Ever since Levi Strauss obtained his patent for putting rivets on men’s work pants, which he then made from denim, jeans have been a timeless staple in menswear. While Levi’s continue to be popular to this day – cementing the very fact the denim pant will never go out of style – a quite literal sh*t tonne of other brands make their own version of the ubiquitous men’s trouser.
Levi’s’ very first pair of jeans, the 501, came in what is known as an Original fit, which essentially means a straight leg all the way down, with room for your thighs and shins to breathe. Times change, however, and today the skinny fit is one of the most popular around. The style became especially popular around 2010, and it was tough to spot anyone not wearing a pair as you walked down the high street.
Skinny-fit jeans, by their very definition, are skinner through the entire leg. This means they could feel more constricted, but this is something guys prefer since it doesn’t give off a baggy, unkempt look. Instead, skinny fit jeans provide men with a much sharper appearance, especially those in dark blue or black colours.
Although, as with anything tight-fitting, you should always consider what might be on show if the pair you’re wearing is extra snug. More importantly, the skinny fit has been applied to all manner of colours and styles, whether it be black skinny jeans, ripped skinny jeans and for guys with especially thin legs, you can even find some brands putting out super skinny jeans.
Slimmer fits – those with a bit of extra room in the leg – and straight-leg fits are slowly making their way back into the mainstream, but there will always be a place for skinny jeans in the wardrobes of men everywhere.
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Not sure which brands you should be checking out when it comes to skinny jeans for men? Allow us to reveal all, with this definitive list of best skinny jeans for men to buy right now.
Everlane
1/20
Price: From $98
Sizes: 28-40
Our go-to brand for pretty much all menswear, Everlane consistently knocks it out of the park when it comes to style, fit, pricing and quality. Everlane is committed to sourcing only the finest, most sustainable materials wherever possible and ensures its factories are all run in ethical ways.
Everlane’s skinny jeans for men comprises pairs in both Japanese denim for the sharper, evening looks and four-way stretch denim for those casual off-days.
Bonobos
2/20
Price: From $149
Sizes: 28-40
Bonobos was born because founders, Andy Dunn & Brian Spaly, couldn’t find men’s pants that fit (they were either too tight or too boxy) and wanted to fix this common problem men face while shopping.
They fixed it with their not-so-secret secret: all Bonobos’ pants have a curved waistband that conforms to the natural shape of men’s waists. Bonobos then expanded into producing awesome shirts, suits, swimwear; you name a piece of men’s clothing, they do it!
Bonobos has quite a few pairs of skinny jeans for men on offer, all made with comfortable and soft cotton denim. Available in a variety of colours and styles, you’re guaranteed to find a perfect fitting pair of skinny jeans at Bonobos.
Outerknown
3/20
Price: From $148
Sizes: 28-38
Another brand to champion sustainability is Outerknown. Founded by world champion surfer turned fashion mogul Kelly Slater, Outerknown offers guys a decidedly laid-back beachy style of clothing that has the unique ability to look just as great in urban environments. All clothing is made to the highest quality and from as many recycled materials as possible.
Outerknown doesn’t have a collection of skinny jeans for men per se, but with tapered fit jeans on the menu, that begin to hug the leg just below the knee, you actually get the best of both worlds.
Hugo Boss
4/20
Price: From $158
Sizes: 28-38
Most likely to be bought by the corporate working professional, Hugo Boss has always been a brand to rely upon for craftsmanship and on-trend styles. Ever the one to cater to all guys, Hugo Boss offers jeans in a variety of fits; interestingly, you won’t find many pairs of skinny jeans for men in the US, but the same can’t be said for the European selection.
Instead, the US gets several pairs of extra slim-fit jeans, which are essentially the same thing as skinny jeans for men. Definitely more suited to evening wear, you can be sure you’ll be looking your best in Boss.
AllSaints
5/20
Price: From $169
Sizes: 28-38
If there’s one brand to really get behind the skinny, punk rocker look, it’s the British label AllSaints. Founded on the fashionable streets of London, AllSaints has nailed the alternative look and now occupies a dominant position within the men’s denim space (along with its leather jackets). With both skinny and extra skinny jeans for men on the books in black, washed black and blue, you can now get the London look wherever you may be.
Mission Workshop
6/20
Price: From $260
Sizes: 28-38
San Francisco-based menswear brand Mission Workshop is something of a rarity. The company researches and develops its own fabrics that are simply sublime. The vast majority of the brand’s clothing is waterproof, or at the very least incredibly durable. Their clothing may cost a little more than some other brands, but you really do get what you pay for, making their stuff worth every cent.
The Mission Jean sits alone in the company’s clothing collection for jeans but isn’t actually made from denim. Instead, they’re made from a water-repellent fabric designed in-house and made in Italy. Promising to retain its shape for its entire life, and offering stretch in all the right places, they’re the only pair of skinny jeans for men you could need.
Club Monaco
7/20
Price: From $129
Sizes: 28-38
We’re big fans of Club Monaco here at DMARGE. Offering well-priced menswear essentials that are a step up in quality over your average high-street store, they’re the perfect brand for guys wanting to give their wardrobe an upgrade. The brand’s super slim range of jeans give off the illusion of a figure-hugging appearance, but without the uncomfortable constriction that can come with it. Instead, you get plenty of stretch. Available in a range of colours and washes, you’re covered for all occasions.
