The baggy jean is back and a lot of men are getting it wrong. There is a version of this cut that looks considered and effortless and there is a version that looks like you borrowed your older brother’s clothes in 1997. The difference is almost entirely in the waist and the taper. Too much room everywhere and you lose all shape. The right pair sits properly at the waist, carries the volume through the thigh, and narrows just enough at the ankle to keep things intentional. That last bit matters more than people realise.

We have been looking specifically at cuts that work on real bodies without requiring a particular build to pull off. These are not fashion pieces that only land on a very specific frame. They work with a clean trainer, a chunky boot, even a simple loafer if you are feeling brave. Flattering without any effort required is a harder brief than it sounds. These pairs meet it.