Anita Rani's relaxed turn-up jeans are a comfy alternative to straight-leg denim that still feels chic for evenings out
The way she styled her wide-leg pair for London Fashion Week was elevated and cool
A few great pairs of comfortable jeans are a must-have in my wardrobe all year round, but there are certain denim styles that work better when you want to be able to dress them up too. Jeans and a nice top is an unbeatable formula and broadcaster Anita Rani wore the epitome of a smart-casual outfit to London Fashion Week in September.
She attended the Mulberry by Christopher Kane SS27 Show and paired indigo turn-up jeans by Citizens of Humanity with a high-neck white shirt. Dark denim is always popular in autumn/winter and it naturally has a bit less variation in the wash, which then makes it look more elevated.
With Anita's jeans, this was balanced out with the very relaxed wide-leg silhouette. The large turn-ups gave the design a contemporary edge and you can find many jeans with this detail built-in, or you can just roll up the hems yourself.
Shop Jeans Like Anita's
You can wear these indigo jeans with the hems turned up to create an Anita-inspired look, or leave them loose depending on the occasion. They come in a range of different washes and are cut with a wide, straight leg and a flattering high-rise waist. There are adjusters on the back so you can tailor the fit.
These affordable M&S jeans are wide-leg and high-waisted, with five different lengths available. The turn-up gives them a cool, contemporary edge and the fabric is pure cotton for a breathable finish. The dark blue colourway is most similar to Anita's jeans, though I also love the lighter blue.
Created from 100% cotton denim, these jeans don't have stretch so they start fitted and then gently ease as you wear them. The waist is high-rise and the relaxed leg shape with its turn-up cuffs give a casual feel. Next makes them in regular, petite and tall versions and in a mid-blue.
Complete The Style
A white shirt is a classic in anyone's wardrobe and the Sylana Blouse by Sézane has a gathered stand collar with a delicate lace trim. There are also openwork lace bands on the front, sleeves and back, and pleat detailing. This is an ultra-feminine piece that is a lovely contrast against denim.
These look to be the exact Dune shoes Anita wore to London Fashion Week and they're made from soft ecru-toned leather with a fabric lining. They have an adjustable buckle on the slingback strap and the pointed toes and a kitten heel give an elegant yet comfy finish.
Currently on sale, this bag is a smart option and has plenty of room for all your essentials. It's crafted from durable leather and features multiple zip pockets, as well an internal phone pocket and zip compartments. This makes it easy to organise your belongings and the texture adds extra detail.
The second option gives you a bit more flexibility when it comes to pairing your jeans with different heel heights, depending on how much of your shoes you want to be visible. The hems on Anita's jeans were a point of difference compared to your standard plain styles and they worked with the dark wash and wide-leg shape to create an off-duty yet fashion-forward feel.
Straight-leg jeans are usually my go-to for evenings out as they're more streamlined and smart, but wider shapes are even comfier and the presenter elevated hers with a refined Victoriana-style blouse. This was by Archive 57 and had a frilled piecrust collar, covered buttons and lace trims on the sleeve cuffs.
We might all be wearing our warmest wool jumpers right now but white shirts are a classic for a reason and you can also layer knitwear over the top if you want some extra warmth too.
The feminine details on the Countryfile star's blouse were a lovely contrast against the denim and she left it loose over the waistband of her jeans. I'm a big fan of accentuating the waist by tucking tops into jeans but that looks very polished and Anita Rani's style was understatedly cool instead.
Her way added a fashionable flair and she matched her shirt to her Dune shoes for some cohesion. These resembled the Credibility leather shoes in ecru which have a slingback strap with a secure buckle. They were clearly visible under the turn-up hems and the pointed toes were leg-elongating and naturally drew the eye upwards.
Ankle boots would make a lovely alternative and if you wanted to lean more on the casual side then you could also go for sleek white trainers.
Anita finished off her London Fashion Week ensemble with a gorgeous black bag that seems to be from the Mulberry by Christopher Kane SS27 collection. The structured tote shape looked great against the crisp white blouse and the businessy duo were toned down by the jeans.
It was a simple, striking outfit and one that's incredibly easy to adapt to suit different occasions and signature styles. Adding layers or picking slightly different accessories would make such a difference and a collared shirt would be a preppy contrast against super wide-leg jeans.
