Know Your Denim: A Handy Guide To Men’s Jeans

Whether you are a hipster or just an average Joe, it’s safe to say there’s one piece of clothing item you can’t live without. That clothing item in question is a pair of jeans. After all, jeans are a versatile clothing item that can be worn for many occasions. Casual Fridays? Check. Weekend outings? Double check. But of course, no jeans would matter at all if you invest on a pair that makes you look awkward. So, if you are thinking of buying a new pair of jeans in the future, here is a list of handy guide that you should take note:

Understand the jeans fit

Let’s face it, shopping for a pair of jeans can be an intimidating experience. With so many different jeans fit in the market these days, which one is right for you? Well, here’s the glossary to help you choose the right fit.

a) Straight leg

The most common and classic cut among all jeans available. In fact, the name of the cut alone is self-explanatory. This type of jeans is cut straight from the waistband to the ankle below. Straight leg is an ideal fit for most body shapes, even though it looks particularly good for those who is tall and well-build.

b) Boot cut

Unlike straight-leg jeans, boot cut is tapered in the thigh area and flare out from the knee to the ankle. This type of jeans is originally accommodated for those who wear a pair of boots. But these days, boot-cut jeans can be worn with any leather shoes or sneakers. However, keep in mind that boot-cut jeans are more suitable for those with athletic-build and broad shoulders.

c) Relaxed

This type of jeans is almost similar to straight-leg cut, except the overall fit is wide through the leg to the ankle below. True to its name, relaxed fit gives you a roomy yet comfortable feel on the leg. It definitely looks great for those with stocky legs and athletic-build. Skinny or thin guy should avoid relaxed fit, because it can make you look sloppy.

d) Slim

Despite the name of this particular cut, not every slim and thin guy can pull this off convincingly. If you are too skinny, slim fit can make you look unsightly and malnourished. After all, slim fit is designed to hug your body shape. So, if you have a great body shape with tight butt, go for it.

e) Skinny

Once upon a time, skinny jeans are more relevant to girls or guys who want to pull off the 80s rocker style. But these days, skinny jeans are very popular among many men. So, if you have a thin body shape, this cut is definitely for you. But a word of warning, though: leave the overly-snug skinny fit to girls. Instead, look for the one with stretchable type so you wouldn’t look as if you are struggling on a tight jeans.

Pocket matters

Unless you are a daring hipster who love to show off a fancy type of jeans, stick to the basic instead. That means, regardless the type of jeans fit you are planning to buy, it’s best to look for pockets with clean and non-fancy thread pattern. Besides, too much detail on the jeans pockets can easily draw attention to certain parts of your body. This is especially true if you do not have a well-build body frame (e.g. flat butt).

Pay attention to the length and rise

When you shop for a pair of jeans, length is equally important. No matter how you love the design, if it’s too short on your legs, you can forget about it. Even if you found one that is too long, you can at least hem your jeans to a right length. As for the rise of the jeans (which actually means the distance from the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband), your safest bet is to go for “regular rise” a.k.a. mid-rise. Low-rise a.k.a. hip-hugging jeans, on the other hand, can be a risky choice especially for most guys. Unless you wear a longer shirt, your midriff will be exposed each time you move your arms. So, a word of advice though: leave the low rise to girls instead.

Wash your jeans the right way

So, you finally bought your favourite pair of jeans! Now for the wash. Unlike shirts, it’s best not to wash your jeans on a frequent basis. This is to minimise the risk of the fabric colour from bleeding. Also, always turn your jeans inside out before throwing them in the washing machine. When you wash your jeans, it’s best to wash it alone or with other pair of jeans that has similar colour (again, this is to prevent from colour bleeding). If possible, never wash your jeans together with other loads (e.g. shirts, pants and underwear) to prevent unwanted wear-and-tear problem. Finally, always air-dry your jeans by hanging them on a hanger or clothesline clipped with a pair of clothes-pegs.

Hopefully with this handy jeans guide, you will at least have a clear picture of what to look for in the future. Till then, good luck and happy shopping!