Frank & Oak
8/20
Price: From $100
Sizes: 28-34
Canadian menswear brand Frank & Oak has put sustainability at the forefront of everything it does ever since it was born. Recycled materials are used wherever possible, but where they aren’t, the manufacturing process itself is made as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
Frank & Oak offers a few fits of denim, including the Tyler skinny. Made from stretch denim and featuring a regular rise to give you enough room for the valuable, they’re some of the best skinny jeans for men on the market.
G-Star RAW
9/20
Price: From $160
Sizes: 26-40
No list of best jeans would be complete without featuring G-Star RAW. The Dutch designer denim label is regarded as a pioneer of the raw denim look, generating fans worldwide. Today, the company continues to output quality pairs of jeans, factoring in all styles: think ripped, distressed, washed and regular.
And, being a jeans brand, you can expect to find numerous pairs of skinny jeans for men, some of which are made from sustainable fabrics.
Nudie Jeans
10/20
Price: From $110
Sizes: 28-34
A favourite among denim devotees, Nudie Jeans positions itself as a brand that only uses organic cotton for all its pairs of jeans. Better still, Nudie ensures the longevity of each pair, offering free repairs and the promise you’ll get the perfect fit if you wear them for 6 months without washing, they’ll be a partner for life.
Nudie offers three skinny jeans for men styles: Skinny Lin, Tight Terry and Hightop Tilde. You’ll find differences in the rise and the waist, so it’s worth shopping around to see which suits you best.
Ksubi
11/20
Price: From $195
Sizes: 28-40
Australian fashion brand Ksubi has become well-known worldwide for its denim collection. Comprising a range of styles from the regular look through to distressed and ripped, and some pairs even featuring prints and text emblazoned upon them, there really is something for everyone.
The Van Winkle is Ksubi’s take on skinny jeans for men. Effortless in style and guaranteed to win you street style point, Ksubi is a brand you need to be taking notice of.
Levi's
12/20
Price: From $90
Sizes: 27-38
The brand that started it all: Levi’s. While the US denim company sticks true to its roots by continuing to produce the original 501 fit, it has to keep up with the ever-evolving trends, and the 510 skinny is the result. Serving up a clean look and a fit with enough stretch to keep you moving through the day. Better still, they comfortably fall into the affordable category.
Acne Studios
13/20
Price: From $240
Sizes: 28-36
Swedish fashion label Acne Studios holds great respect around the world for its unique approach to clothing. Jonny Johannson, the company’s founder, has a great interest in art, photography and architecture, and these influences shine through in his pieces.
The North collection of skinny jeans for men offer incredible quality, combing a comfortable stretch denim fabric with a mid-rise and zipper fly. A generous selection of waist sizes is available too to help nail the perfect fit.
DENHAM
14/20
Price: From $150
Sizes: 27-40
Dutch jean maker DENHAM has been on an unwavering path towards quality ever since its founding in 2008. With jeans at the very heart of the business, DENHAM ensures every single pair is made from the best possible fabrics to keep up with daily life and the rigours that come with it.
The brand’s skinny jeans for men collection is extensive and offers greater variety over some other brands by offering various leg lengths alongside the usual lineup of waist sizes. No more visiting alterations specialists or rolling them up.
ASOS
15/20
Price: From $32
Sizes: 26-44
British fashion behemoth ASOS is the brand to turn to if affordability and choice are the two most important things to you. Catering for pretty much all sizes, budgets and fashion tastes, if there’s something you’re thinking of in particular, chances are ASOS makes it. The online store, naturally, stocks a huge range of designer brands, but its own ASOS Design label is the one to turn to for the basics. Naturally, the retailer has a huge range of skinny jeans for men, available in multiple styles and colours.
John Elliott
16/20
Price: From $298
Sizes: 28-38
A favourite among Hollywood’s elite, John Elliott is a brand for all the craftsmanship-fanatics out there. No fast fashion protocols here, but rather an in-depth process that ensures each piece meets John’s strict criteria for fit and style. John Elliott doesn’t have a specific range of skinny jeans for men, but with slim tapered pairs on the books that provide a similar result, we don’t think you’ll be complaining.
A.P.C.
17/20
Price: From $265
Sizes: 27-32
Parisian label A.P.C. first found fame in the late 1980s for its range of quality denim. While the company has naturally expanded into other areas of clothing, jeans remain a serious earner for the business, and so receive much time and attention to ensure they’re the best they can possibly be.
The Petit New Standard series of jeans are designed to be unisex, so you can share with your other half if you wish. Serving up a “very tight leg” and a low rise complete with a button fly, these skinny jeans are built to last.
Prps
18/20
Price: From $238
Sizes: 28-44
Prps is widely regarded as being the brand to bring quality Japanese denim to American shores. The collection has diversified as time has gone by, and so now offers pairs of jeans with strategically placed splatters of paint, rips and some of the best skinny jeans for men in black we’ve seen.
Edwin
19/20
Price: From $219
Sizes: 30-35
Japanese denim brand Edwin was founded in 1947, so certainly has plenty of experience under its belt when it comes to perfect the fit and style of every single pair of jeans it creates. Influential in every sense of the word, Edwin jeans represent serious quality. With several pairs of skinny tapered jeans on the books in a range of colours and washes, and all being made from Japanese selvedge, you know they’ll last you a lifetime.
Uniqlo
20/20
Price: From $50
Sizes: 30-35
Another Japanese brand doing denim proud is Uniqlo; one of the best labels out there for affordable basics and essentials. With a comprehensive range of jeans in skinny and ultra-skinny fits for guys to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice. And with a solid choice of waist sizes too, finding the perfect fit of skinny jeans should be easy.