20 Best Men’s Denim Jeans
There are pieces you enjoy wearing, and then there are menswear pieces that are practically an essential, a must-have for your wardrobe. The best men’s denim jeans fall under that umbrella — and finding the right pair of denim can be trickier than one might think.
Dialing in the fit and color is a crucial first step, and finding the best quality you can is also essential. Brands are meeting those goals in every way imaginable, from sturdy made-in-America selvedge denim to Italian denim made with a hint of stretch for travel, work or play. Whether you go with a dark, inky blue pair to break in on your own, or a pre-washed pair for casual spring style, there’s no wrong way to wear our picks for the 20 best men’s denim jeans. Get to shopping!
Taylor Stitch Democratic Jean in ’68 Cone Mills Selvage
What’s the best way to complement that Taylor Stitch jacket or chambray shirt you wear all the time? A sturdy, tough and stylish pair of selvage denim from the same brand. Using a custom denim prepared by the expert denim makers at Cone Mills, Taylor Stitch interprets the classic jean in its tailored-yet-accessible Democratic fit. The 13.5oz. Weight is wearable even in the summer, if only because you won’t want to take off these exceptional jeans. That’s very good news indeed, because they’re going to break in handsomely. – Buy It
Todd Snyder Made in LA Selvedge Denim Jean
Is it any surprise that lauded American menswear designer Todd Snyder also makes quite the pair of classic indigo denim — made in the USA, to boot? If it is a surprise, it shouldn’t be. These sharp jeans, with a unique and yet versatile mid wash, are a fan favorite for their ability to be worn with everything from a white Oxford to a pocket tee and a navy blazer. Featuring a button fly for a classic design touch, you won’t be able to stop wearing these LA-made jeans. – Buy It
Mott & Bow Crosby Jeans
If there was a classic pair of denim to buy right now and wear a ton, it’d probably be the Crosby from Mott & Bow. The E-commerce brand gets a lot of things right, starting with its free Home Try-On program and finishing with its range of fits, accessible washes and great prices. For premium quality and tough-yet-classic style, it doesn’t get much better than the Crosby — wear these with everything from an Oxford and a navy blazer to a short-sleeve henley when it warms up. – Buy It
Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans
Among brands making excellent denim, add Flint and Tinder to the list — and buy the brand as soon as you can. The brand’s All-American line features both Straight Tapered and Slim Tapered fits, but the Slim fit is going to be the way to go for a modern look. The All-American Jean is just what you need if you’re looking for a pair to break in and wear all the time, particularly with a slim khaki mac coat or a leather jacket. – Buy It
Taylor Stitch Moto Jeans
Cut for the guy who spends more time on a motorbike than in the office, the Taylor Stitch Moto Jean is a unique and tough offering made with Dyneema denim. It’s 6 times more abrasion-resistant than Cone Mills’ regular denim, and considering the heritage quality and styling inspiration that goes into every pair, that’s a major accomplishment. They feature a tailored but mobile fit for easy wear as you hit the road — they’ll be just as valuable as any other travel gear you bring with you. – Buy It
Buck Mason Slim Stretch Jean
For a dash of rock-n-roll style mixed with a tremendous fit and great fabric quality, you can’t top Buck Mason and the brand’s Slim Stretch Jean. You get the functionality of a tough pair of selvedge with the stretch of your favorite pair of chinos — that’s comfort that can’t be topped. With a range of washes, the Slim Stretch Jean is practically made to wear with one of Buck Mason’s chambray shirts or even a simple washed crewneck tee for any occasion you can dream up. – Buy It
Todd Shelton Flat Black Jean
Todd Shelton focuses on made-in-America quality and style, and they do a darn good job of it. Particularly when it comes to its Flat Black Jean, it’s an approach that works out very well — if you want a custom fit and durable fabric, there’s no better pair of black denim to buy. The midweight fabric means you can wear these comfortably through the spring and summer to everything from a summer festival to an evening of patio drinks. Team them with a Todd Shelton Oxford for even better style. – Buy It
J.Crew 484 Jeans
If there’s a pair of jeans that exemplify how denim should fit for the modern man, the J. Crew 484 certainly belongs in that conversation. Featuring a narrow leg and a handmade design, these could be your new favorite pair of jeans for spring. The 484 is the kind of jean to wear with suede chukkas and a natural denim jacket for easygoing spring style, and they can also be teamed up with a khaki blazer and a navy polo for a high-low seasonal look. – Buy It
Frank & Oak Cooper Selvedge Denim
What’s not to love about a slim pair of jet black denim? A style much-loved by rock stars the world over, the Cooper Slim-Straight Selvedge Denim features a more agreeable — but still nicely tailored — fit for all kinds of style situations. You should certainly wear these with a black moto jacket to your next rock concert, and one could argue that you could wear them with a grey blazer and a blue Oxford to the office nearly any day of the week. – Buy It
Lee Modern Series Slim Tapered Jeans
