There’s truly nothing like a good pair of jeans. A pair that’s comfortable, reliable, and goes with just about any look you’re attempting to pull off – don’t underestimate how much of a dynamic difference some simple denim can really make.
Since their invention on the American frontier in the late 1800s, the blue jean (and its related counterparts) have made an everlasting impression on not just American style, but on the entire global fashion landscape. Worn by blue collar workers, country singers, tech billionaires, and presidents alike, jeans are for everybody and anybody. Indeed, the people’s pants!
But while a lot of denim is perfectly passable, getting the right pair can take an outfit from fine to fantastic over just a few details and fit components. That’s why we think it’s important to own some jeans you truly love, not just some pairs you’re okay with.
Trust us, with some of the jeans we’re about to recommend here, you’ll never want to take ‘em off. Of course, you should, for sanitary purposes. Though then again, there do exist some raw denim enthusiasts who insist you should never wash them.
You do you. In the meantime, here’s a few of our absolute favorite pairs of jeans for the modern man in 2024.
The Best Everyday, All-Purpose Jeans: 501® ’93 Straight Fit Men’s Jeans by Levi’s
Since writing about menswear has been a thing, people have rushed to recommend the classic Levi’s 501 jeans. But we dare to go a step further and recommend the ‘93 version even more. These vary a bit from the standard 501s in that the rise is a tad bit higher, letting it sit on your natural waist.
Other than that, it’s very much the same 501 jean that everyone loves so much. Available in tons of iconic washes and colors, you can expect a typical straight fit that flatters most body types. If you find the thigh a bit too slim for your liking, you can always go for the 505 – but we really love these.
Available for under $100 and not too hard to find on sale, these are some of the best jeans for any look or purpose. All day, every day.
The Best Budget Jeans: Wrangler® Cowboy Cut® Original Fit Jean in Prewashed Indigo
If you’re not looking to spend too much but still want a great pair of jeans, look no further. Many have praised the iconic Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans for their comfort, durability, and enduring style.
We champion the prewashed indigo, as it’s arguably the most classic blue jean look, but other washes are nice, too. These jeans feature a mid-to-high rise and a slight, subtle flared leg that lets them fit easily over your favorite cowboy boots. Not to worry though, as they still look right at home with any pair of sneakers.
The best part? They’re under $50, and often go for even cheaper. Don’t overlook ‘em!
The Best Starter Selvedge Jeans: Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jean by Buck Mason
Buck Mason is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to putting out brilliant styles inspired by prime Americana, workwear, and the occasional western aesthetic. Their Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Full Saddle Jeans may sound like a bit of a mouthful, but they’re one hell of a pair of jeans.
Not only that, but they’re a great place to start if you’re looking to explore the big (and admittedly, slightly intimidating) world of selvedge denim. Unwashed and stitched with a signature red selvedge stripe, it’s up to you to break these bad boys in, but don’t worry, they’re softer than they look and you’ll look great while doing it anyway.
With a higher rise and a fuller cut through the leg, these made-in-the-USA jeans have a pretty damn timeless look to them, while still giving off a slight vintage flare. The more they age, the more they’ll fade, and the better they’ll look.
At $228, they might be a bit of an investment, but we promise you’ll want to wear them so much they very well begin to pay for themselves.
The Best Workwear Jeans: 80s Painter Pant (Raw Denim) by Stan Ray
Stan Ray silhouettes are known for their extremely high rise and workwear origins, and these 80s Painter Pants in Raw Denim are no exception.
Tall, loose, and covered in workwear details, from hammer loops to multiple utility pockets, these give off a great casual look – and they’re made in the USA! They also have some smaller waist sizes available for skinnier fellas, which is always a plus, as a lot of workwear clothing tends to favor wider builds.
These will run you $111, which works well enough for workwear, in our opinion.
The Best Vintage-Inspired Jeans: Vintage 5-Pocket East-West Selvedge Jean by RRL
Ralph’s Lauren’s RRL label has always been about taking the best parts of classic American, rugged style, often with a western twist, and combining it with the signature luxury of the other Ralph Lauren brands.
Their East-West Selvedge Jeans are truly a testament to great vintage style, inspired by 1930s denim, and feature a truly relaxed fit. Made from Tennessee-grown cotton that’s spun and dyed in Japan, they’ll take you for a bit of a trip around the world in their very craftsmanship.
They’re some of the more expensive jeans on this list, landing at $375, but RRL stuff really is some of the best in the game.
