You could go so far as to say no great menswear wardrobe is complete without perhaps one of the all-time men’s style classics: the blue jean. Or rather, a pair of the best men’s jeans, period. The five-pocket denim pant is an icon worn through the decades by prospectors, by cowboys, by rocker n’ rollers and well-dressed guys everywhere.
And even as styles lean ever-more casual (especially coming off a sweatpants-heavy pandemic), the best men’s jeans stand tall and proud, ready to slot in plenty of places in your wardrobe.
While the blue denim jean is the archetype of the style, there are standout pairs of men’s jeans for every look, personality and build. You might favor rockstar-skinny jeans, a slim-fit pair or even extremely sturdy, hard-wearing selvage denim – whichever way your preference leans, there’s a jean for you. These are the best men’s jeans to buy in 2023.
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Best slim-fit
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From the medium fabric weight in a rich gray color to their helpful stretch, these check all the proper boxes.
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The company best known for its well-fitting jeans does a standout job crafting jeans in a range of washes.
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Add a subtle shot of rose to your denim rotation with a pair of shape-retaining stretch jeans.
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From the brushed vintage wash to the rugged good looks you crave, these are a casual pair of daily-wear denim.
Best skinny
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Levi’s is a certified classic, and the 510 fit has been a trusted skinny fit denim option for decades.
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These skinny fit light wash jeans look straight out of the ’80s, perfect for vintage enthusiasts.
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The Urban Outfitters house brand nails the skinny, rock n roll inspired fit of this light wash pair.
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Opt for an edgy pair of deep black skinny jeans, the kind you’d pair with black Chelsea boots for a night out.
Best stretchy
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Mugsy brings the stretch jean to the masses with this pleasant faded blue pair, featuring a ton of stretch.
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It’s the four-way dynamic stretch that makes this pair nearly as comfortable as your favorite sweats.
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Moisture-wicking fibers work in perfect harmony with a high stretch fabric and a cool range of washes.
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Natural Italian slub denim in a perfectly faded wash makes for a premium jean with plenty of stretch.
Best straight-fit
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Roark merges modern sustainable denim and old-school style with this hemp-blend pair.
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Every guy needs a pair of well-fitting, blue denim in his wardrobe, and Flint and Tinder delivers just that.
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The faded vintage wash and rugged style pairs naturally with a Huckberry trucker jacket.
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Get the crisp style of a dark blue jean with comfort stretch, all at a budget-friendly price.
Best selvedge
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Stiff selvedge denim gets a big upgrade with comfortable four-way stretch and an edgy, deep black color.
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The best selvedge jeans get better with age, and the rich indigo color will show beautiful fades over time.
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The best men’s jeans are worth the added investment, as with this carefully made raw selvage pair.
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Roll the cuffs on this slim-fit, deep blue pair to show off that coveted selvage fabric detail.
Best dark-wash
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This rugged, heritage-quality pair will last for years and is sure to become a staple of your wardrobe.
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This pair of slim-straight jeans in a dark wash is utterly classic – meant to be worn as often as possible.
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This dark wash pair in a straight fit should look excellent on just about any guy, for any occasion.
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ASKET uses organic cotton in its sturdy raw denim jeans in a rich dark color, all the better to wear frequently.
Best medium-wash
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Touches like Wrangler “W” stitching and a classic fit work nicely with a textured medium wash.
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These faded indigo jeans move with you and look like you’ve had them for years, which is a nice design detail.
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These heritage-quality stretch denim jeans go above and beyond in every way, including the vintage wash.
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These jeans take their cues from an old pair of Taylor Stitch denim, which makes them distinctive and stylish.
Best big and tall
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Stretch fabric and a roomy, but not baggy fit, are the keys to this casual pair of Big and Tall denim.
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If you need more room through the seat and thigh, a pair of athletic-fit jeans are a wardrobe gamechanger.
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With a polished-yet-relaxed fit and super-soft fabric, these are a premium pair of jeans for bigger guys.
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Get the versatility of classic denim with the ease of movement and stretch needed for athletically built guys.
FAQs
What should I look for when shopping for jeans?
Shopping for the best men’s jeans can be surprisingly easy and breezy – if you know what to look for, that is. Of course, affordability and value are two key variables, but start with the basics: Dial in how you want your jeans to fit, or what fit normally feels comfortable given your build. That could lean more towards a straight-fit cut, or else a Big and Tall style with room to move is more ideal.
For most guys, a pair of straight-leg or slim-straight jeans are flattering, versatile and dependable in plenty of style situations. You should also consider how you plan to wear your jeans. Dark wash jeans, for instance, look stylish with classic T-shirts, henleys and casual button downs (like flannel or chambray shirts). Yet, you can also wear the right pair of jeans to the office with a dark navy blazer and dress boots.
If you’re opting for a more casually rugged look, light wash jeans or medium wash jeans also pair well with casual style staples, but don’t work as well in business casual environments. Lastly, figure out what fabric build works for you – perhaps you need denim with plenty of stretch, or perhaps you want to break in a pair of raw selvedge denim from scratch. To recap: Fit, fabric, price and style are all your best friends in your search for the best men’s jeans.
How often should I wash my jeans?
The answer depends when it comes down to how often you should wash your jeans. When in doubt, follow instructions from the manufacturer. And yet, the more you wash your jeans, the more they’ll fade. This is a tricky proposition for guys who love to wear jeans, right? If the jeans have been worn once and are clear of dirt, stains or odor, you very well might wear them at least once or more.
Opt for washing your jeans once or twice a month based on how frequently they’re worn, and adjust your washing and wearing patterns accordingly afterwards.
For example: Most stretch jeans these days often stand up well to repeat wear, but it’s best to keep your jeans as part of your rotation of pants – not overdoing it in terms of wear.
On the other hand, sturdy selvage denim – which often takes repeat wear to break in – shouldn’t be washed immediately. The more you wear your selvage denim, the more they develop coveted fades according to your wear patterns – when your jeans are washed, those fades set in.
A rule of thumb: Break in your selvedge jeans for, say, the first month, but don’t go overboard if they’re exposed to tons of wear, debris or stains. Denim heads might debate that fact or the process, but there’s plenty of room for debate in the world of the best men’s jeans.
What is selvedge denim?
Selvedge denim is denim in its purest form – jeans woven from selvedge cotton fabric, which are then stitched and finished to show the “self-edge” fabric through the side seam at the ankle. It’s a distinctive touch that lends itself to plenty of quality, craftsmanship and yes, investment-level prices.
Different types of selvedge fabric are measured and named according to weight, in ounces – the heaviest selvedge denim is made from fabric typically in the 15oz. Range, while medium-weight selvedge is more commonly found at 11.5 oz. to 13 oz. Countries like Japan produce painstakingly made selvedge denim, which then finds its way into coveted, expensive jeans.
Because selvedge denim is so thick – and because it’s not often washed, garment-dyed or faded beforehand – it takes plenty of time to break in a pair out of the box. It also doesn’t often feature the incorporation of stretch material, so be sure you know your proper measurements before buying.
The great news? The more you wear your jeans, the more they’ll fade, changing with you as you move. Denimheads prize fades as a badge of honor, and the sturdier the denim, the longer it takes to break in. Want denim in its original form, the kind you can make all your own? Opt for selvedge denim in your search for the best men’s jeans.