For a great price and a terrific fit, you just might want to add the Lee Modern Series Slim Tapered Jeans to your shopping cart. Featuring the brand’s Active Comfort fabric, the four-way fabric gives you a ton of stretch and comfort, no matter where you go. They’re the perfect pair of jeans for spring and summer travel, with a versatile array of color options available and a price that allows you to pick up multiple pairs for the season ahead. – Buy It
Bonobos Travel Jean
Beloved for its well-known and great-fitting chinos, Bonobos has been gaining notoriety — in a great way — as of late for its Travel Jeans. And in a crisp color like Portland Navy, it’s not hard to see why. These jeans feature four possible fit options for every body type, and you certainly get great quality for the price. The one percent stretch and use of Cone Mills denim are handy bonuses, too. Wear these with a white henley or a simple blue chambray shirt all the time this season. – Buy It
Tom Ford Slim Fit Stretch Jeans
Leave it to the man who outfits James Bond to make a standout pair of stretch selvedge denim. These Tom Ford jeans are packed with every bit as much refinement as the designer’s drool-worthy tuxedos and suits, and that’s a very good thing for the guy looking for a premium pair. They’re definitely pricey, but the neat black color, unique distressing and unquestionably great fit are all huge bonuses. You can’t exactly wear these in place of a suit, but you can definitely wear them to the office with your favorite blazer this spring. – Buy It
Nudie Jeans Lean Dean
There’s probably no better time than spring to break out some jeans with a bit of fading, right? The Lean Dean in particular, as sold by the always-stylish team at Huckberry, really can’t be beat in terms of great fit, quality and a premium price point. They’re expensive, but worth the investment nonetheless. And given the cost, you can definitely come up with all sorts of ways to wear ‘em, from a short-sleeve printed shirt to a white polo or a chambray popover. – Buy It
AG Matchbox Jeans
AG sets the standard in terms of premium, contemporary denim, and the Matchbox silhouette is precisely why. With a handsome deep wash and unique fading, these are nearly as dressy a pair of denim as it gets, with an investment-level price point to match (pun intended). The slim-straight fit and hint of stretch are design bonuses that reflect the quality and attention to detail put into these jeans, and that’s great news for consumers — and particularly you as you prep for your next purchase. – Buy It
A.P.C. Slim-Fit Dry Selvedge Jeans
The A.P.C. Petit Standard fit is certainly a style on which plenty of other contemporary jeans are based, and that means it’s very worthy of your consideration — and a possible purchase — as part of our list of the best men’s denim jeans. Made with a dry indigo selvedge denim, these jeans are designed to break in over time and look great in the process. That goes for whether you wear them with a classic white Oxford or a garment-dyed crewneck T-shirt. – Buy It
Edwin ED-55 Tapered Jean
Retro style is all the rage nowadays, and there are certainly ways to get that similar style without going way overboard. The Edwin ED-55 Tapered Jean from ASOS is one such way to do that affordably and with great style and fit in mind. Featuring a modern silhouette and the ability to be worn with broken-in leather chukka boots or clean white sneakers for essential spring style — it doesn’t get any better. – $60“>crisp and clean white sneakers, these are a great pair of casual Friday denim — perhaps alongside a dark denim jacket — for the months ahead. – Buy It
Tellason Ankara 12.5 oz Denim
Unionmade always curates and sells a supremely stylish mix of goods, and this pair of Tellason denim is no exception. Made in San Francisco from top-quality Cone Mills denim in an agreeable 12.5oz. Weight for year-round wear, every design detail here is nicely considered. That goes for everything from the two-tone stitching to the leather waistband made by the expert purveyors at Tanner Goods. Break these in over time as much as you can, and wear them with your favorite jacket for easygoing style. – Buy It
Abercrombie & Fitch Slim Straight Jeans
The gear being produced by Abercrombie and Fitch and Aaron Levine — formerly of Club Monaco fame — continues to get better and better, and pieces like these easily wearable, stylish Slim-Straight jeans are exactly why. They’re the perfect denim to pair with other vintage-inspired Abercrombie and Fitch pieces. With a medium wash that’s perfect for any season, these cotton jeans should be supremely comfortable and versatile with your favorite menswear staples, from a shawl-collar cardigan in winter to a short-sleeve chambray shirt in summer. – Buy It
Levis 501 Original Fit Selvedge Jeans
Perhaps the most recognizable denim brand — or jean silhouette — on the planet, the Levi’s 501 is iconic and worthy of being the next addition to your wardrobe. In tough selvedge that’s made in America, they have all the hallmarks of classic Levi’s style, including the use of Cone Mills denim and and that top-notch American-made construction. Wash them, shrink them to fit and wear them as much as you can throughout the year with your favorite menswear garb. – Buy It
Acne Studios Max Prince Jeans
Known for its own brand of tailored minimalism and classic menswear pieces, Acne Studios provides a premium pick in terms of upgrading your denim game. The Max Prince features a slim fit and a pleasing, slightly faded wash. The color makes them the perfect way to offset a dark navy blazer or brown leather chukkas, and they’d look great even with a zip hoodie, crisp white leather sneakers and a chambray shirt for a more casual ensemble. For the price, we’d recommend wearing them nearly as often as you can. – Buy It
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