These jeans are shaped differently than jeans that are marketed as being for women. The jeans in this guide have straight cuts extending across the leg, a narrower waist, and a wider hip. Everyone noted that the jeans looked cheap and the fit felt off. While testing the inexpensive Amazon Goodthreads Mens Standard Comfort Stretch Straight Slim-Fit Jean, Thorin didnt like the whiskers on the front of the pants. The lining of the pockets on the Bonobos feels thin. Sure, they probably wont last forever, but they feel like they might. But all of the raw denim jeans I looked at were exciting for various reasons. These jeans also had fantastic front pocketsthe best of any selvedge jeans that I testedand theyre wide enough to stick your hand inside and easily pull your wallet out.
Availability is an issue, but fit is also more difficult when it comes to jeans. Browse other mens jean trends like colored jeans, black jeans, light wash jeans and more to stay on top of the latest and greatest designs, colors and fabrics in denim only from American Eagle. Although I didnt find the fit to be perfect for my particular body type (my thighs and butt are perhaps bigger than the ideal customer for this pair of jeans), the Chelsea Cone jeans are great for anyone whos particularly skinny (so much so that they were almost, but not quite, skinny jeans). Why its great: Bonobos, which makes our favorite white T-shirt with diverse sizing, has impressed us by making good clothes that come in more sizes than are offered by most other manufacturers. Try out a non-stretch jean with a soft fleece hoodie on cool spring days, and warm up with a graphic tee for a bold style. And those that were available were often cheap. Pockets: A jeans front pockets should be big enough that you can fit your whole hand inside, and you should be able to stick your wallet inside your back pocket. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Our panelists had fewer critiques about the Levis 511s than about many of the other jeans we tested. And we would all remember to button our fly. Some loved the feel of the jeans and said they offered the right amount of stretch (thanks to a composition of 98% cotton with 2% spandex), while still being snug enough to give you a modern look. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. The sewing quality on the Uniqlo jeans was clean and consistent, which was a pleasant surprise considering the price. They come in only one length, an annoying feature when youre paying this much. Berrett noted that the jeans legs wrapped around his thighs too tightly for his comfort, too. A heavier, more expensive pair of jeans with a sophisticated button fly: Buck Mason Ford Standard Jeans. How it feels: Well constructed and with a flattering cut, these close-fitting jeans offer the teensiest bit of stretch to make an already-comfortable pair of pants even more comfortable. Kiya Babzani, owner of Self Edge, phone interview, October 13, 2020, Ashley Weston, celebrity menswear stylist, phone interview, October 13, 2020, Steve Cruz, store manager, Naked & Famous Denim NYC, in-person interview, December 9, 2020, Bruce Sturgell, founding editor of Chubstr.com, phone interview, March 3, 2021. For further information, please see our Privacy Notice. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Ralph Lauren has always been a creator and a curator of timeless American style. He carries things every day. Sturgell said the jeans felt soft, and they offered a slim fit on the legs and thighs without being too tight (which is something that can be a problem for bigger guys with thick thighs). The Unbranded Brand jeans I tested were 14 ounces (common for midweight denim, but heavier than anything else we tested), and I found them and their rope-dried indigo exterior quite substantial and stiff at first. The Uniqlo Slim-Fit Jeans were a great pair considering the $50 price tag. Enjoy free returns within 30 days of the order ship date. Waist: 27 to 48Length: 32 to 34 (with alterations available directly from Uniqlos website)Colors: light wash, dark washMaterials: 98% cotton, 2% spandexReturn policy: within 30 days of purchase. We loved the $200 Hudson Blake Slim Straight Jeans in testing. Sturgell, who wore the jeans in a waist size 44 for testing, told us he appreciated the thought that went into creating a fit for bigger guys. The testers included: Wirecutter editor Thorin Klosowski (who wears jeans in a size 29 waist by 30 length); Neil Berrett, co-founder of Standard & Strange (who wears a size 34 waist by 32 length); Chubstr founding editor Bruce Sturgell (who wears a size 44 waist by 30 length); and This Fits blogger Aliotsy Andrianarivo (who wears a size 33 waist by 28 length). I appreciated their minimal, unbranded look: They have a blank brown tag on the back, as well as cohesively colored copper tin buttons. And these jeans feature an easy elastic recovery that we expect will help them keep their shape and last for a long time.
