I’m 31, 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 & Other Stories jeans, two particular styles appear to be growing rapidly in popularity: the Keeper and the Favourite. Our shopping editor, Joy Montgomery, recently road-tested the Keeper jeans. Here’s what she had to say about them.
“I’ve heard lots of good things about & Other Stories’ denim,” explains Montgomery. “However, for some reason, I’ve never taken the plunge and bought a pair myself. I recently tried the Keeper cropped-leg pair—a classic straight-leg style with its slim leg and waist-hugging fit. Opting for my usual size, W28, I can confirm they are true to size, but the denim fabric is quite rigid, so take note if you prefer a stretchier fit. They also come with a multi-button fastening, which is a nice touch, and an oh-so-subtle distressed finish—ideal if you want to embrace that true ’90s-throwback feel.”
She’s not the only fashion devotee who is singing the praises of & Other Stories’ jeans. Influencer Marianne Smyth of Smyth Sisters has invested in both the mid-blue and grey hues of the Favourite cut. “The new Favourite jeans from & Other Stories 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 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 the authentic-vintage part, 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 tan sandals and a white linen shirt for spring. If you’re looking to fall back in love with denim, scroll below to see and shop my picks from & Other Stories’ jeans department.
