Good high-street jeans are hard to find. Trust me—I’ve tried a lot of them. I’m what you would call a jeans person, and I daren’t even admit to you how many I’ve accumulated over the years in my search for the perfect pair. In my opinion, you just can’t beat an outfit that consists of a crisp white shirt or T-shirt and a pair of classic jeans. It’s a timeless, versatile combination that, if you get just right, you can build upon over the years with other items from your closet, depending on the look you want to achieve.
My collection does include some investment designer styles that I swear by—Re/Done’s Stove Pipe and Agolde’s popular Pinch Waist, for example. But I take particular pleasure in the challenge of finding really good jeans on the high street. I have soft spots for M&S’s comfortable styles and Weekday’s high-quality stiff denim, but I’d never really found success with H&M jeans before. That was until this week, when I was tasked with trying on as many of the brand’s latest best sellers as I could get my hands on, for research purposes of course—and I came away seriously impressed.
Honestly, I was blown away by the variety of on-trend cuts that ticked every box from skinny to wide-leg, as well as the fits. Most pairs ran exactly true to size (if they didn’t, I’ve made a note below), with just enough stretch in them to flatter in all the right places. I’m usually a size 10, and I don’t have stick-thin legs, so one of the most difficult things I find when buying jeans is getting the waist to fit snugly without being too tight on the leg. And I have to say, H&M has this nailed.
So if you’ve been searching for a great pair of classic jeans to bolster your collection, keep scrolling to see the six H&M jeans I really rate, and shop them below.
Unlike standard mom jeans, which can often be unflattering and baggy in the wrong places, this slimmer design is really impressive as an easy, everyday style. They fit true to size (I took a size 10) and have a nice stretch, too, so you can sit down in them comfortably.
The perfect shade of blue.
I love this darker option for the colder months.
I have to say I fell hard for these jeans, and it’s no surprise they’re one of H&M’s best-selling styles right now. I’ve been searching for the perfect wide-leg, full-length jeans for a while, and I think I’ve finally found them.
These now come in 8 different shades.
I’m very into dark blue denim for this winter.
These were the only pair that fit on the looser side, so I’d suggest sizing down, but that didn’t stop me from loving them. They’re the perfect structured, cropped, wide-leg style (I’m 5’2, for reference) with just the right amount of stretch.
A classic shade of blue.
How good is this outfit for casual weekends? Just throw a wool coat over as the days get colder.
These are H&M’s best-selling pair of jeans, so it’s no surprise they’re often sold out. They have the perfect straight-leg fit and are super comfortable. Look out for regular restocks.
These come in sizes up to 22.
Just so flattering.
If you’re a skinny-jean fan looking for an update, I’d suggest the slim high-waist pair, which is a super-flattering, figure-hugging style that still has a slightly looser ankle for wearing over ankle boots or with flats and loafers for spring.
I’m here for this layered look. Just switch the sandals for boots to make it autumn ready.
Great for tucking into knee-high boots.
The best thing about these straight-leg jeans is how versatile they are. You could easily dress them up with a blazer or down with chunky boots and jumpers.
