By Angela Hazen

Designer jeans can be expensive, but savvy shoppers know that they don’t have to give up a lot of cash to get the perfect pair. The biggest tool is to know where to shop and what names to look for once you get there. Rather than guessing where the right finds will be, shop where the smart shoppers go. Here are some of the Chicago area’s top stores to find discount designer jeans.

(Credit: madisonandfriends.com)

Denim Lounge
43 E. Oak St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 642-6403
www.thedenimlounge.com

Stop in at Oak Street’s staple The Denim Lounge for the perfect pair of jeans. Gold Coast residents and tourists flock to this store knowing that it is a jeans shopper’s delight. Denim Lounge sells a variety of designer jeans, many below $200. If you’re looking for names like James, Hudson and Paige, you absolutely must stop by this shop. If you live in Chicago or are just here for a few days, walk away with a pair of denims from this bargain heaven.

(Credit: thedenimloft.com)

Denim Loft
206 W. State St.
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-9520
www.thedenimloft.com

The social crowd’s guilty pleasure is the Denim Loft in Geneva, Illinois. After browsing through more expensive stores nearby with no good results, women looking for great discounts on their favorite designer jeans can be seen darting in and out of Denim Loft. Piece and Chip and Pepper are some of the brands marked down to prices around $120, waiting to be found by sharp-eyed consumers. Stop in at the Denim Loft during your next search for jeans. You’ll be glad you did.

Related: Best Sunglass Shops in Chicago

(credit: shopmama.com)

Hot Mama
2670 Navy Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 486-1060
www.shopmama.com

Trendy moms may spend their afternoons picking up kids from school in great designer jeans that make them look like they just got off of a fashion runway. But they realistically spent the weekend shopping at Hot Mama. This Glenview favorite sells such a variety of designer jeans that the right pair is rather easy to find. Jeans like Hudson, AG, Kut and other high-end brands are marked down extensively from retail prices to around $120. Next time you are out in Glenview, make a point to drop in at Hot Mama to find some great deals.

(Credit: dna2050.com)

DNA 2050
900 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 944-0440
www.dna2050.com

The cool crowd stops off at DNA 2050 on Michigan Avenue to buy hot designer jeans before hitting Chicago’s hot spots at night. With a variety of sizes and styles of denim, there is always a hit at this store. Prices on jeans usually end up being less than $200 and after shopping, customers leave happy with a pair in just the right cut and color. Shoppers with a trained eye for the best denim styles and designers know that DNA 2050 will provide them with the best look for a great price.

(Credit: scoopnyc.com)

Scoop NYC
1702 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-9930
www.scoopnyc.com

When it comes to fashionable denim, the trendy shoppers of Chicago love to stop at Scoop NYC. Scoop offers fashionable designer jeans at affordable prices, and many times the perfect pair is on sale. Shoppers love Scoop NYC for its prices and wide variety of designer denim. Choose from designers like Citizens of Humanity and AG. With prices that average around $150, you could leave the store with more savings than expected.

Related: Best Shops for Discounted Designer Purses in Chicago

Angela Hazen lives in Oak Park, IL. She has worked as a model in Chicago and studied broadcast journalism at Columbia College Chicago. She has traveled to Europe on several occasions, and keeps her readers up to date with local and international style, shopping, fashion and beauty trends. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.