Working in a team of experienced fashion editors, it’s safe to say that every single day in the office is a school day. Everyone brings their expertise to the table, their “specialist” area, if you will—mine? All things jeans.

I don’t say this lightly: in my years as a shopping editor, Marks & Spencer jeans are consistently some of the best on the high street. The fit is reliable, the quality holds up, and the brand has a knack for landing on the right silhouettes at exactly the right moment. It’s the kind of denim you come back to.

Lately, there’s one style I can’t seem to escape—the barrel-leg. I’ve seen it everywhere, from my Instagram feed to the office, and M&S’s version feels particularly well judged. The silhouette itself sits in that sweet spot between relaxed and refined. There’s volume through the leg, but it’s controlled; directional, but still easy to wear. It’s the kind of shape that subtly shifts an outfit, making even the simplest combinations—white shirt, blazer, knit—feel more considered.

If you’re thinking about updating your denim this season, this is the pair I’d start with.

Shop M&S Barrel-Leg Jeans

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