I guess don't buy American Eagle if you can avoid it. But, really you shouldn't buy American Eagle because they sell the same poorly constructed clothing found at many chains.

If you want to look good in jeans I recommend made to measure. A perfect fit will make you look amazing and almost no one has clothing that fits unless they can sew. If you can't sew, consider having a thrift piece altered by a tailor. This can be done for less that retail sometimes. That's how you get "good jeans"