10 of the best: Plus size jeans whether you prefer straight, skinny or boyfriend fit

The high street is notorious for inconsistency in sizing, so look out for more detailed measurements to get a clearer picture of the fit.

“It’s just a number at the end of the day”, says Irena Drezi, a curve model and influencer (@irenadrezi). “Don’t squeeze yourself into a smaller size just for the sake of wearing a smaller size. You need your jeans to fit you properly.

“When trying jeans on, sit down in them — if they’re a tiny bit too tight, that’s fine, the waistband will loosen over time but if you can’t even breathe, you should think about sizing up. You can always get something that’s too big altered to your body; if it’s too small, it’s too small.”

Today's News in 90 seconds - 2nd May 2024

Jeans with stretch can provide a more comfortable fit that moves with your body, standing or seated. “Definitely check the elastane percentage — anything 4pc and above should be fine,” Irena advises.

And while product pages typically feature models of smaller size, she suggests heading to TikTok or Instagram for a better idea of how jeans would suit different bodies. “I usually search the product name and find some sort of review or photo of how they look on a curvier body,” she says.

To help take the pain out of denim shopping, we asked Irish fashion insiders for their favourite plus-size jeans to suit all budgets.

​Skinny jeans

TH Flex Como high-rise skinny jeans, €99.90, Tommy Hilfiger

On the higher end, Irena likes the TH Flex range, which includes skinny-fit options that are “stretchy but still feel like a proper jean”. Made with 20pc recycled cotton, these jeans are sold up to W36 in three lengths, or EU sizes 48-54 in one length under the Curve line.

Buy it here: Tommy Hilfiger

Calvin Klein high-rise skinny jeans, €70 reduced from €115, very.ie

Beauty editor Mary-Jane O’Regan (@glamityjane) hails Calvin Klein as “the best premium brand for plus-size denim”. This style is available up to W44 and currently marked down. “They’d be my dressier ones, I like skinny jeans and heels,” she says. “These are higher quality and they do tend to wash well.”

Buy it here: Very.ie

River Island’s Kaia jeans, €48, very.ie

On a lower budget, fashion blogger Denise Culleton (@denisecurvyblog_) recommends the Kaia jeans, available up to size 18. “For comfort and sizing, they’re the ones that I love the most,” she says. “I would definitely consider these to be true to size. These have a slight bit of stretch and because they come up so high-waisted, they’re very comfortable. I’ve washed them a good few times and they still look brand new.”

Buy it here: Very.ie​

Sophia high rise skinny jeans, €39.99, Vero Moda

Vero Moda is “a great brand for plus-size clothing”, says Denise, who has a couple of pairs of its jeans, including the Sophia, which caters up to W54. “They’re a really good size and they come up over the belly button so you feel like you’re pulled in a little bit,” she explains. “They would be my go-to daytime jeans because they’re so comfortable.”

Buy it here: Vero Moda

​Jeggings

High waisted jeggings, €25, M&S

M&S’s denim-leggings hybrid is available up to size 22 in 10 shades, and in petite and long sizes too. “They come up over my tummy and they cinch in at the waist a bit so they’re comfortable,” Mary-Jane explains. “They look great under tunic tops because there’s no button protruding out of them.”

Buy it here: M&S​

Mid rise full length jean, €119, freddy.ie

For a luxury option, Irena likes the shaping styles from Italian brand Freddy Jeans. “They have a curvy section made specifically for curvier bodies,” she says of the brand, which caters up to size 18. “They are definitely the stretchiest pair I own, they’re almost like a jegging and they’re super comfy.”

Curve model Jessica Borza (@jessicaborzacurvymodel) is also a fan. “Freddy Jeans offers styles suitable for all shapes and sizes, with comfort and shape,” she says. “The style that I tend to go for are stretch jeans. They offer flexibility, so you can feel good and look good at the same time.”

Buy it here: Freddy.ie

Straight

Harper cigarette smart jeans, €57, M&S

Curve model and blogger Louise O’Reilly (@stylemecurvy) calls these jeans a “game-changer” for those up to size 22. “They’re my top recommendation for anyone who struggles to get a right fit, or who might describe themselves as a more ‘awkward’ body type — a flat bum, or wide calves where nothing seems to work,” she explains. “They’ve the perfect amount of elastane that moves with your body without going baggy. They hug your bum and work seamlessly regardless of leg shape or size.”

Buy it here: M&S

Curve Love mid rise 90s straight jeans, €80, abercrombie.com

Louise’s other top pick is the Curve Love collection from Abercrombie, available up to W37 in five lengths. “Whilst most curve body shapes would have been traumatised by Abercrombie and their tiny sizing years ago, they’ve really come up leaps and bounds catering for a lot more size offerings, particularly with their Curve Love Jeans range,” Louise explains.

Buy it here: Abercrombie

Ribcage straight ankle jeans, €120, Levi’s

Jessica advises seeking out “brands known for quality materials and craftsmanship, like Levi’s” for greater durability. The American staple’s plus-size collection includes many of its bestselling styles, such as the Ribcage jeans, in sizes 14-24.

Buy it here: Levis

Boyfriend

Washed black boyfriend jeans, €42, prettylittlething.ie

“Having big thighs can be a problem here because a ‘baggy’ jean ends up looking like a bootcut jean on me because it’s not loose enough on my thighs,” Irena explains.

These jeans are, she says, “the only ones I found that fit my thighs perfectly so that it’s still loose”, sold in standard sizes up to 16 with a Plus range offering up to size 30. “They have zero stretch but they fit incredibly,” Irena adds. “I have yet to find a baggy pair from a high street shop that actually fits right.”

Buy it here: Pretty Little Thing