What is that saying? A dog is a man’s best friend? We’re pretty sure that saying had to have happened before the gold rush and the invention of the jeans. Because a good pair of jeans is, without a doubt, a man’s best friend. They can be bum-around-the-house wear. They can be dressed up for the first date. Dark, light, colored, faded, slim, straight, you name it, and there is a pair of jeans for it.
Every guy has that go-to pair of jeans at some point in his life, but there is an entire world out there that they could be leaving behind, and we want to talk about it. Here, we get the chance. We’re going to dive into the different denim styles and washes of men’s jeans to familiarize you with. Then … maybe go walk the dog … we don’t want him thinking he isn’t your best friend anymore.
Dark wash
The dark wash in your closet is going to be your favorite pair … most likely. There is simply something slimming and attractive about dark wash denim that can complete virtually any outfit you can think of. When worn with a button-up and a jacket, these can be dressier casual pants, perfect for the first date or outing.
If you want to keep it even more casual, this is the pair you throw on with a plain tee and a sport coat for the minimalist look. Toss a leather jacket over that tee, and these jeans have run the gamut from casual to dress, making them the most versatile item in your closet.
Light wash
In the mid to late ’90s, light wash denim was a dangerous venture. If you did it wrong, you looked a little too Marty McFly, and not in a good way. Nowadays, there’s something light and airy about a pair of light wash jeans that take any summer outfit to the next level. We wouldn’t go so far as to say these are a summer jean, but a pair of white sneakers and a graphic T-shirt make this wash speak. Throwing on some Chelsea boots and a bomber jacket is about as dressy as these get, and we are perfectly fine with that.
Skinny
Are skinny jeans still a thing? Yes, for some guys, this is the look that flatters their build the most. We’re not saying they should be painted on — because nobody looks good like that. But jeans that hug your body from the hips to the ankles can be a great look if you do it right.
These jeans aren’t made for boots; they don’t have room to go over the tops of the shoes. These work best with sockless looks and low-top shoes like sneakers or loafers. The best silhouette for these jeans is slimmer guys who don’t have a lot in the middle. You don’t want to come out of the house looking like Johnny Bravo.
Slim
Slim jeans are where most men should draw the line with the fit. Where the skinny jeans leave no room for movement, slim jeans allow some … not a lot. They still hug your hips and thighs, but they have a little more give in the calves and fit over narrow boots like Chelseas. These look best on the guy who is in fairly good shape with some well-built legs that fill them out. These jeans also look stellar in a dark wash with dress shoes under a dress shirt and a sport coat.
Straight leg
These are the every days. Straight from top to bottom, no frills, just comfort. When you hear someone say they have a pair of jeans that just fit them perfectly, that they move with them, are worn into their body and just feel like a second skin … these are usually the ones they’re talking about.
You don’t need to be in shape, you don’t need to have tree trunks … these fit everyone. Straight leg jeans are characterized by a fit that, as the name suggests, are straight from the hips to the ankles. They look the best in the most casual situations, with sneakers or boots.
Bootcut
Are you an outdoor guy? A construction worker? A cowboy? Or just love to wear an assortment of boots? These are made specifically for your lifestyle. Bootcut jeans are designed to be comfortable with a fit that is similar to straight leg jeans (in some cases as fitted as slim jeans) in the hips and thighs but flare out from the knees to allow a wider opening at the cuffs. This lets the jeans sit on the outside of the boots and keeps debris from falling into the boots. Outside of your workwear, these seem like they were tailored for a denim jacket or a leather jacket. The rugged man with the rugged jeans.
Loose/baggy
We aren’t talking about the baggy jeans that were all the rage in high school. The ones that were so big and baggy that rainy days caused them to absorb enough water to put out a forest fire. We’re talking about the Dawson’s Creek baggy.
These jeans take the flare from the boot cut and extend it up to the hips, causing full range of motion all through the legs and allowing them feel like they are barely there. If you aren’t used to wearing these, beware, they feel foreign until you become accustomed to all the room. These aren’t just for skaters … these are the jeans that are in style the most here in 2024. 2001 has returned with a vengeance.
