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Finding jeans that fit perfectly and suit your style is often a long process. It often takes several attempts to find the perfect pair of jeans. When buying jeans, you often come across terms like straight leg, boot cut, slim fit and tapered leg. But what exactly do these terms mean? Which jeans fit me best?
We are pleased that you have found your way to our Men's Jeans Guide 2021. Here you will find everything you need to know about men's jeans. We show you what is important when buying a pair of men's jeans, what different jeans fits are available and who they are suitable for. Then we answer all the relevant questions about men's jeans. We hope you enjoy reading!
Contents
Summary
- A pair of men's jeans is a pair of trousers made mainly of a specific cotton fabric, denim. It gets its classic blue colour from the organic pigment indigo, which is extracted from the tropical indigo plant.
- Men's jeans come in different cuts, which determine how the jeans fit. The most popular fits are straight leg, slim fit, boot cut, slim fit, skinny fit, tapered leg and jeans shorts.
- Men's jeans come in a wide variety of looks (colours, washes) and can be combined casually or elegantly. Many jeans fits are suitable for everyday wear and can be worn for almost any occasion. They are real all-rounders.
The Best Jeans Mens: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for men's jeans
In this chapter we would like to show you which factors you can use to decide between the many different men's jeans on offer. In order to choose the perfect pair of men's jeans for you, you should pay attention to the following criteria when buying:
In the following paragraphs, we explain what each factor is and what you should look out for.
Size
When it comes to size, make sure that the men's jeans are not too big/long, but also not too small/short. Ideally, you can try on the trousers directly in the shop before you decide on them. However, if you order your men's jeans online but don't know your size yet, we explain below how to determine your personal trouser size.
To measure your inseam, stand shoulder-width apart without shoes (ideally there should be 10 cm between your feet) and measure from your thighs to your ankles - that's your inseam. Then calculate in inches, the "inch size", so that you can correctly determine length and width. Divide your measurements by 2.54 to get the inch size.
Cut
There is now more than one cut of jeans. From straight leg to skinny fit and boot cuts. Each of these cuts allows you to access comfortable trousers even if you have figure problems. The versatility of these cuts is what makes jeans so attractive. There is a pair of jeans to suit every occasion, every age and every body shape. To help you find your way through the jungle of different jeans cuts, we explain the most important terms in the section "What types of men's jeans are there". We explain which figure type fits which jeans cut with a detailed table in the section "Which trouser cut suits me".
Material
The choice of material plays a major role when buying jeans. 80% of all men's jeans sold are made of the standard denim fabric. This fabric is made of robust cotton and is woven in large quantities on appropriate industrial machines. It gets its typical blue jeans colour from dyeing with indigo, which is obtained from the indigo plant or the European dyer's forest.
Among other things, the material spandex is responsible for the stretch properties of some jeans. This is mixed with 2-3% of the basic material, the denim. Then there is the material polyester, which is also used a lot in jeans trousers with an average share of 12-14% to make the trousers stretchier and thus more flexible.
Brand
Men's jeans from well-known brands like Levi's, Wrangler or Diesel have their proud price. Often, expensive jeans are associated with high-quality materials and thus a long life. In return, such brand-name jeans can cost up to 300 euros. Jeans for men are usually quite robust. However, you only know afterwards whether they will not wear through after 30 machine washes.
When buying jeans, pay attention to the quality of the fabric, the colour and the seams. Tests have shown that the most expensive pair of men's jeans is not always the best. So-called no-name jeans can also be top-quality and still hold up very well after countless washes.
Design
The classic jeans are sold in the typical indigo blue. But nowadays there are far more than just blue shades. Men's jeans are made in various colours and washes. From black to slightly faded blue to white - there is something for every taste. Men's jeans are also available in very striking colours (blue, yellow, green) - although it can be said that the trend is towards darker colours.
Jeans are interesting once they get washed out. By bleaching them or washing them with pumice stones, men's jeans can get an individual look. According to our research, the most common washes are:
- Authentic: Used look; the jeans are sandblasted and washed with pumice stone
- Acid-Washed: Washing with chlorinated pumice stone to achieve strong contrasts
- Moon-Washed: Jeans with a pattern reminiscent of the lunar landscape
- Rinsed-Washed: Very dark jeans
Guide: Frequently asked questions about men's jeans answered in detail
Now that you know what criteria to look for when buying jeans, the next section provides a summary of the most important questions about men's jeans. We have answered them for you in more detail. After that, you should know all the essentials about men's jeans.
What types of men's jeans are there?
Straight Leg
The straight leg, the classic jeans cut, is a must-have in every man's wardrobe. As the name suggests, the trouser leg is cut straight from the crotch to the hem, giving a simple and straightforward look. At the waistband, they are cut wider and then taper (cone-shaped). From the calves, on the other hand, they are a little looser.
Straight leg is also known as everyday jeans. They fit every figure type and are easy to combine with any outfit (shirt, T-shirts, polo shirt, sweatshirts). This makes them a real all-rounder among men's jeans.
Slim Fit
Slim fit jeans are trousers that are comfortable and close-fitting, but not skin-tight. The cut is narrow towards the hem and also fits close to the body in the upper and lower leg area. Since these often arrive with stretch content, there is still the possibility to follow every movement.
