If California and rock ‘n’ roll had a lovechild, it would be AMIRI jeans. The namesake brand was founded by Mike Amiri and has quickly grown to become a global fashion label.
The Amiri Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show as part of the Paris Men Fashion Week on June 23, 2022, in Paris, France (Credit: Ik Aldama / DPA / Cover Images)
It’s a luxury denim brand that has a diverse celebrity following. AMIRI jeans count Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Gigi Hadid amongst its fans.
While AMIRI Jeans hits the headlines, are they worth the $1,000+ price tag? Is it time to swap your faithful Levi’s for these luxury jeans? We’re seeing if AMIRI jeans are worth the splurge.
What are AMIRI Jeans?
Launched in 2014, AMIRI is a luxury clothing brand that caters to menswear and womenswear. It’s one of the most famous California-based streetwear brands that blend skating culture with rock ‘n’ roll.
American-Iranian fashion designer Mike Amiri began his career working for rock ‘n’ roll legends, such as Steven Tyler and Axl Rose. He took his first steps into the fashion industry with a capsule collection for the ‘Maxfield’ concept store. It eventually evolved into AMIRI.
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AMIRI stays true to its California roots. You’ll find classic motifs throughout the brand’s designs, including the house’s military stencil logo, embroidered stars, and stick and poke tattoos.
The brand is famous for its hand-embellishments, graphic t-shirts, and deconstructed denim jeans. Although AMIRI is a California-based brand, it shows twice a year at Paris Fashion Week.
AMIRI Jeans is a streetwear label known for its distressed, deconstructed silhouettes
Who Owns AMIRI Jeans?
AMIRI was founded and self-funded by Mike Amiri, who continues to operate as CEO and Creative Director of the brand.
Mike Amiri was made a member of the CFDA in 2018 and nominated for ‘Menswear Designer of the Year’ at the 2019 and 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Mike Amiri at the 32nd FN Achievement Awards in New York City on December 4, 2018 (Credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock)
OTB Group, owned by Italian fashion entrepreneur Renzo Rosso, took a minority stake in AMIRI in 2019.
How Much do AMIRI Jeans Cost?
You can expect to pay around $1,000 for a pair of AMIRI jeans. Prices will vary depending on the style you choose. Basic AMIRI jean styles typically retail for $800 – $850. AMIRI jeans can cost up to $1,950 for contrasting leather and denim styles.
AMIRI Wide-Leg Cargo Jeans, $1,156; AMIRI Hybrid Mix Media Straight-Leg Jeans, $1,190; AMIRI Combo Straight Mid-Rise Jeans, $1,390; AMIRI Wide-Leg Jeans, $1,096
You don’t have to pay a four-figure price tag. AMIRI jeans do go on sale. Look out for discount codes and seasonal sales that can help you get AMIRI jeans for $500 or less. You can find them at Farfetch and SSENSE.
If jeans are part of your signature look, AMIRI jeans can be the perfect splurge purchase. Jeans are one of the best choices for luxury ready-to-wear due to their versatility.
Is AMIRI a Luxury Brand?
AMIRI is a contemporary luxury brand. It’s widely considered one of the fastest-growing luxury streetwear brands that can rival traditional fashion houses.
You can find AMIRI jeans at popular luxury department stores, including Mytheresa, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.
AMIRI Carpenter Two-Tone Wide-Leg Jeans, $790; AMIRI Carpenter Wide-Leg Jeans, $790; AMIRI Branded Wide-Leg Mid-Rise Jeans, $755; AMIRI Logo-Plaque Wide-Leg High-Rise Denim Trousers, $860
AMIRI’s presence at Paris Fashion Week shows the global appeal of the brand’s California DNA. Its $1,000+ jeans make AMIRI a luxury brand.
Alternatives to AMIRI Jeans
Are you not sure if AMIRI is the brand for you? Not everyone wants to drop $1,000 on jeans. Maybe you want a more refined look than AMIRI’s California skater aesthetic.
