6 Ways You’re Wearing Your Jeans Wrong

Jeans are a staple in your wardrobe, and despite being a casual item, they’re probably the most important pair of pants in your closet, outside of chinos. So obviously it’s critical that you’re wearing them the right way and giving them the consideration they deserve. Because they’re so important, if you’re wearing them incorrectly you can be doing yourself a huge disservice, especially in the eyes of the opposite sex. After you read this and check out the video, make sure you take a look at our Jeans Fit Guide and our Dark Wash Jeans primer for how to do it right!

\We see all kinds of bad jeans-wearing these days and the worst part is these mistakes are easy to fix! So, here are 6 ways you’re wearing your jeans wrong!

 

Too Baggy

Obviously, it goes without saying that baggy jeans look awful. They aren’t flattering and just look sloppy. Baggy jeans only make slim guys look more skinny and bigger guys look more chubby. The right fit will be comfortable, so don’t think that you can get away with it because of comfort. Getting the right size and fit is a huge key, so make sure you’ve checked out our Jeans Fit Guide.

 

Too tight

The right taper is important but overly tight is definitely really bad. It can be super unflattering especially if you don’t have a butt which most men don’t have. It also makes you look very juvenile if your jeans are way too tight and it’s definitely not professional, regardless of how casual your work environment may be.

 

Bad washes

Washes that are too light (very light blue or grey/white) or acid-washes are neither timeless nor versatile. They just make you look like you’re trying too hard to be trendy. We recommend keeping your jeans in a clean, dark wash or check out a few of our other recommendations for jean colors.

 

Distressed or Ripped Jeans

It’s a fine line between good and bad but for 95% of men over the age of 25, this just isn’t a good look. Like some of the lighter washes, it makes you look like a teenager/fuccboi who is trying hard to be trendy. Sometimes a little bit of distressing is fine, but again only if you’re under the age of 25. 

 

Too Long

Such a bad look and such an easy fit. Find the right length or got to a tailor, it’s a simple $5-10 fix. It just looks sloppy and can ruin an otherwise good fit. Also, it can make you look really short; not flattering at all.

 

Saggy Butt

Yikes, this is super unattractive. Find the right fit in the seat – proper rise (the length from the bottom of the crotch to the top of the waistband) is crucial. Here’s a handy reference image for what the “rise” is. The key is to not have a ton of excess fabric in the booty area. You want a trim fit but not overly tight.

Best Men’s Denim | Jeans Under $100

Denim is the absolute foundation of your pants rotation and the importance of stylish, well-fitting denim can’t be overstated.  It’s so important, in fact, that we’ve covered it multiple times before, in our Dark Wash Jeans Essentials piece and in our Jeans Fit Guide.  So, before you go any further, make sure you check those out, the basics we cover in those articles are critical in knowing what to look for in your denim.

These days jeans come in a huge range of price points and while many people can get snobby about their jeans, we believe that great denim doesn’t have to be expensive.  The picks we have below offer you everything you need at an affordable price. One thing to remember, when it comes to denim colors focus on dark washes first, so dark indigo and black, and then grey and medium blue.

DSTLD – $80-$85

DSTLD offers great fit and quality for the money. They have great black and grey options and we also love their dark indigo wash, it’s a nice rich color and the subtle grey stitching blends in.

DSTLD Skinny Slim Fit

DSTLD Straight Fit

 

Banana Republic – $98

Banana Republic offers a range of fits and styles but we really their basic version the most.  At just under $100 the quality is great and there are fits for every body type.  Just a solid, all-around classic pair of denim.

Banana Republic Slim Fit

 

Uniqlo – $49.90

We’ve always been big fans of Uniqlo’s budget-friendly style.  They always do clean and versatile very well and like their awesome chinos, their jeans are no exception.  They’ve got two great fits, and we love the black jeans they have in stores and online right now.

Uniqlo Slim Fit

Uniqlo Straight Fit

 

Levis $50-$60

You can’ talk great denim without talking about Levis, they still make awesome jeans. We recommend the 511 Slim Fit and the 514 Straight Fit as the two to look for. (The 513 slim straight is also a nice in-between option too.) Stick to the dark and medium wash indigo or their black and grey options. At around $50-$60 these are classic and affordable, you can’t go wrong.

Levis 511 Slim Fit

Levis 511 Grey

Levis 514 Straight Fit

Levis 514 Grey

513 Slim Straight Fit

4 Colors Of Denim You Should Own

Denim, it’s an absolute staple, and you can wear jeans just about anywhere these days. But, it’s important to have the right colors for the job. I don’t recommend all colors of denim for every occasion so you should not only know what 4 colors you need to have, but also the right and wrong times to wear them

For more, don’t forget to check out our Jeans Fit Guide and our tips on how to take care of your denim!

The four colors of denim I recommend owning are dark indigo, a lighter wash of blue, grey and black.

Dark Indigo

If you own just one pair, a dark wash indigo is the one to own, so buy these first!  It’s the most versatile and can be worn dressed up with something like a blazer and loafers or with everything casual like sneakers and a t-shirt. If you work in a business casual office dark indigo jeans are a great alternative to chinos on casual days.

Light Wash Blue

Not as versatile as a darker wash, I recommend a lighter blue for more casual situations.  Be careful not to go too light on the wash as the very light shades tend to be a bit too trendy and can veer a bit too young.

Grey

While not as important as dark wash jeans, grey jeans can be quite versatile.  Stick with a medium to darker grey wash and don’t be afraid to dress them up.  Think of them kind of like a pair of grey chinos in terms of how and where you would wear them.

Black

I love a good pair of black jeans and they’re almost as vital to your wardrobe as dark indigo jeans. They have a little bit of a rocker vibe to them and look great for nighttime occasions. You can never go wrong with a pair of black jeans, a white or grey shirt, and a pair of sneakers or boots.

Denim Picks

Dark Wash:

Diesel Buster

APC Petit Standard

RRL

Uniqlo Slim Fit Selvedge

Levis 511

Gap Slim

Light Wash:

Jbrand Tyler

Paige in Birch

Diesel Larkee

Uniqlo Slim Selvedge

Levis 511

Grey:

Jbrand Tyler in Luna

Hudson Blake in Metal

Jbrand Tyler in Slate

Gap Slim Fit

H&M Slim Fit

Black:

Diesel Buster

AG Tellis in Deep Pitch

APC Petit Standard

Levis Made & Crafted 511

Uniqlo Slim Selvedge 

 

How To Take Care Of Your Jeans

Knowing how to take proper care of your jeans is not only going to keep your go-to jeans looking sharp and clean for a long time, but save you money in the long run. So, in this video, we’re showing you all the tips and tricks on how to take care of your jeans!

Don’t forget to check our deep dive on all things jeans and our Fit Guide.

Jean Picks

Designer Slim Fit:

Tom Ford

RRL

JBrand Tyler Taper

Diesel Buster

Budget-Friendly Slim Fit:

Uniqlo Slim Fit Selvedge

Levis 511 Stretch

Gap Slim Fit

Designer Straight Fit:

AG Graduate

JBrand Kane 

Budget-Friendly Straight Fit:

Uniqlo Regular Fit 

Levis 514 Stretch

Gap Straight Fit