I'm Picky, But These High-Street Jeans Have Seriously Impressed Me

I'm 32, and it's only over the last five or so years that I've started wearing jeans. The reason? I could never find a pair that I liked and felt confident in (and that adhered to my budget). Instead, my daily wares centred on dresses and skirts. Still, I found myself poring over images of denim street style, impressed by the sheer versatility of jeans, how cool they looked with blazers and heels or with a simple tee and chunky trainers. Eventually, I bit the bullet, and although they weren't quite right, I bought the closest thing I could find to a pair of vintage jeans on the high street. (I'm yet to find a great vintage pair that actually fits me.) Now, I can't help but think how easy this process would have been if & Other Stories jeans had existed back then.

While & Other Stories has always included jeans in its collections, it's only in the last year that the affordable shopping hot spot has carved out what's fast becoming the sleekest edit of jeans on the high street. The pairs, each of which have been given their own monikers, all look as if you've plucked them from an achingly cool thrift shop on a U.S. road trip, with various washes, never-date cuts, high waists and classic button fastenings.

Of all the revamped & Other Stories jeans, though, there's one style which continues to outsell the rest—unsurprising with the amount of editor and celebrity backing they have. Even Kate Middleton favours them on the rare occasion she's spotted in denim. The Slim Cut jeans, formerly the Favourite Cut jeans, are an iteration on a classic straight leg with a versatile and flattering cut that seems to suit everyone. They've got that vintage feel I've mentioned, but with the flexibility of being able to choose your size and lengths, and from eleven different colour ways.

Princess Kate's not the only & Other Stories jeans devotee who is singing their praises. Influencer Marianne Smyth of Smyth Sisters has invested in both the mid-blue and grey hues of the Favourite cut. "The Favourite jeans from & Other Stories (now the Slim Cut) are my go-to at the minute," says Smyth. "They're a crop but not too cropped, so work well with trainers, boots and heels. The slight stretch in the denim is perfect for me day to day—very comfortable but they still look chic."

As I wait for my own pair of Favourite jeans to arrive, I have a few initial observations to talk you through. This goes out to all mainstream brands: I'd love to see more size options when it comes to denim (and everything else, of course). Jeans from & Other Stories start at 24 and end at 32. Per the size guide, the 32 should fit someone between a UK 16 or 18. However, in my experience, owing to my curvy frame, I almost always have to size up. And I know many women are the same. 

As for the aesthetic of & Other Stories' jeans, honestly, I think they're currently unrivalled. They look authentically aged, which is very difficult to achieve, and I know the cuts won't date in a hurry (unlike those heavily frayed hems we all invested in in 2016). I can't wait to start wearing mine with chunky knits and ankle boots for right now, and a breton come spring. If you're looking to fall back in love with denim, scroll below to see and shop more of my picks from & Other Stories' jeans department.

Next Up: It's Official: These Are the 10 Jeans Trends Everyone Will Wear in 2023

Opening Image: @smythsisters