To evaluate the quality, fit, and comfort of a wide variety of jeans, I researched hundreds of models online, and I tested 30 in person (I wear a size 31 waist by 30 length). One of my editors, Tim Barribeau, said he got his first pair of selvedge denim jeans from the Unbranded Brand, too. The Naked & Famous Super Guy selvedge jeans were especially comfortable to wear and well made, and theyre an attractive light-washed color. Unlike the Uniqlo Slim-Fit Jeans and the Bonobos Stretch Denim Jeans, the Levis 511 jeans max out at a 42-inch waist. Standard & Stranges Neil Berrett noted that the 511s have a bit of visual texture, too, with white flecks feathered throughout the indigo fabric. Hes very well versed in carrying. Their material feels great on the legs, with roomy front pockets that are easy to use. The Joes Asher jeans we tested didnt really fit with my idea of what we were looking for. As opposed to skinny jeans (which wrap tightly around the knee, calves, and ankles), the 511s leave room for your lower legs to breathe; theyre called straight jeans because the leg opening doesnt taper for a tighter fit. And very few wardrobe items are as quintessentially American as a pair of mens jeans. We asked the experts to tell us the difference between a $50 cashmere sweater and a $500 one. And we noticed a couple of loose stitches, but nothing worrisome. And they shrank notablyaround 6 incheswhen we washed and dried them. Regular charges will apply to all other shipping methods. Or for a relaxed style in the office, combine a quality pair of mens straight-leg jeans with a mens blazer or jacket. Aside from the Buck Mason jeans, which cost nearly twice as much, no pair of jeans was as well loved by our panel. We used the following criteria to narrow down our list even further: Construction: We spent time wearing each pair of jeans for a few weeks, as well as poking and prodding them to pinpoint issues like uneven stitching or flyaway threads. Subscribe now for unlimited access. We independently review everything we recommend. When you have the right tools and supplies to clean your white shoes, theyll look like new in no time. Aliotsy Andrianarivo of This Fits and Berrett both complained that the J.Crew jeans were too slim all around, too. Denim [] is even more complicated. With jeans, you not only have to consider the waist size but also how a pair fits around your thighs and calves, how much range of motion they allow, and how high the rise is (so that they sit at the right point on your body). And they come in a wide variety of waist sizes, from a 29 to a 48. Cruz thinks its more complicated than that. We didnt end up recommending them because our testers pointed out some inconsistent construction, though. We've added a note about what to do when our picks aren't available in your size. The fabric is 12 ounces (slightly light for raw denim, but not insubstantial), in an indigo rope-dyed Japanese selvedge denim. Then we found our six favorites at a variety of prices. Buck Mason jeans go to only size 40, so its the most limited sizing of any pair we recommend. The Left Field NYC Chelsea Cone Mills jeans were light and easy to wear. The zipper was especially small, too. Beyond the different Levis cuts, there are also a lot of variants within a single style; this makes it hard for us to guarantee that the pair of 511s you pick up at your local outlet store will be as good as the ones we tested. We think slim jeans should fit comfortablyneither too loosely nor too tightly (compared with skinny jeans). I also assembled a panel of diverse and stylish men to test the jeans, including Neil Berrett, co-founder of Standard & Strange (who wears a size 34 waist by 32 length); Wirecutter privacy and security editor Thorin Klosowski (who wears jeans in a size 29 waist by 30 length, and who put your digital data concerns on the back burner to test 11 pairs of jeans); Chubstr founding editor Bruce Sturgell (who wears a size 44 waist by 30 length); and This Fits blogger Aliotsy Andrianarivo (who wears a size 33 waist by 28 length). These jeans are a few ounces lighter than the Unbranded Brand jeans I tested. Everyone loved wearing them. Use down arrow to navigate to the submenus, to read Ralph Lauren's privacy notice. Also, a button fly is much less likely to break and easier to replace than a zipper. (It has even famously encouraged us to wash our A.P.C. Ralph Lauren reserves the right to end or modify any free shipping offers at any time. Why its great: Whether because of glossy magazines or billboards on the highway, for many people classic blue jeans look just like Levis 511 Premium Slim Fit Mens Jeans. Berrett and Andrianarivo both noted that the sewing quality and the construction were above average, with a strong but light fabric that we think will wear gracefully over time.
