Down to three pair in active rotation. I lost around 25# since end of summer and hope to knock it down another 10. Current jeans are three different styles from Old Navy. Just sent off four pair of now-too-large Athleta Sculptek jeans to Buffalo Exchange. Love the ideas here, making notes for my splurge when I hit target weight.
Somebody tell me what you like about the Athleta Sculptek jeans. And how is the sizing??
My first pair I went by their size chart, had to return and go to next size down. However, I have no rear end.
Loved them. They held their shape and were amazingly comfortable. They’re on my short list for target weight jeans. 
I’m sort of incredulous at the number of comments on this thread! 
I suspect you have a very different body shape than me since you stared your post mentioning “toothpick” jeans. I am only 5’1" and typically wear size 16-18, so I’m not sure I’d be much help but I’ll play along. Walmart actually has some nice stretch jeans from Levi’s Strauss signature that are called cuffed modern slim.
I also often have luck with pants that are supposed to be capris on taller folk, and come out regular size on me. Especially the cuffed kind. My issue is pants that gap too much (way too big in the waist but not big enough through the hips/thigh). Thanks for this little distraction from college planning - I sure needed it!
@MamaFx3 My legs are short for my body – thanks, Dad! – but I’m not proportioned right for petite sizes. I’ve ended up having great luck with regular cropped or capri styles too.
I mostly own J Brand. Just bought a pair of 7 mankind. My first skinny that doesn’t need hemming since I can’t get them hemmed until the restrictions are lifted. I wear my jeans until they have holes. Real holes from wearing, not manufactured ones.
2-3 pairs, all Levis, low rise (by my standards but a teenager wouldn’t consider them low rise!) , flare or boot cut. They are probably all at least 10 years old.
Mother and Frame are my go-to brands. Both ridiculously pricey but often available on sale (especially on line). Lots of high rise options and lots, @Iglooo , without lots of stretch.
They kind of hold in my middle! And if you find a cut you like, it shows up not just in different washes but also in other fabrics.
I have a cheap body, I guess, because Target provides the right fitting jeans for me. They have a number of fit options and cuts, and I can find something that fits. If they don’t have the color I want, I note the style and order my size on line.
It took me a while to get into the “skinny jean” mode. I really loved my mom jeans. So comfy. I finally packed them away when I was becoming such an outlier in them that i looked sloppy. I’m hopefully awaiting the time when the looser looks come back in style for pants
I am 5 8 so with all these ankle jeans I get banana republic tall and they work out and are usually on sale.
@cptofthehouse loose jeans are definitely the newest silhouette. Mom jeans are back. Boyfriend, girlfriend, straight legged. Even wide legged. Seeing a lot of these.
When I was overweight( size 16-18) I loved Soft Surroundings jeans. They had an elastic waistband but it was hidden and had a real zipper and button that worked but was mostly for show. I loved those jeans for giving me a comfortable stylish option. After losing 75 pounds and wearing a size 6 comfortably I moved to more premium denim. AG , Frame and Mother are my favorite brands.
Lee and Levi. Found them about 10-11 years ago at Ross for $7.99. Same style in petite (style “sits lower on the waist”) , three different colors. Drove around to all the nearby stores and bought the exact same ones. I am just about 5 feet so I still needed each one hemmed, based on the 7.99 price the hemming was worth the price having each one the perfect length.
Still have them all. Love how they fit, all so soft from 10 years of washing! Have the 3 different color rinses. All are 98% cotton. Lots of pockets to put stuff in and wear them out or to mow the lawn. No black or white jeans. Just blue. Boot cut but some boot cut is chopped when hemmed. So I can still wear with boots tucked in or out.
I don’t have a pair of black pants. Just looked since others upthread mentioned it. Some khakis, Lees same style as the jeans, also purchased at Ross.
Wear them when not wearing shorts.
Kat
@gardenstategal How are Frame and Mother cut? Are they big form the size? I am between 26 and 27. Would you order up or down?
@igloo, it’s going to depend. Almost all of mine are 27 (including my favorite skinny), but my favorite Frame no spandex, le high straight, are a 28. I think they would be uncomfortable if they were smaller.
My current favorites are Democracy jeans that I bought at Nordstrom Rack. They have enough stretch and hit my waist at the right place to avoid muffin-top. I have two pairs that are wearing out; I wish I had bought more.
Nordstrom has several nice pairs of jeans on sale for 40% off. I have some in my cart, but can’t decide if I really “need” them” or not.
I think what I may “need” are some capri jeans.
Lucky Brand are my favorite jeans. They are stylish and well-made. I try to get them at Marshalls or TJ Maxx.