10 Denim Brands Stitching Their Way to Success

Denim remains a timeless wardrobe staple, but how do brands stand out in an oversaturated market? By mastering social media. From bold Instagram campaigns to influencer partnerships, the best denim brands are not just selling jeans—they’re creating a lifestyle.

The perfect pair of denim can feel like a lifelong challenge. Whether you’re a fashion brand looking to expand and collaborate with a denim brand or a consumer seeking your perfect fit, these popular denim brands (on social media and in stores) are a great place to start looking for your new favorite pair of denim. 

While there are many fashion brands that make popular denim styles (hi, Ganni barrel jeans!) this blog is primarily focused on ‘denim-first’ brands. The following brands are sorted from highest to lowest engagement rates, with data taken among over 7,000 fashion Instagram accounts between January 1, 2024 until October 01, 2024. The average engagement rate for fashion brands is 0.19%. The overall Follower Growth Rate is 5.05%.

1. A.P.C. (@apc_paris)

• Engagement rate: 0.26% 
• Follower growth rate: 2.73%
• Followers: 1.4M

A.P.C.'s Instagram feed embodies minimalist Parisian style, focusing on clean visuals that highlight their timeless, no-fuss approach to fashion. The feed features a mix of product photography and artistic content that subtly conveys the brand’s effortless cool. What sets their strategy apart is their consistent use of neutral tones, which appeals to an audience that values simplicity and classic aesthetics.

With an engagement rate of 0.26%, A.P.C. slightly surpasses the average for fashion brands, showing that their understated approach resonates with a dedicated audience. However, their follower growth rate of 2.73% suggests that while they have steady follower retention and growth, they may benefit from bolder campaigns or partnerships to accelerate expansion.

2. Mother Denim (@motherdenim) 

• Engagement rate: 0.09%
• Follower growth rate: 11.59%
• Followers: 396K

Mother Denim’s Instagram is a vibrant and playful reflection of the brand’s bold personality. Their feed often includes colorful shots, humorous captions and collaborations with influencers, all contributing to an approachable yet edgy vibe. The brand stands out with a focus on inclusivity and playful storytelling, making it more than just a denim brand — it's a lifestyle.

Despite a lower than the average engagement rate of 0.09%, Mother Denim boasts an impressive follower growth rate of 11.59%. This indicates that while they may not have the highest engagement, their bold presence and content strategy are attracting new followers at a rapid pace, reflecting strong brand awareness efforts.

3. PAIGE Denim (@paige)

• Engagement rate: 0.04%
• Follower growth rate: 1.92%
• Followers: 392K

PAIGE Denim’s Instagram feed leans heavily into the luxurious yet laid-back California lifestyle. Their strategy focuses on aspirational imagery, with polished editorial shots of their denim against scenic backdrops. This combination of high-quality visuals and relatable content appeals to a sophisticated audience that seeks both fashion and comfort.

At an engagement rate of 0.04%, PAIGE is underperforming compared to the fashion industry average. However, their 1.92% follower growth rate suggests steady, albeit slower, audience acquisition. A potential area for growth could be in experimenting with more interactive content like behind-the-scenes videos or influencer takeovers to drive engagement.

4. Frame Denim (@frame)

• Engagement rate: 0.11%
• Follower growth rate: 5.90%
• Followers: 574K

Frame Denim’s Instagram feed feels elevated and elegant, with a curated collection of editorial images showcasing modern, structured looks. Their strategy focuses on highlighting both their products and the luxurious lifestyle their customers aspire to. They emphasize partnerships with fashion influencers and celebrities, which elevates the brand’s premium appeal.

Frame Denim's engagement rate of 0.11% and a healthy follower growth rate of 5.90% suggest they maintain a strong presence, appealing to fashion-conscious consumers. Their balanced strategy of high-quality visuals and strategic collaborations keeps their audience engaged while attracting new followers.

5. Agolde (@agolde) 

• Engagement rate: 0.26%
• Follower growth rate: 10.40%
• Followers: 370K 

Agolde’s feed blends trend-forward content with edgy, modern visuals, attracting a fashion-conscious audience. Influencer collaborations are a key part of their strategy.

With a 0.26% engagement rate and 10.40% follower growth, Agolde shows strong performance in both areas, indicating their strategy is effectively driving growth and engagement.

6. Citizens of Humanity (@citizensofhumanity) 

• Engagement rate: 0.27%
• Follower growth rate: 9.77% 
• Followers: 262K 

Citizens of Humanity balances sleek editorial content with a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship. Their collaborations align with their values, appealing to a conscious consumer base.

With an engagement rate of 0.27%, Citizens of Humanity exceeds the industry average. Their follower growth reflects the success of their approach, deepening connections with their audience.

7. Ksubi Jeans (@ksubi)

• Engagement rate: 1.04%
• Follower growth rate: 9.77% 
• Followers: 303K 

Ksubi’s rebellious, street-style visuals set them apart, catering to a youthful, niche audience. Their content is gritty and unapologetic, reinforcing their counter-culture appeal. To contrast this approach, they’ve recently expanded into children’s clothing, which helps grow its audience and consumer base with a new product line while maintaining its ultra-cool imagery, a fairly unique approach for kid’s retail. 

With a standout engagement rate of 1.04% and a follower growth of 9.77%, Ksubi’s niche strategy is driving both engagement and expansion.

8. Madewell (@madewell)

• Engagement rate: 0.05%
• Follower growth rate: 2.29% 
• Followers: 1.5M

Madewell’s feed focuses on relatable yet helpful content, like style tips, combined with a casual, welcoming tone. User-generated content and sustainability are core elements of their strategy.

While their engagement rate is low at 0.05%, their 2.29% follower growth shows they’re steadily growing their community. More interactive content could boost engagement.

9. Levi’s (@levis)

• Engagement rate: 0.09%
• Follower growth rate: 10.42%
• Followers: 9.5M 

Levi’s Instagram blends their iconic heritage with modern relevance, focusing on collaborations and campaigns centered around activism and sustainability, maintaining their authenticity.

With a 0.09% engagement rate, Levi’s falls slightly below average. However, their 10.42% follower growth demonstrates strong brand legacy and success in attracting new audiences.

10. Haikure Jeans (@haikureofficial) 

• Engagement rate: 0.15% 
• Follower growth rate: 4.55% 
• Followers: 63.8K          

Haikure’s Instagram feed exudes a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, with clean visuals that focus on refined, contemporary fashion. Their strategy emphasizes artistic product photography, often highlighting sharp lines and muted tones that align with a high-end, modern look. The brand's imagery creates a cohesive, understated feel that appeals to fashion-forward audiences.

With a 0.15% engagement rate, Haikure's content resonates modestly with its followers, suggesting that their carefully curated visuals foster some connection, but there may be room to increase interactivity. Their 4.55% follower growth rate, reaching 63.8K followers, indicates steady growth within a niche, though broader campaigns or more dynamic content could help accelerate expansion.

Fashion is an ultra-visual industry, from the product to the social strategy itself — Dash Hudson provides an intuitive, data and image-first experience for social media managers. 

Boards let you create custom content segments, so you can both organize your content and report on specific visuals, to drill down precisely where your engagement and conversions come from. 

Dash Hudson’s Predictive AI, Vision, determines which visuals from your Content Library are likely to perform the best, based on your past performance — this helps you make an informed decision for your unique audience and streamlines the content selection process. This tool also identifies visual trends, so you can quickly discern what earns you the most engagement — and what doesn’t.