The Best Jeans for Men Aren’t Just a Pair of Pants, They’re an Identity

There are two types of menswear products that are extraordinarily easy to fall in love with — a clean pair of leather boots and a well-fitting pair of jeans. The best jeans for men are the ones that can be relied on everyday to compliment a man's body type, provide flexibility when in motion, and remain unraveled over the years despite inevitable dings and scratches.

In this way, men's jeans become an identity. People take note about the way a man wears his jeans and the fit he chooses; they say a lot about his character. Is he a steadfast man who buys the same pair of Levi's 501 Originals every year or does he experiment with trends like carpenter jeans, patchwork, or relaxed fit? It's fine to do a little of both, but one thing is for sure — the fit needs to be on point.

Shopping for Jeans: A Good Fit Is Essential

Men's jeans need to fit, and they need to fit well. But fitting well doesn't have to mean fitting tight. The proper fit isn't restricting nor is it slouchy; instead, the ideal is to sit under or at the waist and produce some sort of proportional shape. As easy as it sounds, many guys have issues with fit because of the size of their quads, calves, and hamstrings, among other things.

The first step in determining the best pair of jeans for you is getting an idea of the shape and size of your body and seeing how that compares to the three generalized body types — ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. Not every guy with fit any one of these perfectly, but it's a good place to start.

Determining Your Body Type for Jeans

Here's what you need to know to figure out what body type is most like yours so you can find the best pair of jeans:

• An ectomorph is typically taller (but can be short), has a smaller frame, and displays very lean (or skinny) muscle mass. Think Adam Levine, Matthew McConaughey, or an NBA baller like Kevin Durant. Ectomorphs should look toward straight-fit jeans with a low-to-regular rise and avoid super skinny jeans as the tight fit will makes them look even smaller.

• An ectomorph-mesomorph is a tall-ish, skinny-ish guy who is slightly larger than an ectomorph but slightly smaller than a mesomorph with moderate muscle definition. The best jeans for men of this body type are straight- or slim-fit with a low rise.

• A mesomorph is an average guy with an average frame. This body type is typically athletic with a lean, muscular build and showcases a rectangular shape. These guys should seek athletic, straight, or slim-fit jeans with a low or medium rise.

• A mesomorph-endomorph is slightly larger than a mesomorph but slightly smaller than an endomorph and is typically average height with big muscle mass—think Chris Hemsworth after training for Thor: Love and Thunder. These guys should lean into athletic, relaxed, or slim-straight jeans with good stretch.

• Finally, an endomorph is a large guy with a large frame. Typically, endomorph guys are short and stocky (but can be taller) with heavy muscle mass and a wide, round frame. Taller endomorphs should look for athletic-fit jeans or anything with a wide-leg to go over those quads and avoid low rise jeans at all costs. Shorter endomorphs should seek slimmer jeans or an athletic slim-fit and avoid wide legs, as these will make them look heavy.

With these body types in mind, you can form a general idea of which jeans will look most flattering. It's always important to pay attention to a brand's size chart, though, to make sure you order the best size based on measurements.

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The Best Jeans for Men in 2023