Marks and Spencer Denim Put to the Test by Fashion Expert
Marks and Spencer has long been celebrated for its high-quality, stylish, and flattering clothing collections. This season, several jeans styles have garnered enthusiastic reviews from shoppers, yet determining how they will fit without trying them on can be challenging. To address this, Jessica Brunt, a fashion writer for the Mirror, embarked on a personal trial. She selected a range of denim pieces and visited an M&S changing room to evaluate each pair based on fit, comfort, and styling ease.
Testing Four Highly-Rated Jeans Styles
Jessica aimed to verify whether four popular jeans lived up to their acclaim: the Mid Rise Barrel Jeans, High Waisted Carrot Leg Ankle Grazer Jeans, Boyfriend Mid Rise Ankle Grazer Jeans, and High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans. These styles are available in sizes 6 to 24, with at least four leg length options, catering to diverse body types. For context, Jessica typically wears a UK size 12, stands 5'7 tall, and has curvy hips with slim legs. She sought jeans that could be dressed up or down for various occasions.
Detailed Reviews of Each Jeans Style
Mid Rise Barrel Jeans
Priced at £30 with a customer review score of 4.6 stars, these jeans have gained immense popularity, accumulating over 500 reviews. They come in nine shades and feature a relaxed, voluminous barrel shape designed for comfort and flexibility. The mid-rise waist allows pairing with slouchy jumpers or fitted tops tucked in. Jessica noted that the shape adhered to a classic barrel design but felt slightly narrower than similar styles from other retailers, which she preferred. She found them comfortable and flattering at the waist, though she suggested they ran loose, potentially requiring a size 10 for a better fit.
High Waisted Carrot Leg Ankle Grazer Jeans
Costing £40 and also rated 4.6 stars, this style became a viral sensation due to its flattering high-rise waist and tapered ankle-length cut. Available in creamy shades like light indigo and medium indigo for spring, as well as darker options, they received praise for comfort and fit. Jessica appreciated the rigid denim, which she felt hung in a flattering manner, and considered the leg cut a wearable alternative to barrel jeans for those avoiding excessive volume. She declared them her new favourite jeans.
Boyfriend Mid Rise Ankle Grazer Jeans
Priced at £40 with a review score of 3.7 stars, these updated boyfriend jeans have the lowest ratings among the tested styles. They feature a mid-rise waist, relaxed shape, and a turned-up hem, available in three indigo shades plus ecru and black. Despite her usual aversion to turned-up hems, Jessica was pleasantly surprised by the fit, finding them flattering on the waist and rating them higher than the average score. She noted they suit casual outfits but can appear dressier in darker blue.
High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans
At £36 with a 4.3-star rating and over 2,400 five-star reviews, these stretch denim wide leg jeans are slim at the hips and loose through the leg for a palazzo feel. They come in standard denim shades as well as sage and ecru. Jessica had high expectations but felt they lacked shape compared to the boyfriend fit, suggesting they might benefit from heeled boots for a fair trial. She also perceived them as shortening her height, though she praised the comfortable denim and roomy waistband.
Alternative Jeans Shopping Options
While M&S offers an extensive denim collection, other retailers provide diverse choices. Next, for instance, features a vast selection from skinny and straight leg to bootcut or wide leg styles, with prices starting from £26 and colours including mid blue, dark blue, rinse blue, or black. Online retailers like Debenhams offer jeans from brands such as Dorothy Perkins, Cotton Traders, Evans, and Lands End, often with significant discounts, allowing customers to compare options from home.
Jessica's in-person assessment highlights the importance of trying on jeans to ensure the best fit and style. Her reviews offer valuable insights for shoppers seeking fashionable and functional denim from Marks and Spencer, emphasizing that personal preference and body type play crucial roles in selecting the perfect pair.
