I Tried on M&S' Best-Selling Jeans, and I'm Officially a Convert
Okay, I admit it. When it comes to buying denim I can be a bit of a snob. I spent my twenties trying every high-street style I could find, going through endless pairs of Topshop Jonis and Jamies. Once I hit my 30s, I changed tactic and started investing in fewer, more considered (read: expensive) pairs, hoping this was the solution to finding the holy grail of perfect jeans.
I've definitely found a few really great go-tos along the way, but like a lot of us I'm still always on the lookout for a better pair. While I presumed my high-street denim days were behind me, it was a recent Who What Wear team Slack discussion around everyone's favourite jeans that had me reluctantly reconsidering.
The verdict was that Marks and Spencer jeans are seriously impressive. And thinking about it, that wasn't the first time I'd heard this opinion from fashion insiders. Since M&S is our favourite place for other wardrobe basics like underwear and affordable cashmere, I thought it was worth giving the brand's jeans a try.
After road-testing a number of styles in store and at home, I totally understand the hype. From the ultimate sculpting skinny jeans to stylish wide-legs, you might be surprised to know that M&S's denim section basically does it all. Of course, we all have our own preference when it comes to the ol' blues—so I've highlighted my two personal favourites below that suited my shape and style best (I'm 5'2 and a size 10, by the way.)
For me, the Mom Jeans were the perfect throw-on and go everyday style, and the Wide-Leg Jeans felt a little smarter and more trend-led. I know I'll wear these more into the office with a heeled boot, or out to dinner or a date night. The best thing about the entire M&S denim range, though, is that they come in different length options. So, if you're petite (like me) or taller you can choose from Short, Regular or Long to suit your shape. Most are also available from sizes UK 6-24, which is useful—and if your size is sold out now, the good news is they re-stock regularly. So keep an eye out.
The denim itself is sustainably sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative, which you can find out more about here, and above all, I found all of the jeans to be really, really comfy while still holding their shape—something not even expensive denim brands can seem to crack. With most styles coming in at under £40, it's hard to argue with the M&S denim superfans. In fact, I just might be one of them now.
Keep scrolling to see and shop my favourite pairs.
1. The Mom Jeans
Style Notes: These were such a good everyday style. They were perfectly cropped for me in the shorter length, and they come in so many colours. Sizing-wise, they came up quite big, so take your size down.
Shop the Jeans:
With seven colour options, the hard part is choosing which colour you want.
White jeans really come into their own in summer.
Shop the Loafers:
2. The Wide-Leg Jeans
Style Notes: I loved this pair. (Although, they could probably do with an iron!) The wide leg felt modern but still totally wearable. They're true to size and very flattering, hugging the bum despite being baggier in the leg.
Shop the Jeans:
Shop the Boots:
It's not just the jeans that have won us over. These are an expensive-looking staple.
Shop more M&S jeans:
If you haven't fallen for flares yet, you're about to.
Choose from five colours and three different lengths.
These come in size 6 - 24. I'll wear these all year round.
This straight leg pair are super soft and stretchy, so you can ensure they're comfy enough to wear all day and night.
A black skinny jean is so useful for tucking into knee-high boots.
Finding flattering white jeans can be tricky—but these seem to tick all the right boxes.
M&S has its fair share of flares; this high-waisted style is a favourite.
This entire look has me hooked. The carrot-leg jeans with the kitten heels = perfection!
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.
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