The high street’s denim offering has significantly improved in recent years. This is thanks – in part – to the fact it’s now considered acceptable to wear jeans for almost any occasion; be it for everyday use or an evening out (see: the rise of “jeans-and-a-nice-top”).
Gone are the days when a less-than-premium price-tag would mean flimsy fabric and styles that would fall apart – major retailers now stock affordable jeans that promise longevity. The trick to maximising their shelf-life? Avoid washing regularly (unless necessary, of course). And when you do wash them, put them on a gentle, cold cycle (along with similar colours only) with mild detergent or a specialist denim product (no fabric softener!). Don’t forget to turn them inside-out and do up all the fastenings (buttons, zips etc).
While you can’t go wrong with a classic, straight-leg cut, there are certain trends that are hard to ignore – the skinny jeans revival being one such example. I’ll admit, other than when I slipped into a pair for my first instalment of denim try-ons earlier this year, I’ve not worn skinny jeans since I tried to channel Emma Roberts in Wild Child circa 2008 (her pair were pale-pink and skin-tight). But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t admired a fair few skinny jean-sporting commuters on the Tube in recent weeks – maybe because their pairs were in a dark wash rather than a prawn-like pink.
Read more: I Just Tried On 2024’s Best Jeans
I’m beginning to acclimatise to the idea that this Noughties silhouette is back in business. However, after tentatively trying on some ’90s Kate Moss-esque black skinny jeans myself, it became evident that loose-leg styles will continue to be the backbone of my own winter wardrobe. (If you are after a pair, though, then this style from Cos could work for you.) While trends are inevitably reflected in some designs, thankfully the denim landscape isn’t solely dictated by what’s “in” or “out.”
In the name of research, I tried on some of the best high-street jeans available now, with insights about the fit, sizing and fabrications. After checking in with my Vogue colleagues and other fashion connoisseurs, I whittled down the list to Marks & Spencer, Arket, Cos and Mango, and went on my merry way to Oxford Street’s finest dressing rooms. Keep reading for my insights on the best wide-leg jeans, best boyfriend jeans and more.
Best high-street jeans at a glance:
Uniqlo Wide Straight jeans
A far cry from my pink denim days, I recently discovered an exceptional pair of wide-leg jeans from Uniqlo (pictured above) that give all my premium pairs a run for their money. They’re the perfect loose style that look great rolled up or down, and are comfortable enough to wear on a cosy day indoors. A number of friends have either borrowed mine or bought their own and, if I say so myself, they look great on all of us.
Arket Shore jeans
These were the first jeans I tried on and they were so good that I almost packed up and left. Mission accomplished – I’d found a pair that felt premium and fitted exactly how I liked. They’re described as having a low-waist with a loose fit and, in my usual size (25), this was exactly how they looked. I own a similar pair that come with a hefty price-tag, but this iteration is arguably better. The soft, 100 per cent cotton doesn’t swamp the leg and moves with the body to create a flattering silhouette around the hips. Plus, if this wash doesn’t take your fancy, there are five other shades to choose from.
Arket Coral relaxed jeans
Although I often find high-rise styles restricting, this pair was calling to me from the shop floor. I decided to try them in a size up to soften the potential discomfort – and I’m glad I did. The waistband felt just right and the length was perfect; with the hem skimming just above floor level. The elongating effect of this silhouette had me wondering if I should dig out my high-waisted jeans from the back of my wardrobe.
Mango Blanca straight-fit cropped jeans
A colleague and I recently had a conversation about straight-leg jeans – and our desire to return to them – after seeing Dakota Johnson wearing a pair out and about. I have a Prada style from eBay that I’ve become particularly fond of, so it was quite hard to compare them to anything on the high street. That being said, this pair from Mango is 100 per cent cotton and has a good firmness to the fabric, which works to hold you in place and help achieve the straight-leg look. Note: Mango sizes can be confusing as it tends to go by European waist measurements, so have a look at the online size guide to find your usual size. The pair above are size 34, which is equivalent to a UK6.
Cos Column straight-leg jeans
Now these are jeans I can get on board with. Sitting low on the waist (in a size up from my usual) with a straight, but loose-fitting cut, they are comfortable and flattering. I tried on the dark-blue wash, but they also come in a handful of other equally elegant shades. I can see these dressed up with heeled boots or kept casual with trainers and a big knitted jumper. I think I might be going back to purchase a pair for myself.
Cos Tide wide-leg jeans
The photos of these on the Cos website show them sitting relatively low on the model’s hips, with the loose material around her legs suggesting that they would come up oversized and baggy. However, as I so often find with denim, this was not the case for me. They are described as having a relaxed fit and wide-leg with a high rise, and while they were indeed high on the waist, I found that they were slightly fitted on the upper leg and throughout the hips and waist. The material at the bottom was loose with a slight flare, which helped to elongate the legs. Despite them being different to how they were pictured online, I loved how they fitted and could see them slotting perfectly into my winter wardrobe. Note, I found these were true to my usual size.
Marks & Spencer Boyfriend ankle grazer jeans, long
These jeans, like most M&S styles, come in three lengths – and although I don’t typically require a longer length, I decided to opt for this option and roll them up at the hem. The composition is 99 per cent cotton and 1 per cent elastane, so I thought the soft, moveable material and slouchy style would lend itself to a rolled-up hem. This was my first time trying on M&S jeans and when I pulled them on, I was very pleasantly surprised by how they fitted at the mid waist and fell loosely on the leg. These are jeans you could live in day in, day out.
Marks & Spencer The Wide-Leg jeans
Once again intimidated by the high rise of these, I tentatively pulled them on. In a UK size 8, they were a bit snug around the waist but – as jeans should – it felt as though they would stretch nicely with wear. Again, the material was a cotton-elastane mix, meaning that although they were more fitted than my usual styles, I could still move around in them comfortably. In this size, they work as a smart, fitted style, while a size up would make them look more relaxed.
