Menswear: How to Choose the Right Style of Jeans

Practically everyone has at least one pair of jeans in their closet, and it’s easy to see why such a simple item of clothing is so overwhelmingly popular. Jeans are durable, comfortable, and they go with practically everything. It’s possible to dress them up for a night out, or dress them down to run errands around town. If you’re lucky enough to work in an office with a lax dress code, you can even make jeans by Dickies look professional with relatively little effort.

However, many people don’t look as sharp as they could in a pair of jeans. This is because jeans can be tricky to fit and finding the right style for your body often takes some extra effort. Use this guide to make sure you are wearing the right pair of jeans for you.

Straight Leg Jeans

Straight leg jeans are cut in a straight line from the hip to the ankle. This is the most classic cut, and it’s easy to find in a variety of colors and styles. These jeans look great on average and skinny frames, but those who are a little stockier in the hips and thighs should proceed with a bit more caution.

Relaxed Fit Jeans

Relaxed fit jeans are a roomier version of straight leg jeans, cut to allow more breathing room through the hips and thighs. The bigger your legs are, the more flattering this style will probably look on you. However, skinny guys should avoid this cut as relaxed fit jeans may look a bit sloppy on them.

Athletic Cut Jeans

Athletic jeans are a hybrid of straight-leg and relaxed fit jeans. They have the roominess of relaxed fit, but a little extra structure to show off toned legs and backsides. These types of jeans are tailor-made for athletic men with muscular thighs and calves, but you don’t have to be in perfect shape to wear them. They also look great on anyone who usually wears relaxed fit jeans but is looking for a little more definition.

Slim Fit Jeans

Slim fit pants taper slightly from the hip to the ankle, creating a more tailored look. These jeans tend to fit quite close to the leg, so those with thicker thighs, hips, or backsides may want to avoid them. Slim fit jeans can be both uncomfortable and unflattering unless you are on the slim side. If you’re not used to snug pants, you don’t have to avoid slim fit jeans. This style should not feel noticeably tighter than a straight leg pair.

Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are one of the trickier styles to pull off. These jeans fit snugly around your leg from hip all the way to ankle and don’t leave a lot to the imagination. While you don’t have to be a total beanpole to pull them off, they do tend to look better on guys whose legs are relatively narrow, without rounded or bulging muscles.

If the first pair of jeans you try on doesn’t quite look right, try the same size in a different brand. Jeans often vary quite a bit between makers, so you may have to do a little trial and error to find the perfect pair.