IF you don’t own a pair of black jeans, what are you playing at? This incredibly versatile staple can be dressed up or down like no other garment.
Wear them casually with a T-shirt and trainers or dress them up with an unstructured blazer and overcoat, the choice is yours. The key is to find a pair that fits first and foremost, with a fairly slim, flattering cut that moves with you rather than against you.
However you choose to wear yours, and whether you go for a pair cut with a tailored fit or something more relaxed, chances are you’ll find yourself reaching for black jeans more often than not.
From buying tips to the best black jeans on the market, here’s everything you need to know.
Amazon Essentials black jeans
- Essentials black jeans, from £21.10 at Amazon - buy here
With a slim fit that sits below the waist and narrow legs that taper down to the hem, this trim pair of black jeans is ideal if you’re after a close-fitting cut.
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Try them with black or brown leather boots and finish with a flannel shirt for a dose of classic American style.
Wrangler black jeans
- Wrangler jeans, from £33.51 at Amazon - buy here
Wrangler is one of the denim OGs, and this pair of black jeans shows why.
The tapered cut is neither too slim nor too relaxed, ensuring they’re about as versatile as it gets.
The denim is also woven with 1% elastane for an added dose of comfort that you’ll no doubt appreciate throughout the day.
Levi’s 501 black jeans
- Levi's 501, from £52 at Amazon - buy here
Levi’s can genuinely lay claim to inventing denim jeans, given the fact it’s been producing them since the mid-1800s.
The US brand has made some iconic styles in its time, but none more so than the 501.
This classic cut has been worn by everyone from James Dean to Marlon Brando and comes with a relaxed, straight cut and a comfortable mid-rise.
Blue is the obvious choice, but a black pair is cooler and even more adaptable.
Jack & Jones black jeans
- Jack & Jones comfort fit, from £24 at Amazon - buy here
For something equally relaxed but with a bit of added comfort, try this pair from Jack & Jones. Cut with 70% cotton, 28% polyester and 2% elastane, they’re just as stretchy as they are versatile.
Lee black jeans
- Lee stretch jeans, from £39.85 at Amazon - buy here
Lee is one of the original big three, along with Levi’s and Wrangler. This slim-fitting pair is made with a stretch athletic waistband, making them feel more like your favourite pair of sweatpants than rigid denim jeans.
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Carhartt black jeans
- Carhartt relaxed jeans, £79 at End Clothing - buy here
Carhartt is well known for its staple workwear pieces, including its chore jackets and durable work shirts.
But its jeans deserve a mention too. This relaxed tapered pair will flatter most body types, while its 100% organic cotton denim and woven brand patch add a touch of class.
Asket black jeans
- The black denim jeans, £125 at Asket - buy here
Asket essentially produces the clothes you need.
Take, for example, its perfectly fitting T-shirt, or its well-honed dress shirt.
They are beautifully-made, staple pieces that will form the backbone of your wardrobe. Its black jeans are no different.
This pair is made with custom ‘stay black’ denim, which will retain its midnight tone through numerous washes.
Cos black jeans
- Recycled cotton jeans, £59 at Cos - buy here
For this pair, Cos has gone with non-stretch recycled cotton, and done without metal rivets, making this pair easy to recycle once they’ve reached the end of their lifecycle.
In the meantime, the regular fit and tapered leg will ensure they get plenty of wear.
Power House black jeans
- 90s jeans, £68 at Blacksmith Store - buy here
With a laid-back, relaxed fit, these Power House jeans are perfectly suited to a casual wardrobe of equally chilled staples.
Try them with boxy tees, hoodies and trainers and you can’t go wrong.
Nudie jeans black jeans
- Gritty Jackson dry black jeans, £105 at Nudie Jeans - buy here
Coming with a regular fit and a straight leg, these raw denim jeans by Nudie can be worn every day.
Dress them up with a roll neck and overcoat in the autumn, or keep things simple with a polo and Desert boots in the spring.
Buying considerations for the best men's black jeans
Fabric
Fabric is at the heart of what makes denim jeans so great. This sturdy, durable fabric has been powering jeans for over a century, and was first loved by the miners and cowboys it was designed for in the American west.
Today, it’s just as practical but also stylish. Denim has become a staple of casual wardrobes, beloved as much for its toughness as it is for the visible weave of its fabric.
When it comes to choosing a pair for yourself, it’s worth considering the elasticity of the fibre. Some denim comes with a slight stretch built in, making them incredibly comfortable straight off the rack.
For a more purist’s take though, consider raw denim, which is 100% cotton and generally much coarser than stretch denim. This is the fabric to go for if you want to break in a pair of jeans, making them entirely your own.
They won’t be especially comfortable straight away, but given time, raw denim will feel like a second skin.
Fit
The way a pair of jeans fits is largely down to personal preference. If you want ultimate versatility, consider a slim, tapered cut, which is fairly form fitting and will get narrower towards the hem. This is a pair you can wear with everything, from tees and polos to shirts and smart overcoats.
Remember not to go too slim though. You don’t want to be restricted in your movement with something that’s too tight on the thighs and is uncomfortable to sit down in.
For something more relaxed, try a wider cut. Popular over the years with skaters and those who value comfort above all else, wide-legged jeans are incredibly easy to wear, and best suit casualwear.
Wear them on the weekend with chunky knitwear in winter, or similarly boxy cut Cuban collar shirts in spring.
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