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Your roadmap through the treacherous world of men's jeans

This guide to men's jeans will ensure you stay looking savvy.

Published Jan. 29, 2010

We wear them to work. We wear them to play. We wear them on a hot date or out on the farm. We roll them, fray them, cut them or leave them in their original shape. Jeans have shaped the world of casual fashion. They are the happy medium between super casual and dressed-up.

Despite their prestige, it’s not easy to find a good pair of jeans. To avoid this problem, know what you're looking for. If you still have no clue what that is, I present to you the low-down for buying great denim.

Straight leg: The classic

The style that's been around the longest, straight leg jeans can suit anyone from the clean and polished gentleman to the rugged outdoorsman. The perks include a slim, clean line that contours, a lack of extra baggage, a more professional look (whether wearing a tee and Converse or a sharp shirt and trench coat) and no draggage. So forget the frays at the bottoms of your jeans.

Straight leg jeans should fit comfortably and have just enough room to move around in without feeling like you shopped in MC Hammer's closet. They should fit comfortably at the waist, have ample room for your legs to squeeze into and, when sitting, should show just a bit of ankle.

With straight leg jeans, a medium wash usually depicts a somewhat drab look. To showcase your suave style, try either a very dark and raw wash or a powdery, light wash. Extremes with great detailing create another layer of panache that will grab the attention of your friends, coworkers and that cute girl in the coffee line at Lakota.

Boot-cut: For the vertically privileged

And we aren't talking flare-legs. Boot-cut denim should have the slightest break, starting around the knees and darting out barely throughout the rest of the leg. Boot-cuts are great for taller guys because they give the impression of not being gargantuan.

What should be your ideal fit for boot-cut denim? Think of a straight leg jean with a bit more volume at the lower half. Although the lower half is a synch wider than the upper, fit them comfortably. Double-check they don't swallow your shoes and they don't resemble bell-bottoms (unless you're going to a '70s-themed party or participating in roller derby). J.Crew, American Eagle and Express are just some ideas for where to shop for these.

Skinny jeans: Show what you're working with

Two rules for skinnies, guys. First, they should not be tight enough to resemble spandex pants. Second, they should not cut off circulation to the family jewels. Keep it comfortable. Skinny jeans aren't only for skinny guys. For wider-framed brethren who want this look, be sure you have a bit of extra cargo space. The best length for skinny jeans is a tad longer than you would usually buy, creating a modern, slouchy look.

H&M has great skinny jeans that aren't too skinny and that represent the modern man. For a more hipster look, try Urban Outfitters or American Apparel.

Just like the steel frame is an integral part to the construction of the Empire State Building, jeans are necessary for construction of a man's wardrobe. Without them, we would crumble. We would have no structure. Our means of casual wear would be limited to droopy, baggy sweat pants. What a sad world that would be.