Uniqlo, for example, makes jeans that are selvedge stitched without being raw denim, and Levis 501 Shrink to Fit jeans are raw without being selvedge stitched. Its disheartening to see such a premium item restricted to so few sizes. Super-premium raw denim from Left Field NYC (left), and the same pair worn for more than a year (right). If stock seems limited, there may be more available elsewhere on the website. *At the time of publishing, the price was $50. The J.Crew 484s were the jeans that I had the most familiarity with going into this project, and it would be impossible for me not to give them a shout-out: Theyre comfortable to wear, their quality felt hefty and durable, and we think they look great. For a classic daily wear look or a more comfortable style, pair slim-fit jeans with a mens t-shirt. As a bigger guy, Im short and wide.
Around the turn of the 15th century, workers shortened the term self edging fabric to selvedge as an abbreviation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF), approximately 25% of adult males in the USA have a waist size greater than 44 inches; thats a lot of Americans who are not able to purchase one of the most famously American brands. The Levis 511 jeans are a widely beloved slim straight pair. Heres the lowdown, per Babzani: Selvedge denim was originally called self edging fabric because the process created its own finished edge that didnt require more work to prevent fraying. For this piece, we focused on slim jeans marketed for men, though they can be worn by people of any gender. Create a strong throwback look with light washes and hand-made distressing like ripped knees, mended holes, and patches. None of the pairs we recommended shrank notably, but it was an issue with some that we dismissed. Or contact us. But theyre small for their size, and then shrank nearly 6 more inches inches in the dryer. Theres no need for a belt or the ole pull-up motion, and I bet theyd work well with different shoes or boots, too. Non-stretch denim looks good in every fit though, so try them all and find your favorites. Enjoy free Fast shipping on orders made using a RalphLauren.com account. There was an easiness to the structure of AG Jeanss The Tellis that was surprising; in my initial testing notes, I wrote that they felt more like a pair of leggings than a pair of jeans. But its important to acknowledge that we found the number of decent plus-size jeans options to be overshadowed by the significant amount of smaller-waist jeans. And Thorin and Berrett both noted the garish distressing, which makes these jeans more casual than something youd want to wear, say, to the office. The Ford jeans were solidly constructed with tight and neat stitching. Our testers were unimpressed by the shallow and flimsy pockets on the Uniqlo jeans. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). The Unbranded Brand UB101 Skinny Fit jeans are a great, affordable selvedge pair. The stitching down the legs was a bright orange, too, which made these look cheaper than other jeans we tested. I found the pockets were unusable in testingtoo tight for me to stick my hand inside. These dark-wash jeans sit just under the waist, with trim legs that still let your calves and ankles breathe. A very comfortable pair of mid-range raw jeans: Naked & Famous Super Guy Natural Indigo Selvedge. Choose medium washes for a classic blue jean look, or add some refinement with deep indigo hues. 2022 AEO Management Co. All Rights Reserved, Open menu to be able to find the possibility to enable the accessibility. Thorin and This Fits blogger Aliotsy Andrianarivo (who wears a 33 waist by 28 length) both complained about the Bonobos in the slim fit for the same reasons the rest of us enjoyed wearing them: They said the jeans were too roomy and too loose all around, especially in the waist and thighs. They had a