premium pricing, but the build and proportions justify the spend for regular wearers.
Price: $135–$175 retail.
Inseam range: up to 34″
Cuts available: Good Legs, Good Curve, Good 90s, wide leg variants
Honest negative: 34-inch cap means Good American doesn’t solve the problem for 5’11″+. For the 5’9″–5’10” curvy shopper, it’s the standout.
What didn’t make the cut
Several brands I tested didn’t earn a ranking:
- H&M Tall: inseams are inconsistent (claim 34″ but measure 32–33″), construction light, price low but wear life short.
- ASOS Tall: variable by sub-brand; some cuts fit beautifully, others drop from 36″ claimed to 34″ measured.
- Levi’s (no tall line): select cuts (Ribcage, 725) run long enough for 5’8″–5’9″ but don’t qualify as tall specialist for 5’11″+.
- J.Crew Tall: limited tall offerings, inconsistent inseam depth.
- NYDJ Ami Tall: solid construction but the aesthetic runs more smoothing-wear than contemporary.
Best by cut category
If you want the best tall jeans specifically within a cut, the short list:
- Best tall straight leg jean: American Tall Straight in dark indigo — see Straight Leg Tall Jeans
- Best tall wide leg jean: Madewell Superwide Leg Tall in black rinse — see Wide Leg Tall Jeans
- Best tall skinny jean: Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long High Rise Skinny — see Skinny Jeans for Tall Ladies
- Best tall bootcut jean: American Tall Bootcut 36″ in dark rinse — see Bootcut Tall Jeans
- Best tall black jean: Madewell Superwide Leg Tall in black rinse — see Black Tall Jeans
- Best high waisted jeans for tall ladies: American Tall Wide Leg 12″ rise — see High Waisted Tall Jeans
Best jeans for tall thin woman specifically
The best jeans for tall thin woman search usually targets cuts that don’t add visual volume. The brands above that fit this criterion:
- American Tall Slim and Skinny — close through the leg, long enough inseam
- Madewell Perfect Vintage Tall (where available) — slim but not skinny
- Levi’s Ribcage Straight in 32″ inseam — works for 5’9″–5’10”
Avoid oversized relaxed fits unless the cut is specifically architectural — a baggy cut on a thin long frame can read drowning rather than styled.
Sizing across the winners
Size translation across my top picks, all against my 28″ waist / 38″ hip / 36″ inseam:
- American Tall: size 28 (true to measurement)
- Madewell Tall: size 28
- Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long: size 28
- Gap Tall: size 28 (runs slightly roomier)
- Old Navy Tall: size 6 (runs half size larger than Gap)
- Good American: size 4
Shopping by measurement rather than size label translates cleanly across all six brands. Check the brand’s hip measurement first, waist second.
Where to find the best tall jean deals
The sale cadence that actually delivers:
- American Tall: summer clearance (June–July), Black Friday, fourth quarter
- Madewell: twice-yearly 30% off sitewide, typically January and July
- Abercrombie: 25% off rolls weekly with stackable additional codes
- Gap: 40–50% off sitewide hits nearly every weekend
- Old Navy: continuous rolling discount codes, best prices on app exclusive sales
- Good American: appears in Nordstrom and Shopbop sale sections seasonally
For resale, Poshmark carries a deep selection of American Tall, Madewell Tall, and Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long pairs. Best Tall Jeans on Poshmark surfaces a wide range, though the specific brand searches American Tall Jeans on Poshmark and Madewell Tall Jeans on Poshmark narrow better. For Amazon’s broader tall listings, Best Tall Jeans For Women on Amazon mixes quality — filter by published inseam.
The verdict
The best tall jeans depend on what you value most. For specialist inseam range (36 and 38 inch options) with dependable construction, American Tall wins. For premium fabric and dye quality on a 36-inch inseam, Madewell Tall is the pick. For curvy-tall bodies needing mainstream availability and sensible pricing, Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long is the answer. For value at shorter-tall inseams (34 inches), Gap Tall and Old Navy Tall both earn rotation spots depending on budget. Good American is the premium pick for hip-generous shorter-tall shoppers in the 5’9″–5’10” range. Skip anything under 34-inch inseam labeled tall, pay attention to fabric weight, and size to the hip not the waist.
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FAQ
What are the best tall jeans for a 5’11 woman?
American Tall’s 36-inch inseam options across their full cut range, Madewell Tall’s 36-inch cuts in select styles, and Abercrombie Curve Love Extra Long for curvy 5’11” bodies. Anything capped at 34 inches doesn’t solve the problem cleanly at that height.
What are the best jeans for tall thin woman?
Slimmer cuts with proper inseam — American Tall Slim and Skinny, Madewell Perfect Vintage Tall where available, and Levi’s Ribcage Straight for 5’9″–5’10”. Avoid baggy relaxed cuts that can read drowning on a thin long frame.
What are the best high waisted jeans for tall ladies?
American Tall’s wide leg and straight cuts run a 12-inch rise. Abercrombie Curve Love High Rise Extra Long runs 11.5-inch. Gap Tall’s ’90s Loose runs 11-inch. For deeper coverage, High Rise Tall Jeans and High Waisted Tall Jeans go further.
Are good jeans for tall ladies more expensive than regular jeans?
Typically yes. Specialist tall (American Tall) runs $108–$128 retail versus $70–$100 for comparable regular lines. Mass market tall (Gap, Old Navy) matches their regular pricing. The specialist pricing premium reflects smaller production runs.
Where can I find best jeans for tall people on sale?
American Tall’s summer clearance and Black Friday deliver 30–40% off. Madewell’s twice-yearly 30% off sitewide. Abercrombie’s weekly 25% off. Gap’s ongoing 40–50% off sitewide. For resale, Poshmark consistently carries American Tall and Madewell Tall pairs 30–50% below retail.
