- READ MORE: How to find the best jeans for every age and body: The top classic cut. The ones for jeans-phobes – and those with big hips
When it comes to denim I am designer all the way. Frame, Paige, Mother – I don’t buy often, but when I do I’m happy to spend a lot on the right pair.
I want the perfect cut and colour; jeans that can take real wear, and survive a wash, without stretching, fading or losing their shape. I’m somewhere between a demanding customer and a total denim snob.
But recently I’ve been surprised a couple of times when asking well-dressed friends where they had got theirs. ‘Less than 50 quid at M&S’ was the whispered reply. The High Street giant has always been my go-to for cashmere, underwear and simple cotton basics – but its denim has never been on my radar.
So when I decided to try every style in M&S I wasn’t expecting to find more than a couple of pairs that would be at most adequate – perhaps a trendy shape or two, but basically nothing more than standard High Street denim.
Autograph jeans, £60, marksandspencer.com
I’ll cut to the chase – I headed to the M&S flagship store at London’s Marble Arch last week and I was blown away.
The firm has turned to the experts, hosting round-table consultations with some of the biggest names in the world of denim – and it shows. There has been a real step up in quality and fit, but mainly in design.
And the sizing means there will be something for everyone. Each pair now comes in short, regular and long lengths, and in sizes 6–24. That kind of inclusivity is rare on the High Street – and is non-existent when it comes to designer denim.
And get this: M&S sells ten pairs of jeans every minute. If you can momentarily park the fears about what that’s doing to the planet, it’s quite an achievement.
So, I took myself into the store and braved what can only be described as a terrifyingly vast collection of cuts, colours and styles. After much trying on (and a fair bit of denim-related chaos in the fitting room), I’ve narrowed the jeans down to the eight best pairs worth snapping up right now.
The perfect jeans for the office, a party, a casual weekend, a glam night out. That exact pair you need to feel comfortable, trendy and well put together. Yes, M&S had it all.
My designer denim love affair may be over – though I won’t be telling anyone that, of course. If people want to assume my £26 kick-flares cost £260 that’s fine by me.
Flare high-rise
If your winter uniform is black, charcoal and navy, these lighter jeans are an easy way to add some colour. They’re billed as ‘light indigo’ but are much paler in real life. A true wardrobe essential, they’re great for everyday wear this season and will be brilliant with a white tee come summer. I love the cut: a slightly slim fit through the thighs with a gentle flare at the ankle. Very flattering.
Barrel leg
The first barrel jeans I’ve found that are actually flattering – this can be such an unforgiving shape, but these are surprisingly wearable. The horseshoe cut is softened by a traditional, stiff denim that holds its structure, and the fit on the waist is spot on. I’m wary of white jeans (too bright, too summery) but ecru feels much more autumn/winter and is far less intimidating.
Two-tone wide
These are very ME+EM-esque thanks to the contrast side stripe – but they’re a third of the price. That strip of darker denim is surprisingly slimming, and the two-tone feels adventurous without tipping into unwearable. The fabric is a lightweight, soft denim with no stretch (which I’m a huge fan of, as it’s good at keeping its shape). These might just be my favourites.
Wide ankle-grazer high-rise
This pair has lots of stretch and is a proper weekend jean. The high waist is genuinely flattering and does a good job of smoothing over any love handles. There’s so much give in the denim that they’re likely to relax with wear, so it’s worth considering going down a size. They give Frame’s £300 palazzo jeans a run for their money.
Eva bootcut
A very dark navy with a hint of grey, these look far more expensive than their £26 price tag. The bootcut is subtle which means they’re a safe, reliable pair of jeans you’ll reach for repeatedly. There’s enough stretch to make them comfy, but the fabric still feels structured, so they work just as well dressed down with trainers as they do with a blazer and ankle boots.
Harper cigarette ankle-grazer
These are jeans for people who don’t really like jeans. The neat cigarette shape and ankle-grazing length feel much closer to a smart trouser, especially with the turn-up hem. If you don’t fancy a wide-leg or skinny style, this straight, slim cut is your best bet – streamlined without being clingy.
Autograph wide-leg
This pair is a very dark indigo – almost black – which is on trend this season. This is a true wide-leg cut from hip to ankle, making the style more like a tailored trouser than a jean, so it’s instantly office-appropriate. Smart, sleek and sophisticated: these are jeans for grown-ups.
Flares with front seam
These are your gateway out of skinny jeans. They’re fitted right down to the calf with a very subtle flare, and are nicely snug across the bottom – I’d forgotten how flattering it is to wear something that doesn’t just hang. They make me feel smart and pulled together; less like a student, more like a functioning member of society.
… And the style to avoid
Do not invest in denim that looks or feels like shapewear. Skinny jeans had their moment in the 2010s, but if you’re still peeling yourself out of a pair that leaves seams imprinted on your thighs, it’s time to let them go.
Ivy supersoft high-waisted skinny jeans, £35, marksandspencer.com
