Have you ever wondered why the queen of elevated basics never offered denim? Well, it’s because she wanted to get it right. If Jenni Kayne was going to design jeans, she didn’t want to make just another pair—it had to be worth the wait. And 25 years later, the wait is finally over.
Kayne’s eponymous California-based brand has built a loyal following around its carefully curated wardrobe of staples: the kind you reach for every day, season after season. And while denim might seem like an obvious addition to a brand whose pieces are so often styled with one’s favorite pair of jeans, it’s also one of fashion’s most difficult categories to master. From fit to fabric, from the wash to the price, every detail matters.
Interestingly, the brand isn’t starting with classic blue jeans—though indigo will launch in early 2027. Instead, Jenni Kayne is beginning with cotton in its most natural form. The brand’s debut denim collection features unbleached, undyed cotton, with seeds left visible in the weave to create an ecru shade with an earthy texture. It’s denim stripped back, aligning with the rest of the brand’s offerings, so it feels less like a venture into a new category and more like a natural extension of what Jenni Kayne has always done best.
The same pared-back philosophy is reflected in the silhouettes—just three in total. They are the Malibu Canyon Crop, the Ojai Straight, and the Topanga Wide Leg. Each is named after a different place in California, but together, they define the brand.
As a long-time fan of the brand and a fashion editor, I felt it was my duty to try a pair or two and give Who What Wear readers an honest review. So I did just that. I added the Malibu Canyon Crop and Ojai Straight to my wardrobe and wore them around my home—yes, they’re comfortable enough for the couch—and throughout lower Manhattan.
I knew the denim would be well-made and perfectly tailored, but I also didn’t want to get my hopes up and be disappointed. So, I kept a nonchalant attitude as I unboxed the jeans and tried them on. Quickly, though, I felt a subtle smile form, confirming what I had hoped all along—Jenni Kayne nailed it. The Malibu Canyon Crop Jean, while not so cropped on my petite frame, is the perfect pair of straight-leg jeans. On the other hand, the Ojai Straight Jean, which I sized up in, has a looser, vintage-inspired fit that matches the small city’s laid-back, unfussy, and effortless energy.
Keep reading to discover everything about the new denim collection and shop it for yourself.
Read Our Editor’s Full Jenni Kayne Denim Review
Malibu Canyon Crop Jean Details
Price: $265
Sizes: 24–32. Runs true to size
Inseam: 28”
Material: 100% cotton raw ecru denim
Color: Ecru with tiny flecks of cotton seed, providing an earthy texture
Silhouette: Fitted through the hips with a classic straight leg. Hits at the ankle for heights of 5’4″ and up, and just below the ankle for heights of 5’3″ and under.
Waist: High-rise
Ojai Straight Jean Details
Price: $265
Sizes: 24–32. Runs true to size. Size up for a relaxed fit.
Inseam: 32″
Material: 100% cotton raw ecru denim
Color: Ecru with tiny flecks of cotton seed, providing an earthy texture
Silhouette: A relaxed fit that falls between straight-leg and wide-leg. If you’re under 5’4″, the jeans will need tailoring to achieve the intended hem.
Waist: High-to-mid-rise
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