Every man needs a few pairs of jeans in his wardrobe. They tone down an overly formal outfit and add a masculine touch. Originally, jeans were work trousers worn by sailors and dockworkers in port cities, and later by gold prospectors and miners in 19th-century California. That’s how the trousers we know today, worn by millions, came to be. After World War II, Hollywood actors like James Dean contributed enormously to their rise in popularity.
Although jeans carry history and tradition, they too have become victims of fast fashion. What’s more, even some public figures suggest by their example that any kind of jeans are acceptable.
Classic menswear rules, however, draw a clear line between the heritage of classic jeans and today’s caricatured versions. Here are 5 styles to steer clear of, no matter how tempting they may be!
1. Ripped Jeans
Ripped jeans once signaled that you had been robbed by thieves or torn up by dogs on the road. Though intended to project a rebellious, adolescent vibe, they actually look sloppy and clash with the staples of a stylish man’s wardrobe, such as the shirt, blazer, and tie. At most, a discreet tear may be tolerated—though even that is questionable.
2. Overly Skinny Jeans
As mentioned earlier, jeans were born as a masculine garment. Their later migration into women’s wardrobes increased the percentage of elastane in the fabric, allowing for tighter fits. Thus, skinny cuts convey an effeminate look and contradict the original purpose of denim.
3. Jeans That Are Too Long
Overly long jeans are the most common mistake men make. Some more meticulous men choose to have their jeans hemmed by a tailor. This, however, is a debatable compromise, since any pre-washed pair of jeans has that “worn” look at the hemline. Once cut, this detail is lost and the entire look suffers. The optimal solution is to cuff the jeans on the outside and pair them with boots (with elastic or laces) for a distinctly masculine effect.
4. Low-Rise Jeans
Some hip-hop artists brought this style into the spotlight. Needless to say, this caricature of the classic jean is incompatible with the dress codes any well-groomed gentleman already follows, such as business formal or smart casual.
5. Multicolored Jeans
Pink, orange, green, or even white jeans have, in recent years, been marketed as an alternative to chinos. Still, the color palette of denim is far more restrictive than that of cotton twill. The reason lies in denim’s coarse texture, which makes jeans harmonize only with cool shades such as black, navy, or gray.
So: ripped, overly skinny, too long, low-rise, and multicolored jeans make up our list of modern denim experiments best avoided. This way, you won’t fall prey—out of negligence or lack of knowledge—to failed style experiments.
