You probably wear your jeans more than anything else in your wardrobe. No surprise, given they work for any social scenario that doesn’t call for a smart dress code. But subtle design details can take your chosen pair from good to great – you just have to know where to look and what to look out for.
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As a menswear writer and stylist, I’ve seen my fair share of denim, from high street to vintage, small menswear labels to heritage brands (I’m looking at you, Levi’s). And I’ve developed some tried and tested denim shopping principles.
As with most menswear essentials, finding the best pair of jeans is more about fit and finish than trends, so your chosen pair should be well made using a good-quality fabric with a timeless cut to ensure you’ll be wearing them for years to come. This is my edit of the best jeans brands out there, and the styles to try.
The best men’s jeans in 2025
Best heritage denim
Levi’s 555
Best for: the OG pair of jeans
£100 at Levi
£64.40 at Amazon
Like trench coats and Burberry or Harrington jackets and Baracuta, it’s impossible to talk about denim without mentioning Levi’s. The heritage label is credited with creating blue jeans as we know them today more than 150 years ago – and you can still buy that original signature silhouette in 20 different finishes.
I have a few pairs of the OG in my wardrobe, some of which are thrifted, but the cut I’m wearing most right now is the 555. It’s a more relaxed alternative with a dropped seat and wider leg, so it feels on trend without looking excessively baggy. Each of the five colours available (light blue, mid blue, dark blue, indigo, black) is cut from a rigid non-stretch denim, so they’ll retain their shape no matter how long you wear them.
Lee Brooklyn straight
Best for: a slim classic
£75 at Lee
£75 at M&S
Lee started out making one-piece overalls for workers before entering the denim scene in the 1920s, and it remains one of the biggest players today. The website has more than 80 styles to choose from, from a baggy 90s-coded pair to a stretch skinny (although I’d recommend avoiding the latter: this look is more likely to date).
My top pick? The Brooklyn. With a true straight cut and a slight high rise, this is the perfect everyday silhouette that feels relaxed yet intentional. The 13oz denim makes this style heavyweight enough for an expensive feel, while the low level of stretch makes it comfy, too. A win-win.
Wrangler Texas low stretch
Best for: a boot-cut
From £75 at Wrangler
£54.99 at Amazon
Wrangler began making jeans for cowboys back in the 1940s – the first design was the Wrangler 11MWZ, which introduced rear pockets positioned for comfort during riding, no rivets to avoid scratching the saddle, a strong crotch seam to prevent splitting and a boot-cut fit to allow for, you guessed it, boots. You can still buy the same design today; it’s been renamed the 13MWZ because it’s now made with 13oz denim.
Since the boot-cut fit is a trend that comes and goes, it might be safer to go for the Texas, the brand’s regular-fit straight leg, instead. It’s a little slimmer than your average straight leg, so it’s great for guys who prefer a more streamlined finish. These jeans have 1% elastane, so they’re comfy without feeling stretchy, and the waist size runs from 24 to 50 inches, so most body shapes are catered for.
Gap dark indigo loose-fit jeans
Best for: an affordable heritage brand
£45 at Gap
£45 at Next
Gap might not be classed in the denim heritage label big league, but the brand’s history is firmly rooted in denim. The company actually started out as a San Francisco store selling Levi’s jeans (and records) in 1969. The label then launched its own line in 1974.
Fifty years on, it’s a go-to destination for denim. After a rocky patch in 2020, it’s now led by creative director Zac Posen, and the menswear collections are becoming stronger every season. These jeans are a prime example, with an elevated dark blue wash, a baggy yet tapered fit, an authentic-feeling rigid fabric and contrast stitching. The price is comparatively good too.
Best high-street denim
Arket Park regular straight jeans
Best for: high-street denim
£57.75 at Asos
£75 at Arket
Arket is the best place to go on the high street for denim. The Scandi label uses quality fabrics and modern fits for pieces that look more expensive than they are. My pick is this pair of straight-leg jeans in non-stretch denim with a classic-mid-rise waist and legs tapered from the knee. They’re good quality too: I’ve had a pair of these in my own wardrobe for years.
