Our denim expert tried on the best M&S jeans - here's what she thought

If you're on the hunt for trend-worthy denim that fits brilliantly, the best M&S jeans should be on your shopping list. With a vast selection of styles in the mix and one of the best size ranges on the high street, M&S is ticking all of the boxes when it comes to brilliant denim.

Whether you like to take your style cues from the latest denim trends 2026 or prefer a more classic cut, such as the best skinny jeans, a quick visit to the high street will reveal that some of the best M&S jeans prove you don't need to shop designer or spend a lot to get your hands on the best jeans brands.

Long considered one of the top British clothing brands for womenswear, M&S has seen an injection of cool in its recent collections, thanks to the 2022 promotion of Maddy Evans to director of womenswear. Having previously worked as fashion director at style favourite Topshop, Evans' influence has been seen across the high street giant's fashion offering, with many millennials calling M&S 'the new Topshop'.

We've learnt the hard way how long it can take to find the ultimate pair of jeans to add to your denim capsule wardrobe. Whether it's getting the right leg length or finding a pair of the best jeans that fit both your waist and your thighs, the search can be both tedious and frustrating. That's why we sent our denim expert to try on a selection of the best M&S jeans to see if they could really live up to expectations.

The quick list

Our top 6 pairs of M&S jeans

Patch pocket flares

While the best wide-leg jeans have been at the forefront of denim trends for the last few seasons, Seventies-inspired flared cuts are a timeless style that works for all body shapes. With a gently flared leg, extra-wide hem detail and cool patch pockets at the hip, this contemporary take on a wardrobe favourite can be worn with flats, trainers or heels for a laidback date night outfit.

What our tester said:

"As someone who is slightly pear-shaped, I didn't think I would like these - I usually avoid patch pockets as they can make my hips look wider but slipping on this designer-inspired pair, I was amazed to find that they actually appeared to shrink my hips - thanks to the proportion and placement of the pockets, the design of these jeans actually makes them narrower. Many patch pockets are often square-shaped and placed centrally across the front of the jeans, but by placing them on the outer edges of the hips, this style creates a flattering, slimming effect.

I loved the smart style of this pair; thanks to the darker wash and expensive-looking detailing, they would be great for more dressed-down days at the office or for a casual night out - team them with your favourite ankle boots and a tailored jacket, and they are the perfect pair to smarten up the classic combination of jeans and a blazer.

At 5'3", I usually opt for the shorter length, but this style has been flying off shelves thanks to its designer-inspired style (coughVictoriaBeckhamcough), so I tried the regular length. Wearing a pair of low-heeled ankle boots, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the length was spot on."

Antonia tried a 10 Regular

Mid rise barrel leg

Unless you've been living under a proverbial rock, it's hard to ignore the grip that barrel leg jeans have had on the fashion world since they first entered the denim sphere in 2023.

With a gently curving outer leg seam and often with added darting detail at the knees, this style has been embraced by women for its flattering shape as the widened leg skims over thighs before tapering in around the ankle.

What our tester said:

"Since they made their fashionable debut, I've been a convert to barrel leg jeans, and I had to stop myself from coming home with this pair. Unlike many pairs that feature darting at the knees, this pair feature a clever panelled cut. They sit flat across the front of the thigh, adjoining an additional panel that creates the curve. This, combined with the seam between them, creates a line for the eye to travel down, elongating your leg.

This pale grey shade is also an excellent update for warm weather days, acting as a stylish alternative to typical blue washes.

For fit, I opted for my regular 10 short as I prefer a slightly cropped fit for my barrel leg jeans, and this length and size was spot on."

Antonia tried a 10 Short

Sienna straight-leg

In the debate of skinny vs straight-leg jeans, I firmly fall into the latter for their timeless style, and a fresh pair will instantly elevate your capsule wardrobe as they work with everything from casual sweatshirts for weekends to blazers or your best trench coat for smarter occasions.

Nailing how to style straight-leg jeans will open your wardrobe up to infinite styling possibilities, so it's worth finding a pair that fits you just right. These jeans are made with added stretch and a high-rise fit that will keep you comfortable and held in throughout the day, so they're a great option for casual and formal events when you want a classic denim silhouette to see you through.

What our tester said:

"It's easy to see why the Sienna jeans are consistently a popular style at Marks & Spencer. The stretchy fabric and high rise offer a well-fitting, body-skimming shape. I ended up having to try one size up, as there were no size tens available, so they were slightly big on my waist, which shows that the fits are true to size. Despite this, the style still held up well, without slipping and sliding, thanks to the elastane content in the fabric.

