Why does the search for the perfect jeans never end? Because comfort and versatility are outfit priorities all year round and new fits, washes, and lengths arrive periodically to shake up current denim habits. Suddenly, that elusive pair that you happily unearthed in the right colour, that fits like a glove and is easy to build almost any outfit around, has some serious competition. What’s more, these new jeans tend to work harder and smarter than before.
On the other end of the denim fit spectrum is Indie, the most spacious pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans that the trio tried that day. It was only when Florrie, Natalie and Imani-Nia put them on, and could have arguably sized down, that the differences between the '70s-inspired “loose and wide” fit and other so-called “baggy” styles could be seen.
These relaxed jeans are slouchy but still structured and polished, dropping straight down the leg without the rigid denim bunching or folding because there isn’t a load of extra fabric. “Indie jeans bring a little more drama to a denim rotation,” notes Natalie. Out of the four washes, this particular medium-blue wash worked well with the white and burgundy tops the trio wore and really amped up the considered rather than overly casual feeling.
Tommy Hilfiger ALWAYS DENIM
F
rom straight cuts polished enough for work to light, bright washes that excel in summer to ankle-grazing hems that frame killer heels, there's a pair of jeans for every occasion. Which pairs are considered “perfect,” however, is a matter of taste and personal preference—and the aura surrounding Tommy Hilfiger’s playful,
unapologetically preppy jeans makes them worth a try-on. The American brand certainly has the heritage and pop-culture pedigree, given that multiple '90s hip-hop icons wore Tommy Hilfiger denim on stage and the red carpet.
The universal popularity of jeans has endured for decades, and as each new season proves, there’s still room for reinvention. Traditionally, blue denim trousers—a simple, inherently cool silhouette made from a durable fabric—act as a blank canvas where even the smallest tweaks to proportion, stretch, cut and surface detail make all the difference. The fun part is when you “pick your fighter” from the multitude of options and, if in the mood, step outside of your comfort zone.
Florrie, Natalie and Imani-Nia tried on Tommy Hilfiger’s ultra-clean take on the tapered jean, Jackie, first in the elan colour, a mid-wash blue that’s slightly faded from thigh to knee with whiskering near the pockets. They all wore their usual size and had no issues with the rigid denim, and it turns out that the rise is highest on the stretch-cotton, '90s-inspired Mom version.
Once slipped on, it became clear that Jackie can be worn high or low on the waist, and the way that the minimal jeans are cut close to the hip and thigh before tapering off to graze the ankle is distinctive. As far as Florrie is concerned, “the fashion-forward dresser who likes to play with silhouettes should look to the Jackie. The cut feels fresh, revitalised and updated for a more modern approach.”
SHOP NOW
£140.00
Jackie High Rise Tapered Horsebit Ankle Jeans
LOOK
SHOP THE
Sarah
Tommy Hilfiger Denim
Tommy Hilfiger’s newest jeans focus on optimising fit and are available in a range of rises, washes and leg lengths to personalise your chosen pair as much as possible. There are seven anti-trend categories: loose and wide; straight; bootcut and flare; skinny; tapered; barrel and slim. For those who live in their jeans, updates like these are essential and help eliminate the guesswork that often clouds the search. Ultimately, they make the styles you naturally gravitate toward or are curious about even better.
To discover exactly how these Tommy Hilfiger jeans fit different body shapes, our shopping editor, Florrie Alexander, junior fashion editor, Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolakis, and news writer, Natalie Munroe, tried on the same three pairs. All three are denim devotees on the lookout for perfect jeans, and they were most excited by the tapered Jackie, wide-leg Indie and straight-cut Sarah. Even though their denim nonnegotiables vary, comfort is king, and the trio agreed that all three high-rise styles pleasantly surprised them.
Last but not least, Florrie, Natalie and Imani-Nia turned their attention to Tommy Hilfiger’s Sarah jeans, a straight cut. Classic and understated, this style occupies the timeless middle ground between the slim-fit Jackie jeans and the wide-leg Indie style, whilst giving the wearer more breathing room in their usual size and length than a pair of skin-tight skinnies. “Sarah jeans are for anyone looking for the perfect everyday pair. No fuss or frills and all style,” concludes Imani-Nia.