The Best Western Jeans: 1520 Fit Standard Straight Leg Jean by Stetson
Stetson denim is made to last, and 1520 Fit Standard Straight Leg Jeans have a remarkably sturdy feel. They’ll soften up once you break them in to be sure, but they’re tough nonetheless, inspired by the jeans of yesteryear’s frontier.
Made from 100% cotton, they feature a comfortable mid-rise and a button fly, not to mention a relaxed bootcut opening – perfect to slip over a pair of boots, naturally.
For $85, these are a very solid deal for an incredibly solid pair of jeans.
The Best 90s-Inspired Jeans: The 1991 Loose Straight Jean by Madewell
Madewell denim has made significant waves in the fashion space, partly due to its soft, comfortable feel and great construction quality.
We love their 1991 Loose Straight Jean for its slightly retro vibe, offering a relaxed, straight fit throughout the thigh and leg that’s quite reminiscent of the jeans worn by celebs in the 90s (especially in its lighter washes). They also include a fairly generous 12 ¼ rise on the waist, and they come in 6 great washes and colors.
At $138, these offer tons of effortless style points.
The Best White Jeans: Flared High-Waisted Jeans In Denim – Ecru by HUSBANDS PARIS
HUSBANDS PARIS is perhaps best known for keeping premium tailoring cool as hell in the year of 2024, but pretty much everything they offer is just as stylish.
Their Flared High-Waisted Jeans in Denim – Ecru have one of the most distinctive silhouettes we’ve seen. Made in Italy, these crisp white jeans are as groovy as they are luxurious, largely due to its brilliantly flared leg opening and high waistline.
They’re made to last, too, with 100% cotton materials and high quality stitching throughout.
Though they’re rather pricey at about $435 USD, no one’s doing it like HUSBANDS is, nowadays.
The Best Budget White Jeans: Classic Jean in White by J.Crew
Yeah, we know that last pair by HUSBANDS was pretty damn expensive. But you can still snag a pair of clean, white jeans to live out all your preppy fantasies for a decent price, as J.Crew very well demonstrates here.
This pair of white denim comes in their Classic Jean model, which has a lower rise and straight fit throughout the thigh and leg.
At $148, they’re a decent value in our book!
The Best Loose Jeans: Loose Jean by Abercrombie & Fitch
A&F’s signature Loose Jean has been a more budget-friendly of fashion bros over on Tiktok and Instagram for a while now, and it’s not exactly hard to see why.
These jeans have a super comfortable, relaxed fit and are made from 100% cotton, without sagging too much and still being pretty damn easy to dress up.
We dig how many colors and washes they offer – over 20! Some are even in a carpenter pant-style variation, which adds extra character to an already visually distinct pair of jeans.
Oh, and they’re only $80. A total steal!
The Best Slim Jeans: Slim Selvedge Jean in Dad Wash by Todd Snyder
Most of the jeans on this list feature a straight fit, which is arguably the most timeless style and therefore one of the best recommendations we can make, but even in 2024, where fits have gotten relatively wide in the fashion landscape, there’s still a place for a good pair of tastefully slim jeans.
This pair by Todd Snyder kind of checks all the right boxes. While there are technically 9 washes and colors available, we think the Dad Wash is the most iconic, ever-so-faded shade of medium blue.
They’re made from a substantial 12.5 oz selvedge denim, with a slim leg and thigh, yet they don’t commit the cardinal sin of pinching all the wrong parts. Up top, there’s plenty of room, while still maintaining a consistent shape and feel.
For $198, they teeter a bit on the pricey side, but we think the right slim-fitting jeans are very well worth it.
The Best Premium Jeans: Indigo Rinse 15.5oz Japanese Selvedge Denim Five-Pocket Jeans by Drake’s
Drake’s doesn’t just do traditional ivy style well – they can get a little bit more rugged with it, too. That’s why these jeans are our top pick for high-end jeans in 2024. They offer a ton, even at an expensive price point.
First off, they’re heavy Japanese selvedge denim, coming in at 15.5 oz in weight, This gives them a significantly better hold over their own shape and drape, and carve out quite the task for you to break ‘em in.
They’ve also got a pleasingly generous rise, elongating your legs ever so slightly while still keeping things fairly grounded and contemporary. Their subtly tapered leg is rather tasteful, keeping things neat and tidy.
Easy to style up or down, they’ll serve your right again and again. A good investment, we think, at $495.
Denim Divine
A good pair of denim should last you a long time and work for a variety of outfits and occasions. That’s why we took the time to make this comprehensive list of the best jeans a man can buy in 2024 – and make it easy for you to find some of the greatest pairs you can buy for practically any budget or purpose.
Just remember to treat your jeans as well as they treat you, and they should be at your (back)side for a long, long time.