While the length shows as ankle grazing on the model, I find that the short length pair I tried is actually slightly longer than expected, resting on the top of my shoe. If, like me, you're petite, it might be worth trying the Extra Short if you prefer a cropped fit."

Antonia tried a 12 Short

Crease front barrel leg

A new season update on the brand's classic barrel leg jeans, this refreshed version features a front crease detail and a higher waistband than the regular mid-rise style, creating a longer and leaner silhouette. If you've been wondering how to style barrel leg jeans, it's best to balance this more voluminous cut with a fitted top and sleek shoes.

What our tester said:

"With a petite stature, I often choose to opt for a mid-rise fit when it comes to jeans as I find that a high waist can sit too high, but with this pair of high-waisted barrel leg jeans, I'm pleasantly surprised. The high-rise sits at a flattering point on my body and creates a lengthening look for my lower half.

Unlike the mid-rise pair I tried, this style does not have the added panel, creating a slightly slimmer fit through the leg for those who want a more subtle take on the curved hem of barrel leg jeans without losing the unique silhouette. If you've been wondering what the best shoes to wear with barrel leg jeans are, look for more streamlined shoes such as ballet pumps, low profile trainers such as Adidas Sambas or slim-fitting ankle boots."

Antonia tried the 10 Short

Wide-leg turn-up

Wide-leg jeans have been having their moment in the style spotlight for several seasons; the loose-legged cut doesn't look like it'll be heading to the back of our wardrobes any time soon.

With a wide leg style, it's important to consider the fit carefully to create the most flattering silhouette. Opting for a high-waisted style is key as it will add length to your legs and also highlight the narrowest point on your body, in turn balancing the more voluminous cut of the jean leg.

The turn-up detail adds a contemporary new-season update to the classic look and will also add weight to the hem, creating a perfectly straight silhouette for a flattering look.

What our tester said:

"I've tried on several pairs of turn-up wide-leg jeans, but until this pair, I'd never found the right style. Made of a rigid denim, they hold me in at the waist to create a smooth, lean shape, and the weightier denim means that they hang beautifully.

I had expected them to sit slightly lower on the ankle, but I am happy that they hang just around my ankle bone - the perfect length to show off my boots now and sandals in the summer. I was worried that this style might make me look shorter than I am, but as the fabric hangs in a straight line rather than pooling at my ankles, the effect is leg lengthening rather than shortening."

Antonia tried a 10 Short

Eva bootcut

When you're looking for new jeans, it's important to consider what the best jeans for your body type might be. If you carry weight on the lower half of your body in a pear shape, bootcut jeans can help balance the proportions of your body, thanks to the slightly fluted hem.

This style is slim-fitting to the knee before flaring slightly to the ankle hem, creating a subtle hourglass effect that balances fuller hips and thighs to create a flattering silhouette. Bootcut jeans can also be worn over high heels or heeled ankle boots, concealing the added height underneath to create an elongated leg.

What our tester said:

"As someone who carries weight around their hips and thighs, I have a secret love of bootcut jeans for their body-balancing magic powers. Slipping the Eva jeans on, I find that the flare is just enough to skim over my calves and counter my heavier hips, looking almost like a straight-leg fit as the fluting is so subtle.

I usually avoid styles that have a creased front detail, but in this pair, the feature draws the eye along the leg, creating both length and a slimming effect by tricking the eye into thinking that the jean leg is narrower than it is.

My only complaint is that I would have liked the length to be ever so slightly shorter - despite trying on the short leg length, I find that they're longer than expected. Next time, I'll try the extra short!"

Antonia tried the 10 Short

How we tested the best M&S jeans

When trying on each pair of jeans, we asked our denim expert to assess the fit, fabric quality, shape, sizing, and length. We've tried on hundreds of jeans here at w&h, many of which are at the pricier end of the spectrum, so we wanted to see if these high street finds could measure up to high-end designer denim brands despite the affordable price tag.

Trying on a range of cuts helped us to see how these factors changed between styles and how the M&S denim range performs as a whole, rather than judging individual pairs of jeans.

Best M&S jeans: our verdict

Marks and Spencer jeans definitely get the seal of approval from us. From the size range to the leg lengths on offer, the retailer is providing ample options at the same cost as other affordable brands.

One of the few places that we can walk into and be sure of a perfect fit, it has easily become one of our go-to denim brands for trendy, high-quality, and reliable jeans.