The final fashion frontier? That perfect pair of jeans. Whether you favour wide legs or low waists, forgiving stretch or raw selvedge, we’re firm believers that The One is out there for us all. Luckily for you, we’ve wriggled into countless pairs to help you narrow down the search for you sartorial soulmate.
Are you still hopelessly searching for that elusive pair of jeans that makes you look – and feel – great? You’re in good company. As you likely know all too well, finding a good pair of jeans is a pretty achievable feat – but finding the best jeans? Well, that’s another story.
Now, the denim divide straddles more than the classic straight-leg and the rebellious skinny: there are endless styles and shapes to consider. As street style continues to influence the runways, which in turn inspires the high street, the denim market is booming.
Brands at all points of the prestige spectrum are banking on jeans this year. M&S is betting on holding its market-leader status with a bumper Summer denim range, while every blockbuster brand from Loewe to Miu Miu sent relaxed denim down their SS24 runways, and the big-name denim brands are reporting optimistic sales numbers in a year where fashion’s struggles have been widely reported.
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Of course, one person’s perfect jeans will be the next’s denim disaster, and today, there’s a whole world of options out there, each vying for your loyalty. Now, wide-leg jeans are back with a bang, low-rise waists are here for the brave, and, – for the even braver – the skinny-jean siren is sounding once again (no, they weren’t dead, just taking an extended hiatus).
So, where are those elusive perfect jeans hiding? We’ve done all the waist-wriggling and zip-wrangling to deduce exactly that. Here, see the ultimate guide to the very best jeans from the high end to the high street. There’s a winner for every single style, shape and silhouette predilection, alongside expert styling and shopping advice from the industry’s most in-the-know experts. The One? Right this way…
The ELLE Guide To The Very Best Jeans On The Planet
1. The Barrel Leg Jean
If there’s one jeans style really dominating SS24, it’s the barrel leg. Sometimes called the horseshoe, this curved, voluminous design features legs that flare fluidly to the knees, before bending back in on themselves. Sounds strange, looks excellent: think cool and carefree, but smart enough to always feel grown-up.
Citizens of Humanity birthed the trend with its Horseshoe jean which, after selling out continuously, is now available in a whole collection of finishes. The popularity looks set to continue into AW24 too, with the brand reporting the smarter black wash as a key revenue-driver for the approaching season.
As Anne Sofie Johansson, head of design at H&M explains, the barrel leg is the first completely new denim silhouette to break through in quite some time. ‘To change a silhouette when it comes to bottoms takes quite a long time, but I think for the majority of people, the barrel jean is popular because there’s an element of nonchalance and effortlessness to them,’ she says. ‘There’s also a hit of tomboyish-ness, where people don’t want to look like they’re trying too hard.’
Similarly, Agolde’s ballooning Luna jeans are selling out across the globe, while on the high street, the likes of Cos and H&M have introduced new styles to their roster this season. And of course, the sell-out star of Sienna Miller’s M&S collection? A perfect pair of crisp white barrel-leg jeans, which are currently impossible to get your hands on.
How to style them
The barrel is as versatile as it is statement-making, and works just as well with a slim tank top as it does a slouchier cotton shirt: just keep your waistband tucked in to make the most of the silhouette.
Ganni Dark Blue Stone Stary Jeans
2. The Bleached Jean
‘Bleached denim is a core trend for this year, as seen in the SS24 collection of Proenza Schouler,’ says Libby Page, Market Director at Net-a-Porter. ‘They go hand in hand with oversized silhouettes to exude an effortless aesthetic.’
Where to find the best pair? Well, Proenza’s are indeed a trophy piece, while Acne Studios is also making a strong case for bleach-splattered denim. Marques Almeida is taking the trend in a tie-dye direction, as ELLE UK fashion assistant Hadya Tuofiq demonstrates below.
How to style them
The look is, of course, a casual one, and so is best embraced in conjunction with the nonchalant wide-leg silhouette. Swap out your gold jewellery for slick silver too, amplifying the nostalgic Y2K feeling.
The perfect footwear match is perhaps a pair of Alaïa’s sell-out mesh ballerina flats: the shoe that birthed a thousand imitations. But of course, if you haven’t managed to bag a pair of the most in-demand shoes of the season, you could lean into the surfer associations with a pair of elevated flip flops or steal inspiration from the Proenza show and pair yours with polished loafers.
Proenza Schouler Ellsworth Jeans
Acne Studios Smokey Jeans
Marques Almeida Tie-Dye Jeans
Haikure Korea Jeans
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3. The Dark Wash Jean
‘In direct contrast to the rise in bleached denim, dark denim is proving similarly popular, styled alongside the Primary Palette trend, where designers injected bold, bright colours into the fashion landscape of SS24,’ says Page.
