The Best High Street Jeans That You’ll Think Are Actually Designer Denim

Affordable, expensive-looking and a great fit.


by Renee Washington |
Updated on

As far as shopping goes, one of the most difficult items to purchase is a pair of jeans. With sizes differing between shops, the hunt for finding your most flattering and comfortable fitis no mean feat.

The lucky ones that have found their true blues will tell you they didn’t come without the hunt, because finding your perfect pair requires trying on a few different styles to work out what works best for your body shape.

Megan Watkins, Head Stylist at online fashion destination SilkFred said, 'When looking for the best high street jeans, one of the key things to look out for is the stitching. If the stitching isn't high-quality or cared about, it's likely that your jeans will fall apart quicker or have been made without the desired care and attention.'

She added: 'You can also tell the quality of the jeans by the thickness of the denim. The general rule of thumb is that thick denim means better quality. I would also look out for the small details - are the zippers and buttons of a good quality? Do they look well constructed and sturdy? These are all components to finding and identifying a high-quality pair of jeans.'

With all that hard work, you may think it’s necessary to invest in an expensive pair, but look to jeans juggernaut Levi's, who prove that, when it comes to denim, designer is not the only answer. Levi's denim really does go the distance, whether buying brand new or vintage pairs, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Those aren't the only affordable options, though. The high street has become a real game-changer over the past couple of years for great denim that looks as expensive as their designer counterpart. From the classic mom jean to the fashion insider’s favourite (Topshop's Editor jeans), there’s a silhouette to suit everybody.

Best High Street Jeans At A Glance:

Best Hight street Jeans: M&S, High Waisted Crease Front Slim Flare Jeans, £45

Best High Street Jeans For Everyday Wear: Mint Velvet, Light Indigo Wide Leg Jeans, £99

Best Extra Wide-leg: H&M, Wide-leg Jeans, £27.99

Best High Waisted Jeans: All Saints Jet Barrel Leg Jean, £60

Looking for something more trend-led? There’s plenty of great denim ticking every box from flares to turn-up and wide-leg, too. To save you the time, I and the team have gone and tried the best pairs on the high street right now, for reference I am a 8-10 UK and 5'10. Scroll through my edit of the best high street denim to buy now.

SHOP: Best High Street Jeans

Editor's Choice

I was pleasantly surprised by M&S’ denim selection when I visited their Oxford Street store. They had a wide variety of styles, and what stood out to me was that most of their jeans are available in short, regular, and long lengths. I ended up choosing this pair as my favourite in a size 10UK and long. The denim is soft, comfortable, and has a generous amount of stretch. In hindsight, I feel like I could have sized down for a snugger fit.

Pros

  • Range of leg lengths
  • Good variation of colours
  • High-waist

Cons

  • Not many sizes available in store
Fit Flared
RiseHigh rise
Level of stretchStretch-fit
Inseam Length Short, regular, long options for different heights

Best Mom Jeans

H&M, Slim Mom High Ankle Jeans
Price: $19.55 (was £22.99)

www2.hm.com

Slim ankle jeans aren't really my forte, but trying these on I had a bit of a change of heart. I find that mom jeans are flattering and offers endless amount of styling options. Everyone needs a pair of these.

Pros

  • Flattering
  • Thick denim

Cons

  • Quite a short leg
FitMom jean
RiseMid-rise
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam LengthJust one

Best extra wide-leg

The cut of these jeans was the first thing that stood out to me. It's like a denim slash jogging bottom hybrid which make them great for everyday in the office. I'd style this with a crisp white shit and a chunky loafer.

Pros

  • Nice silhouette
  • True blue colour

Cons

  • If you're a bit taller than me then
FitVery wide
RiseMid-rise
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam lengthJust one

Best patterned jeans

I saw these on the rack and picked them up immediately, these will definitely be a statement piece in your wardrobe. I picked up in a size 28 but I will say it did fit a little looser than I expected. My only qualm is that there's only one leg length available.

