I’ve worn a lot of denim in my life, but some pieces become part of your story. For me, that’s Levi’s. Somehow, I always find my way back to them.
I was born in San Francisco in the late ’70s, the same city where Levi’s began, so maybe becoming a Levi’s girl with a lifelong love of flares was written in the stars. ✨
Over the years, trends have come and gone, denim rises have moved up and down, and I’ve tried plenty of different silhouettes. But I always come back to Levi’s. They feel iconic without trying too hard, and when I find the right fit, they make an outfit feel instantly pulled together.
This isn’t just a list of jeans I like. It’s my denim story—and these are the Levi’s fits that have earned a permanent place in my closet.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you shop through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This post is not sponsored by Levi’s.
Why Levi’s Will Always Feel Personal to Me
My connection to Levi’s eventually became professional too. A third-party company hired me to work as a Levi’s merchandise coordinator and brand specialist/vendor inside Macy’s and JCPenney. Earlier, when I worked at City Model Management in San Francisco, some of the models I represented held Levi’s fit contracts. I saw the brand from more than one angle—from the precision behind developing a great fit to the way iconic denim is presented on the selling floor. So yes, this love runs deeper than a cute pair of jeans.
I love that Levi’s keeps evolving without losing its identity. The same denim can feel vintage, modern, relaxed or polished depending on how you style it—and in my experience, a good pair only gets better once it has lived a little.
A great pair of jeans gives you options, but my forever uniform may be the simplest one: a fitted tank, Levi’s and my Birkenstocks. Done. Add a cardigan when it is cool, or switch to a soft sweater, pretty jewelry and a shoulder bag when I want to feel a little more polished. Denim meets you wherever you are.
My Favorite Levi’s Fits
I don’t believe there is one perfect jean for every person or every outfit. The magic is finding the silhouettes that make you feel like yourself. These are the Levi’s styles I reach for again and again.
Born in San Francisco and emotionally attached to a high rise and a fabulous flare—that is my denim personality in one sentence.
Levi’s Fit at a Glance
If you are trying to figure out where to start, here is the quick version. Think of this as the fitting-room cheat sheet before we get into the denim deep dive.
| Fit | Shape | Stretch / Feel | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribcage Bell | Super-high rise, fitted through the thigh, dramatic bell from the knee | Structured denim with a touch of stretch | My current favorite when I want waist definition, long legs and full ’70s energy. |
| 726 High-Rise Flare | High rise, slim through hip and thigh, flare from the knee | Softer stretch with recovery | An easier everyday flare when you want the leg-lengthening effect without quite as much drama. |
| Cinch Wide Leg | Relaxed wide leg with adjustable back tabs; rise can vary by wash | Non-stretch but softer and more fluid | Relaxed, modern and especially clever if waist gapping drives you crazy. |
A Little Denim Truth
I can love Levi’s without loving every Levi’s jean. If the denim feels stiff, the sizing makes me question reality or I have to wrestle with a button fly, she is going back. Life is too short to argue with your jeans.
Levi’s Ribcage Bell Jeans
The Ribcage Bells are my newest denim addiction—and honestly, they may be my favorite Levi’s fit yet. My cool little hippie heart has always belonged to the ’70s: peace, love, happiness and a really fabulous flare. 😂 These jeans give me all of that vintage energy without making me look like I’m wearing a costume.
The name Ribcage is not an exaggeration. That super-high rise defines the waist, makes the legs look endless and creates the hourglass-meets-bell-bottom shape my flare-loving self never stood a chance against. They stay fitted up top, then go full freedom and drama at the hem—which feels pretty perfect for me.
The Maximum Story medium wash feels beautifully vintage and works with everything from soft knits to striped button-downs. The washed-black version gives the bells a moodier, more elevated edge and makes the silhouette feel almost evening-ready.
How I Style My Ribcage Bells
Because the jeans already create such a strong shape, I keep the top half streamlined. Fitted tanks, tucked tees, fine-gauge sweaters and cropped cardigans all let the waist and bell leg stay visible.
A bodysuit may be my favorite pairing: no bunching, no constant retucking, just that high waist and fabulous flare doing the talking. Add a shoulder bag, a little jewelry and a ’70s playlist, and suddenly the grocery-store aisle is giving San Francisco street style. Ha ha.
