How to style straight-leg jeans
Wondering how to wear these denim-drawer staples? Let’s get straight to it.
Denim trends may come and go, but a pair of straight-leg jeans is as classic as it gets. Why? Because their straight up-and-down cut is the fit equivalent of a neutral palette – it goes with everything in your wardrobe and can be worn with pretty much whatever you like. And given fashion’s pendulum swing from skinny jeans to wide-leg pairs in recent years, the straight cut is the perfect middle ground, fitting tighter on the hips and looser from the mid-thigh. Even better, when it comes to styling straight-leg jeans there are endless options. Here are some of our favourites.
What are straight-leg jeans?
As the name would suggest, they’re cut to fall straight through the leg from waist to ankle, skimming your hips and thighs rather than clinging tight to your frame. And because they’re less snug than skinny jeans, they can vary from a hint of stretch to rigid cotton denim (making them longer wearing). Although there’s now a whole host of different styles under the ‘straight leg’ moniker, like Mom and Dad jeans, the original cut boasts a fit somewhere between slim and regular.
How to wear straight-leg jeans
One of the reasons we love denim so much is just how endlessly wearable it is, and it’s no different when it comes to deciding what to wear with straight-leg jeans. Because of their classic cut, straight-leg jeans are extremely versatile; they’re easy to pull on with timeless wardrobe classics like a trench coat or plain white tee, and also make a great foundation for swapping in more elevated pieces, like a crochet top in summer or oversized sweatshirt in winter. Because of their relaxed fit, straight-leg denim jeans are also great for giving tailoring a more laid-back feel, whether we’re layering them under longline blazers or tucking in a crisp cotton shirt.
Outfit ideas for straight-leg jean
If you’re still wondering how to style straight-leg jeans, here’s a couple of ways we love to wear ours right now.
90s minimalism
he 90s cami is back in a big way, and it’s the perfect partner to a pair of straight-leg jeans (another staple of the decade). We love how our slinky Krista cami top gives our Boyfriend jeans a more elevated feel and, teamed with some minimal sandals, taps into the current Y2K mood. What’s great about this outfit is we can wear it for whatever we’re doing that day without feeling over or underdressed. How many pieces in our wardrobes can do that
Scandi cool
Our Agnes straight-leg jeans are one of our favourite styles because they’re so comfy and versatile, and a white-washed version puts a fresh spin on the classic cut. We’ll be throwing an oversized sweatshirt over the top and French tucking it into the waistband, and finishing with a pair of suede mules for a Scandi-girl edge. This cropped length is also great for showing off the raw hems for an altogether more relaxed look.
What shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans
When it comes to curating an outfit, shoes can often be an afterthought, and it’s all too easy to just grab whichever pair we left by the door. But figuring out which shoes to wear with straight-leg jeans needn’t be tricky. Because they’re slightly roomy around the ankle, straight-leg jeans pair best with low-top silhouettes, like our classic trainers, smarter loafers or noughties-style ballet flats. Strappy, heeled sandals are a great choice for summer evenings, too, and a great way to draw attention to any hem details. As for the colder temperatures, we’ll be opting for ankle boots with a slimmer fit so that the jeans can easily sit over the top.