Jeans for Men

Men's jeans by Tom Tailor

The story of men's jeans began in the 1870s in the United States. A German immigrant developed an exceptionally hard-wearing pair of work trousers for gold miners, and the tailor Jacob Davis came up with the idea of reinforcing the pockets with metal rivets to make them even more durable. The two men joined forces and filed a joint patent for the first pair of jeans. Practical details were added over time: belt loops, back pockets and, later, the zip fly. The customer base grew steadily. Cowboys, farmers, loggers and railway workers were quick to appreciate the hard-wearing trousers, and the transition from workwear to leisure wear to iconic status symbol happened gradually. Today, jeans are a fixture in every man's wardrobe.

What fits are available in men's jeans?

Tom Tailor offers men's jeans in all the key fits:

• Skinny jeans: the closest fit, sitting tight against the leg from waistband to leg opening
• Slim jeans: close-fitting but not skin-tight — the narrow leg leaves a little more room
• Straight jeans: a straight leg from hip to hem, classic and timeless
• Tapered jeans: narrower towards the bottom — more room up top, narrow leg opening at the ankle
• Relaxed jeans: a loose cut with extra room at the thigh and through the leg

Which men's jeans are on trend right now?

Cuts that offer a little more room than the close-fitting slim and skinny styles of recent years are especially popular at the moment. Tapered jeans are particularly in demand, combining a more relaxed fit through the thigh with a narrow leg opening. Relaxed jeans are growing in popularity too. Classics like the straight jean remain consistently relevant because they suit many occasions and are easy to style.

How do you tell a good pair of jeans?

A good pair of jeans fits well from the start — not too tight, not too loose — and keeps that fit after repeated washing. The leg should fall without pulling, and the waistband should neither dig in nor slip down. A small amount of elastane in the fabric means the jeans move with you without permanently stretching out of shape. Details like neatly stitched seams, sturdy rivets and an even denim weave are further signs of quality.

Which jeans suit which body type?

There's no cut that only works for one body type. That said, there are useful pointers: those with more muscular thighs will find more room in tapered or relaxed jeans than in narrower cuts. Those who want to emphasise a lean silhouette tend to go for slim or straight jeans. Ultimately, though, comfort matters just as much as fit — what feels right on you is the best guide.

How do you look after men's jeans?

Jeans need washing less often than most other clothes — after every wear isn't necessary. When you do wash them, turn them inside out, use a gentle or colour-care detergent and wash at no more than 30 degrees. Avoid the tumble dryer, as denim tends to shrink with heat. Hanging jeans up to air-dry after washing helps them keep their shape. If your jeans contain elastane, it's best to skip the fabric softener, as it can gradually reduce the stretch in the fabric over time.