The mens denim fit guide
Jeans in need of a refresh? Scroll for our new-in styles and silhouette breakdowns.
Let’s face it: shopping for a new pair of jeans can feel like a tough ask. With countless fits, sizes and styles to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. To make the process easier, we’ve created a handy guide that covers all your denim needs, featuring the top picks from our latest collection.
The Authentic Tapered
Think of this style as the elevated take on a slim jean. New for FW26, The Authentic Tapered is designed to offer more room through the thighs before narrowing towards the ankles, creating a clean silhouette without feeling restrictive. A modern classic, they look just as good teamed with a polo shirt as they do with your favorite hoodie.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: relaxed, with enough room for comfort.
Legs: narrow gradually for a sleek, contemporary shape.
Length: full length, finishing neatly at the ankle.
The Barrel
Another style that’s fairly new to the denim world. This silhouette takes cues from wide-leg denim but adds a voluminous, ‘balloon-like’ twist. With a relaxed fit through the thigh that tapers towards the ankle, it’s an easy-to-wear style that can be dressed up or down effortlessly.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: relaxed through the hips and thighs for a comfortable, easy wear.
Legs: curved silhouette that tapers toward the ankle.
Length: slightly cropped, finishing just above the ankle.
The Baggy
The style of the moment. Enter: baggy jeans, aka your off-duty go-to. Designed with extra room at the back, thighs and knees, this silhouette delivers the perfect blend of comfort and urban edge. Pair yours with chunky sneakers and an oversized graphic T-shirt for an effortlessly cool streetwear look.
For more look inspiration, read our guide on how to style baggy jeans.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: roomy but not oversized, to maintain some shape.
Legs: wide from the thigh to the ankle.
Length: they should slightly cover the top of your shoe, with a small amount of fabric stacking.
The Straight
Striking a balance between skinny and loose fit, their mid-rise, straight-leg cut makes them a polished choice for weekends and semi-formal occasions. Non-stretch fits are ideal for a more authentic feel, but for those who require more flexibility, look to our new Everyday Motion Straight styles. Created with four-way performance stretch fabric, they’re designed to move with you for all-day comfort, while maintaining their shape.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: relaxed but structured, allowing for natural movement.
Legs: a consistently narrow width from the thigh to the ankle.
Length: the hem should sit at the top of your shoes without a build-up of fabric.
The Loose Cargo
If you're looking for denim that’s as functional as it is cool, cargo jeans are the way to go. Combining classic utility pockets with a loose fit, they’re the perfect staple whatever your week looks like. Plus, they look effortlessly cool paired with a simple plain black or white T-shirt. Hello, ‘90s vibes...
Key Details
Hips and thighs: plenty of room for movement, but not too wide.
Legs: designed with a straight cut and a relaxed fit from knee to ankle.
Length: the hem should lightly drape over your shoes without dragging on the ground.
The Relaxed
Sitting comfortably between regular and oversized fits, relaxed jeans have become a firm favorite in recent years. While they offer more room than your regular fit, they avoid the extremes of being too baggy thanks to a straight or subtly tapered leg.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: offer a loose fit without feeling oversized.
Legs: relaxed but not baggy, with a straight or slightly tapered leg from the knee to the ankle.
Length: should fall right on top of your shoes, with enough length to avoid excess fabric.
The Skinny
Despite baggier fits dominating the style game right now, don’t overlook the appeal of skinny jeans. Their form-fitting design has come a long way from their punk-rock association (we have 2000’s bands to thank for that) and is now suited to more formal dressing. Team yours with a fine knit sweater for the office, or with a bomber jacket for relaxed evening plans. We sense a revival underway...
Key Details
Hips and thighs: close-fitting, with some stretch for comfort.
Legs: tapered tightly from knee to ankle.
Length: should sit just below the ankle.
The Slim
Clean, modern and endlessly versatile, The Slim is a failsafe for easy, understated style. Sitting between skinny and straight-leg, they offer a sharp, tailored fit without feeling too restrictive, making them ideal for everyday wear. Seeking a little more stretch? Our Everyday Motion Slim option delivers extra comfort while keeping the same sharp silhouette. Consider your next denim upgrade sorted.
Key Details
Hips and thighs: slightly tapered but not too restrictive.
Legs: the jeans should hug your legs, creating a fitted shape.
Length: sits at the top of your shoes without a build-up of fabric.
FAQs
How Should Mens Jeans Fit?
- This depends on the style and cut. Generally, jeans should sit comfortably on the waist without the need for a belt. A good test for this is to make sure you can fit two fingers between your waist and the jeans. When you sit, your jeans should skim the body and hug slightly without being too tight or restricting movement.
How Tight Should Jeans Be on a Man?
- Mens jeans can be as tight as you’d like them. It’s all down to personal preference, but if you love a fitted look, choose a slim or skinny style.
How Do You Know If Jeans Are Too Big?
- To see if your jeans are too big, try to fit a hand down the back waistband. If you can, you could size down.
Do jeans get tighter after washing?
- You’ll often see some initial shrinking after washing your jeans. This usually goes away or is minimized after wear. Make sure to always check the care label before washing your jeans.