Boyfriend jeans are easily the least explicitly defined silhouette of the denim family.
Wide-leg, skinny and flared styles are all self-explanatory, but boyfriend? Not so much.
Contrary to popular belief, there is a distinction between mom and boyfriend jeans, despite the latter’s vague moniker. Mom jeans sit higher on the waistline and feature a loose Eighties-inspired silhouette that culminates in a tapered leg. Boyfriend jeans, however, sit lower on the hip, have a relaxed hem and aren’t bound to a particular era. This makes them hard to decipher, but also more versatile.
Boyfriend jeans come in an array of styles, from straight-leg to oversized and bootcut. Essentially, any style that isn’t fitted and looks as if the wearer has borrowed them from their beau fits their bill.
Brands often extend a helping hand to consumers when deciding if a style is boyfriend or not. Loewe’s Anagram Appliquéd Boyfriend Jeans were ubiquitous at London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2024, handily featuring the word ‘boyfriend,’ in their product title. The same goes for Marques’Almeida, Connor Ives and Frame, all of whom have incorporated baggy boyfriend cuts into their sustainable denim collections.
Arguably, your best bet at scoring the dream pair of boyfriends is to shop vintage. The second-hand market is an endless source of diverse boyfriend cuts, with stores such as Rokit and Beyond Retro stocking ample gender-fluid pieces to unearth.
As with most trends, baggy jeans come Gen Z-approved. The generation is never slow to air their disdain for skinny silhouettes, favouring XL fits over figure-hugging designs.
Scratch the surface of social media and you’ll find influencers such as Mia Regan, Iris Law and Dua Lipa sporting voluminous denim seemingly plucked from the menswear section. And if they all own a pair, then so should we.
Discover the best boyfriend jeans to wear year in, year out and infuse your look with a tinge of boyish charm.
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Loewe Anagram Appliquéd Boyfriend Jeans
Loewe’s Anagram Appliquéd Boyfriend Jeans are a cut above the rest. The designer denim slacks feature a charcoal hue, subtly interrupted by the Spanish label's iconic swirling insignia above the knees. A quick flick through London Fashion Week street style and you’ll find that these jeans are hot property among the fashion elite.
Buy now £875.00, Net-A-Porter
Mango Wide Leg Mid-Rise Jeans
Mango jeans are a godsend for tall shoppers. The brand’s range of boyfriend cuts suit those over 5’8 with their longline silhouette and baggy design that elongate the figure.
Buy now £49.99, Mango
AGOLDE + NET SUSTAIN Clara Baggy Low-Rise Flared Organic Jeans
The softest pair around, AGOLDE’s Clara jeans take denim to new levels. The trousers sit casually on the hips and flow into a wide-leg look that’s both comfortable and chic. These eco-conscious jeans are crafted from 100 per cent cotton and are a hero product of the LA-based brand’s collection.
Buy now £300.00, Net-A-Porter
Marques'Almeida Purple High-Rise Two-Tone Jeans
Undoubtedly the most striking pair on the list, Marques’Ameida’s two-tone jeans are designed for the vibrant dresser. Lilac and raspberry hues clash to create a stand-out denim look boasting a tie-dye wash and a deliciously loose fit.
Buy now £315.00, Browns
Jean Paul Gaultier Black Trompe L'oeil-Print Jeans
If designer denim floats your boat, then look no further. Jean Paul Gaultier’s Black Trompe L'oeil-Print Jeans are kryptonite among fashion royalty. An inky black backdrop highlights a trompe l'oeil print depicting a smaller pair of grey jeans. Trippy.
Buy now £630.00, Browns
Weekday Astro Loose Baggy Jeans
Weekday’s Astro jeans are designed for both men and women. So naturally, they are the perfect boyfriend pick. Available in a range of denim washes, the loose-fitting trousers perch neatly on the hips and feature a classic five pocket design.
Buy now £50.00, Weekday
Frame Le Garcon Jeans
Frame’s best-selling Le Garcons are certified boyfriend jeans. The mid-rise slacks offer a slouchier take on classic straight-leg jeans and come in a vintage-inspired wash. Style yours to be slung from the hips for the ultimate off-duty aesthetic.
Buy now £210.00, Frame
Diesel Boyfriend Jeans 2016 D-Air Opfar
Prefer a lighter wash? Shop Diesel’s Americana boyfriend jeans complete with a regular waist, a nuanced worn-look wash and a lowered crotch for comfort.
Buy now £200.00, Diesel
Hush Boyfriend Jeans
Hush brings high quality to the high street with its easy-wear, mid-range boyfriend jeans. Potter around the house or exercise your street style skills in the everyday pair of relaxed blue jeans. Wear all-year round.
Buy now £79.00, Hush
E.L.V Boyfriend Jeans
If you’ve not yet heard of E.L.V. Denim, consider this the introduction you need to revive your jeans rotation. The brand takes a different approach to the construction of its collections where it upcycles preloved designs and splices them together to create a contrasting style. These are boyfriend jeans that are eye-catching, unique and playful with mismatched pockets and seams. There are eight colourways.
Buy now £315.00, E.L.V
