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Cigarette jeans are the Royal-approved denim style trending now: 9 of the best pairs to shop
Update your wardrobe with these stylish denim staples
The rumours are true: slimmer-fitting jeans are creeping back into mainstream fashion. Sure, wider, more comfortable styles like barrel-leg jeans aren’t going anywhere, and we'll always have a soft spot for the baggy comfort of a mom-jean.
But tighter silhouettes from the 80s, 90s and noughties are enjoying a revival, with the retro-style cigarette jean now stealing the spotlight.
You might be wondering: what exactly is a cigarette jean? Named after the distinctive shape of the leg, the jean features a straight-cut silhouette, reminiscent of, well, a cigarette. This retro denim staple typically grazes the ankles, making it perfect for showing off your favourite shoes, an outfit formula that, for instance, The Princess of Wales knows well. The royal has worn plenty of cigarette style jeans over the years, with her favourite pair coming from & Other Stories.
But she isn’t the only royal to sport the preppy look. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has been seen in a true-blue pair, Meghan Markle has worn charming ripped styles, and of course, Princess Diana was no stranger to the silhouette either.
So, we searched to find the best to buy now, so you can replicate their style. We’d suggest styling these scarlet jeans with black leather loafers, a sophisticated black waistcoat and a tailored coat for a polished finish.
Mint Velvet’s dark indigo slim jeans bring the classic charm of dark denim, while they're also available in two other washes - and are currently on sale!
Elsewhere, Marks & Spencer’s Harper jean comes in a classic blue, but with a modern twist: turned-up hems for a contrasting touch.
GAP is the home of classic denim - just look at the styling! You can't go wrong with a white shirt and black loafers.
For a more youthful look, go for a cropped choice.
New Look offers a stylish vintage pair that go perfectly with a denim shirt for a Canadian tuxedo look. These are also available in an alternative wash.
Can you ever go wrong with black denim? These are also available in four alternative blue washes.
Boden’s green corduroy jeans are soft, cosy and perfect for the coming cold snap. Pair them effortlessly with a black, oversized blazer and crisp white mohair-style jumper.
Arket’s Jade jeans come in a wine-red hue, adding a pop of colour to your usual blue and black rotation.
OK, so these are a *little* baggier than a true cigarette jean, but we love the off-duty model-esque styling.
Emma Richardson is Good Housekeeping’s junior fashion editor, working across print and digital. Previously at Grazia, she now collaborates with GH’s style director to write daily style and fashion news content, as well as oversee the style pages in the print edition. You’ll usually find her hunting for the next best minimalist staple at COS and patiently waiting year-round for autumn to dust off her favourite trench coat.
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
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