As summer fades, fashion takes a playful turn. Prints stalk the high street while comfort quietly becomes the season’s prize.
A new wave of wide-leg denim is nudging classic blue out of rotation, and one high-street pair is doing the heavy lifting on style, comfort and price. H&M’s latest wide high jeans in a deep leopard pattern have landed just as wardrobes shift towards layers, boots and richer colours.
What makes this pair different
The cut sets the tone. The jeans sit high on the waist, relax through the hips, then open into a full, floor-skimming leg. The hem stacks neatly over trainers. It clears chunky boots. It sits clean over a heeled sandal on a night out. The line nods to the seventies without feeling like fancy dress.
High waist, relaxed hip, sweeping wide leg. Easy to style, easy to wear, hard to ignore.
The denim feels firm at first. That is the point. The fabric softens as you move, then eases with each wear. It moulds to your shape while the seams keep a crisp line. You get that lived-in comfort without the bagging that ruins proportions.
Soft feel without the sag
Rigid denim buys you structure on day one and comfort by week two. The waistband holds. The leg drapes. The silhouette stays sharp. Break them in at home for an evening before a full day outside if you prefer a looser feel from the start.
Built to soften with wear while holding shape, so the leg stays tailored and the waist still cinches.
The print that does the talking
Forget flat indigo. The deep brown leopard-style pattern does the styling for you. It reads grown-up, not novelty, thanks to the grounded palette. Pair with a white tee and trainers for the school run. Switch to a silky blouse and a slim belt for dinner. Add a black jumper and ankle boots for Friday at the desk.
- School run: white tee, denim jacket, low-top trainers.
- Office smart-casual: cream knit, thin leather belt, block-heel boots.
- Date night: satin blouse, heeled sandals, small shoulder bag.
- Weekend market: oversized trench, Breton top, chunky loafers.
- Cold snap: thermal leggings underneath, wool coat, scarf in a muted tone.
Animal print works like a neutral when you keep the rest simple. Black, cream, camel and stone make the pattern feel polished. A flash of red lipstick or a burgundy knit adds warmth without a clash.
Sustainability signals
The fabric blend includes at least 20% recycled cotton. That detail matters if you are trying to shop with fewer regrets. Real progress sits across habits too. Wash cool. Line dry. Repair a loose hem. Rotate with other trousers to extend life. Choose pieces that slot into what you already own rather than demanding a new wardrobe built around them.
At least 20% recycled cotton brings a small but useful step towards lower-waste denim.
Value you can measure
The price lands under £30, which reshapes the cost-per-wear quickly. Style them twice a week through early autumn, then bring them back for spring. The maths starts to look persuasive by month one.
| Scenario | Estimated wears | Cost per wear (on £27.99) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 wears per week for 12 weeks | 24 wears | £1.17 |
| 1 wear per week for a year | 52 wears | £0.54 |
| Weekend-only through autumn and spring | 32 wears | £0.87 |
Leopard print also dodges the “I own three of the same blue jeans” trap. One statement pair lifts older basics and earns its place faster.
How to buy with confidence
Fit and sizing tips
Check the rise. A high waist should sit just above the natural waistline and hold without pinching. If you sit between sizes, consider sizing up in rigid denim for comfort through the hip. The wide leg looks best when the hem skims the top of your shoe. If you are petite, a small hem tweak preserves the silhouette. If you are tall, the stacked look over trainers keeps the proportion balanced. Add a slim belt to sharpen the waist on knitwear days.
Care that keeps the colour
Turn the jeans inside out before washing to protect the print. Use a cool cycle with a gentle detergent. Skip the tumble dryer to preserve shape and colour depth. Hang from the waistband to prevent crease lines. Spot-clean between washes to reduce fading and save water.
Who will get the most from them
Busy parents who live in trainers will appreciate the throw-on impact. Students can dress them up or down without multiplying outfits. Anyone stuck in a smart-casual office will find they pair neatly with a blazer and loafers. If your job calls for strict suiting, save them for the commute home and weekends. If you worry about print fatigue, ground them with head-to-toe black or cream and limit accessories.
Keep the rest simple and let the jeans do the talking; you get polish without the fuss.
Autumn styling notes that widen your options
Layer a thin thermal legging under the wide leg on frosty mornings. The roomy cut hides the extra layer while keeping movement easy. Swap white trainers for chocolate-brown boots to echo the print’s tones. A camel coat ties the palette together. A cropped cardigan keeps the waist visible and stops the outfit from dragging.
Mind early dye transfer with darker prints. Test with a light cloth on the inside seam. Wear darker underwear for the first few outings. Wash separately the first time to be safe. These small moves protect your other clothes and bedding.
Why this trend has legs beyond one season
Wide legs suit a range of body shapes because they balance shoulders and hips. The high waist lengthens the leg line even with flat shoes. Leopard returns most years because it behaves like a pattern-neutral. It carries through from late summer to deep winter with a swap of fabrics around it. Think linen tees in September, merino knits in November, satin shirts in December.
If you already own multiple blue pairs, a printed option earns its keep by unlocking combinations you sidelined. That old cream jumper. The tan belt. The black blazer that felt too plain. One bold base turns them back on. That is how a £27 pair can freshen a whole wardrobe, not just one outfit.
Cost-per-wear math is cute, but how do these hold up after the third wash? Any dye transfer on light sofas or white trainers? Real-life reports, pls.