The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, breaks down every essential jean shape and how to wear them. From the best shoes to pair with barrel-leg denim to the vintage finds worth seeking out, and from high-street heroes to investments worth the spend, here is the ultimate guide to your perfect pair of jeans.

Wide-leg jeans

Not to be confused with a full-on baggy style, the wide-leg should be fitted at the waist (high-waists definitely prevail here) and the bum, with a distinctly wider, looser leg from the hip down.

Where to buy: I love Aligne’s light wash and Rails for their charcoal black, which feels a bit more pulled together.

Style tips: These are hard workers in your wardrobe. For dressier occasions, I love a point-toe boot or a strappy kitten heel. They also look really cool and low-key with a flip-flop in summer. The wide-leg works particularly well to balance out slimmer proportions up top, like a simple white tee, a classic shirt, or this season’s leather bomber jacket.

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Straight-leg jeans

These are the OG fashion girl shape. They feel effortlessly ’90s supermodel and French fashion editor, even when paired with the simplest pieces like a blazer or a navy cashmere knit.

Where to buy: You can’t go wrong with a pair of Levi’s 501s (size down for the best fit). I’ve tried on countless vintage 501s in charity shops and vintage stores, but am yet to find the perfect fit – though not entirely discouraged yet!  & Other Stories also offers a great high-street iteration. 

Style tips: If the leg is slightly cropped, go for a ballet flat or a chunky loafer and sock. They also work well with a square-toe or pointy sock boot for extra polish.

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Skinny jeans

Hear me out: skinny jeans are (kind of) having a moment again. The key is to go not too skinny – avoid the Indie Sleaze drainpipe.

Where to buy: M&S and Gap have good high-street options with a bit of stretch and a myriad of lengths, fits, and washes. If you’re a die-hard fan, check out Mother Denim and Frame for high-end investment options.

Style tips: I love them with an oversized blazer to really maximise those proportions, and they are definitely the easiest jean shape to tuck inside a knee-high boot.

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Flared jeans

I’ve long loved a good flared jean. They are leg-lengthening, always feel a bit elevated, and, of course, they have that nostalgic nod to ’70s style that I will always be drawn to.

Where to buy: For investment, I definitely rate Citizens of Humanity and Rails. I also have a pair from Hudson that are so soft they almost feel velvety and are my comfiest pair to date – still going strong after about 15 years. I also have faithful pairs from M&S and Zara on the high street.

Style tips: Lean into that nostalgic vibe: checked shirts tucked in, ruffled blouses, a houndstooth blazer, and a good boot.

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Baggy jeans

Perfect for dressed-down days when I want a kind of ’90s grunge vibe, baggy jeans can also bring an edge to more polished looks.

Where to buy: H&M on the high street and Rohe for something more of an investment.

Style tips: I love them in a light wash in summer with a striped polo shirt and flip-flops, but they take on a more refined feel in inky indigo with the leg turned up in winter.

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Barrel-leg jeans

The barrel or horseshoe leg is definitely the most recent addition to my denim wardrobe, but it has fast become one of my favourites. They add an element of interest to any look and are far more flattering than you might think.

Where to buy: Without a doubt, I have never had more compliments on a pair of jeans than Abercrombie’s mid-rise barrel.

Style tips: This shape requires a bit more thought in the styling, as it can shorten the leg. For me, they look better with a bit of foot showing – so a ballet flat works well, and I like to pair it with a big oversized knit to keep things dressed down. For smarter occasions, I wear them with a pointed-ankle boot or high court shoe; the point definitely balances out that kind of ‘O’ shape. Tuck in a white tee and throw on a blazer, and it still feels really impactful with very little effort.

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The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.


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