Denim is the great fashion leveller. We’ve no doubt that some version of it hangs in every wardrobe from Surbiton to San Francisco and is easily the most recognisible fabric on the planet.
All the more surprising that it was invented with such humble beginnings. Designed for hard, intensive labour outdoors, the fabric hails from Nimes in southern France - hence the name denim, derived from the French "serge de Nimes"; a sturdy fabric from Nimes. Early versions from 1860 found favour with cowboys and ranchers but fast-forward to the 21st century and denim has undergone a serious transformation while still being as familiar as ever.
Today you can shop for buttery soft denim shirts alongside robust jackets to weather the elements and everything in between.
Many of us live in the stuff, wearing it to work, to the beach, to festivals, and for some A-list stars, on the red carpet too.
Ironic then, isn’t it, that despite the wealth of denim at our fingertips, finding the perfect pair of denim jeans can be such a frustrating mission? Hours spent trying on various iterations from endless brands only to come up short.
But it’s a task worth getting right; for many, jeans form the foundation of our outfits and once you’ve found the perfect pair, you’ll wear them until they fall apart at the seams.
Developments in fashion tech mean more jeans are being made with added stretch, with figure-defining results. It’s great news for shoppers with curves who may have shied away from wearing denim before. Modern plus-size jeans are designed to fit and flatter, with enough give to smooth over the stomach, hips and thighs without bunching up, digging in or gathering.
Ready to shop? We’ve put together a hit list of the best plus size jeans to shop right now.
See the edit below
Good American Good Legs Coated Jeans, Black
Sizes: 2 - 24
We've got chills, they're multiplying for these coated jeans by Good American, which are giving serious Grease lightning vibes.
Part of Good American's Good Legs collection, which elongates your pins to incredible effect, the skinny leg are made for big nights out. Fit-wise, you couldn't ask for better with zero gaping no matter the dimensions of your, ahem, trunk.
It's no surprise really; Good American has become one of our favourite denim labels. The brand, co-founded by Khloe Kardashian, offers a refreshingly inclusive size range across myriad styles, from distressed and cropped to Daisy Duke-style shorts you’ll want to live in all summer.
Machine wash inside out on cold, and don’t fret about them losing their shape - all Good American’s stretch jeans feature a recovery element, helping preserve their original look for longer.
Buy now £165.00, John Lewis
Lucky & Yak Drew Straight Leg Jeans: ORGANIC DENIM - Washed Black
Sizes: up to 32
Famous for its ridiculously comfortable dungarees, size-inclusive brand Lucy & Yak also offer a collection of jeans designed to fit curves of all descriptions.
With Gen Z declaring skinny jeans dead, it's time to turn your attention to other, long-neglected styles and Lucy & Yak's Drew cut is ideal. The barrel-leg jeans are perfect for lazy weekends as well as big nights out with a cropped leg that hits the ankle perfectly (and facilitates cooling breezes on warmer days). Made from GOTS-Certified organic denim, it feels good against the skin and sports a mid-rise that sits comfortably on the waist.
Size-wise, crack out the measuring tape rather than going on dress size alone for the best fit.
Also available in light and dark blue washes.
Buy now £58.00, Lucky & Yak
Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans
As a curvy girl, I wasn't sure how Reformation's denim would fit on me. Though waistbands go up to 34, anyone who's ever shopped for jeans knows that sizing differs from brand to brand. Would Reformation's cut flatter or frustrate?
I tried the Cynthia, one of the brand's most beloved styles with a high rise and straight leg. Despite 'rigid denim' written on the label, these jeans were pleasingly soft, the sort of worn-in you get after you've put them through a few wash cycles.
They're nice enough for casual weekend wear but I probably wouldn't wear them for an evening out or to the office, and that's largely down to the colour. The Colorado wash is a retro 80s blue but luckily there's a darker indigo wash and black charcoal option to choose from.
Abha Shah, Deputy Shopping Editor
Buy now £168.00, Reformation
M&S Magic Shaping Straight Leg Jeans
Sizes: 6 - 24
For a great pair of jeans from a dependable British brand, you needn’t look further than good old Marks and Sparks. It’s always catered for curvier types and with a range that goes to a size 24, is an inclusive place to shop for quality jeans. This straight leg design comes in dark indigo, indigo wash, black, grey and white.
Buy now £45.00, M&S
ASOS DESIGN Curve baggy boyfriend jean in metallic silver
Sizes: 18 - 28
Desperate to try the futuristic fashion trend? Take a chance on ASOS's metallic silver pair with a baggy boyfriend cut. Featuring a mid-blue wash painted with silver streaks, they're comfortable to wear yet flashy enough for drinks with friends. Come festival season they'll be your go-to for easy style paired with a tank or tee.
Buy now £45.00, ASOS
Monsoon Harper regular-length crop jeans blue
Sizes: S - XL
With a cropped leg and a sailor-style buttoned waist that doesn't dig in, casual denim dreams are made of this. The comfortable style is perfect for running around in and comes in a shorter length to suit petite frames.
Also available in light blue and white options.
Buy now £59.00, Monsoon
Gemma Collins' Edit Curves Black Coated Leather-Look High Waist Jeggings
Sizes: 18 - 32
The Marmite of reality TV stars, few can argue with the GC’s fashion sense. She continually flies the flag for curvy women, as evidenced by this collaboration with New Look. Adding edgy coating to jean-style jeggings to create a leather-effect, the high-waist design promise to nip you in at your smallest, all the while feeling breathable and unrestrictive.
Buy now £24.99, New Look
Simply Be Corset Booty Shaper Blue Bootcut Jeans
Sizes: 10 - 32
On the back of all things Nineties, the hallowed bootcut has returned to jeans trends. Offering a nice balance to curves (not to mention a change from skinnies), the legs flare slightly at the end. This design packs in another retro trend - corsetry. It’s at the centre back of the jeans to whittle the look and rid your outfit of unwelcome gaping.
Buy now £28.80, Simply Be
