724 vs Riley: Best Straight Jeans for Your Budget

The Levi’s 724 High Rise Straight Jeans prove that great denim doesn’t have to come with a designer price tag. Sitting at the natural waist, the 724 delivers a flattering, leg-lengthening silhouette with a relaxed fit through the hip and a clean straight leg from knee to ankle. It’s the kind of cut that works with sneakers, ankle boots, or heels—and unlike Levi’s skinnier fits, the 724 doesn’t cling, making it a more comfortable, modern alternative to the 721 skinny.

Fabric is where Levi’s plays it smart: a cotton-rich denim blend with a touch of stretch, so the jeans hold their shape through long days, commutes, and post-lunch slumps without bagging out at the knees. The rise sits high enough to smooth and support, and the leg opening is slim enough to tuck into boots but roomy enough to feel effortless. With an extensive size range—including plus sizes and multiple inseam lengths—it’s one of the most inclusive classic fits on the market.

Styling potential is enormous: pair them with a fitted tee and white sneakers for weekend errands, or a blazer and loafers for a smart-casual office look. The wash selection spans from clean dark indigo to worn-in vintage blues, so you can build an entire capsule wardrobe around a single pair.

Downsides? The stretch denim, while comfortable, won’t develop the deep fades and whiskers that rigid denim does, and the finishing is simpler than designer pairs—expect standard hardware and stitching rather than artisanal details. Some reviewers also note sizing varies slightly between washes, so trying more than one size is a wise move.

Verdict: for everyday wear, the 724 punches far above its price point. If you want reliable, comfortable, high-rise straight jeans you can wear three times a week, this is the budget buy that actually lasts.

The AGOLDE Riley High Rise Straight Crop Jeans are the pair that broke the internet—one of the most photographed jeans of recent years, spotted on everyone from supermodels to stylists. AGOLDE, part of the same Los Angeles denim group behind Citizens of Humanity, built its reputation on rigid, vintage-inspired denim with a modern attitude, and the Riley is its flagship fit.

The magic starts with the fabric: predominantly 100% organic cotton with zero stretch, washed and finished in LA to mimic decades-old denim. Out of the box, the Riley feels stiff—almost intimidatingly so—but that’s the point. Within a week of wear, the rigid denim molds to your body, creating personalized creases and a fit no stretch jean can replicate. The high rise cinches the waist, the straight leg runs relaxed through the hip, and the cropped hem hits right at the ankle to show off your footwear.

Construction details justify the splurge: reinforced stitching, custom hardware, thoughtfully placed vintage-style distressing in select washes, and a fit pattern refined over countless fittings. Because the cotton is so substantial, the Riley holds its shape for years, often looking better after two years than budget jeans do after six months. Wash cold, hang dry, and these may outlast trends entirely.

Fit notes matter here: AGOLDE’s rigid denim runs snug at first, and many wearers size up one for comfort—check the measurements before ordering. The crop length flatters petite-to-average heights especially well, though taller frames may find it reads more ankle-grazer than true crop.

Verdict: the Riley is an investment piece—less about convenience, more about craft, character, and that expensive-looking fit. If you live in jeans and want one pair that elevates every outfit, this is the one worth saving for.