There’s nothing to stop you from investing in a trusty new pair of jeans to wear until they fall apart, no matter what time of year it is. However, old habits die hard, and mid-summer will forever be the time when we feel the itch to upgrade our denim wardrobe—blame the back-the-school ads.

And we don’t take this purchase lightly, either. As previously mentioned, the best jeans get even better with age as they mold to our body shapes, distressing begins to develop, and the fabric becomes increasingly softer. We’re looking for denim so good, it deserves a second or third life after we take our pants to be patched up because we’ve worn them more than any other item in our closets.

That said, there’s no way to ensure every single pair of jeans you buy will be a long-term wardrobe staple, but looking to the labels below is a solid place to start. Ahead, see 20 of the best jeans brands to know (and shop) right now.

AYR

New York-based AYR is behind denim that reaches sold-out levels of success. The female-founded, sustainably minded company offers a collection of thoughtful pieces to wear all year round (AYR, get it?), including jeans with a forever cool, wide-leg fit and slim-fit denim with the optimal amount of stretch.

Mother

Los Angeles-based Mother produces its line almost entirely locally and creates pieces that you’ll wear day after day, mostly because they’re so comfortable. We love the jean brand’s effortlessly undone, frayed hems and the ‘70s-inspired silhouettes that include wide-leg, high-rise styles.