Right now I only own two pairs of jeans and neither of them fits me very well, which means I’m spending even more time than usual in yoga pants. Much as I like wearing yoga pants, I’m missing being able to chuck on a pair of jeans and then dressing them up or down as the mood takes me or the occasion requires.
Topshop’s skinny Baxter jeans, which cost around £40 and have been released in multiple washes, have been my go-to style for a couple of years. I’m in good company. Emmanuelle Alt, editor of French Vogue, and therefore the most stylish woman on the planet, wears Topshop Baxter jeans too: “I still think they’re the best,” she told UK Vogue earlier this year.
However, and I’m not sure why really, all of a sudden I feel like a change but I’ve been wearing the same style for so long I’m not really sure where to start in my search for a new denim look.
I completely missed the boat with the whole boyfriend jean thing and I feel like it’s a bit late to get on board now. I’ve always liked flares but at my height (just shy of 5’4”) heels are pretty much a requirement and these days I no longer do heels for day if I can avoid it. Also the combination of flares and heels are a bicycle accident waiting to happen.
I read about the ‘strinny’ the other day, a stupid name for a style that is a cross between straight and skinny jeans and I think they might be the answer. They’re slim enough to still be flattering, but loose enough to feel like a change.
All the premium denim brands are doing the look but, when it comes to denim, these days I’m a high street girl all the way (well if it’s good enough for the editor of French Vogue…!).
Topshop don’t seem to be doing a strinny style (yet, I’m sure it won’t be long). I’ve found a pair at Zara, that’s strinny-ish which they’re calling the cigarette style (pictured above, comes in various washes, £39.99). I’m planning to try a pair on next time I’m in Westfield (this evening, probably, I really am missing wearing jeans).
But if they don’t work out I’m stuck. I need help! What’s your go-to jeans style? Are you high street or premium when it comes to denim? Are you sticking with skinny jeans, or are you already working a different look? Seen any great strinny styles in the shops? Save me from wearing yoga pants day in day out – please!
I swear by Gap jeans, they just fit right on me. In fact (does mental calculation), every single pair of jeans I own is from Gap!!!
I used to wear solely Gap jeans too Claire, then I switched to Uniqlo and then Topshop. Perhaps it’s time to go back to Gap!
I’ve got three pairs of Gap jeans, all the same size, all the same fit (though obviously all a different wash) and all three of them fit completely differently! I’m not sure I can buy another version so need to look elsewhere.
Which Uniqlo ones do you normally go for Miranda?
I’ve worn Uniqlo’s skinny and stretch styles in the past Lauren. Loved both.
Just flicked over whilst eating lunch and now I want to go shopping! I HATE buying jeans. I’ve always struggled to find ones that suit me and so have very rarely splashed out on expensive ones. Recently I’ve falled in love with M&S’s limited collection skinny jeans. They are just so comfy and lots of lovely colours. I also picked up my best bargain of the year in TK Maxx last week with my new Chloe jeans. I would actually say they are this so called strinny style but they are lovely and comfy and even better they were a bargainous £25. £25 for Chloe, hooray!! x
I’m not a fan of shopping for jeans either Charlotte, especially in hot weather (not that I’m complaining about the late summer sun!). Ooh, a TK Maxx just opened in Westfield (there was a HUGE queue outside on the day it opened) perhaps I’ll go take a look! x
I hate shopping for jeans – my waist/length combo is either very popular or very uncommon as I can never find them! Also my thighs seem to be slightly out of proportion according to most shops ‘standard’ sizing so it’s always a battle in the changing room!
That said, I love Topshop’s Jamie jeans. I was initially put off because they list them as high-waisted and I was very much used to a low-rise. However, I absolutely adore the two pairs I have. They’re also ‘ankle-grazers’ but I just buy a longer length than usual to allow for shrinkage in the wash and then they come up perfect. Again, they’re £40 but worth the investment surely?!
I tried Gap, but couldn’t find my size so quickly gave up!
Ooh, Jamie looks like a great skinny style Jo, will give them a try next time I’m in Topshop!
I swear by dorothy perkins bailey skinny jeans they are so comfy and perfect for dressing up or down xx
Thanks for the recommendation Helen, good to see there’s a petite option too, so those of us who are shorter of leg don’t have to get several inches (at least!) chopped off the bottom!
I love Dotty P jeans too. I find jeans from other brands go baggy on the butt and backs of thighs really quickly, but I’ve never had that problem with Dorothy Perkins jeans. They also sit quite high up so no risks of unfortunate muffin tops or tummy spillage. The only thing I’ve found with them is that they don’t last long. I probably go through a pair every 6 months at least, but for £25 I’m not complaining.
