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Conventional wisdom might dictate that floor-skimming, wide-leg ought to be reserved for the drier months, when their hems don't slurp up the puddles lining the floor. But we don't make the rules and this winter, wide-leg jeans aren't going anywhere. In fact, we're thrilled the slouchy, supersized silhouette is sticking around for another season, as once you loosen up and lower that waistband, it's hard to wriggle yourself back into anything figure-hugging and restrictive.
So, in the spirit of both looking good and feeling comfortable, here we are, talking about wide-leg jeans with all the verve that they deserve, even if they can be something of a hazard through an impromptu November (or December, or January) shower. The humble wide-legged jean appears to have hit something of a style nerve of late. Over the past twelve months, according to Google Trends, searches for wide-leg jeans have been rising steadily, while over on TikTok, low-slung, hip-flashing wide-leg jeans have been for much of the year, with people increasingly wearing theirs with shrunken knits and bookish and socks.
(Frosty forecast? Add a boyish leather .) ‘Wide-leg jeans are great because they look instantaneously relaxed yet ultra sophisticated,’ Marianne McDonald, creative director of , tells . ‘There’s a versatility to them that the public has really responded to, and it makes sense – I love that idea of wearing something that feels cool and vintage, but really modern at the same time.
’ Wide-leg jeans are the top performing category for insider denim favourite , that has seen an 83% rise in searches for the style in the past month alone. Its best-sellers this season have been the , , and silhouettes, which each offer a slightly different take on the wide-leg style. 'High waisted fits such as our Dame give a more polished look, while something like our Harper is more feminine, and the Low Slung is super baggy for a relaxed feel,' explains the brand's creative director, Karen Phelps.
Larger-than-life, pavement-sweeping jeans began their journey to the height of fashion last year, when the likes of Gucci and Bottega Veneta suggested we scale up our proportions with a stellar series of loose and languid jeans (or in the case of the latter, butter-leather trousers treated to look just like jeans). Fast-forward to autumn/winter 2024, and wide-legged styles are peaking in popularity, offering a rebellious, youthful alternative to the sensible . ‘This year we’ve seen a shift towards more oversized and wide-leg silhouettes,’ Net-a-Porter's Market Director, Libby Page, tells .
‘Street style has embraced the baggy, low-slung styles by adding a more androgynous touch to give those off-duty-model vibes.' for the season ahead? The beauty of a larger cut is that it’s chameleonic: it will go with everything from a chunky knit and trainers to an oversize blazer and boots. For smarter occasions, Citizens of Humanity creative director Marianne McDonald recommends opting for darker denim styles: 'It feels chic and elevated, and lends itself well to evening looks.
I’ll be pairing with a fitted top from Khaite and delicate strappy heels.' Team meanwhile, advises experimenting with pieces that contrast one another in attitude and silhouette: think, a boyish biker jacket and ladylike kitten heel. However you choose to style yours, these are the wide-leg jeans to make a beeline for now and wear all season long.
are the stuff of fashion folklore, and the Cary is many an insider's go-to cut. It sits high on the waist and flares just the right amount without being OTT. The perfect wide-leg jeans don't exis.
.. Oh, wait.
With just the right level of slouch and soupiness, Levi's '94s are a wide-legged classic that you'll keep returning to every season. Nothing nails that elusive casual-yet-put-together look better than a pair of black jeans, and Italian brand Haikure's ultra-popular Bethany style is one of the best out there. Not only do they sit comfortably on the hip, but they also have that lived-in look and feel already so there's no need to break them in (yes, that's a thing).
Ever since the sad closure of fashion brand Raey, there's been an ultra-wide, extra-baggy, low-waist jeans shaped hole in our lives. Luckily, COS' new Volume design ticks all the boxes, seamlessly recreating that ultra-cool, almost-too-low silhouette the British brand was known for. If AW24 was a pair of jeans, it would be these Low Curves by AGOLDE.
Deliciously dark and wide, and made from heavyweight non-stretch cotton, they are a flawless riff on the dominating look, and nothing short of perfection. are big news this winter, solving a whole host of festive party outfit conundrums. The best pair on the shelves, Sandro's are dipped entirely in glinting crystals, and work with everything from a simple white tank to your most major party tops.
Try them with a black and stubby kitten heel for an instant late-night look. A darker indigo denim makes a wide-leg cut feel elevated – ready for evening, even. Mango's loose-legged jeans are stiff enough to look much more expensive than they really are, too.
Team them with a sleek and high heel, and you'll see what we mean. Trust us: Weekday's denim is some of the best on the high street. The Rail cut is loose but straight, so looks great with flats and heels alike.
This classic light-wash blue colourway makes the laid-back slouch even more pronounced. Ba&sh jeans are not only cool but they're comfy too, meaning stiff and restrictive denim can finally become a thing of the past. They're on sale right, too, so what are you waiting for? Designed to sit high on the waist with an ultra-flattering draped leg, Citizens of Humanity's best-selling Anninas now come in a number of inseam lengths so they'll work for all heights.
Denim is always a safe investment on a cost-per-wear basis, which is precisely what we'll be reminding ourselves as we add Loewe's logo-embroidered, XXL jeans to our online baskets. In pale-blue denim, Agolde's Low Slung Baggy jeans are the perfect vintage-style choice. They're unfussy and precisely shaped to sit neatly on the hips.
Wear then with a simple white tank and cashmere cardi, adding a red lip for the ultimate French-girl finish..
