With its timeless charm and rugged appeal, denim has long been a symbol of American fashion. From the mines of the Gold Rush era to the bustling streets of today’s metropolises, denim has woven its way into the fabric of American culture. Its story is one of durability, versatility and the iconic designs that have defined generations.
To celebrate the legacy of denim, in this article, we present the 10 Best American Denim Brands – a selection of brands that have consistently delivered quality, style and authenticity, solidifying their status as the go-to names in the world of jeans.
From timeless classics to contemporary trendsetters, these brands embody the spirit of American denim and continue to leave their indelible mark on the global fashion landscape today. Not least on 24th April, which has been designated around the world as Denim Day – to raise awareness about all forms of sexual violence.
What is Denim?
Denim is a durable, rugged, versatile fabric characterised by its distinctive indigo dye and twill weave. It is predominantly made from cotton fibres and is renowned for its strength and resistance to wear and tear.
The roots of denim can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was created as a durable workwear fabric, especially for labourers and miners. Over time, denim evolved from its utilitarian origins into a timeless fashion staple, widely used for crafting various clothing items, with jeans being the most iconic and popular among them.
If you care for your denim jeans properly, the fabric’s unique character develops as you wear it, creating fading and distressing patterns that are highly sought after in fashion.
Overall, denim’s enduring appeal lies in its combination of comfort, style and durability, making it a favourite material for casual and fashionable attire.
Best American Denim Brands
America has produced many wonderful brands of denim jeans and jackets over the years – from iconic and global household names to really cool independent labels that represent cutting-edge fashion.
Here is our take on the eleven best denim brands to come out of the USA.
Levi’s
Levi’s, founded in 1853 by Levi Strauss, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous and recognised denim brands.
The brand is synonymous with quality and innovation in denim manufacturing. Levi’s introduced the first-ever pair of blue jeans and has continued to set trends in the industry for over a century. Their classic 501 jeans remain a favourite – Kristen Stewart, Camilla Morrone, Sydney Sweeney, and Elsa Hosk are all big fans – and offer a wide range of styles for both men and women.
One of the key reasons for Levi’s enduring success is its commitment to quality. The brand uses high-quality denim that is both comfortable and durable. Their denim is known for its unique fade patterns and the ‘whiskering’ effect that comes from years of wear.
Levi’s is also recognised for its sustainability efforts – making significant strides in reducing water usage in their manufacturing processes.
Wrangler
Wrangler, founded in 1904, is another American denim brand with a rich history rooted in the Wild West. The brand is renowned for producing rugged, durable denim products designed for cowboys and outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the company’s most popular products is the Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans. These jeans are designed with a comfortable, relaxed fit, making them ideal for those who need to move around frequently. Overall, the brand has more than 850 styles in its product line, ensuring it appeals to a broader range of customers.
Selena Gomez is a big fan of the brand and who could forget the iconic pair of white Wrangler’s sported by Freddie Mercury back in the day?
Lee
Lee is renowned for its quality, fit and style – which explains why it is another American denim brand that has stood the test of time.
Founded in 1889, Lee is a legendary American denim brand known for its rich heritage and commitment to crafting quality, comfortable, and stylish denim products. Over the decades, Lee has solidified its place in the fashion industry with a remarkable range of jeans designed to cater to various preferences and lifestyles.
The iconic Lee Rider jeans, introduced in the 1940s, are a favourite among denim enthusiasts, renowned for their rugged, durable design. Lee’s dedication to providing a broad spectrum of fits and styles, from classic straight legs to trendy bootcut, ensures a perfect pair for everyone.
Their timeless appeal and a history deeply rooted in the American spirit make Lee Jeans a brand that embodies the essence of classic American denim. Heidi Klum, Mila Kunis, Vanessa Hudgens, Lady Gaga, and Jessica Alba are all big fans of it.
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters, commonly known as American Eagle, is a prominent American fashion retailer that has garnered immense popularity – particularly among younger people.
Since it first came out in 1977, the brand has built a reputation for its trendy and affordable denim products. Its denim collection spans a wide array of fits and styles, offering inclusive sizing to cater to diverse body types. The brand is also distinguished by its commitment to comfort and quality, making extensive use of stretch denim to ensure a comfortable fit.