- My everyday favorite: Medium-wash Ribcage Bells, a fitted pearl or dusty-rose top, silver jewelry and a cool-taupe shoulder bag.
- Vintage polished: A tucked striped shirt, slim belt and pointed boots.
- Soft Summer: Mushroom knit, muted denim, soft-gray accessories and silver jewelry.
- After dark: Washed-black bells, a fitted black or charcoal top and a pointed heel for one long, uninterrupted line.
The hem should nearly skim the floor without dragging, so shoes and inseam matter. A pointed boot or heel makes the leg look endless, but I also love the idea of wearing them with a clean sneaker when the length allows.
These are not quiet jeans, and I don’t want them to be. They are confident, nostalgic, a little dramatic and completely in tune with my hippie heart. Peace, love and fabulous flares. ✌️
Levi’s 726 High-Rise Flare Jeans
The 726 is an iconic, wearable flare—the pair I recommend when someone wants that long, leg-lengthening shape without going quite as dramatic as a true bell. It is part of Levi’s signature Lot 700 family and is designed with a high rise, a slim fit through the hip and thigh, and a flare that begins around the knee.
The Blue Swell dark wash has that classic, polished denim look that works from daytime into dinner. The black version feels even sleeker and gives you the same flattering flare with a dressier, almost trouser-like effect.
How I Would Style the 726 Flare
Because the jeans are slim through the upper leg, they work beautifully with fitted tanks, tucked tees, soft sweaters and cropped cardigans. I like keeping the top half streamlined so the flare remains the star.
- Easy everyday: Pearl-white tee, blue 726s, clean sneakers and a soft-taupe shoulder bag.
- Soft Summer: Dusty-rose knit, muted blue denim, silver jewelry and cool-taupe shoes.
- Polished: Black 726s, a fitted soft-gray or pearl top, delicate jewelry and pointed boots.
- ’70s inspired: A fitted knit, heeled boots and a long pendant—nostalgic without looking like a costume.
With flares, inseam matters: I want the hem to skim the shoe without dragging, so I choose my length around the shoes I plan to wear.
To help denim last longer and conserve water, Levi’s recommends washing jeans less frequently. When they do need washing, I would turn them inside out, use cold water and wash with similar colors.
Levi’s Cinch Wide-Leg Jeans
The Cinch Wide Leg gives me a completely different denim mood: relaxed, modern and cool without trying too hard. If you love the ease of a roomy jean but dread that annoying gap at the back of the waist, hello—this is the clever little detail that makes this pair special.
The adjustable back tabs are the genius part: they let you cinch the waistband for a more tailored-to-you fit while keeping that relaxed wide-leg shape. Rise labeling can vary by wash, so I always check the exact pair before ordering.
What I love is the softer, lighter drape. They are still non-stretch jeans, but when my body fluctuates—as bodies do—I can loosen or tighten the back adjusters and meet myself where I am that day.
The washed-black pair feels sleek and a little moodier, classic medium blue is the everyday hero, and pale blue gives the silhouette a light, easy look. Because this is a full wide leg—not a flare—the volume begins at the hip instead of waiting until the knee.
How I Style the Cinch Wide Leg
I balance the relaxed denim with something closer to the body on top: a fitted tank, tucked tee, fine-gauge sweater or cropped cardigan. Then I let the shoes decide whether the outfit feels casual, polished or a little ’70s.
- Easy and current: Medium-blue denim, a pearl-white tank and slim retro sneakers in soft gray, silver or muted burgundy.
- Model-off-duty: Washed-black denim, a dusty-rose knit and a pointed slingback kitten heel.
- Fall polished: Dark denim, a mushroom sweater and a cool-taupe or washed-black pointed ankle boot.
- Warm-weather chic: Pale denim, a muted-lavender top and a minimal T-strap or thong-heel sandal in silver or another muted metallic.
I keep the shoe slim enough to peek out beneath all that denim volume. And no, we do not need a loafer for every outfit. 😂
The Two Levi’s Fits I Really Want to Try
Levi’s Shaping Jeans: Comfortable Denim on My Radar
I am also adding Levi’s Shaping jeans to my wish list. Normally the words mid rise make my high-rise-loving heart pause, but the soft stretch, zip fly and built-in smoothing panel have my attention—especially now that I know rigid, button-fly denim is simply not my favorite thing to wear.
