The Denim Edit: 10 Pairs To Add To Your Basket Now

Denim is having a rethink this season. Barrel, balloon, wide and flared shapes are giving the classic straight leg some competition, while the skinny jean is firmly back in the conversation. Dark indigo and brown-toned washes also make denim feel instantly more autumnal.

From high-street finds to investment pairs, we’ve picked 10 jeans worth adding to your wardrobe now, covering the key shapes, washes and price points, plus exactly how we’d wear each one.

M&S High Waisted Balloon Leg Jeans

If you want to update your denim without going full barrel leg, start here. The balloon shape adds volume through the leg, while the raisin shade is a particularly good alternative to classic blue denim for autumn. Keep everything else simple. Add a cream knit, suede loafers and a structured bag, or tuck in a white shirt and finish with ankle boots. £26 | Shop here

M&S Mid Rise Embellished Barrel Jeans

Barrel jeans aren’t going anywhere, but the embellishment on this pair makes them feel more dressed-up than your everyday denim. They’re the pair we’d reach for when jeans and a nice top need a little more interest. Let the denim do the work with a fitted black knit or simple white tee, pointed flats and a blazer. Avoid adding too many other statement pieces. £46 | Shop here

Levi’s Ribcage Full Length Jeans

The high-rise, full-length straight jean to have on rotation when you want denim to feel polished. Levi’s Ribcage is a modern classic, and the longer length creates a clean, elongated silhouette. Pair with a slim crew-neck knit and trainers by day, then switch to a pointed boot and blazer for dinner. A belt and tucked-in shirt make the high waist the focus. £110 | Shop here

WAT THE BRAND Mid Rise Straight Leg Jeans

For anyone who wants a straight leg without the very high waist, this mid-rise pair is an easy wardrobe building block. The clean silhouette also makes them smart enough to work with more tailored pieces. Go simple with a striped knit, trench and loafers for the school run, or add a silk shirt and kitten heels for an easy evening look. £98 | Shop here

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise 90s Cropped Straight Jeans

A very good option if you prefer your jeans to finish above the ankle. These have the structure of vintage denim with a little stretch, sitting high on the waist before relaxing through the thigh into a cropped straight leg. They’re also available in short, regular and long lengths, making them a particularly useful option for petite frames. The crop makes them ideal with trainers, loafers and slim ankle boots. Add an oversized blazer or leather jacket on top to balance the proportions. £34.99, was £75 | Shop here

ME+EM Relaxed Straight Crop Jean

The investment pair. Made from Italian organic cotton denim, these have a relaxed straight silhouette, cropped length and a lived-in light-blue wash. The 65cm inside leg makes them particularly good if you want denim that properly shows off your shoes. Lean into the polished simplicity with a cashmere knit, blazer and loafers. Come spring, switch to a white shirt and lace up trainers.£87.50 | Shop here

River Island Mid Rise Seam Detail Flared Jeans

A proper statement flare. These hug through the thigh before opening into a wider hem, with seam detailing emphasising the shape. They’re made from a cotton blend with a touch of stretch. A flare works best when you commit to the proportions. Add a fitted polo neck or tucked-in blouse and a heeled ankle boot, then throw a long coat over the top. £52 | Shop here

M&S the Wide Leg Jeans

If you’re only adding one newer denim silhouette, a dark indigo wide leg is arguably the easiest place to start. The high waist keeps the proportions defined, while the fuller leg instantly makes even a basic knit feel more current. Tuck in a fitted tee or fine knit and add a belt. Trainers keep them casual; pointed boots or a small heel make them work for smarter days. £30 | Shop here

Levi’s 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans

Yes, skinny jeans are back. The 2026 version is less about recreating the spray-on denim of the 2010s and more about using a slimmer silhouette to balance oversized layers and work with the season’s knee-high boots. This is where skinnies make sense again: knee-high boots, an oversized white shirt and blazer, or a chunky knit with a long wool coat. £110 | Shop here

river island Sculpting Skinny Jeans

If the return of skinny denim has tempted you, a dark wash is the most versatile way back in. The streamlined cut offers a completely different proportion to all the barrel and wide-leg denim we’ve been wearing, which is precisely why it suddenly feels interesting again. Think riding boots or knee-high leather boots, a roomy knit and an oversized coat. The contrast between fitted denim and a bigger top half is what makes the silhouette feel current. £49 | Shop here