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Straight-Leg Jeans Are (Finally) Having Their Moment In The Spotlight
These fuss-free forever jeans are a worthy investment for the season ahead
After the death of skinny jeans was officially declared in 2021 – their final days were cemented after they were decried as 'cheugy' by New York Magazine – their humble, slightly less restrictive cousin, the straight-leg jean, has elbowed its way to the fore.
'The straight-leg jean is one of those silhouettes that’s easy to dress up or down, and it feels as fundamental as skinny jeans did in the past but has a sense of effortlessness to it,' Marianne McDonald, creative director of Citizens of Humanity, tells ELLE UK, noting that the label’s straight-legged Daphnes are her style of choice. 'The right pair can give you a really leggy look that feels modern.'
Their return to the height of desirability can be dated back to Matthieu Blazy’s sophomore collection for heritage Italian brand Bottega Veneta. During the label’s Milan Fashion Week spring/summer 2023 show, Kate Moss made an appearance clad in a lumberjack-esque checked shirt, white tank top and straight-leg jeans (that were secretly leather, FYI) – and the effortless-chic look instantly went viral. The following season, Blazy repeated his winning formula and once again sent straight-legged jeans and white tank tops down the runway, further cementing their status as the style of the moment. Now, straight-leg jeans everywhere, and are considered a veritable wardrobe essential.
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Agolde’s best selling style of jeans is its straight-legged 90s Pinch Waist, which Creative Director Karen Phelps describes as 'an easy, classic straight leg with endless versatility.' The same pair is also Net-A-Porter's bestselling straight-legged jean. ‘A straight-leg jean should form the basis of your capsule wardrobe as they never go out of style,’ Phelps tells ELLE UK. ‘I style mine layered with rib knits and blazers during the colder months.’
'The beauty of a straight-leg jean is that they can look like a prized vintage pair but have been rigorously tested to ensure a great fit,’ says Libby Page, Net-A-Porter's market director, confirming that searches for straight-leg jeans have spiked in recent months.
The style set is in firm agreement – the best way to wear these straightforward, fuss-free jeans is with simple T-shirts and boxy jackets. Playing with proportions is key to avoiding any skinny jean connotations. These are jeans designed to remove the headache of getting dressed; sturdy, solid and reliable, they are to any wardrobe what a cup of tea is to a cold winter’s day – inexplicably essential. It goes without saying, then, that it's high time to add a pair or two to your denim arsenal...
The Best Straight-Leg Jeans Of 2024
Agolde's straight-leg '90s Pinch jeans are the brand's best-sellers for a reason. They sit comfortably at the waist and end just above the ankle for the ultimate flattering fit, and they come in a variety of colourways too. This darker wash with raw hems is an editor favourite and worth every penny.
You can always rely on high-street hero COS for pieces that hit the perfect balance between timeless and of-the-moment. These straight-leg jeans are just that, and will see you through many, many seasons still to come.
Massimo Dutti is fast becoming our first port of call for capsule-wardrobe pieces that look seriously expensive. One of the best from the new collection, this pair of straight-leg jeans is looser and lighter than most, offering a wide-ish leg and super-soft fit that makes the high-rise waist a joy to wear.
Since debuting jeans in 2017, Reformation has established itself as a key earth-first denim brand. The LA-based label's Val straight jeans sit slightly lower on the hip but flatter the leg in all the right ways nonetheless. Just add barely-there kitten heels for a modern way to wear straight jeans.
H&M has released a host of brilliant jeans this season that defy their reasonable price tags. This ankle-length pair is 99% cotton with just a tiny hint of stretch, meaning you get a straight-leg silhouette that doesn't sag after a few wears, as well as the utmost comfort. They come in three colours, too (we'll take one of each).
Ask any fashion editor worth their salt where their jeans are from and, more often than not, they'll say Frame. If you're wondering where to start with straight jeans then look no further than the Californian label. You really can't go wrong with this high-rise, super-stretch, dark Kerry pair.
Dark denim has a more polished, sophisticated feel than paler hues. Pair Toteme's leg-lengthening jeans with your brightest, zestiest knits and ballet flats for a modern take on weekday dressing.
Whistles has been a leader in the realm of denim since its inception in 1976. For straight jeans that hug in all the right places - and hit the sweet spot just above the ankle - look no further than this pair. They're half price in the sale right now, too.
Available in grey, brown and vintage blue colourways, Arket's slimline straight-leg jeans are some of the best on the high street. Just bear in mind they are made from rigid, non-stretch denim, so have very little give.
If you're looking for a pair of easy, breezy, minimal-effort, straight-leg jeans that go with absolutely everything, look no further than Citizens of Humanity's Palma style. They have a perfectly lived-in look as well as a hint of stretch for extra comfort.
Leave it to the original denim brand, Levi's, to deliver this classic silhouette that's coveted for its great fit on both petite and tall bodies. The ultra-high-rise waist lends a lengthening effect, while the light blue wash nails that vintage-inspired look.
Available in both black and dark blue, Mother's Dazzler style is one of the slimmest, sitting high on the waist and ending at the ankles. They're cut to sit close – but crucially, not skin-tight – for a flattering look that feels entirely on point.
Claudie Pierlot certainly knows a thing or two about quality denim, and regularly releases new styles that become instant insider favourites. Make like the fashion folk and tuck oversized shirts into this straight-legged style for an elevated take on French fashion.
Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
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