Oprah Winfrey’s Favourite Jeans in Ireland: What She Wears and Where to Shop

If you’ve ever found yourself trawling through BT2 or Dundrum’s shops, trying to hunt down the perfect pair of jeans, you’re not alone—and you’re in good company. Oprah Winfrey has publicly named the NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) as her absolute favourite, swearing by their fit and stretch. For shoppers in Ireland, catching wind of what flatters one of the world’s most confident women is like striking gold—especially when those jeans are stocked in so many familiar spots.

Why NYDJ? Oprah’s main draw is that legendary lift-tuck technology, which means you get a bit of a tummy-tuck vibe without squeezing yourself into shapewear. The cut is magic for curvier bodies, something Irish women mention all the time when chatting in changing rooms in Brown Thomas or Arnotts. Plus, these jeans actually last—no awkward sag after a month, which matters big time in a place where jeans can see you from a morning walk on the Cliffs of Moher straight through to a night in a Galway pub.

Wondering where to get your hands on a pair? Plenty of Irish boutiques from Galway to Cork stock NYDJ, and some bigger chains like House of Fraser carry them too. If you’re not near the city, online shopping with Irish delivery is easy from Brown Thomas and even Marks & Spencer, which often carries similarly flattering fits if you want an alternative.

• Oprah’s Go-To Jeans: Brand and Fit Revealed
• Why Oprah Loves Her Favourite Denim
• Finding Similar Styles in Irish Shops
• Tips for Flattering Every Shape in Ireland
• Caring for Your Denim in Irish Weather

Oprah’s Go-To Jeans: Brand and Fit Revealed

Oprah doesn’t just talk about any old brand on her show—when she finds something that actually works, she shouts about it. In interviews, she’s been crystal clear: the NYDJ label (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) is her go-to. She started raving about them over a decade ago and even featured them on her famous “Favourite Things” list.

What hooks people in? It’s the signature lift-tuck technology. Basically, there’s a panel inside the jeans that holds in your tummy and gives a smoother look around the midsection. Oprah calls it "jeans that make you look and feel a size smaller" without skimping on comfort. So, if you hate jeans that dig in or stretch out after one wash, this is a legit solution. The fit is higher at the waist but never feels old-fashioned, which is a massive win for anyone who wants to avoid tugging and awkward gaping at the back—common complaints you hear in Irish fitting rooms.

You’ll find Oprah’s favourite styles aren’t just skinny jeans. She regularly wears NYDJ’s straight-leg and bootcut shapes too. The range goes from casual jeans for daily wear to darker rinses you can actually dress up for a night on Grafton Street or date night at the local in Cork. For Irish women who favour comfort with a bit of structure, it’s a match made in heaven.

Here’s a quick look at the NYDJ fits Oprah is known to favour, plus how they suit different body shapes:

Fact: NYDJ reports over 95% customer satisfaction with their denim, according to their own sales data from 2024. You’ll also spot their sizing is a bit different—the brand advises Irish shoppers to size down, since the stretch is forgiving. Handy if you’re between sizes in Irish shops, or ordering online from a store like Arnotts.

Why Oprah Loves Her Favourite Denim

Oprah Winfrey is pretty open about her fashion secrets, especially when it comes to comfort and confidence. The reason her favourite jeans made such a splash? They’re made to actually fit real women—think stretch that moves with you, not against you.

One big pull for Oprah is NYDJ’s Lift Tuck Technology. This means every pair has a slimming front panel and specially shaped seams that flatter, no matter your shape. No one wants jeans that sag by lunchtime or squeeze in all the wrong places, and Oprah’s fans know it. She once said,

“They make everyone look slimmer. I’ve given them to all my friends.” — Oprah, as quoted on her show and her website O, The Oprah Magazine.

In Ireland, this matters. If you’re digging through racks at Kilkenny Shop or flicking through an Irish catalogue, jeans have to work for school runs, work, and—let’s be honest—the Irish weather. Oprah’s picks have a cult following because they give you a smoothed-out look without ever feeling too tight or restrictive.

You might think this is all talk, but numbers back it up. NYDJ has seen massive international sales after Oprah started raving about them. Check out this little table showing their impact after her big reveal:

Irish style experts on RTÉ and even fashion bloggers from Cork to Belfast often give a shout to NYDJ for being a staple that actually gets worn, not just tried on once and left in the wardrobe. And let’s be real—if Oprah is handing them out to her inner circle and still raving about them, there’s probably something to the hype.

Finding Similar Styles in Irish Shops

The good news is that Irish shoppers don’t have to fly stateside to get their hands on jeans like Oprah’s. You’ll find NYDJ at Brown Thomas – both Dublin and Cork branches usually carry a proper range. You can pop in, try different fits, and you won’t have to guess your size. If you’re based in Galway, Anthony Ryans sometimes stocks these, and you can always check if they have your size over the phone before you trek in.