thin, linen-feeling to them. If you need a wider fit, the Uniqlo Slim-Fit Jeans go up in waist size more than most of the others we tested. That said, theyre still a pair of $50 jeans, and there are a few tradeoffs: Because the denim is so thin, they dont have as much structure as the other jeans we liked. A stretchier pair of jeans with more size options (left, Bonobos Premium Stretch Denim Jeans) and a high-quality pair of everyday slim jeans (right, Levis Premium 511 Slim Jeans). After a few weeks, I started to look forward to putting them on. It seems like Bonobos put a lot of thought into the construction of their plus-size jeans, he noted after testing. Your estimated delivery date will be provided at checkout. The Madewell Slim Authentic Flex Jeans were simply not as flattering to wear or as comfortable as the Buck Mason or J.Crew jeans we tested for around the same price. They felt smooth and light, but altogether like a different beast than the other blue jeans we tested. But in this case, the inclusion of a small amount of spandex makes the Buck Masons much more comfortable the first time you put them on, compared with raw denim. Maybe its the durable design, the lightweight and soft feel, or the fact that you break them in over time so they become more custom to you and how you wear them. And, all things considered, Id recommend the similarly priced Naked & Famous Denim jeans or the Japan Blue jeans over this offering from Buck Mason. We were concerned that it might break over time, and well keep an eye on it as we long-term test the jeans. Sign in to create lists and save your items for longer than 30 days. They are only slightly above that limit, and they are made of 14.5-ounce denim, with a straight leg, a low rise, and a button-fly zipper. Our testers all appreciated the fit and stretch of the Lucky Brand 121 Slim Straight Advanced Stretch Jean. Non-stretch jeans come in all your favorite mens jeans fits ranging from the straight leg jean and slim jean to the loose fit jean, bootcut jean and Dad jean for an OG style. These jeans have a minimalist look and a substantial feel, and they slowly molded to my body. The DL1961 Nick Slim jeans were dismissed for aesthetic reasons, despite being comfortable (though they felt stiff to the touch). But they have a thinner fabric. And when a customer logs a complainton Reddit or otherwisean employee from one or the other hops in to handle the situation. Waist: 26 to 42Length: 29 to 36Colors: frequently changingMaterials: 99% cotton, 1% elastaneReturn policy: within 60 days. And thanks to the addition of 1% elastane, theres some stretch for additional comfortbut not so much that this pair struggled to return to the original shape. Like the 511s, the 512s feel well made and durable. After conducting interviews with experts and testing with a panel of diverse bodies, weve narrowed our list to four terrific pairs that are both comfortable and good-looking. There are lots of little details about the Buck Masons that make them special: They have high-quality stitching and rivets, and they have a button fly, which Neil Berrett noted is often reserved for premium denim. Length: 34Colors: various colors and patternsMaterials: 100% cotton selvedge denimFabric weight: 12 ouncesReturn policy: up to 21 days for store credit. They should fit straight through the hip, with a narrow opening around the leg. Also, these jeans had lots of flyaway threads popping out from the pockets and around the ankles. Together we selected a well-loved and comfy pair of slim jeans with a classic American vibe, a stretchier pair of denim jeans in the widest variety of sizes, a flattering pair of straight slim jeans affordable enough to stock up on, and (my personal favorite) a heavyweight pair of jeans with a button fly. They seemed skinny, rather than slim, too, and they didnt complement my figure.
