Fit, Cut and Wash—Repeat as Necessary
Men’s Fashion: Part II – Denim
Since jeans are such a versatile piece in every man’s closet, it is essential that your jeans are the right wash, fit and cut. Just the way women have trouble finding the right fit, men deal with the same issues. Boot cut and skinny jeans are not for every man, so make sure you are only wearing jeans that work for your body. Along with the fit and cut you should also pay close attention to the wash of the jeans—in layman terms, the color.
Because we wear jeans more often than not, it is vital that they fit well and essentially compliment you. Unlike professional clothes that limit one’s personal style, jeans give you room to express yourself and get a little creative. In the work place when you are walking around in your khakis and baby pink button down tucked into your pants, no one would ever know that you have a little punk-rock in you. Its only when you get into your skinny jeans and your t-shirt that someone would know how you define yourself. Along with practically every article of clothing you will ever put on your body, your jeans say something about you.
So now that the days of wearing jeans below your butt are over—thank God—men should focus on the fit of their jeans.
Depending on your personal preference and comfortable level, try to get jeans that fit closer to your body. The big baggy jeans that you wore in 8th grade are a negative now. Also, the jeans that you wore 30lbs ago also need to go. The main reason they need to go is because they make your butt look ugly and saggy. Who wants a man with that kind of butt? You are night, no one.
When trying on jeans make sure they fit your waist, crotch and thighs. You might not want your jeans to fit as tight around your waist as your dress pants so find a pair that rests on your hips. Next you want to make sure that the jeans fit your crotch. Some jeans are “low-rise” and that might not work with your body shape so make sure you feel comfortable in your pants. Lastly, you want to make sure that when you sit and your legs flex that your jeans don’t tear. They might be fitted jeans but they need to fit your thighs which are the thickest part of your legs. If they are too tight then move on to a different size or cut. The cut of the jeans will be very useful when trying to find a pair of jeans that fit. If you have thick muscular legs then trying to squeeze into some skinny jeans might not the best idea. You might have to stick to a loose fit or relaxed fit. You might be able to wear a boot cut jean, but again, without trying it on you won’t know for sure. If you have skinnier legs and don’t want to do skinny jeans then try a slim fit, straight fit and/or boot cut. These jeans are cut a little narrower and will fit closer to your leg without being too tight. You might end up trying on a few different pairs—different sizes and cuts and even brands to find the one that compliments you. Just because your mother bought you Levis when you were 10 does not necessarily mean that Levis look good on your 15 years later.
After you have found a cut and have learned your size in jeans you should start to look at washes. Denim washes go from dark to light, distressed to frayed to untouched. The wash of jeans is a good indicator of your style. If you are more sophisticated, then your jeans might be a dark blue with little to no distress. If are more laid back and relaxed then your jeans might have a few frays, some distress and can range from a wide array of colors from light blue, almost white, to dark blue and even gray. It is always useful to ask someone for their opinion on jeans, especially someone who works in these stores. People who work at Levis, Lucky, True Religion, Diesel etc are all experts in jeans. They might have their own sense of style but it doesn’t have to encroach on yours. They can give you their expert advice.
Finding the right pair of jeans with an excellent wash instantly upgrades you from a fashion mishap to a swank gentleman. Also, my last bit of advice…ALWAYS wear a belt with your jeans.
