It depends.
There is stretch...and there is s t r e t c h . . . .
Stretch denim can, indeed, show every lump and bump if it is the latter type. It also wears out quite quickly (relatively speaking) especially if put in the dryer. By and large, I don't care for this level of stretch in my jeans, but I have had one or two jeans in this type of fabrication that worked. See my Paige bootcuts. And the Madewell stovepipes. I think you pay for what you get with this type of fabric.
1% to 2% stretch can work well. That's what's in a lot of jeans and they don't necessarily feel stretchy at all. My CoH Emersons are like this.
And then there are the 100% cotton jeans. I love the feel of the rigid denim -- but -- and it's a big but -- I only like it if the jeans are quite loose. If they are tight, the fabric definitely holds things in but depending on the rise it can also be excruciatingly uncomfortable -- with waistband pressing against stomach. My Old Navy jeans are non stretch but they are baggy.
It does come down to personal taste and maybe body type, though. What works for one won't work for all.