‘Masterfully showcased in Sarah Burton’s final collection for Alexander McQueen, dark denim works so well in a tailored silhouette. Pair indigo jeans with cobalt blue for a head-to-tonal approach or take inspiration from Loewe’s unexpected combination of blue styled with chocolate brown.’
How to style them
As Page mentioned, dark denim is perfect for sneaking into those office-appropriate looks. Pair yours with a black blazer, heels and a white shirt for the working week, and add a bold lipstick – classic red looks incredible against dark denim – for added impact.
Jacquemus Le De-Nîmes Ovalo Jeans
Agolde ’90s Pinch Waist Jeans
Jil Sander Straight-Leg Jeans
4. The Wide Leg Jean
For those truly horrified by the purported resurrection of the skinny, we have good news: the wide-leg jean, another Noughties relic, is also back with a bang for 2024.
‘At Net-a-Porter, we’re seeing our customers gravitating towards oversized denim silhouettes,’ Page says. ‘The SS24 collections showcased the casualisation of fashion, which was embodied by the oversized silhouettes we saw at Loewe, Stella McCartney, Valentino, and Toteme. Loewe’s Anagram appliquéd high-rise wide-leg jeans are a cult favourite and look effortlessly chic styled with an oversized sweater and retro sneakers.
It’s easy to see the appeal of the wide leg: not only is a roomier silhouette brilliantly comfortable, but it lends looks a laid-back, nonchalant vibe that never feels contrived. Look for a pair made from 100% cotton to ensure you’re getting that rigid, non-stretch finish that makes a big silhouette hang so much better. Italian denim brand Haikure has made perhaps the best pair of the season: its Bethany is cut to be worn slung low on the waist and falls extra-wide through the legs, cleverly tapered to ensure it looks good with both heels and flats.
How to style them
Perilously oversized, floor-pooling jeans are perfect for the 2024 version of the classic Noughties combination of ‘jeans and a nice top’, as evidenced by the SS24 Valentino runway. That said, they also look excellent with a boyish bomber jacket and flats, as Hailey Bieber so often proves. To smarten them up, try a thong sandal with a stubby heel.
Marks & Spencer Slouchy Jeans
Citizens Of Humanity Ayla Jeans
5. The Straight-Leg Jean
After the great loungewear years, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the women of social media and fashion week alike turned to baggy ‘dad-style’ and vintage ‘mom’ jeans for SS24 (and beyond). However, we’re now seeing a surprising return to a slimmer silhouette. Far from being skinny, the high-waisted straight-leg style has started to gain steam for 2024, and in the shadow of Quiet Luxury, a premium has been placed on classic shapes, without elastic, and perhaps with a small twist.
‘In recent years, the Nineties straight-leg jean has become a wardrobe staple that isn’t going anywhere in 2024,‘ Page says. ‘The beauty of straight-leg jeans is that they can look like a prized vintage pair but have been rigorously tested to ensure a great fit. Khaite’s Danielle high-rise straight-leg jeans are a hero item here (and a firm favourite of Kendall Jenner). In the last three months at Net-a-Porter, we have seen a 115% increase in searches for this style versus the three months prior.’
How to style them
Once you’ve invested in a good pair of (preferably high-waisted) straight-leg jeans, they will become your outfit-building bread and butter. Consider them the new-season partner to all those relied-upon workweek staples, from a sharp black blazer to a white tank top, and chic pointed kitten heels.
Reformation Val 90s Jeans
Agolde Criss Cross Recycled Jeans
6. The Skinny Jean
After years of riding high, this skinny jean fell firmly out of fashion a few years ago, retiring into the bedridden former rock star of denim. But now – and I’m sorry if this alarms you – the skinny jean is making a return. There will be no fighting it: come autumn, super-skinny drainpipes will be everywhere once more – Miu Miu has made it so, sending low-waisted, leg-hugging denim down its AW24 runway. Kate Moss is already wearing hers (paired with a vintage Balenciaga city bag, no less).
How to style them
We are wiser this time around though, and we won’t be falling into the sartorial trap that saw skinnies slip down in the style stakes previously. Where did it all go wrong? ‘Jeggings ruined the skinny jean,’ says stylist Donna Wallace, who favours a pair of Lee straight-leg men’s jeans that she’s cut off at the hems. ‘As soon as they started bastardising the denim and putting in too much stretch, it became trashy.’ So, the instruction is clear: keep it slim, not circulation-cutting, and for goodness sake, stay away from the elastane.