The sewing was not particularly clean on the Lucky Brand jeans, though. The jeans felt of a higher quality than the similarly priced competition, and they barely shrank in washer and dryer tests (about 2 inches total across all dimensions). And thats the beauty of [raw] denim, he said. If the skinny Super Guy isnt for you, Naked & Famous offers a ton of different fits (as well as dozens of fabric options): Weird Guy (standard tapered), Easy Guy (laid back), Strong Guy (high-rise relaxed), Groovy Guy (boot cut), Stacked Guy (modern skinny), and Skinny Guy (slim straight). I secretly loved the RRL Slim Narrow jeans for their labelthe letters R, R, and L running into one another like a streamand their extremely wide pockets. But Neil Berrett (and I) found the fabrics feel to be middle-of-the-road. We tested the 7 For All Mankind Slimmy jeans with our panel. If youre considering the RRL Slim Narrow jeans for their textured feel, their brass-colored buttons, or good-looking label (it was a standout in testing), size up. Caring for your selvedge denim comes down to an aesthetic choice: The more you wear your jeans without washing them, the more fading and lines will become apparent. But if you prefer jeans that are more even- and neutral-lookingand youre concerned about freshness and filthwashing and drying your selvedge jeans is actually a good idea. In a year, our pairs of jeans would look drastically different from each other simply because our bodies and our lifestyles are different. Affordably priced slim-fit jeans: Uniqlo Slim Straight Jeans. All of our testers agreed the jeans were extremely comfortable. We try to keep our links up to date, but retailers may experience stock issues, and jeans companies tend to cycle similar versions of the same items under different names. Breaking them in felt unnatural, like I was working against nature. This offer has no cash value. I used the above criteria to cut the list down to 30 pairs of jeans to test in person. Although the brand name is intended to rail against influencer culture, we find it tired and sexist. Thorin and I loved the J.Crew 484 Slim-Fit Jean in one-year wash denim. Click here to read Ralph Lauren's privacy notice. See our returns policy for details and exclusions. The Gap Soft Wear Slim Jeans with GapFlex were largely fine, but we found more compelling cheap jeans that didnt shrink as much, like those from Uniqlo. This offer is automatically applied at checkout. Why its great: If youre comfortable skipping over our entry-level pick and investing in selvedge denim that will form to your legs a little more quickly and comfortably (and probably last longer than the Unbranded Brand jeans), I loved the Naked & Famous Super Guy jeans. How it feels: These jeans are durable, long-lasting, and heavy-dutybut without being rough or uncomfortable. Orders containing fragrances, rugs, or lighting and orders greater than 30 units are not eligible for Fast shipping. Thorin loved the 512s (he later told us that theyre the jeans he has in his closet). They have a cut bordering on skinny, though they come in limited sizes. Because it takes a while for raw denim to form to your body, I wore them religiouslyand tested them aloneswapping them on and off on a regular basis and jotting down notes about the style, feel, and look. How it feels: Though notably heavy, the Unbranded Brand UB101 Skinny Fit 14.5 oz Indigo Selvedge Denim jeans felt especially comfortable and durable after I broke them in for a month. Our panel testers generally liked the Uniqlos, but they were split between those who thought they were acceptable and those who thought they were great. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions.
Some of the J.Crews bar tack stitches look like they were put on Friday just before closing time, quipped Berrett. Though I wear a size 31 waist (compared with Berretts size 34 and Sturgells size 44), I found that the Bonobos fit my body particularly well. Gaps jeans were really loose around the calves and ankles during our tests, and they shrank almost 5 inches combined across all dimensions. Berrett said there were times that I could convince myself for a brief moment that I was not wearing pants at all, and Andrianarivo marveled that they felt like pajama pants. a well-loved and comfy pair of slim jeans with a classic American vibe, a stretchier pair of denim jeans in the widest variety of sizes, a flattering pair of straight slim jeans affordable enough to stock up on, a heavyweight pair of jeans with a button fly, Best everyday jeans: Levis 511 Premium Slim Fit Mens Jeans, Stylish jeans that come in more sizes: Bonobos Premium Stretch Denim Jeans, An affordable pair of slim jeans with lots of sizes: Uniqlo Men Slim-Fit Jeans, A heavier, higher-quality pair of jeans: Buck Mason Ford Standard Jeans, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF), A stretchy pair of jeans with more size options, favorite white T-shirt with diverse sizing, how much a square yard of the fabric weighs, much less likely to break and easier to replace, selvedge stitched without being raw denim, Unbranded Brand UB101 Skinny Fit 14.5 oz Indigo Selvedge Denim, buttons and belt loops on the Unbranded Brand jeans may pop and fray, Naked & Famous Super Guy Natural Indigo Selvedge, Left Field NYC Chelsea Cone Mills 13 oz Denim Jeans, A slim pair of raw selvedge denim with perfect stitching, Lucky Brand 121 Slim Straight Advanced Stretch Jean, Japan Blue J104 Circle Selvedge Skinny Jeans, Amazon Goodthreads Mens Standard Comfort Stretch Straight Slim-Fit Jean. Why its great: The Left Field NYC Chelsea Cone Mills 13 oz Denim Jeans were the most expensive selvedge jeans we tested, and for good reason: The stitching was near-perfect, with no loose threads or buttons, and all the hardware felt like it would last for a long time. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Levis offers a ton of variety in its jean shapes and styles (it can get messy in there). The jeans lost more than an inch alone in the inseam specifically, which is something to consider as you think about how theyll fit your body. I spoke with Kiya Babzani, the co-founder of Self Edge, and Steve Cruz, the store manager at Naked & Famous Denim, to learn the differences between the denim we see in most stores versus raw selvedge denim.
