Today, few of us live without denim jeans in our closet. They are practical and last for years. And they’ve become more and more fashionable over time. Here is a selection of my favorite denim jeans for those of us over 50 who want to look up to date but not high fashion.
All these denim jeans can be dressed up with a shirt and blazer or down with a tee and sneakers.
Straight-leg jeans
I love these jeans by Madewell! They are designed to come up to just below the waist, so for those of us with fat around our middle they work really well. They are rigid so give that ‘original’ look of straight legs rather than a curvy female contour that fitted stretchy jeans have. Ideal therefore for a classic outfit. If you like to wear a belt, don’t pull it tight. The idea is to have a comfortable, relaxed fit.
I’ve been buying these classic M&S denim jeans for years. They have some stretch which means they are easy to move in and stay soft and comfortable all day. They are mid-rise so don’t show that roll above the waist that on-waist jeans can give. They are designed for casual classic outfits and can be dressed up or down. A great price!
A durable denim and a traditional stitching make these J Crew jeans a wardrobe staple. They will look as good with a check shirt and penny loafers as with a striped tee and navy blazer. The dark wash is becoming ever more popular as it offers a slimmer look to the hips than lighter denim washes. Currently with a big discount.
Wide leg jeans
I’ll be buying these in a couple of weeks when I’m in the UK. I’ve put on a lot of weight recently and my Siennas cling rather too closely to my thighs right now. These M&S Smart jeans are high-waisted then offer a wider cut across the hips and thighs. They are wide but not crazy wide.
I won’t be wearing them with pointed toe shoes though! Frankly I can’t stand denim jeans and heels or pointed toes – but I’m super happy with just about any other types of shoe – sneakers, loafers and even ballet flats as long as they have a rounded toe.
Barrel-leg jeans
These Cos Arch jeans are for you if you want ample width at the hips and thighs but don’t want wide hems flapping around your ankles. They are similar to the current trend for barrel leg jeans, but more more restrained. A high waist, an ankle-length cut and quality denim without stretch, these Cos jeans will literally take you anywhere.
These retro style denim jeans – no stretch, strong fabric, wider below-waist fit, buttons not zip – come in various washes. I like the natural canvas look of these Madewell jeans in the image above.
Barrel leg jeans are right on-trend today but I find some of them over-styled – they can give that ‘been on my horse too long’ bow-legged look! These are artfully designed with a piece of fabric added at the sides of the legs to give moderate shaping. Well worth trying on if you want ease of fit but a neat traditional hem width.
If you enjoy posts about denim here’s your next read: Easy to Wear Denim on Denim Looks Over 60.
If you like buying guides for older women then take a look at my post on selecting boots: Best Boots 2026 for Chic Women Over 50
For quick tips follow me on Instagram! @ourwardrobeafter60.