Written by Menswear Style in Tips & Advice on the 31st August 2022

A good pair of jeans is a wardrobe staple, so much so that your jeans probably get more wear than any of your other garments. You can wear your jeans out on a date, to the office, or on a guy’s night. But there are so many cuts, styles, and colours to choose from. Which one works best for you? The most important thing to remember as a man shopping for jeans is that you don’t need to worry about accentuating your body like women do. As a man, you can pretty much throw on any style of jeans and look good, so you don’t need to worry too much about your body type. Rather, you should shop for jeans based on the shape and size of your legs, so you can get something comfortable (and so you can accentuate your muscles). Here’s what you need to know to help you find your next favourite pair of jeans.

Choose a Jeans Style Based on Your Leg Shape

Different styles of men’s jeans tend to be cut around the same around the hips, but may offer varying degrees of room in the legs and bottom. The simplest cut is the straight fit, which runs straight from the hips down to the ankle. It provides a slim fit, but it won’t cling to your legs – the Levi’s 501 is a straight fit jean. The leg hole for these jeans is about eight inches across, so that should give you some idea of what size legs you should have to fit into them. If you have very muscular or thick legs, you will probably need a relaxed fit to accommodate them. If you need more room for your thighs, a straight taper might be the way forward. The straight taper is straight through the thighs, then gets narrower starting at the knee. If you want a jean that will show off your muscular legs, go for a relaxed taper – it has more leg room in the thigh and gets narrower below the knee to hug and show off your calves. A relaxed straight is appropriate for men with meatier thighs and more junk in the trunk. Of course, those aren’t the only jeans styles you have to choose from – indeed, you have so many options when shopping for men’s jeans that it’s no wonder you might feel overwhelmed by choice. Wide-leg jeans are back in style and can help you make a statement. Bootcut jeans are available in slim and relaxed fits, and look great whether you’re wearing boots or regular shoes. If you want to sport a hipster look, slim straight or full on skinny jeans will get you there, although they aren’t going to be the right choice for men with larger legs and hips.

Try a Size Smaller Than You Think You Need 

Most men wear their jeans too big, and baggy jeans aren’t your friend. Sure, they might feel looser and more comfortable, but they detract from your overall look, creating the illusion of bulk where there isn’t any. You’ll look better and feel better if you buy jeans in your size. How can you tell if a pair of jeans fits? They should fit close to your body without being skin tight. You should be able to wear them at the waist without a belt. Grab a pair of jeans that’s a size smaller than you normally wear and try them on. If you can slide two fingers into the waistband, you’re good! 

Get Some Stretch 

You should be able to sit down, stand up, and otherwise move comfortably in a pair of jeans. Take the time in the dressing room to make sure you can move in a pair of jeans before you buy them. Buy jeans with a little stretch – they’ll be more comfortable and fit better. Remember, jeans tend to feel a little tighter when you first put them on, because the fabric will stretch out a little as you wear it.

Go Dark 

Dark wash jeans can go straight from the office into Friday happy hour and impromptu (or planned) night out. Dark colours have a slimming effect, so grab dark wash jeans if you want to downplay the size of your legs and rump. Shopping for a pair of jeans can be a confusing and overwhelming process, but you can wear any style of men’s jeans and look good. The main thing is to get a pair that fits well, so you can look stylish from morning to night.

Choose a Jeans Style Based on Your Leg Shape, Try a Size Smaller Than You Think You Need, Get Some Stretch, and Go Dark.