Let’s get straight down to brass tacks – or, indeed, the metal rivets that traditionally held your denim together (in all likelihood more of a decorative detail these days). Your jeans are very probably one of the workhorses of your closet. And of your jeans, the straight-leg variety is about as dependable as you can get. They suit pretty much any wearer, in any situation where you might wear jeans, and they are the de-rigueur silhouette of the moment. Straight-leg jeans are also timeless, so in that regard, they are always the de-rigueur silhouette of the moment – for every moment.

“The straight-leg cut is the perfect middle ground that’ll work for an evolving wardrobe for years to come,” says James Geraghty, Design Manager at our premium in-house label, Mr P. “They offer a universally flattering fit, and provide balance and proportion to your silhouette, making them the perfect foundation for most outfits.

“A mid- or high-rise pair could be dressed up with a blazer and loafers, while a lower-rise pair could be worn dressed down with a casual top and sneakers. The balance of a straight leg also works with any trend-led pieces, such as an oversized blazer with a vest or open-knit shirt. It helps keep the visual interest around eye level.”

The straight-leg jean might be the sure-fire bet that you can wear with anything. But, even within this bracket, there is variation in terms of colour, wash and even cut – different brands have different ideas of what a regular fit should be. Below, then, our curation of straight-leg jeans to stick straight on your Wish List.

Jacquemus is probably best known for its exuberant, laid-back and cheekily nautical Gallic spin on clothing. So, how does this relate to a piece that has become so entrenched in American iconography? It is, in fact, not such a leap. After all, Nîmes, the birthplace of the hardwearing cotton fabric that went on to become denim, is just down the road from the brand founder Simon Porte Jacquemus’ old stomping ground of Salon-de-Provence. And this take on the classic doesn’t mess with the source code, instead elevating an everyday item in a mid-weight, washed black cotton.

Brunello Cucinelli understands better than most that comfort is perhaps the most indulgent luxury of all. Hence the brand’s Italian-made straight-leg jeans, with their marker on the front pocket and snug seat, are ones to consider. Fun fact: it is said that “jeans” take their name from the Italian port of Genoa, whose sailors turned to hardwearing denim trousers that could withstand life at sea. Probably not a concern for the wearer of these, but good to know they’re up to the task, should the situation ever present itself.