Instead of yet another mid-blue wash, the trio tried on Sarah in the light wash. Still sometimes perceived as too informal or dated, or relegated to the summer months, this faded colour and retro fit combination is a strong exception. “I’m usually drawn to a slightly more relaxed or slouchy fit, but the sleek ’90s stovepipe silhouette felt super fresh,” says Natalie. “I love that they tap into the ’90s denim trend that I’m so glad is back.”
But it was Florrie who claimed Sarah as her favourite. “My personal style is very classic, and they're the kind of jeans that will outlast moving trends to be a frequent feature in your outfits every single season,” she shares. “As a petite shopper, finding jeans in the perfect length can be hard, so I won’t let this pair pass me by. I know they'll work well with my entire shoe collection.”
Pressed creases and high-contrast shading only give these Sarah jeans more character. “I love the distressed details which bring a relaxed feel to this pair,” says Florrie, already imagining how these straight-leg jeans will keep up with her autumn schedule. “For work, a simple shirt and boots will be my go-to. Even my weekend trainers and T-shirt will look considered with these refined jeans.”
Sponsor Content Created with Tommy Hilfiger
3 Editors, 3 Fits—We Tried Tommy Hilfiger’s New Jeans and Here’s Our Honest Verdict
AUTHOR: FELICIA PENNANT | PHOTOGRAPHY: REBECCA MUNROE
SHOP NOW
£140.00
Jackie High Rise Tapered Ankle Jeans
SHOP NOW
£140.00
Jackie High Rise Tapered Black Ankle Jeans
SHOP NOW
£100.00
Leather Mary Jane Trainers
SHOP NOW
£80.00
Relaxed Fit Yarn Dyed Poplin Shirt
SHOP NOW
£120.00
Indie High Rise Wide Jeans
SHOP NOW
£120.00
SHOP NOW
£120.00
Indie High Rise Wide Jeans
LOOK
SHOP THE
SHOP NOW
£55.00
Gold-Tone Button Ribbed Tank Top
SHOP NOW
£45.00
Slim V-Neck T-Shirt
SHOP NOW
£140.00
Sarah High Rise Straight Faded Jeans
SHOP NOW
£140.00
Sarah High Rise Straight Faded Jeans
LOOK
SHOP THE
indie
jackie
BOLD VOLUME
INDIE
IMANI-NIA’S PICK
STRAIGHT AND CLASSIC
SARAH
FLORRIE'S PICK
Indie High Rise Wide Jeans
Jackie ended up being Natalie’s pick overall. “The high rise and neat, cropped finish tap into the silhouette I’ve been gravitating towards most this summer, while the slimmer cut gives them a really polished feel,” she says. “I particularly liked the slimmer silhouette, which makes them feel really easy to style with flats and loafers now, whilst the cropped hem will also work perfectly with knee-high boots come autumn.”
One of the biggest denim pet peeves is jeans that are too short, so Tommy Hilfiger offers 28-, 30-, and 32-inch ankle lengths to make sure that doesn’t happen. Beyond the signature flag embroidered on the back pocket, elegant horsebit hardware glints from the waistband to add an unexpected edge and frame a tucked-in top. As a result, Imani-Nia is sure that people will stop you on the street just to ask you where your jeans are from.
NATALIE'S PICK
TAPERED FOR EVERY DAY
JACKIE
Indie jeans sit high and snug on the waist, and the sweeping legs (which peak at 32 inches long) also visually elongate yours, so there’s no need for them to drag on the floor. “Being on the shorter side, wide-leg silhouettes can look a bit overwhelming at times, but there's a definite balance in the cut that makes them feel modern and suit my frame,” says Florrie.
These jeans aren’t exclusively for tall girls, but it’s no surprise that our tallest tester, Imani-Nia, ranked Indie as her number one choice. “It’s often quite difficult to find jeans that sweep the ground, and this stylish silhouette achieves that. The comfort that comes with being crafted from the softest cotton gives Indie jeans a slip-on-and-go ease that I crave,” she explains. “I’d style them with a loose shirt and loafers for office days and a graphic T-shirt and strappy heels for date night.”
X