The €100 Straight-Leg Jeans That Are Better Than Any Designer Pair We've Tried

Call off the search: these affordable straight-leg jeans are our go-tos …

Time was, if you were talking about Levi’s jeans in the context of trending fashion, it was all about the Wedgie straight-leg jeans. (Forgive us, but we prefer denim we can sit down in.) Equally, a stint with the ubiquitous Re/Done x Levi’s 90s high-rise jeans came up a little lacking: the fit is good, but the price tag, which is more than double of standard Levi’s, isn’t so desirable.

Recently, our attention has been piqued by other pairs. Carolyn Bessette lived in Levis 517s bootcut jeans which are still available today (in men’s sizes) and the revival of her style – thanks to Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr And Carolyn Bessette which aired in the spring – is still reverberating.

Just when we thought the perfect slouchy-straight jeans were reserved only for Amazonian models (see Margot Robbie, Dakota Johnson et al, who wear them with aplomb), Levi’s Dad jeans entered the conversation. We spotted these on a stylist on Instagram who shared her secret: she goes up two sizes for the perfect fit that’s relaxed but not unflattering. (As a side note, a lot of the curved ‘barrel’ leg styles out there can be unflattering – they simply exaggerate the size of your thighs. And don’t get us started on the carrot – the shape that fashion really should torpedo.)

But: the Levi’s Easy Dad. They are straight but not tight. High-waisted enough to tuck your blouse into. The leg isn’t skin-tight but it’s slim enough that it won’t make you fuss about your choice of shoe. (So far, I’ve worn mine with flip-flops, boat shoes and ballet flats.) The weight is heavy and if you have a penchant for white denim they come in the perfect shade of clotted cream. We’ve tried on pairs from Agolde, Citizens of Humanity and Nili Lotan and, for €100 (the dark blue wash is €110), these are unmatched.