I love Next’s Relaxed Skinny – sounds very much like the strinny. I cannot wear skinnies at all because I find them far too tight around my knees but find a straight leg a bit gapey round the ankles – the relaxed skinny has a really good ‘in-between’ fit. And similar to the M&S ones mentioned above they start from a pocket-friendly £25. I have several pairs in different washes and rarely wear anything else.
Great choice of washes too Cat!
I find it a nightmare buying jeans (I’m only 5ft1) and always swore by Topshop jeans. However, I recently took the plunge and spent a bit more (when I say bit I mean a LOT) on a pair of Hudson jeans – I can honestly say that they are the best jeans I’ve ever had. They’re so flattering, comfortable and keep their shape so well so I think I might be converted now…. sorry bank account!
Investing in one pair of perfect premium jeans is not a bad idea, if they last longer than a cheaper pair, on a cost per wear basis they’ll work out well in the end Tamsin, I’m sure!
I used to buy Paige when it was all about the bootleg/straight leg, they were expensive but great quality. My first pair of skinnies were the Baxter – I have them in all different colours but I do find after several washes they kind of lose their shape? I find Topshop Leigh jeans a better fit, I have them in black and grey.
I’m tempted to try Paige again as I always see them in the magazines! x
I’ve heard good things about Nudie jeans too. I’ve only ever owned one pair of spenny jeans, they were by 7 For All Mankind and lasted for AGES. I do quite fancy going somewhere fancy and have someone pick out the perfect jeans for my body but after years of buying denim on the high street I have a mental block on paying premium denim prices.
This post has come at a perfect time, I used to swear by Topshop’s Baxter jeans, but since having my little boy 5 months ago they just don’t seem to suit my ‘new’ body shape. I’ll look forward to a shopping trip with all of your recommendations at the top of my list! I have a friend that swears by Next jeans but the ones I pick up always seem to be a bit too stretchy to be flattering!
Good luck with your shopping trip Aimee, hope you find the perfect pair!
Ugh, I am in the same position for different reasons. Had my baby boy 4 weeks ago and am in the cross over between maternity jeans and my old ones which don’t fit any more. As I don’t really know what ‘Size’ i am anymore, I don’t know what to buy. I can’t continue wearing maternity so maybe a cheaper DP option is a good ‘bridge’ although
Ah, stupid clumsy fingers!
Although Levi’s do a 2 for £95 at my local outlet and Abercrombie have a good range of skinnies for about £40 too… I feel your pain Miranda!
Two pairs of Levi’s for £95 sounds like a very good deal to me Tallulah!
I had to ditch topshop…… one or two wears and they needed washed to get back into shape or didn’t quite fit right.
I’ve upgraded to Salsa which are available from house of fraser. I only have three pairs but they are such excellent jeans around the 90 mark. Pop in on a 20% off day is always good timing! Or often a few pairs are in the sale.
I’ve had many compliments on how good they look. I have a dark skinny n flare and a lighter skinny. Really easy to dress up and down and a slightly higher waist too. Enjoy shopping
I just took a look at Salsa online Sarah, they have some great washes, one to try next time I’m in London (that would be, erm, tomorrow – look out bank balance!).
I always buy my jeans at Zara – I grab a few pairs of whatever skinnies they have in washes that I like and always end up loving a couple. They hold their shape and they are so CHEAP! I don’t really venture away from skinnies as I find them so versatile.
I just arrived home with a pair of the cigarette jeans from Zara Lauren, they’re a great fit on me and the denim is super-soft so it’s good to hear that they hold their shape too!
I find buying jeans a nightmare – I think I’m a weird size and nothing really fits. About a year ago I discovered New Look for jeans! Not your most obvious choice but I have great highwaisted skinny ones (Sorry I don’t know the exact style). I’d recommend having a look as they have lots of styles and colours and washes! 🙂
New Look jeans have come up in the comments on other posts Lynn, even better I have a voucher to spend!
I love flares, and I’m shorter than you at 5′ 2″. I think they accentuate my shape in a way straight jeans usually don’t, but I will admit they’re not really very suitable for Scottish weather. I often end up looking like I’ve dip-dyed them…
I love Levis and continually try to replace my favourite styles off eBay 🙂
I love flares (and all things seventies) too Jemma. Clearly I’m going to have to invest in several pairs of jeans!
If you fancy getting someone to help you find your perfect pair of jeans then I remember hearing about the Denim Studio that has opened in Selfridges. They have a denim personal shopper! I haven’t tried it myself but it sounds fab!
http://m.selfridges.com/mt/style.selfridges.com/whats-in/denim-studio
That does sound fab, thanks for sharing Emma!
For the last few years I’ve always gone for topshop Jamie jeans. You can wear them a few times before they need a wash to the the snugness back. And I love the waist as it’s not high but not hipster. I can also vouch for M&S Limited Collection skinnies. I got a pair in December and they’re still like new! I will be getting a couple more pairs this autumn/winter xxx