Saint Laurent vs Balmain: which jean wins?
Both land in the raw selvedge tier — the Saint Laurent Skinny-Fit Jeans in Blue Denim at $690, the Balmain Slim-Fit Biker Jeans at $850, just $160 apart. Here's how they stack up, head to head.
| Saint Laurent | Balmain | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $690 | $850 |
| Material | Quality cotton denim, often with a small amount of stretch, in clean washes and rigid blue options. | Cotton denim, frequently with stretch, structured detailing, ribbed panels and decorative hardware. |
| Fit | A skinny fit cut very close to the leg with a low-to-regular rise. Reviewers say it runs slim and true, designed for a lean, elongated line. | The biker style is a slim fit cut close to the leg with articulated detailing. Reviewers say it runs slim and true, designed for a lean silhouette. |
| Quality | Owners report refined fabric and construction consistent with a luxury house; the appeal centers on the silhouette and finishing. | Owners report elaborate construction and detailing consistent with a couture house; the structured elements are central to the design. |
| Best for | Shoppers seeking a lean, rock-inflected designer skinny jean in quality denim. | Shoppers seeking embellished, structured designer biker denim from a couture house. |
| Care | Wash cold inside out and hang dry to preserve the fabric and clean wash. | Wash cold inside out and hang dry, handling the structured paneling and hardware with care. |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 |
Which should you buy?
They sit in the same tier and are within $160 of each other, so it comes down to what you want out of a jean. Lean Saint Laurent for shoppers seeking a lean, rock-inflected designer skinny jean in quality denim; pick Balmain for shoppers seeking embellished, structured designer biker denim from a couture house.