All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
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 colors 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).
The Best Affordable Jeans, At a Glance:
- The Cropped Pair: Mango Blanca straight-fit cropped jeans, $70
- The Dark Wash: Cos Tide wide-leg jeans, $120
- The Straight Leg: Cos Column straight-leg jeans, $120
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 installment 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.
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.
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.
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% 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 sneakers 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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_0001_5af808e37397289449983ae125e8037a.jpg)