These £20 Jeans Are Making Us Want to Wear Skinnies Again

It’s that time of year again—and no I’m not talking about fashion month in this article (but if you happen to be interested, do follow along here). I’m actually talking about that in-between season, the transitional period we have here in the UK. We’re coming out of hibernation, getting over big coats and knits and feeling ready to add a bit of freshness into our wardrobes. Everyone from Net-a-Porter to the high street is starting to trickle new-season styles into their stock. But the good old British weather will be sure to stop us wearing anything too fun and summery for quite some time. 

Our advice for shopping in early spring? Work on updating your basics for the year ahead, and what better way to do that than get your denim collection in check? Let’s be real, jeans are the saviour of this transitional time. For now, they can be thrown on with a knit, trench and boots, and then, as the weather warms, switch it up to a blazer and thin polo, maybe shedding the polo neck for a T-shirt come April. Before we’re all brave enough to get those legs out, denim is our friend. 

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Kelly Harrington in The Sienna
(Image credit: @kellouhar)

So, where to start. It seems that every brand on the high street has a denim line these days, so if you’re on a budget, you’re in luck. There are some great options on offer from the likes of Topshop, Arket and & Other Stories, but the one brand we keep hearing fashion people raving about is Marks and Spencer. Yes, you heard us correctly. It may not be your first port of call for denim (yet), but M&S should not be overlooked this season when it comes to dreaded jeans shopping. It must be doing something right as, according to the brand, it’s selling on average 15 pairs of jeans every minute.

Not only are its new hero styles under £20(!!), they aren’t compromising on comfort or, you’ll be pleased to know, sustainability: 100% of the cotton across all of Marks and Spencer’s clothing collection is sustainably sourced through partners like Better Cotton Initiative, including the entire denim offering. We’ve spotted The Ivy skinnies all over Instagram this week, and it’s seriously making us reconsider our skinny jean phobia. If they still scare you, the slim and straight styles are also winners, but our current favourite has to be the wide-leg utility crops. Keep scrolling to shop M&S’s best denim. 

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Philippa Ross in The Ivy
(Image credit: @philippabloom)

Shop M&S Denim:

Wide-Leg Crops

Skinny Jeans

Slim Leg

Straight Leg

Mom Jeans

Up next, see spring's biggest trends

Opening Image: @kellouhar

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.