A Daily Mail fashion editor has singled out nine mid-price denim brands she says are producing exceptional jeans that combine fit, durability and style.
Hannah Skelley told readers that the selection favours pieces that hold their shape, wash well and offer flattering silhouettes without the premium designer price tag. Prices cited in her column range from about £65 up to roughly £320, and she advised having jeans tailored for the best fit.
Sezane, the French label known for blouses and accessories, was the first brand on Skelley’s list. Its jeans start at about £95 and, according to the editor, deliver a high-street price with a finish and fit that rival more expensive options. She noted their length works well for taller wearers and praised their shaping.
Bell St Jeans is a London-based newcomer founded by Charl Mason. Each style in the label’s pared-back offering — the Karina (slim tapered), Seberg (straight), Lafont (relaxed) and Audran (wide) — is made from 100 percent organic cotton and priced at roughly £130. Skelley highlighted the brand’s ecological wash processes, which are designed to reduce water, chemical and energy use.
Free People was recommended for shoppers seeking on-trend silhouettes and playful options. Skelley pointed to the brand’s barrel-leg shapes, low-rise boyfriend fits and utility styles as notable picks for buyers who want contemporary or festival-inspired looks.
AGOLDE, a label frequently seen on celebrities, was described as producing vintage-inspired styles with modern fits. Skelley mentioned bestsellers such as the 1990s Pinch Waist High Rise Straight and recommended styles like the Low Slung Baggy and Ren. AGOLDE’s prices are toward the top of the mid-price bracket, with some pairs starting around £300.
Arket, while often considered a high-street name, was included for its denim cuts and washes that Skelley said appear more expensive than their price points. She cited the Bloom barrel and the Rain flared vintage blue as standout shapes and linked their popularity to recent fashion-week street style.
DL1961 was noted for a technological approach to fit. The editor singled out the Bridget boot high-rise style and the brand’s Instasculpt™ technology, which the company says smooths and conforms to the body. Skelley described DL1961 as pricier but offering strong pound-per-wear value for buyers who reach for them regularly.
Mother, an American brand with much of its production based in Los Angeles, was highlighted for its local craftsmanship. Skelley pointed to the company’s high percentage of locally made denim and overall manufacturing, and noted the brand’s popularity among well-known figures. She also praised Mother’s petite sizing.
Everlane was recommended for shoppers who want rigid denim with a measured amount of give and a true-waist fit. Skelley noted the label’s neutral and alternative shades — including brown and oat tones — as distinguishing features alongside classic cuts.
Reformation rounded out the list for shoppers prioritizing sustainability. Skelley said the brand’s environmental policies are a deciding factor for many buyers and added that its denim collection is also fashionable, with a wide size range from W23 to W34 and options in petite and long lengths. She observed that the label’s use of prints and embellishments sets some styles apart.
Skelley’s column underlined practical buying advice: prioritise fit and fabric, consider tailoring if possible, and weigh cost against expected wear. The pieces she named span a range of silhouettes — from straight and bootcut to barrel and wide-leg — and, she wrote, together form a middle-ground selection for shoppers who want durability and contemporary style without designer price points.