Frame Le High Skinny Jeans
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Re/Done ’70s Stove Pipe Jeans
7. The Mom Jean
‘I have vivid memories of my mum wearing classic Levi’s jeans (501s, specifically) – stonewashed, high-waisted with a button fly and loose tapered legs in signature thick denim – throughout my childhood to do the gardening or take the dog on a muddy walk,’ says ELLE UK’s Site Fashion Editor, Daisy Murray. ‘These were the ‘mom jeans’ before mom jeans became a thing.’
‘As I hit adolescence, when replicating Kate Moss and Sienna Miller in their super-skinny Sass & Bide ‘Misfits’ (remember those?) became my ultimate goal, I would tease her about how ‘dated’ her pale Levi’s jeans were. ‘They’ll come back around one day,’ she’d say, like all mums do.
She was right: they did. Now, I wear her old favourites religiously myself: nothing feels as easy, as reassuring or as versatile as a good old pair of mom jeans. Sometimes, they really do know best.
How to style them
The mom jean looks best with a tucked-in top, so style yours with a classic white T-shirt (the ultimate off-duty pairing) or try a looser, longer boyfriend shirt twisted nonchalantly into the waist. When it comes to footwear, anything goes, from trainers to elegant heels. Right now, we’re pairing ours with a just-smart-enough point-toe flat.
Everlane The Rigid Way-High® Jean
Marks & Spencer Mom Jeans
8. The Denim Set
‘Denim sets exude power and practicality, as seen in the SS24 collections of Valentino, Stella McCartney, and Ulla Johnson,’ says Page.
A wise investment, a matchy-matchy set comes with major styling versatility: wear the pieces together for an instantly chic result, then mix and match them with wardrobe classics to create endless looks. On the high street, Cos has a great raw indigo denim set in store right now, while Mango has some more casual co-ords, including a great denim maxi skirt with a matching overshirt.
How to style them
The wonderful things about co-ords is that they are an entire outfit in one, meaning all you need think about is accessorising your pre-made ensemble. If, however, you decide not to go for a ready made look, find a denim jacket and jeans in a similar wash to create the same effect, and add statement gold earrings to take it from casual to evening-ready.
9. The Denim Jort
Yes, another Y2K relick the fashion gods have resurrected for SS24: the jort is back. Seen all over the streets at Copenhagen Fashion Week earlier this year, the long denim short is a surprise hit we’re actually quite invested in. Now, you could take a pair of scissors to an old pair of jeans here, but there’s really no need: denim brands from DL1961 (whose Lucila style is likely the best of them all) to Agolde have designed more elevated takes on the classic denim cut-off this year.
How to style them
We love the juxtaposition of a big and baggy denim board short with a polished shoe: think, a pointed pump and ankle-length sock, or a statement-making cowboy boot. Wear whatever you like on top: the idea here is to embrace chaotic clashing. Somehow, it always works.
COS Knee-Length Denim Shorts
10. Statement Details
Twisted details bring a fresh feeling to denim this season. The asymmetric waist steals focus at Loewe, R13 and Agolde, while Alexander McQueen and The Attico make a case for Noughties-inflected straps.
How to style them
This is an easy one: let your season-defining denim do all the talking and pair simply with a tucked-in tank top and heels: open-toe mules now, pointed boots come autumn.
Darkpark Asymmetric Jeans
Loewe Asymmetric Waist Jeans
The Attico Cutout High-Rise Jeans
11. High Waisted
If the return of the perilously low-rise waist broke you out in a sweat, fear not: a great pair of high-waisted jeans will never be a bad style move. Denim brands from Paige to DL1961 all offer core styles in a flattering high-rise waist, and this season they’re perfect for tapping into the Sienna-sponsored boho revival (especially when teamed with a gently flared leg).
ELLE UK Contributing Editor Naomi May is eternally loyal to her high-waist jeans: and one particular style at that. Reformation’s Cary jeans are her perfect jeans. ‘Maybe it’s my slightly curvier shape — I’m larger on bottom than I am on top — and I have long legs, which makes finding the right fit and length in denim difficult, but the Carys balance me out the way a good pair of jeans ought to,’ she says.
How to style them
Go all-in on the bohemian revival with a wedge heel hidden beneath your hems: the result is remarkably leg-lengthening without making you look overdressed for casual days.
Paige Sasha High-Rise Jeans
Reformation Cary High-Rise Jeans
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Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.
Roberta has more than 15 years’ experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.
When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find. Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder
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