UK Edition
Forget denim trends, here are jeans that will actually flatter you
Denim is one of those items of clothing that fashion has got its dirty claws deeply sunk into. Mostly because everyone wears jeans and it’s a win-win money spinner.
But here’s the thing. In the face of the recent deluge of “fashion” jeans – Mom, rigid, skinny, super-skinny, cropped, cropped flare, wide-leg, ripped, frayed, strange patchwork varieties (they’re out there and, do not kid yourself, they look atrocious) – I strongly feel that as a society, we’ve lost track of the most important point: do these jeans look nice? And for the large part, when it comes to jeans styles that fall into any kind of “trend” category, the answer is no. They do not.
AG ex-boyfriend slim jean in 10 years wick, £230, Harrods; Original 1969 vintage straight jeans, £38.47, GAP
I’ve recently established that actually, the most flattering and chic jeans are of a style that probably in the old days we’d just call, jeans. They’re straight-leg and a little bit cropped, with a waist that covers your knickers, and legs just loose enough that they’re comfortable, but not so loose that they look sloppy.
I reached this conclusion via an epiphany in a pair called “Ex-boyfriend slim” by AG (£225, Selfridges.com). For me, they are the dream jean. The denim is soft, yet not soft enough that it’s going to start thinning and fraying any time soon. The waist is a flattering mid-height. They hug my bottom reassuringly. They hold their shape. They’re sold with a roll-up, which I roll down so that they hit my ankle bone in the perfect place. Key point: they do not cling to your ankle.
Now, they’re not cheap. I know many of you will be spitting out your granola at the thought of £200 jeans. So I’m going to be honest with you’re here. I’m a size 14/16. High-street jeans barely go on over my knees. Well-cut expensive ones, though? Perfect fit. I live in my jeans, so I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth. I’m also going to offer up this simple tip: buy them in the sale. Look on theounet.com – which currently has my favourite Current/Elliot mid-rise boyfriend design, which is similar to the AG, at the half price.
Sometimes this “just jeans” style is called a slim boyfriend or a girlfriend. If it’s stretch you’re after, look for 2 per cent elastane mixed in with the cotton. If there’s no stretch, they might be a little more unforgiving, but if that doesn’t worry you, try Gap’s vintage straight style (£38.47, gap.com). I don’t get on with Levi’s at all, but some adore them – the current reissue of the 505 is worryingly part of a “trend”, but don’t let that put you off – they fall into this flattering straight-leg “just jeans” style.
Others swear by Zara and Weekday. In the past, I’ve had success with J Crew, which currently has pair in a very good mid-blue– called “Slim broken-in boyfriend” (£125, jcrew.com). The pair pictured here by Topshop (which have the perfect 98 per cent cotton, 2 per cent elastane mix) also fit the bill nicely; and look at the model, Taylor Hill, adroitly working that ladder with the classic pairing of a blue shirt, trench, snazzy bag and boots. Also, note the belt. Doesn’t she look perfect? Is there anything else you want to wear right now? Me neither. Let’s do it. To hell with fashion, let’s just buy jeans that look nice.