For work, for workouts, and for everywhere in between: Four real guys show you how to wear the most versatile jeans in the world.
For Lounging and Leg Days: Jog It
Denim joggers (really!) from Warp + Weft look as great as your favorite pair of 511 jeans, but they’re made with a soft cotton-Lycra blend. So you can wear them when you’re running errands—and maybe hit the gym while you’re at it. Fitness coach Yusuf Jeffers, 50, plans to make this pair part of his everyday uniform. “At work, I was always wearing tracksuits and hoodies,” he says. “These joggers let me dress up without looking out of place at a gym.”
Denim Tip: For extra comfort, check the label for a waistband that’s made with elastane (which provides stretch) and that’s flat (so it doesn’t bunch). Warp + Weft’s joggers feature both.
Read more: Best Jeans for Men
Behind the Desk: Keep it Casual
Hybrid work setups mean laxer dress codes, but you still have to put in some effort. Tony Vavroch, a 55-year-old agent, sticks to a smart casual look that’s still comfortable. This office-savvy sweater-and-blazer combo from Banana Republic shows his coworkers he means business, while these soft Tencel-blend travel pants keep him from looking too buttoned-up. “They’re my new favorite pair of jeans,” Vavroch says.
Denim Tip: Big quads? Get a tapered cut, which starts wide at the hips to give thighs room.
Read more: Best Pants for Men
On the Job: Pick Pockets
Carpenter jeans are baaaaack. Except unlike those bulky work pants of the late ’90s, this pair from Everlane wear more like office chinos. A whole mess of pockets can accommodate whatever tools you need for the task at hand. “They’re comfortable and I look put together for my clients, but I’m not too dressed up,” says 42-year-old acoustical consultant Ned Shatzer. “I still look like a contractor.”
Denim Tip: No idea what style of jeans to buy? Go with slim cut—the Goldilocks fit that’s not too baggy or skinny and looks great on most body types.
A Night Out: Double Your Denim
A denim button-up-and-jeans combo looks just as good at the dive bar as it does at a dressy-ish dinner. Goodlife’s structured snap shirt feels lighter than a denim jacket and still protects you from spring’s unpredictable weather. School teacher Raymond Nunez, 39, plans to keep plenty of these shirts in his closet. “This is smooth and comfortable, and I could see myself wearing this out in the city,” he says.
Denim tip: Yeah, you can do a Canadian tuxedo. For an even bolder look, wear different colors to make each piece’s shade really pop, like this shirt’s brilliant indigo.
Denim tip: Boot-cut jeans, which are cut slim at the hips and wide at the legs, are best for—you guessed it—wearing with boots. A&F upgrades the traditional cut with an elastane waist for extra stretch. Just make sure to pair them with boots that have roomy uppers to keep yourself looking polished.
The Style Upgrade
Stiff denim jackets can feel like you’re wearing cardboard. Mavi Jeans fixes that by infusing its denim with a sustainable Tencel-cotton blend that’s easy to move in. Pair the jacket with a merino polo shirt on date night, or throw it over an oxford button-up for a day at the office.
Rapid Fire: Your Denim Questions Answered
Are skinny jeans out of style?
Yes. Overly tight jeans belong in the aughts.
What about black jeans?
No! They look dressy and flatter your shape.
How about those other colors?
In general, stick to dark washes for more formal outings and switch to lighter colors to look more casual.
Read more: Best Spring Pants for Men
Comments are closed.