Whether you’re dressing them up for a dinner date or down for a casual weekend, jeans are an essential item in every man’s sartorial rotation. They come in all shapes, colours and cuts, from barrel to carrot, so, if your head’s spinning with too much choice, keep reading, as we’ve rounded up the best men’s jeans out there.
A perennial favourite, it’s almost impossible to imagine life without them but jeans were once the reserve of workmen and ranchers in the US, as the thick, durable cotton weave helped protect them from all sorts of hazards.
Today, you only have to glance at Instagram to spot countless fashionable styles, with huge, oversized, baggy jeans having been on trend for a while now. We’ve included some baggier styles that will carry you through the trend, however long it lasts, but we’re sure these picks will also becom staples in your wardrobe for years to come.
If you’re still on the skinny-jeans train, we have some great options for you, too, with slim-fitting styles that won’t cut off your circulation.
How we tested the best men’s jeans
Having tried jeans in dozens of styles over the years, we spent weeks putting these particular pairs through their paces. We tested the fit, style, quality and cost-per-wear for each pair, to make sure they’re worth your cash.
The best men’s jeans for 2024 are:
- Best men’s jeans overall – Levi’s 501 original jeans: £100, Levi.com
- Best budget men’s jeans – M&S loose-fit double-knee jean: £35, Marksandspencer.com
- Best distressed men’s jeans – Gap 90s loose washwell jeans: £50, Gap.co.uk
- Best colourful men’s jeans – Uniqlo U wide-fit colour jeans: £29.90, Uniqlo.com
- Best men’s skinny jeans – Asket the black denim jeans: £125, Asket.com
Levi’s 501 original jeans
What we now know as jeans were originally patented by the founders of Levi’s in 1873, and the brand’s 501s are the archetype of how a good quality pair should look and feel.
These jeans are ubiquitous for a reason, offering a straight leg and classic cut that is truly timeless and can be paired with any outfit. We opted for the colour ‘motion sickness’ – a rich brown that deviates from the classic blue hues, offering something slightly more contemporary.
Buy now £100.00, Levi.com
M&S loose-fit double-knee jean
We were sorely lacking a pair of jeans in a darker blue wash, such as this option from M&S. This affordable pair is loose, but not too baggy, with a mid rise. These jeans feel soft on the skin but the double-knee style means the denim feels hardy. The double knee also elevates what would otherwise be a standard pair of jeans. These will look great with a good pair of sandals during warmer months.
Buy now £35.00, Marksandspencer.com
Gap 90s loose washwell jeans
This pair of 1990s-inspired jeans from Gap is looser on the thigh and calf, adding comfort and cool. With a nod to grunge culture, this pair has been distressed at the knee and given a faded wash. The pair is hardy when it comes to washing, and felt nice and worn-in.
The distressed look might not be for everyone but try pairing them with penny loafers and an oversized shirt to add some contrast to your outfit. Alternatively, the black and mid-wash blue colours come without distressing.
Buy now £50.00, Gap.co.uk
Wrangler frontier jeans
Although founded later than Levi’s, Wrangler has become an iconic maker of jeans since its launch in 1947. Lean in to the cowboy aesthetic, with a pair of the frontier style. They are comfortable, with one per cent elastine for a bit of stretch, while remaining sturdy and durable. The colour ‘full house’ is the perfect classic mid-wash, too.
Featuring a straight leg with a great length, this is a pair we gravitate towards for everyday wear. Go simple and pair with a vintage crewneck jumper and trainers.
Buy now £85.00, Wrangler.com
Uniqlo U wide-fit colour jeans
The perfect spring/summer jeans have been made by Uniqlo, a perennial favourite for its stylish designs at great price points. These jeans cost less than £30 and come in four colours, each soft and slightly washed out, for an easy lighter summer look.
They are wider in the leg but keep their shape really well and are ideal for anyone who favours a slightly cropped look. Part of the Uniqlo U range designed by Christophe Lemaire (who is known for his eponymous luxury brand Lemaire), these are designer-level jeans at a fraction of the price.
Buy now £29.90, Uniqlo.com
Nudie Jeans tuff Tony
Swedish brand Nudie Jeans has a slightly more premium price tag but we’ve got a lot of wear out of the tuff Tony style. These are slightly wider than a straight leg, providing a relaxed rather than extremely baggy look.
This pair is available in lots of different washes, including a patchwork option, but we opted for summer clouds, which is a beautiful light blue that will see us through spring and beyond.
Buy now £165.00, Nudiejeans.com
Frame the straight jean
Hailing from premium denim maker Frame, this pair offers one of our favourite straight-leg jean silhouettes. Although a splurge, if you’re in the market for a luxury pair of denim, opt for these.
They are mid-rise and full-length but don’t bunch up too much at the feet (which can warp the look of the leg). Instead, this pair held a flattering shape on the leg. A minimal style without embellishment, this pair looks and feels expensive.
Buy now £270.00, Frame-store.com
Dickies Thomasville denim trousers
With a wider leg and casual style, the Thomasville denim trousers from workwear brand Dickies are a must for laidback days.
These are very comfortable, with denim that feels slightly lighter and seems to have more give, compared with some super-stiff options out there. You can choose from a variety of washes but we liked the ecru colour – a slight off-white shade that will transition perfectly through the warmer months.
Buy now £80.00, Dickieslife.com
Asket the black denim jeans
Ready to re-embrace slimmer jeans? There are rumblings that skinny jeans are back, and this is the slim style to segue back into the look. With this Asket pair, you can choose between regular and slim options, depending on how skinny you want the fit to be.
This is rigid, structured denim, with a straight slimmer leg for a lead-singer look. We went with the ‘stay black’ colour – a deep black that pairs well with a monochrome look for something sophisticated. It has been designed to keep the black colour after washing, too.
Buy now £125.00, Asket.com
Weekday space relaxed straight jeans
We have had a lot of compliments about these. The relaxed, slightly oversized style is typical for Swedish brand Weekday. There are 12 colours available but, in particular, we love the dark grey option.
The denim is stiff and holds its shape. We chose our normal waist size but found it was slightly loose, so, we’d recommend either sizing down or adding a belt, if you want an oversized feel.
Buy now £50.00, Weekday.com
Next relaxed vintage stretch authentic jeans
One of the most affordable pairs on our list, these vintage-wash jeans from Next have a lived-in look, making them great for throwing on during casual days. There’s a stretch to these jeans that makes them really comfortable, too.
The jeans go up to a size 40 waist and there are four colourways available – all in vintage washes, including a dark grey, brown and dark blue.
Buy now £29.00, Next.co.uk
The verdict: Men’s jeans
Although there are countless options available when it comes to men’s jeans, our favourite pair overall is the classic Levi’s 501. For something a little more affordable and completely in style, opt for the Gap 90s loose washwell pair. Meanwhile, if you want to treat yourself to a premium pair that will last for years, try the tuff Tony style from Nudie Jeans. We also loved the Uniqlo wide-fit jeans, for a pop of colour this spring/summer.
Want more sartorial inspiration? We’ve rounded up the best coats and jackets for men