We mean no exaggeration when we say that shopping for jeans is the single most difficult thing to do, particularly in the age of online shopping.
Trial and error is the name of the game - but with so many different styles, cuts, lengths, fits and hues on the market, it can still be overwhelming to whittle it down to a shortlist to condense into a virtual basket.
That’s where we come in. The perfect pair of jeans is in no way a one-size-fits-all approach and everyone will be looking for something different but we have created a selection of the styles we think will be as universally well received as possible.
We have curated our edit based on many factors. Timelessness is one. Low-rise and bootcut styles may have re-emerged on the fashion agenda but these cuts have a cyclical way of dropping in and out. You can very well invest in a pair but there is a likelihood in a few years (or by next season), they’ll be resigned to the charity pile. On the other hand, high-waisted, wide leg, Mom, flared and straight-legs will be perennially stylish and these styles will form the basis of your wardrobe for years to come.
That brings us to our next point: sustainability. Creating jeans is one of the most water-heavy production processes on the market. According to the United Nations, it takes around 7,500 litres of water to make one pair of regular jeans, the equivalent of seven years of drinking water for the average person. Opting for eco-conscious brands that use light impact fibres, less H20, reduced energy and put an emphasise on social fairness throughout the process is just a small but impactful step you can take to ensure your fashion purchases are sustainable from start to finish.
There are few fashion essentials more versatile and neutral than jeans. It probably compares solely to the white t-shirt in the ability to be mixed and matched with just about anything in your wardrobe. This goes for blue, black, white and all style of washes so it’s one purchase that will go a long way in the styling stakes. Choose wisely and you’ll be wearing the jeans multiple times of week (if not everyday) as well as to work or the weekend depending on your office dress code. Then consider - ripped or not-ripped?
We have selected the best jeans for women below.
Rag & Bone Maya High-Rise Wide Leg - Tulip
Jeans with a throw-on-and-go quality, this style from Rag & Bone is unlike any other that you’ve owned. Comfort is placed at the forefront so that instead of squeezing yourself into a soul-destroying tight denim, you will actually take pleasure in wearing them. We’ve even found ourselves keeping them on as we’ve arrived home or even donning them on the plane - the ultimate testament to their sumptuous feel. The wide leg adds intrigue to your ensemble and the washed Tulip hue is easily paired with the entirety of your wardrobe.
Buy now £245.00, Rag & Bone
MOTHER The Hustler cropped frayed high-rise flared jeans
There is a reason why MOTHER is one of Meghan Markle’s favourite denim brands. The silhouettes are flattering, the material is quality and the stretch-denim is soft and comfortable for all day wear. The brand’s flared jeans takes a subtle approach to the style with a frayed hem detail that is the icing on the top of the cake of a great pair of jeans. They come in white, which is perfect for the summer or else in black for everyday wear for the more clumsy among us.
Buy now £230.00, Net-A-Porter
Good American Good ‘90s straight-leg high-rise cotton-blend denim jeans
The 90s revival is enduring. As the cyclical nature of fashion has returned to the decade renowned for its baggy silhouettes, it has ushered in the return of relaxed, straight-leg jeans and Khloe Kardashian’s Good American brand has one of the best on the market. These are loose-fitting and chic, best paired with a body suit or a crop top for the full Nineties look.
Buy now £135.00, Selfridges
Reformation Liza Ultra High Rise Straight Jeans
Reformation launched its FibreTrace denim collection last year, changing the way jeans are created for the better. The sustainable label uses a first-of-its-kind Fibretrace technology where you can actually scan your jeans and find out their origin story from fibre throughout the production process. The brand has also partnered with leaders in denim production to create recyclable jeans that are circular and use scrap cotton. This is all without sacrificing on style - which the trousers have in abundance. The Liza is slim fitting and with a straight leg that works for all and every occasion. It comes in a range of washes, from black to the lightest white wash and in all sizes including extended.
Buy now £130.00, Reformation
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Cue the compliments every time that you slip these Levi’s jeans on. The Ribcage silhouette has quickly become one of the most popular in the brand’s extensive range with a universally flattering straight leg design that works to seemingly impossibly elongate the length of your legs, finishing at the ankle. They come in one of the most vast ranges of washes, from your classic in every shade of blue as well as plaid and patterned options.
Buy now £100.00, Levi’s
L’Agence Margot Skinny Jeans
L’Agence excels in its offering of minimalistic clothing staples with refined styles that hit the basics nail on the head in an elevated way. This includes the array of denim that is high quality, durable and long-lasting - sure to be a foundational item in your wardrobe. Skinny and slim legs are always going to play a vital role in jean trends and this style puts a luxury twist on the silhouette with a sumptous soft cotton construction.
Buy now £255.00, Harrods
Lee Scarlett in Rinse
Lee has put its denim collection through its paces in order to ensure that planet-friendly processes are prioritised by using less water, energy and carbon and with an eye on social respsonsbility.
The silhouettes have a loose, relaxed feel and include the classic Scarlett style. This design has a regular fit, a skinny leg and is ultra-flattering around the bum. Washes come across the spectrum of blue.
Buy now £85.00, Lee
E.L.V. Denim + NET SUSTAIN The Twin frayed two-tone high-rise straight-leg 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 pre-loved designs and splices them together to create a constrasting style. These are straight-leg jeans that are eye-catching, unique and playful with mismatched pockets and seams. There are three colourways.
Buy now £255.00, Net-A-Porter
Tommy Jeans Mom Ultra High Rise Tapered Hemp Jeans
The Tommy Hilfiger jeans have been a best kept secret by those in the know for a while. The silhouettes are flattering and easy to wear with subtle detail coming from well-placed rips and logo embellishments. This style has been crafted from a cotton and hemp-blend with the distressed additions giving a vintage look.
Buy now £50.00, Tommy Jeans
AGOLDE Balloon high-rise tapered jeans
Balloon silhouettes are not for everyone but if you’re looking to add some volume to your jeans collection, this pair from AGOLDE will do the trick with tapered legs, a high waist and a durable structured organic-cotton denim construction.
Buy now £240.00, Net-A-Porter
Arket Straight Cropped Stretch Jeans
High street hero Arket has got you covered with its straight cropped jean that is a clean, classic and elegant addition to your wardrobe. Easy to style and effortlessly chic, they come in three washes. The cotton is also organic and comes from non-genetically modified plants without the use of chemicals.
Buy now £69.00, Arket
