Autumn wardrobes are shifting fast, with one high street piece promising fuss-free polish without punishing your wallet or schedule.
Marks & Spencer’s £40 leather-look barrel-leg trousers are primed to become the everyday upgrade many of us actually wear. The shape flatters, the finish looks sleek, and the care label won’t ruin your Saturday.
Why they’re everywhere
The barrel leg has moved from catwalks to commutes. It adds volume at the thigh, narrows gently toward the hem, and creates a modern line that works with knits, tees and blazers. M&S has packaged that silhouette with a high-rise waist and a leather-look sheen that instantly lifts a basic outfit. At £40, the proposition lands squarely in that sweet spot: not throwaway, not a splurge.
High-rise, barrel leg, coated finish: shape that sharpens outfits without sacrificing comfort.
The appeal goes beyond style. These trousers slot into real life. They pair with trainers for the school run, loafers for the office, or ankle boots for date night. That flexibility matters in 2025, as more of us juggle hybrid working, social plans and shorter daylight hours.
Fit and fabric decoded
The cut sits high on the waist to define your middle and lengthen the leg. The barrel leg gives room through the hip and thigh while keeping the ankle neat, so proportions feel balanced. If you’re used to skinny jeans, this is the refresh your silhouette has been waiting for.
The fabric delivers the leather look without the faff. It’s a smooth, coated finish on a soft polyester base, so it feels lighter than real leather and moves better on busy days. A button-and-zip fastening keeps the front clean. Two side pockets add practicality without bulking the line.
£40, machine washable at 30°C, and two pockets: the high‑street trifecta for busy weeks.
At‑a‑glance details
| Price | £40 |
| Silhouette | High-rise waist, barrel leg |
| Fabric | Polyester base with a coated leather-look finish |
| Care | Machine wash 30°C, line dry, low iron if needed |
| Fastening | Button and zip |
| Pockets | Two side pockets |
| Lengths and sizes | Multiple lengths in standard M&S sizing (check in store availability) |
Style formulas for every hour
One pair, several lives. Build a rotation that works from 8am to 8pm.
- School run 8:00: striped long‑sleeve tee, trench, white trainers.
- Office 9:30: fine‑gauge roll‑neck, blazer, leather loafers, slim belt.
- Lunch 12:45: boxy cardigan half‑tucked, ballet flats, small crossbody.
- Meeting 15:00: crisp poplin shirt, minimal necklace, block‑heel ankle boots.
- After‑work 18:15: satin cami, cropped black jacket, mid‑heel courts, red lip.
- Weekend market 10:00: chunky fisherman knit, high socks, lug‑sole Chelsea boots.
- Drinks 20:00: sheer sleeve blouse, kitten heels, structured mini bag.
Care and longevity
These trousers are designed for the washing machine at 30°C, which removes the dry-clean tax many leather trousers carry. Turn them inside out, use a gentle spin, then hang to dry. Heat can dull a coated finish, so avoid the tumble dryer. A cool iron on the reverse, if any creases survive, will do.
Wipe splashes with a damp cloth between washes. If static appears on very dry days, a light mist of fabric spray or a slip of anti‑static lining at the thigh tames it. A decent hanger keeps the leg line crisp.
Who they suit
High-rise trousers tend to flatter most body shapes because they meet at the narrowest point of the waist. The curved thigh of the barrel leg is kind to hips and adds structure for straighter frames. If you’re petite, prioritise a shorter length or ask for a subtle hem that preserves the taper. Taller readers can lean into a slight break at the shoe for that relaxed editor look.
Sizing pointers
Try your usual size and one down. The coated fabric softens slightly with wear but won’t stretch like denim. Sit down and move around in the fitting room: the waistband should sit flat without digging, and the knee should bend without creasing into stiff folds.
Value that adds up
Cost‑per‑wear tells the story. Wear them twice a week till spring and you’ll pass 30 wears by March. That’s roughly £1.33 per wear. Stretch to 50 wears across the year, and you’re at 80p. Few items deliver that level of polish at that price, with that maintenance profile.
From school gates to smart‑casual Fridays, one pair can credibly replace three others in your wardrobe.
Trend context for autumn 2025
Leather‑look textures are part of the broader shift toward shine this season, seen in satin skirts, glossy trench coats and patent loafers. The barrel‑leg profile complements chunky knits and cropped jackets that are everywhere on the high street. Colour‑wise, black remains the anchor, but chocolate, oxblood and forest green accents pair beautifully if you want warmth without brights.
What to check before you buy
Run a hand down the leg to feel for uniform coating; it should be smooth, not tacky. Check pocket placement so they lie flat. Walk a few paces in your usual shoes to confirm the hem sits cleanly and doesn’t kick out. If you favour longer coats, make sure the volume of your top layer balances the barrel leg; a belted coat or cropped puffer keeps proportions tidy.
How they compare on the high street
Plenty of brands sell faux‑leather trousers around the £35–£55 mark. Some offer a straighter leg or paper‑bag waist, others go skinny or flared. The M&S case rests on an easy wash, a modern cut that isn’t faddy, and a finish that looks smart in daylight. If you prefer a softer drape, try ponte or coated denim; if you want maximum shine, a patent finish will go bolder but needs gentler care.
Extra tips you’ll actually use
If the waistband gapes at the back, a simple V‑dart from a tailor costs far less than a return and improves the fit dramatically. A thin thermal base layer sits invisibly under the trousers on cold, wet days and prevents any cling. For quietness in movement, a touch of talc on the inner thigh reduces squeak from coated fabrics.
Care about impact? Faux‑leather coatings are petroleum‑based, so extend the life of your pair to offset that footprint. Wash less, spot clean more, and use a microfibre laundry bag to catch fibres. When they eventually retire, keep the hardware; a spare button from these trousers often saves another piece later.
At £40 and machine‑washable, these feel like the rare high‑street buy that actually earns its keep. I can see them doing school run to desk with just a swap of shoes. Tempted to try the chocolate colour if it drops, because black is already overcrowded in my closet.