Can you really tell, just by looking, whether a pair of jeans cost £300 or £30? It is trickier than ever, as this spring retailers on the high street have really upped the ante when it comes to their denim designs.
There are a few tell-tale signs to take note of – hallmarks of “cheap” denim. Firstly, the buttons. Are they brassy, or paint-chipped, or suspiciously blingy? Next, look at the knees – cheaper, elastic-heavy denim typically loses shape and sags in this zone. Finally, the hem-stitching. Is it yellowy-gold or messy? These may sound like minor details, but all can give away the fact that you bagged a bargain.
The Telegraph’s Fashion team has tried and tested the best new pairs from across the high street this spring and found some truly excellent pairs that look far more expensive than their prices.
From the £36 wear-forever jeans to the on-trend pair with a designer name attached, these are the best to buy.
Best wide-leg jeans
Caroline Leaper
Caroline wears wide-leg jeans, £36, Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer has cracked the code on high-street denim – the retailer announced in February that it is now the market leader for women’s jeans in the UK. It shows that M&S is now seen as a fashion destination, not just a place to buy your underwear staples.
The M&S barrel-leg jeans have surged in popularity (105,000 pairs have been sold in the last year) – but, for me, it’s the wide-leg silhouette that nails the brief and should remain in my wardrobe for years to come. A crisp (but still comfy) cut, a perfect mid-blue wash and a price tag of only £36. What’s not to like about that?
Best designer collaboration
Bethan Holt
Bethan wears straight jeans, £34.90, Uniqlo x JW Anderson
A confession: I now own four pairs of these Uniqlo x JW Anderson jeans. I have them in two lengths (29in and 31in) and two washes (described as “blue” and “navy” on the website; I’m wearing the navy here), and am now eyeing up a fifth pair in the new white colourway. They’re the best pair of high-street jeans I’ve owned in years, nailing the new straight-leg look.
I’m wearing the longer length here – which I think benefits from a shoe with a small heel – but the short length I have (I’m 5ft 7in) hovers just around the ankle, so will be great for wearing with loafers or ballet flats in spring. If your size isn’t in stock, I’d recommend signing up for alerts as they do come in and out of stock regularly. And, if you prefer a higher rise on the waist, do try the new Uniqlo U high-rise regular jeans, also £34.90.
They do give a little once you’ve had them on for a few hours, but I find they hold their shape far better than many other high-street jeans. Do they beat my beloved Agolde 90s pinch-waist jeans? Not quite, but given they’re almost 90 per cent cheaper, they’re an excellent alternative.
Best low-rise jeans
Hansveni Dave
Hansveni wears low-rise loose jeans, £50, Gap
I never thought I’d be back in Gap jeans. My pre-teen look mostly comprised of Gap-logo hoodies in a variety of colours, but since then I’ve avoided the brand. However, the recent refresh swayed me to try out their jeans.
These low-rise jeans tick all my boxes. While many rule out low-rise jeans, they’re a must for me. As someone with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who can be bloated after eating, low-rise denim is the more comfortable option. I find high-rise styles dig in. Jeans that look uncomfortable and ill-fitting immediately cheapen the look so I was impressed that you can combine waist and length measurements to find your perfect fit.
Best long-length jeans
Sophie Tobin
Sophie wears 501 ‘90s jeans in hallowed hour selvedge, £120, Levi’s
On the hottest day in March, I went to Regent Street to find the longest pair of jeans the high street has to offer. I’m 6ft and find it nearly impossible to find trousers long enough, and with most jeans designed with a 31in in-seam, it’s rare to find good quality, thick denim that hits my ankles.
I started at Cos and Arket, thinking the Scandi brands would be the answer. Sadly no luck and I moved on to H&M, where the shop assistant told me they had nothing beyond 31.5in. I considered looking in Zara and Mango, which I’m told could work for me, but I would prefer to buy denim with a little more integrity, so I made a final stop in Levi’s.
Trying on their 501 ‘90s jeans with a 34in in-seam restored my faith in brands designing for women who fall outside of average sizing (petite women I’m sure share my frustration). I sized up for a looser fit, and, to ensure the hems reached the ground, I tried on with shoes to avoid disappointment later.
After trying on at least 30 pairs of jeans, this was a great result, and I’ve ended my search with a classic shape and fit that will have enduring appeal in my wardrobe.
Best straight-leg jeans
Tamara Abraham
Tamara wears straight-leg jeans, £85, Cos
I wear jeans most days, and have several pairs in regular rotation (two pairs of vintage 501s from Pin Denim and a barrel-leg pair from M&S, all rather slouchy), but I’m always open to an addition if it will pull its weight in my wardrobe.
This pair was clearly a keeper – structured, pulled together and, critically, flattering. The fit at the waist is snug, but it has to be for tucked-in shirts and tees. I like that there’s no stretch (the style kiss of death when it comes to denim) – and while they’re probably meant to be cropped, on me (at 5ft 4in) they’re a perfect full-length.