I also think these styles could work beautifully for my curvy shape. I read as a soft hourglass leaning pear—defined through the waist with fuller hips and thighs—so denim that stretches, shapes and moves with my curves makes sense for me. The 318’s wide leg could create gorgeous balance, while the 314’s straight leg would give me a cleaner everyday silhouette.
The Two Fits I Would Try
- 318 Shaping Wide Leg: A 9⅜-inch mid rise, high-stretch denim, a built-in front panel that smooths and supports, a zip fly and a full 25-inch leg opening. Customers say this style runs big, so I would read the reviews carefully before choosing a size.
- 314 Shaping Straight: A 9¼-inch mid rise, a classic straight leg, soft stretch, a zip fly and the same smoothing front panel. It shapes through the hip and thigh, and customers generally describe it as true to size.
The 318 is probably the first one I would try because I already love a wide-leg silhouette, but the 314 could fill the comfortable straight-jean space in my closet without the stiff denim or button fly that did not work for me before.
This is wish-list research—not a personal recommendation yet. Once I choose a pair, wear them in real life and see how they hold up, I will come back with another Levi’s blog covering the fit, sizing, comfort and exactly how I style them. Consider this my very official excuse to buy more jeans. Ha ha.
Choose Your Denim Mood
- I want compliments: Ribcage Bells.
- I want an everyday flare: 726 High-Rise Flares.
- My body is fluctuating: Cinch Wide-Leg.
- I want stretchy, curve-friendly comfort: Levi’s Shaping jeans on my wish list.
Now tell me—which Levi’s girl are you? A straight-leg minimalist, a relaxed wide-leg girl or a fellow flare-for-days soul?
How I Style Levi’s as a Soft Summer
Denim is already one of the easiest ways to bring Soft Summer color into a wardrobe. Instead of reaching only for very dark, high-contrast washes, I often look for blues that feel softened, slightly faded or gently muted.
Some of my favorite colors to wear with Levi’s are dusty rose, pearl white, mushroom, soft gray, muted lavender, slate blue and soft navy. These shades keep the outfit blended and flattering while still allowing the denim to feel classic.
These are guides, not closet laws. I wear black denim, I wear gold jewelry, and I wear pieces simply because I love them. Soft Summer helps me notice what makes me glow; it does not get to boss me around.
Wear what you love, and wear what makes you glow.
My Easy Levi’s Outfit Formula
- Start with the jean silhouette that matches your mood.
- Add a fitted tank, tee or soft knit to balance the proportions.
- Choose a muted Soft Summer color near your face when you want extra glow.
- Finish with simple jewelry, a shoulder bag and shoes that work with the length of the denim.
The formula is simple, but the personality changes with the jeans. Ribcage Bells feel dramatic. The 726 feels timeless. Cinch Wide Legs feel modern and relaxed.
Levi’s in Real Life
Style makes more sense when you can actually see it lived in. These are the Levi’s I really wear—easy outfits, real life and a little inspiration for making them your own.
Shop + Style the Looks
Why I’ll Always Be a Levi’s Girl
For me, great style is knowing what feels like you, investing in pieces you genuinely wear and finding new ways to make old favorites feel fresh. Levi’s connects me to San Francisco, to the ’70s silhouettes I have always loved and to the confidence of a really good pair of jeans.
Different fits, different moods, same feeling: there she is.
Denim is personal. Bodies change, trends circle back and the perfect pair is the one that makes you stand a little taller. Fit advice and color analysis are simply guides—wear what you love, return what you don’t and never let a button fly ruin your day. Peace, love and fabulous jeans. ✌️
Keep Styling
If you want to build outfits around your denim, visit The CBL Outfit Edit for wearable styling ideas, or see how I use denim inside my Effortless Fall Capsule Wardrobe. If color is your rabbit hole, my Soft Summer Color Analysis guide explains how I use muted color as a styling tool.
Coming next: Soft Summer Colors for Fall — a quick guide to the muted berry, sage, mushroom, smoky navy and other shades I’m reaching for this season. After that: my Quince Fall Edit, with wearable fall layers and intentional finds. 🤍
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you shop through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share pieces I genuinely love or believe may be useful to my readers.