Comfort-focused denim rises with elastic-waist and wide-leg fits

Shoppers are trading rigid, traditional cuts for softer, roomier denim this season as retailers roll out comfort-focused styles and price promotions across a wide range of brands. From elastic-waist "sweatpant" jeans and barrel-leg silhouettes to wide-leg and vintage-inspired 90s fits, the trend has surfaced in stores and online this autumn and early winter, with sales and restocks moving quickly as demand grows.

Designers and high-street brands have responded with multiple interpretations of the look. Pull-on or drawstring-waist jeans that mimic the ease of sweatpants are appearing alongside slouchy barrel and balloon-leg shapes that combine a relaxed fit with denim fabric. Wide-leg jeans, offered in multiple washes and lengths, are being touted as a versatile autumn-winter option that pairs easily with knee-high boots or structured blazers. Black, high-rise straightleg styles are positioned as a dressier alternative that can serve in work settings, and bootcut and flared styles have returned for shoppers seeking retro silhouettes.

Retailers are competing on both style and price. Several mainstream labels are promoting denim at accessible price points, with options under 100...