It's Official: These 9 High-Street Stores Do the Best Jeans

As far as shopping experiences go, finding a great pair of jeans on the high street used to be tough (IRL or online). But over the past few years, there's been an influx of styles, lengths and shapes to suit every body shape. It's no longer good enough that "cheap" jeans should feel cheap, so (thankfully) gone are the days of ill-fitting, saggy pairs made of fabric that quickly wears away.

In fact, there's so many impressive, good-quality affordable styles out there right now. But for this round up of the best high street jeans I wanted to really do the research and dig down into the brands not just loved by me, but by my fellow editors and industry insiders, too. As well as the denim styles you all love (I only have one body after all, and different figures suit different jeans). 

I put the question of where to buy the best high street jeans out to the Who What Wear team, and then to our audience through the powers of social media. There were a handful of brands that were mentioned several times, and a number of pairs in particular that came out clear winners— some were already my go-tos for everyday denim outfits, and others I instantly added to my list to try next. 

All of the brands and pairs mentioned had a few things in common, though. First, they were all classic—no embellishments or gimmicks here. Mostly, they tended to be high-rise and straight-leg. Although, there were a few wide-leg and skinnies creeping in there too. Below, I've made a concise list of the brands that came out on top, along with the most-recommended pairs. Keep scrolling to see and, more importantly, shop... 

See The Best High Street Jeans

1. ARKET

Style Notes: With some of the best-quality jeans on the high street, Arket is always reliable in terms of denim. Its could-be-vintage washes look classic for everyday. I personally love the Jade cropped jeans (their cropped styles are perfect for petites) and the stretch styles are some of the comfiest jeans you can find, period. 

2. & OTHER STORIES

Style Notes: & Other Stories has just added so many new cuts to its jeans collection. The straight, cropped and flared iterations look extra premium. 

3. MARKS AND SPENCER

Style Notes: Marks and Spencer has some great jeans. Expect classic styles with denim that has a bit of stretch. There are also options for petite and long lengths which is game-changing. 

4. H&M

Style Notes: One reader described H&M jeans as "surprisingly good quality and fit" and I would have to agree. There is a range of great silhouettes, one of which you can see on Jessica Skye here. 

5. COS

Style Notes: COS is one of our go-to destinations for affordable basics that are well fitting and good quality, and the brand's jean selection is just that. 

6. LEVI'S

Style Notes: While Levi's Ribcage jeans were by far the most popular among our readers, there are plenty of options to choose from, including the iconic 501s. 

7. MANGO

Style Notes: With a focus on classic colours and timeless cuts, Mango's denim selection seldom rotates, which is great when you find the pair you want to wear over and over. 

8. UNIQLO

Styles Notes: Who What Wear's Hannah Almassi swears by Uniqlo trousers, and especially jeans. They're perfect for petites as they come up quite short. 

9. ZARA

Style Notes: Did you know that Zara has a great selection of high-street jeans? Find a variety of colours and fits to suit your style.