Slim fit jeans emphasise the male body. They create a modern, figure-hugging silhouette. You can combine a slim fit with a plain white T-shirt, a shirt or a casual blazer.
Boot Cut
Boot cut jeans are straight at the top, but flared at the ankle so that the boot fits underneath. As the cut is neither very casual nor very elegant, it can therefore be worn for many occasions. This trouser cut is comfortable, suitable for everyday wear and timeless.
Boot cut jeans fit almost every body shape. Only strong men with short legs are advised not to wear boot cut jeans, however, as they squeeze the entire figure unflatteringly. Combine them with a leather jacket or a casual shirt and the look is perfect!
Loose Fit
Men's jeans with a loose fit are trousers that fit loosely around the hips and buttocks and have a wide cut at the leg. The trousers fit comfortably, do not pinch and allow some freedom of movement.
Whatever your body shape, you can never go wrong with loose fit jeans. This trouser cut looks casual and, thanks to its generous cut, really suits everyone. Combine them with a T-shirt or hoody to create casual looks with a high coolness factor.
Skinny fit
Skinny fit jeans for men are exactly the opposite of loose fit jeans. The cut is very close to the legs and emphasises the silhouette. The trouser legs taper towards the bottom and the waistband is slightly lower. Skinny fit jeans hug the body like a second skin - hence the term "skinny".
Make sure that the fit of these jeans is very tight and body-hugging. For example, if you have strong calves and muscular thighs, we do not recommend skinny fit jeans. Skinny fit jeans are therefore ideal for slim, confident men who like trendy, figure-hugging looks. To create a contrast, you can wear oversized shirts with them.
Tapered Leg
Comfortable but stylish. The fit of these tapered leg jeans for men features a wide waistband and narrows towards the ankles. They draw the legs nicely, but still sit casually on the leg and especially around the middle of the body.
Especially for men with strong thighs (well-toned legs), the tapered leg jeans are almost perfect. The thighs have enough room in the trouser legs and there is no pinching. Combine these jeans with casual clothing, such as a plain T-shirt or a casual shirt.
Denim shorts
The jeans shorts for men are basically a normal pair of jeans, only shorter, because they only reach down to the knees. They are very popular especially in the warm season.
The half-length trousers are available in various styles and can be used in many different ways. Whether in Bermuda style, modern, tight-fitting or straight cuts, everyone can wear them. T-shirts, tops or a light shirt are best suited to jeans shorts.
Which trouser cut suits me?
| Body shape | Ideal cut | Avoid if possible |
|---|---|---|
| Tall and slim, thin legs | Skinny Fit, Slim Fit | Boot Cut |
| Muscular legs, strong calves | Boot Cut, Straight Leg | Skinny Fit, Slim Fit |
| Small, short legs | Straight Leg | Loose Fit, Baggy Pants |
| Tall, slim and toned legs | Slim Fit | Loose Fit, Baggy Pants |
| Small, strong build | Straight Leg | Tapered Leg |
How much do men's jeans cost?
Don't choose a pair of low-priced jeans just because they are cheap. If possible, your decision should be guided by the cut and feel-good factor.
How tight does a pair of men's jeans have to be?
Basically, if you have strong calves and want to have a lot of freedom of movement in your jeans, we strongly advise against skinny fit jeans. Instead, choose loose fit, boot cut or straight leg jeans. If, on the other hand, you have slim and/or toned legs, you might be the type to go for a slim fit or skinny fit men's jean. Many say they are like a second skin on your legs. The jeans accentuate your figure and are ideal for androgynous looks.
Which shoes go with which trouser shape?
| Fit | Footwear |
|---|---|
| Straight Leg | different footwear (elegant, sporty) |
| Slim Fit | can be combined with any footwear (sneakers, Chelsea boots, leather lace-ups) |
| Boot Cut | Boots (hiking, biking boots), mainly robust shoes |
| Loose Fit | Sneakers |
| Skinny Fit | Converse Chucks, trainers with a slim silhouette, slim boots |
| Tapered Legs | slim shoes, trainers and trainers, no boots |
| Skinny Fit | Converse Chucks, sneakers with a slim silhouette, slim boots |
| Jeans Shorts | Sneakers, no boots |
How do I wash my men's jeans?
- Washing: In general, jeans should not be washed hotter than 30 degrees. It's best to use the gentle or delicate cycle if possible. Wash them with other jeans of the same colour or mix them with your coloureds. Use liquid detergent for delicates or colours and do not use fabric softener.
- Drying: Since most jeans are not only made of pure cotton, but also have a percentage of spandex or polyester, do not put them in the dryer. To air them, lay them out instead of hanging them up to protect the fibres.
Conclusion
It is hard to imagine today's fashion world without men's jeans. Thanks to the variety of cuts, colours, washes and effects, there is something for every taste and figure type. They can be used to create a variety of looks. Men's jeans inspire with their combination strength and at the same time pleasantly casual wearing comfort. Whether for formal occasions, combined with a casual T-shirt, with hoodies or an elegant shirt - they are classic fashion all-rounders and absolutely belong in every man's wardrobe. It is not without reason that it is the most popular garment in the world.
Image source: Molcan / 123rf
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