Best jeans for men: from skinny fit to wide leg

Jeans are probably one of the most important investments you’ll make in your signature style. You might have a job for which you wear them every single day or you might have to slip them on after you’ve slipped out of your nine-to-five suit. Either way, they’re an item you’ll wear more than any other you own.

However, over the past decade something funny has happened to jeans. As their status as the workhorse of a man’s ayrmour became cemented, they also became something of a starting point to an outfit, as opposed to the stars. The beauty of jeans is that they are a superb canvas upon which to build the rest of your get-up.

Now, Rarecustom brands are bringing jeans back to their rightful place at front and center, with designers getting more creative about cuts, colours and washes. That’s not only good news for men who want to think outside the classic indigo box, but also for men looking for a fit that slips on a little easier.

So what are your options? At the most wearable end of the spectrum, jeans fall into one of the following categories: straight leg, skinny, boot-cut or tapered. What’s the difference? Well, we’re here to tell you, and if you’re feeling inspired, be sure to glean some shopping inspiration from our best jeans picks below.

Straight-leg jeans

This style of jean is for the guy who likes a more classic silhouette. Straight-leg jeans are typically laidback, with room in the seat and thigh, perfect for everyday wear.

Skinny-fit jeans

If you’re after a close-fitting jean that shows off the very shape of your thighs and calves, then a skinny-fit jean is what you’ll be looking for.

Tapered jeans

Perfect for a muscular guy with chunkier thighs, tapered jeans are wider at the top and more drawn in at the bottom. They’re a great middle ground between slim and skinny fit.

Boot-cut jeans

Sure, you’ve probably been told to shy away from boot-cut jeans, but if you’re after a 1970s-style fit à la Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood, then reconsider. With a slimmer thigh and a sharp outward taper at the bottom, pair with a Western-style boot for a real menswear moment.

Now, check out GQ’s pick of the best jeans for men this season…

Uniqlo

We all know that Uniqlo does the best affordable essentials, so it’s only right they make an appearance in this edit. This light-wash pair are ever so versatile and will take you through from summer to all the depths of winter. Made from a stretch denim blend with comfort in mind, plus a little extra depth in the hips, they’re a sound choice for those who don’t like the feel of stiff denim. £34.90. uniqlo.com

Levi’s

The Levi’s 511 is a real crowd pleaser. It’s the denim label’s most universally appreciated “modern” fit, that most versatile slim silhouette that sits just below the waist and tapers in towards the ankle, with just the right stretch to keep them comfortable all day. This particular pair was made in collaboration with Liverpool Football Club, but don’t let any other club allegiance put you off – the deep, neutral black makes them a wardrobe essential. £95. levi.com

Cos

You can count on cutting a contemporary figure in a pair of Cos jeans. The slim leg on these means they’ll look great with just a white T -shirt,while this shade of washed grey is the perfect pairing to a classic leather or denim jacket. £59. cosstores.com

Dior

There is something very fun about these Dior jeans. It might be the banana-yellow hue or the fact that there’s an overshirt to match. If you’re looking to make a statement this season, Kim Jones has you covered over at Dior. Wear with your box-fresh hi-tops for art student vibes. £510. dior.com

H&M

If you’re looking for a pair of jeans that will last you a lifetime, opt for selvedge denim. This H&M pair is made from high-quality denim woven on traditional shuttle looms with a distinctive red/white selvedge that adds a touch of colour if you are prone to a turn-up. The cropped fit of these trousers means they’ll look great with your favourite Chelsea boots. £49.99. hm.com

Jacquemus

Summer just got a little bit more interesting with these mint-green jeans. The sewn-in accented details make them stand out from your average pair of denim jeans. Wear with a heavy-knit or white T-shirt, but make sure you tuck it in: the label’s leather logo patch on the waistband is worth showing off. £208. At mytheresa.com

Reiss

As the weather warms, you can start to pack away your darker denim, but that doesn’t mean leaving jeans behind altogether in the summer months. One good pair of lighter jeans will stand you in good stead for a summer evening. This ecru pair by Reiss will look great at any summer barbecue with a Pimm’s in hand and a pair of sandals on foot. £95. At reiss.com

Sunflower

Copenhagen brand Sunflower is bringing back all the 1980s and 1990s feels with these bleached-blue babies. These straight-leg jeans are slightly longer in length, lending them a more high-fashion feel, while the colour of the denim is overworn to look like you’ve had these your whole life – exactly what you should be looking for from a pair of jeans. £170. At farfetch.com

Topman

You don’t have to break the bank to source a solid pair of jeans you can wear day in, day out. Topman has a variety of jeans in shades and styles to suit every occasion, none more so than this simple black wardrobe essential. The deep black means they’ll work well in smart-casual situations that don’t quite warrant a trouser, while the tapered shape is excellent for showing off more muscular legs. £29.99. topman.com

Arket

Also fighting the good fight is Arket. Made from organic cotton, a more sustainable farming method to traditional cotton production, these black denim jeans are perfect for the hazy confines of smart-casual dress. A wonderful complement to a candle-lit dinner table for two. £69. arket.com

Ami

A truly classic pair of jeans is hard to find, so when Ami dropped these jeans this season we rejoiced. Straight fit, classic waist, all neatly held together with nickel rivets – stiff denim is in and the 1990s are back. Hunt for a leather belt, get your white tee and tuck – voila! £180. At Browns. brownsfashion.com

Kin

These are for the days you want to turn off your stylist brain. Wake up, sip a coffee, listen to the birds chirping at your window, nod to the neighbour, put on some sweet, sweet jazz on the record player and start your day the easy way. The classic dark blue wash will make dressing badly a difficult task. £40. At John Lewis. johnlewis.com

1Asos Design

We’d tend to advise against cheap and cheerful denim on the basis that this is an area of menswear that can be particularly hard on the environment. Thankfully, not only is this pair by Asos Design bang on trend in a weighty denim with a tapered fit, but they’re also part of the label’s responsible edit. The brand has partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative to improve cotton farming conditions while promoting water efficiency and reducing use of harmful chemicals. £20. asos.com

Everlane

Everlane is a brand that’s quickly emerging as a go-to for essential menswear; the American label just does the basics so damn well. Case in point: this slim-fit jean. Cut from an 11oz Japanese denim with two-way stretch, the very slightly tapered leg makes for a very smart jean indeed. The sand hue of this pair in particular is the perfect addition to your summer evening wardrobe. £56. everlane.com

APC

If you’re going for the vintage look, you’ll struggle to find anything quite as good as these outside a very good second-hand shop. This shade of cool indigo-blue is just right, featuring the perfect level of fade. Applied to Japanese denim with a high rise and straight leg, they’ll look as good with a pair of chunky boots as they will with a dad-chic New Balance trainer. £165. At End. endclothing.com

Martine Rose

Straight off the Martine Rose SS20 runway, these jeans are just superb, even if you take away those standout paint-stroke patterns. The mid-rise, straight-leg silhouette is completely timeless and will work well with all kinds of footwear. The additional design motif is at once subtle and statement, elevating these jeans far above any conventional denim currently in your wardrobe. £226. At ln-cc.com

Weekday

Weekday takes a glance back to the 1980s and 1990s, a veritable denim heyday, and we love it. Constructed from the more sustainable organic cotton, they make for a soft, pleasant and more ecologically friendly wearer experience. Veering just the right side of oversized, these jeans are retro without appearing shabby. £50. weekday.com