Other brands similar to AMIRI include:
1. Acne Studios
Acne Studios is a luxury fashion house established in Stockholm. While Acne Studios is considered one of the best streetwear brands, their jeans are a fraction of the price of AMIRI jeans.
Acne Studios Mece High-Rise Cropped Straight-Leg Jeans, $300; Acne Studios Peg High Waist Skinny Jeans, $240; Acne Studios Medium Wash Jeans, $360
You can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for Acne Studios jeans. Their jeans are typically more simplistic with high-rise silhouettes and oversized shapes.
2. Balmain
Another luxury brand famous for its jeans is Balmain. You can expect to pay a similar price for Balmain jeans as AMIRI jeans. You’ll discover the same distressed styles that you’ll find with AMIRI, along with Balmain’s signature button detailing.
Balmain High-Rise Boyfriend Jeans, $906; Balmain Skinny-Fit Jeans, $1,095; Balmain Vintage-Inspired Straight-Leg Jeans, $850
The most popular Balmain jeans are light-wash styles, while AMIRI jeans are typically made in darker washes.
3. Levi’s
You can’t talk about jeans for women without mentioning Levi’s. These classic jeans sit at an attainable price point and are an affordable alternative to AMIRI jeans.
Levi’s 501 Ripped Straight-Leg Jeans, $108; Levi’s Ribcage Straight-Leg Cropped Jeans, $113; Levi’s 501 High-Rise Skinny-Fit Jeans, $98
There’s a jean style for everyone at Levi’s. You can choose from skinny jeans to high-rise silhouettes and straight-leg styles. Every capsule closet needs a pair of Levi’s jeans.
4. MNML
MNML is another popular California brand known for its streetwear jeans. The brand sits at a more attainable price point than AMIRI and is comparable in price to Levi’s.
M1 Splash Slim Denim, $70; V120 Star Baggy Denim, $70; B118 Work Flare Denim, $76
As a streetwear brand, MNML is known for quickly jumping on trends and offering up-and-coming styles. While MNML caters primarily to menswear, most of its jeans are unisex.
5. Ksubi
While AMIRI represents California living, Ksubi captures the beach lifestyle of Sydney. This luxury denim brand has a relaxed and unfussy style with its signature box-cross logo.
Ksubi Brooklyn Distressed Patchwork Straight-Leg Non-stretch Jeans, $240; Ksubi Brooklyn Distressed Jeans, $377; Ksubi Nine O Lifetime Panel High-Waisted Slim-Fit Jeans, $220
Ksubi has a cult following that includes Kendall Jenner, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky. The brand has a range of classic denim styles, but their jeans are a fraction of the price of AMIRI. You can expect to pay less than $200 for Ksubi jeans on sale.
How AMIRI Jeans Became a Best Seller
AMIRI has been making headlines since its launch in 2014. The brand has ridden high on the streetwear wave—going all the way to Paris Fashion Week. AMIRI fills a gap in the market for a luxury denim brand that brings California cool to the world of streetwear.
The rise of AMIRI has also come at a time when denim is making a comeback. Social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, have brought vintage denim trends back with a bang.
How to Spot Fake AMIRI Jeans
AMIRI suffers from the same problem as every luxury brand – counterfeits. If you’re buying pre-loved jeans, you want to know how to spot fake AMIRI jeans.
The wash tag of your AMIRI jeans should be in thin text with a small ‘AMIRI’ logo on top. The text should all be the same size and in the same font.
AMIRI uses a thin font for their logo
You also want to check the tag on the waistband. AMIRI uses a thin font, which you can compare with photos of genuine AMIRI jeans.
If your AMIRI jeans have distressed detail, check the quality of the item. Genuine AMIRI jeans will make the distressed detailing look more natural.
AMIRI jeans’ distressed detailing should look more natural
If you’re a denim aficionado, you need a pair of AMIRI jeans in your closet. AMIRI is changing the way we think of denim jeans as a luxury ready-to-wear garment. Find out more about AMIRI by exploring its official website.