Are You Wearing Jeans During Lockdown? Here’s Why Denim Is More Comfortable Than You Think

During the heady days of my adolescence, I became preoccupied with some of life’s more profound questions. Like many teenagers, I had an existential awakening of sorts, which was usually tempered by achieving the perfect MySpace photo and figuring out exactly which top I could wear with my favourite Miss Sixty jeans. Said jeans boasted the flariest of flared legs imaginable and were my very favourite thing. I was wearing them when I went to my first gig and when I had my first kiss. I think. In any case, they are a symbol of my formative years; a denim signpost along the path of my life. And that’s possibly the last time I felt fondly towards a pair of jeans. Until our current state of affairs (i.e our collective house arrest), I dressed like I was en route to an audition foryet anotherLittle Womenremakeand I was entirely satisfied with my choices. But that was B.C – before coronavirus – which now feels like a very different time indeed. Now, I love jeans like I’m a teenager again, although with much less freedom.

I know, I’m at odds with the zeitgeist. Social media has been full of discussion about the horrors of choosing denim as part of a #WFH wardrobe and 68% of you, our beloved Grazia readers, informed us that you are definitely not wearing jeans right now. They’re considered too rigid, too unforgiving, too uncomfortable. Retailers have proudly been shouting about the increase in sales of anything with an elasticated waist – we’ve all basked in the unparalleled glory of being able towear pyjamas every daywithout feeling guilty. But not I. Instead, I have tried on every pair of jeans in my wardrobe (14, which is completely inappropriate for a woman who claims not to enjoy wearing them) and reached the conclusion that I wouldn’t need anything else to get me through lockdown. Why? Because actually, modern denim is so much less restricting than those Twitter memes would let you believe and wearing it makes me feel much more ‘together’ than leggings or joggers.

Marissa Morin, senior manager of J Brand agrees. ‘The current anti-jeans sentiment likely comes from the immediate thought of a more rigid jean with a less forgiving fabric. There’s an abundance of stretch denim fabrications that give you the elevated, put-together look of denim we love without having to sacrifice comfort. Comfortable jeans do exist.’

It’s true, especially if you opt for on-trend boyfriend fits or culottes, both of which are current bestsellers at Selfridges. ‘Right now it’s all about that relaxed fit, whether that’s our bestselling AG Ex-Boyfriend Slim jeans or the Nellie Culottes from Paige. Alternatively, customers are looking to the ultimate comfy skinny from Good American,’ says Poppy Lomax, Selfridges’ buying manager.

It’s something that was reflected on the SS20 catwalks, too, as Celine championed slouchy, bootcut jeans, Bottega Veneta favoured hip-hugging, boyfriend fits and Jacquemus showed wide-leg white styles. All looked wearable – attainable outfits that still feel glamorous and make you feel good: a combination I didn’t realise would become so significant.

Givenchy’s spring/summer collection, meanwhile, had a focus on upcycled denim, as tie-dye skirts, panelled midi dresses and two-tone coats were all fashioned from reclaimed jeans from a warehouse in Paris. Not only is vintage, pre-worn denim a more sustainable choice, it’s also more comfortable, argues Anna Foster, founder of E.L.V Denim. ‘All of our jeans are made from vintage denim – they are already super soft and worn in so provide comfort. I would say that the Boyfriend style is the best for right now – it not only looks and feels amazing but it offers a comfortable alternative to the tracksuit. They work for those Zoom chats and for when you just want to curl up on the sofa watching Netflix.’ Look also to Levi’s and its Re/Done range, which repurposes vintage styles into modern, comfortable fits.

If, however, you truly can’t face wrangling your legs into a pair of true blues, it’s worth noting that denim comes in many forms. I’ve been inspired by the likes of Tamu McPherson, who made a denim jumpsuit look like the ideal #WFHfit, while Lucy Williams reminded me of the benefits of a great denim jacket. The latter is particularly helpful for daily walks at the moment, when a coat feels stifling but there’s still a bit of a breeze. As Marissa says, ‘Truly there is no one right way to wear denim. Now more than ever, getting dressed is such a personal process.’

SHOP: Comfortable Denim To See You Through Lockdown