The Buck Mason Maverick Slim Jeans were a totally fine pair of selvedge jeans: They were well constructed, pretty comfortable to wear over time, and the branding was subdued. Any philanthropic donations added at checkout do not count toward the minimum purchase amount. A great pair of jeans can be the foundation of an outfit: Though the jeans themselves may not draw attention, they will elevate whatever else you wear, whether its a white T-shirt on the weekend or a cashmere sweater for date night. Comfort: We considered how the fabric feltwhether it was coarse and rigid, or soft and smoothand how it might feel to wear all day. One of the main advantages of wearing mens pants are the big goddamn pockets, Thorin fumed. Andrianarivo loved themthey were one of his highest-rated pairs of jeans in testing because they were extremely comfortable with the best fit he tried. Link to product AE Original Straight Jean, Link to product AE x The Jeans Redesign Athletic Fit Jean. We tested the premium version because Levis claims theyre more durable, with more stitches per inch than the brands non-premium jeans.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The large leather tag on the back of the pantsfeaturing a reclining topless womanis awful. Shop & get exclusive deals right from your phone. Get jeans wrongtoo baggy, overly distressedand theyre all anyone will notice (for all the wrong reasons). The lower rise of the Bonobos Stretch Denim Jeans worked well for Sturgells body, and the jeans stayed in place better than the other pairs he tested. Though the other jeans we tested were made from 98% or 99% cotton, the Bonobos Premium Stretch Denim Jeans are made from 94% cotton, 5% polyester, and 1% elastane. Why its great: The Uniqlo jeans are a lot higher quality than other inexpensive jeans options Ive seen, Chubstrs Bruce Sturgell said. A short fly made them trickier to button and unbutton quickly. To test raw selvedge denim, I brought in six pairs to wear over the course of two months. Naked & Famous Denim also has solid customer service, which is a lovely touch. H&M suggests that you hand-wash them, which seems a silly task for a pair of $20 jeans. But it can be difficult to find anything from a mainstream retailer that actually works. Bonobos also gets bonus points for providing clearly explained product options. Were keeping our Bonobos for long-term testing, so well continue to update you on how they fare over a longer period. They offer sturdy construction, stitching, and stretch, alongside a classic American (or, rather, Levis) look. We hope that one day our favorite jeans retailers will sell jeans in more sizes. A white T-shirt is the unsung hero of many outfits, and we found five different high-quality, stylish shirts to suit a variety of budgets and sizes. They werent noticeably bad, we just werent floored by them (or their brassy-colored buttons). They have the most stretch in them of any of the jeans Ive tested that have stretch. And, unlike the Levis 511s and 512s we tested, the Levis 541s come in sizes all the way up to a 62 waist. There are some Big and Tall retailers that understand style is as important to a plus-size audience as it is to anyone elseSturgell mentioned Fat Trunk Jeans and a UK brand called Kam Jeanswear for their extended sizes, specifically. Both Naked & Famous and Tate and Yoko receive positive feedback online about their customer service. And though theyre stretchy, their shape didnt bounce back as well as that of pricier jeans. Theyre slimming, but they molded to my body and around my curves in a flattering way. They shrank about 5 inches total in our washing and drying tests: inch around the waist, inch around the hip, inch in the thigh, 1 inch lengthwise, inch across the knee, and 1 inches in the inseam. Waist: 28 to 54Length: 28 to 36Colors: rotating seasonal selectionMaterials: 94% cotton, 5% polyester, and 1% elastaneReturn policy: within 45 days for a refund; up to 90 days for a store credit. Levis has also been critiqued for inconsistent sizing in its jeans.