After a lifelong search for the perfect pair of jeans, I found them for $20 at Kmart.

If you'll excuse me for a moment I have to talk about some jeans.

I'm going to lay my soul and my secret shame bare, and share with you how many jeans I've purchased in pursuit of the perfect pair:

THIS MANY. Image: Supplied.

Obviously, I have no allegiance. These jeans have wildly differing price points, ranging from $30 to $300. The labels go from affordable (Cotton On and Supre) to luxe (Ksubi and MiH Jeans). They are slim-fit, boyfriend fit, straight leg, 'mum' fit, 7/8 length, high waist, ultra-high waist, and shamefully, NONE OF THEM ARE MY FAVOURITE.

I haven't built an effortless capsule wardrobe, I've dug a denim money pit.

In my endless quest for jeans that go with everything - that I can dress up or down, with a blazer and heels for work or a jumper and sneakers for weekends - I've come up bare.

Until now.

The other night after work, as you do, I went to Kmart.

There, somewhere between the scrunchie wall and the sporting equipment, I encountered what LOOKED on the hanger like my ultimate pair of high waist, straight-leg denim jeans. They were on the wrong rack, certainly in the wrong department, almost like someone had *hidden* them.

When I went to look for this style in the denim section, I couldn't find any in my size. They were all gone.

"Snooze you lose," I thought, and hot-footed it to the changeroom to hide from the lady who hid the jeans prove my first impression wrong.

But that's not what happened. The jeans slid on like a dream. They skimmed perfectly over my thighs (rigid but also slightly stretchy), sat nicely on my bum, fit snug around my waist, and cut off at the ankle just right (shorter girls know this is one of the most flattering styles for us.) Observe:

They also cost twenty bucks, and come in two shades - light wash, which I'm wearing, and mid-wash, a slightly inkier blue denim.

The Kmart Super High Rise Straight Jeans in light wash, $20. Image: Supplied.

To the person who hid these jeans: I'm sorry. Maybe try online?

To everyone else: I suggest checking the sizes in your local store first, because these guys are hot property. They're already a cult find among affordable style bloggers on Instagram and I'm at least three months behind in this revelation.

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{Dress it up with a blazer} (Unpaid ad - this post contains gifted items) I don’t often wear blazers, but when I do, they have to be comfy! This beautiful pink linen style is launching tomorrow night at @littlepartydress (gifted; I’m wearing 10). I love the colour and the beautiful lightweight, comfortable fabric. Perfect for our winters here in Qld or it would be easy to layer this for cooler states. I wore it today with @marksandspencerau tee and @kmartaus jeans and mules. @colettebycolettehayman necklace and @oscarwylee sunnies (gifted). Hope you’re having a fab Sunday xx #littlepartydress #styleblogger #realmumstyle

A post shared by  Jasmine Hunt | Pretty Chuffed (@prettychuffed) on Jul 19, 2020 at 12:31am PDT

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Hi guys 👋🏽 look who has joined the land of the living again 😅 not quite 100% but feeling good enough to put “real” clothes on (to go to my doc appointment and straight back home) ⁣I’ve missed sharing my day to day on here with you all and the fun interaction it brings but tbh there really hasn’t been much to share haha and I think I really needed this time to rest and take care of myself (plus the million other things mothers still have to do lol) I have to say, my husband has been super man tho and has been doing literally everything most days when I could hardly get out of bed 🥰 ⁣ ⁣ With Melbourne returning to stage 3 and the rest of the world seemingly moving on with life as usual it’s been a bit of a roller coaster of emotions but there is so much still to be grateful for and I’m trying to focus on the positives and pray we all get through this... again 🙃 ⁣ ⁣ Aaaanyways that was a really long winded way to say that I hope wherever you’re reading this from you’re safe and healthy 💛 Happy Monday friends!

A post shared by  Sarah-Elyss | Style Not Size (@stylenotsize) on Jul 12, 2020 at 6:10pm PDT

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• Did I need these $20 straight leg, super high rise jeans from #kmartaus .. no. Did I want them? 1000 times yes 🙌🏼 •

A post shared by  Dani • Affordable Style 🍋 (@luxeandlemonade) on May 27, 2020 at 1:13am PDT

Disclaimer: the sizing of these jeans is on the generous side. I'm usually an 8-10 in pants and took home a 6, which is most definitely not my size. After a few days of wear, the waist has bagged slightly - but it's still firm enough that I know with a wash the denim will snap back.

So there you have it. Holy grail jeans, care of Kmart. Boom.

There's always room in the closet for one more. So tell me, what are your favourite jeans?

Read more on this topic:

• 28 women with different heights, budgets and body shapes share their favourite pair of jeans.
• The $20 Best & Less jeans so comfy, people are wearing them while working from home.