or such a ubiquitous and seemingly straightforward item of clothing, jeans have a mystifying number of shapes and styles to choose from (perhaps not as many as jeans for women, but still quite a bit). Jeans also cover a vast swath of price ranges, from cheap and cheerful to designer denim by the most high end men’s clothing brands that elevate even your favorite hoodie. To help you pick a style that works for you, we’ve rounded up the absolute best jeans for men. Ditch the sweatpants, it’s time to talk denim.
How to choose the best jeans for men
Unlike buying joggers, finding the right jeans is more than just knowing your size and going to the same-old brand you’ve gone to for ages.
“I’d experiment with various brands and styles until you find something that meets both your aesthetic needs and personal requirements,” says Dimitry Loiseau, founder and chief editor of REGARD magazine. “Keeping up with the latest trends is always desirable, but remember to pick something comfortable and purchase what works best with your specific style and body type!”
Consider fit beyond the waist and inseam numbers
“First, make sure you love the fit,” Loiseau says. “Look for styles that provide optimal body contouring while remaining comfortable.” This also means knowing your body type, even if it does mean acknowledging that your thighs tend to feel constrained in some pairs of jeans, or that you may need to contemplate a pair from the big and tall section of a website, or even switch from raw denim to one with a little bit of stretch.
Look for material that lasts
“Second, focus on fabric quality, opting for pieces made of durable yet sustainably-sourced material to withstand regular use,” Loiseau continues. As a general rule, the heavier the denim weight, the more durable the jeans will be.