Pros

  • Unique design
  • Thick denim

Cons

  • No variation of leg lengths
Fit Baggy
RiseMid rise
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam LengthJust one

Best turn-up jeans

I love Zara’s turn-up jeans because they strike the perfect balance between comfort and style. They fit snugly around the waist but have a flattering wide leg, giving them a relaxed yet polished look. I own two pairs in size 10 UK, and they’ve become a staple in my wardrobe.

Pros

  • Comfy
  • Deep denim
  • Unique design

Cons

  • No variation of leg lengths
FitBaggy
RiseMid-rise
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam LengthJust one

Best baggy jeans

Baggy jeans can often feel light and flimsy, However, with this Bershka pair, the fabric feels more substantial, offering a good balance of softness and sturdiness. They drape well without losing their shape, which makes them perfect for casual wear while still looking put together. Plus, the added weight ensures they last longer and don’t wear out as quickly as other lightweight options.

Pros

  • Comfy
  • Good thickness

Cons

  • A bit short
FitStraight
RiseHigh
Level of stretch Minimal
Inseam LengthShort, regular and long

Best High Street Jeans For Everyday Wear

Natalie Hammond Senior Fashion News Editor said, ‘These Mint Velvet jeans have become my number one for weekend trips when you can only pack one pair of jeans. Firstly, they fit my pear-shaped figure – small waist, larger hips – much better than most jeans on the market. Secondly, I went for the ‘long’ length, which, at my height of 5’7”, means they’re easy to style as they are with heeled ankle boots or cuffed with flats (I told you they were hardworking). I’ve also worn them several times when flying and it’s not terrible, which, in the world of jeans, is kind of miraculous.’

Pros

  • Different leg lengths 
  • Slouchy 
  • Good for pear-shaed bodies

Cons

  • May require tailoring if you're in between lengths
FitStraight
RiseHigh
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam Short, regular and long

Best High Street Boyfriend Jeans 

Gabriela Valesco Junior Bookings Editor said, ‘I love my boyfriend Levi jeans. Considering they brush the floor with my 5'4 frame, they've barely frayed at the bottom over the four years I've owned them. They're super comfortable and I really appreciate being able to dress them up and down, so I can wear them to the office, on a night out or for a casual hang with friends.’

Pros

  • Rich denim
  • Very comfortable 
  • Nice fray at the bottom 

Cons

  • Stock rarely lasts
FitBaggy/boyfriend
RiseHigh
Level of stretchRigid
Inseam Short, regular and long

Best High Waisted Jeans

All Saints Jet Barrel Leg Jeans
Price: $60 (was £149)

www.harrods.com

Jada Langola-Walters social media assistant said, 'The actual jeans I have on this picture are not in stock(dr denim Bella balloon leg jeans) but, these ones from All Saints are just as good (if not better). They're made for organic cotton, which is important for someone like me, who is trying to be more conscious about where I shop. It has a nice relaxed fit and the high waist sucks me in nicely.'

FitBarrel leg
RiseHigh rise
StretchRigid
InseamJust one

Best High Street Jeans Under £50

Price: $12 (was £39.99)
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcUEIOFRxTDQwWQkseBABBFlgKVxwHUhYVXlpWS1NTQEFUDxJXQk8RWFlMQksMXUhDD1dYAEQPD1gcRxRZXEYeQRMCHQJSVggECAdVUAwHQg5BQAB0CxNYRUUfDWdhF1MTCUVDByJMRUpUCAZKWGUycg%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=11364857328&barcode=A10DUFMAAARfBwoCBAc%3D

Whitney Jones Editorial Assistant said, 'These Snake print carpenter trousers are perfect for those who want to look put together with minimal effort. They are very versatile, taking you from day to night, think cool office chic to drinks with the girls. They can be a little baggy on the lower leg but the waist to hip ratio evens this out.'

Pros

  • Fits the waist without awkward space

Cons

  • Some might find it slightly baggy

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.

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