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25 Best Wide-Leg Jeans For AW26, Tested & Approved By Editors
How to shop for wide-leg jeans
It’s important to note the difference between bootcut jeans, baggy jeans and wide-leg jeans. Though they come from the same family, they’re actually all quite different. Wide-leg jeans are sometimes referred to as ‘dad jeans’ (because they sort of look like you’ve borrowed them from your old man), and are – you guessed it – wide the whole way down. Bootcuts tend to only flare out at the ends, and baggy styles tend to sit low on the hips as though they’re a few sizes too big.
Depending on how tall you are (see various examples of heights via us editors below), you’ll probably need to try a few leg lengths before you find your perfect pair. You’ll want the hemlines to touch the tops of your feet at the least. So, for me, at 6ft tall, that means looking for inseams of 34 inches or longer.
chrissie moncrieffe/@chrissiemilan
How I tested the best wide-leg jeans
I can’t confidently call something ‘the best’ without knowing at least two other people agree with me, and when it comes to jeans (of any shape) that’s a rarity. Every body is different, so not every opinion will be the same. That’s why only three pairs in this round up come editor-approved; because all three of us agreed. The other 22 styles are ones I myself – a Senior Fashion Writer with over 8 years of experience – rate. The things I look for in order to include them? A good composition (i.e. a high percentage of cotton), a broad size range, a fair price point, and a variety of colours.
romina introini/@romilux
Why you can trust me
As I’ve mentioned above, no woman has the same figure as the last, so I wanted to demonstrate a handful of wide-leg styles on a handful of bodies, ranging from a size UK 12 to a UK 22, 5ft 5 to 6ft tall. We wore each pair over the course of a few weeks to work, out shopping, and to lunch to check how comfortable they were – cos there’s nothing worse than some ill-fitting denim, right? Hopefully, this helps you make a bit more of an informed decision when it comes to making your next purchase.