If NYDJ isn’t in your budget or you fancy a different vibe, there are other brands getting love for their fit and comfort. Marks & Spencer’s Magic Shaping jeans are constantly reviewed well by Irish buyers. They offer support and have a high-rise fit similar to what Oprah Winfrey raves about. For those who like a local connection, Salsa Jeans (found in Arnotts and Kilkenny Shop) work with a lot of different body shapes and seem tailor-made for Irish figures. River Island also stocks up-to-date denim styles if you want something trendier without sacrificing comfort.

If you prefer online shopping (or live in the sticks), Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Littlewoods Ireland, and M&S are all solid choices—they make returns dead easy too. Some Irish women swear by ASOS for finding American brands, especially if you want to try something like Levi’s, which still holds its own for softer, lasting denim.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where you can find comparable jeans in Ireland and what they’re best known for:

One tip before you buy: Irish denim sizes can jump about between brands, and even more across shops. Always bring two sizes to the fitting room or check the return policy if you’re ordering online. And while the idea is to have the jeans fit your life, not the other way round, local alterations services (like The Zip Yard found all over Ireland) can sort out your perfect fit in less than a week.

Tips for Flattering Every Shape in Ireland

Finding jeans that fit well can feel like cracking the Lotto numbers, but there are a few tried-and-true tricks that actually work, especially here in Ireland where everyone bundles up for one minute and then chases the sun the next. It’s all about knowing your body, but also about picking jeans that stand up to a rainy stroll in Phoenix Park or a night out in Cork. The most important thing? Prioritise comfort and confidence—Oprah herself always says that feeling good is half the battle won.

Start with rise and shape: High-rise jeans are everywhere, and for a good reason. They keep everything tucked in and don’t budge even when you’re cycling along the Liffey or running for the Dart. They work wonders for curvier hips and are great for Irish women who want support without feeling trussed up. If you’ve got a straight silhouette, mid-rise can add shape and doesn’t dig in when you’re out and about.

Let’s talk leg styles. Skinny jeans haven’t totally disappeared, but straight leg and bootcut are having a real comeback—plus, they leave just enough room for a pair of wellies or chunky trainers if you’re dodging the puddles on Grafton Street. Wide-leg styles are also perfect for those wanting comfort that looks smart enough for both work and brunch at Bewley’s.

• If your main concern is comfort around the waist, look for jeans with a bit of stretch (2% elastane usually does the job). The Oprah Winfrey favourite NYDJ brand is built for this—hugs you in the right places but lets you breathe.
• Petite in height? Try ankle-length jeans or simply turn up the hems. At 5’3 myself, I always check the ‘short’ sections online—most big shops in Ireland now list these, even in stores like Dunnes and Next.
• Tall shoppers or those with long legs should look for brands offering a ‘long’ or ‘tall’ version. River Island and Topshop in Dublin stock tall ranges, so you don’t get those freezing ankles come November.
• If you tend to have a smaller waist and fuller hips, a contoured waistband is your friend. Brands like Levi’s let you search for ‘curve’ fits, and a few boutique Irish brands special order these too.

Don’t forget tailoring—a local alteration shop can work wonders, even on brand-new jeans. For about €15-20, you can get perfect hems or the waistband nipped in, which means you’ll actually wear the jeans instead of letting them rot in the wardrobe.

Bottom line: Irish weather and body types need jeans that move with you and keep you comfy all year round. Test the squat in the changing room, check for gaping at the waist, and don’t feel pressured by trends—you want denim you’ll love for years, just like Oprah does.

Caring for Your Denim in Irish Weather

The thing about living in Ireland—jeans have to handle rain, wind, and more than a fair share of mucky puddles. If you’ve splashed out on Oprah Winfrey’s favourite jeans and want them to last, a little savvy goes a long way.

Irish weather means one minute you’re caught in a downpour in Limerick, the next you’re drying out by the radiator in Wicklow. That quick-change climate does a number on denim if you’re not careful. Drying jeans on direct heat—like slinging them straight over a radiator—might be tempting, but it breaks down fibres and fades colour fast. It’s better to hang them indoors away from direct heat, using a rack near a window for a bit of airflow.

Washing too often is a sure-fire way to ruin good denim. In Ireland, where streets can get mucky, it’s tempting to wash jeans after a short walk. But unless there’s a spill, try spot cleaning. Turn your jeans inside out before washing on cold to preserve colour. Irish water is considered soft in places, which is less harsh on jeans, but if you’re on the west coast where water can be harder, try a gentle detergent and skip the fabric softener.

• Use a low spin cycle to prevent stretching.
• Never tumble dry—Irish houses can be damp so dry inside but not on direct heat.
• If jeans start to smell between washes, try a quick hang outside or even in the bathroom during a hot shower for a mini steam clean.
• For stubborn Dublin city stains, use a small dab of vinegar or baking soda mixed with water.

Want the hard info? Here’s what works best for jeans in Irish homes:

If you cycle, take buses, or just face the usual drizzle, think about waterproof sprays for jeans, which are easy to find in shoe and outdoor stores across Ireland. They won’t make denim fully waterproof but help keep you dry during that classic Irish sideways rain. At the end of the day, caring for jeans in our climate comes down to patience, gentle washing, and never giving in to the lure of the radiator or tumble dryer—no matter how many GAA matches you’ve braved in the mud.