With its stylish designs and emphasis on body positivity, American Eagle has become a go-to destination for those seeking fashionable, comfortable, affordable denim pieces, thanks partly to the TikTok influencer Addison Rae, who wore the brand for a photoshoot in Rollercoaster magazine back in 2021.
J.Crew
Established in 1983, J.Crew is a premium American fashion brand that has made a name for itself by offering high-quality denim products which are much loved by the likes of Michelle Obama, Laura Dern and Brie Larson.
The brand’s denim collection features a variety of washes, cuts and fits – combining classic and contemporary designs to create stylish, versatile denim pieces.
J.Crew is also much loved for its attention to detail, including fine stitching and quality materials. So, whether you’re looking for a classic pair of blue jeans or a more fashion-forward denim piece, J.Crew has you covered.
AG Jeans
AG Jeans is a relatively new addition to the American denim scene, having only launched in 2000. But it has quickly become a go-to choice for premium denim.
The brainchild of Yul Ku, AG Jeans is renowned for its high-quality materials and sophisticated designs. Its commitment to using innovative fabrics sets it apart from its competitors – ensuring that its denim products are fashionable and comfortable.
The brand offers a wide range of fits and styles – from skinny to relaxed – making it easy for customers to find the perfect pair. It received a huge boost in interest when Olivia Palermo wore a cropped pair to the premiere of the film Management in 2009. Since then, Rachel Bilson, Mischa Barton and Marcia Cross have all proclaimed to be fans.
In recent years, AG Jeans has also made strides in sustainability by increasingly using more eco-friendly production processes and materials.
7 For All Mankind
7 For All Mankind is a renowned American denim brand that gained fame for revolutionising the premium denim industry.
The brand was founded in Los Angeles in 2000 and focuses on crafting high-quality jeans with innovative designs and a perfect fit. It is particularly known for its luxurious materials, impeccable tailoring, stylish washes and commitment to blending fashion with functionality.
Today, the sophisticated brand is a favourite among celebrities, with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Emma Stone, Jessica Alba, Kristen Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence regularly seen wearing it.
Agolde
Agolde Jeans is one of the hottest brands of jeans on the market right now.
Deriving from Los Angeles, everyone from Taylor Swift and Rihanna to Selena Gomez and Chrissy Teigen endorsed this sustainably conscious denim brand.
What makes them so popular is that the company brings a fresh new approach to innovation, design and wearability. This primarily incorporates premium crafted, vintage, non-stretch denim and stretch denim styles designed for extra comfort.
Their best-selling ’90s Pinch Waist and low-slung baggy styles are a must for any wardrobe. In Australia, you can see Agolde products at Maplestore.
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone, founded in 2002 by Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, is a contemporary fashion brand with a strong focus on craftsmanship and quality.
While the brand offers a variety of clothing, its denim products have earned it a place among the top American denim brands.
Rag & Bone’s denim collection includes a range of stylish and comfortable jeans known for their excellent fit and durability. The brand pays close attention to detail, ensuring that every pair of jeans is made to last.
Madewell
Madewell, a subsidiary of J.Crew, is a brand that specialises in creating casual, comfortable and stylish denim products.
Founded in 2006, Madewell is much loved by those who appreciate high-quality jeans with a relaxed, effortless style. Camilla Mendes was recently featured in a campaign for the brand, while Lily Collins, Lucy Hale and Emma Roberts are devotees.
The brand’s jeans are known for their soft, durable fabric and timeless designs. They are meant for everyday wear and provide comfort and versatility. Madewell jeans come in a wide range of sizes, fits and styles – making it an accessible brand for many customers.
Conclusion
American denim brands have a rich history of producing high-quality, durable and stylish jeans. From iconic brands like Levi’s and Wrangler to contemporary favourites like AG Jeans and Agolde, there is a wide range of options to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for classic blue jeans or a trendy, fashion-forward pair, these American denim brands have something for everyone. Their commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability ensures that denim enthusiasts will continue to turn to these brands for years to come.
So, whether you’re inspired by the Wild West or a fashion-forward urbanite, you can find the perfect pair of American-made jeans to suit your style and lifestyle.
Images from DESIGN SCENE STYLE: Denim Takeover in Amsterdam by Liselotte Fleur – See the full story here
