When it comes to reliable denim not all men have a lazy $1,000 dollars to drop on a pair of designer label jeans. Sometimes you just need a pair of weekend beaters which can keep a shirt, blazer or sweater in check without sending you broke.
Enter our cool selection of the best cheap jeans for men under $150. But before we get into the good stuff, it’s paramount you know how to wear jeans properly. More than just sliding your legs through the leg holes, jeans come with specific rules in order to look the best depending on the cut and fit.
Most men opt for this cut in denim simply because of its balance between fit and comfort. Slim jeans have the advantage of following the contour of your legs to form a nice silhouette without strangling your lower half. This nice fit means that slim jeans can be worn with everything from fitted tees to collared shirts to casual suits.
Another popular option is skinny fit jeans. Standard skinny jeans are cut close to the legs but with a bit of tolerance (think loose fitting tights). They are best suited to slimmer guys and the preferred choice for more smart casual looks. Skinny jean combos with knitwear, collared shirts and casual blazers are all compatible with skinny jeans.
Straight jeans are regular cut meaning the trouser leg falls straight from the knee to the hem. The fit and leg openings are usually looser, too. The best combinations for straight jeans are usually looser fitting layers. Double denim works best here with either denim shirts, layered denim jackets or knitted field jackets. Even looser sweaters will work a treat with straight jeans.
Uniqlo
If it's low-cost menswear essentials you're after, then Uniqlo is a brand you can rely on. The Japanese label hits the nail on the head with virtually all categories of menswear and we can rarely fault it.
The company's Ezy Ultra Stretch Colour jeans are, as the name implies, available in a broad range of colours, making them ideal for creating numerous outfits and looks. They're not denim jeans, but rather incredibly soft cotton (it's likely just the stitched detailing that earns them their name) but that allows them to be incredibly stretchy and comfortable for all-day wear.
ASOS
British online retail behemoth ASOS is home to an unbelievably long list of brands, both world-famous and boutique. It's also home to its very own ASOS Design label, and it's this that churns out menswear staples for incredibly affordable prices. A quick change of the filters on the company's site reveals over 500 styles of jeans from the Design label, so we reckon you'll be hard pushed to not find something to suit you.
This stretch slim pair in mid wash blue are as no-nonsense as they come. They rock a regular rise design, have a zipper fly and are made from sustainably-sourced cotton.
Bonobos
American retailer Bonobos was founded with a mission to create the perfect pair of pants. Its founders claim they always struggled to find something that looked good, fitted well and remained comfortable throughout the day. Their solution was to create a pair with a curved waistband to better contour to the body's natural shape, and that design is now channelled through every pair of bottoms it makes.
Bonobos has many pairs of jeans to buy above the $150 mark, as part of its premium range, but these stretch lightweight jeans comfortably fall under that benchmark figure. Made from a Turkish-milled lightweight denim fabric and available in tailored, slim or athletic fits – not forgetting the contoured waistband – and you have the makings for the perfect pair of jeans. Bonobos does sell non-lightweight pairs too, but these could be considered too heavyweight for everyday conditions.
Levi's
Levi's is without doubt one of the most famous, if not the most famous, denim brand in the world. With a history that dates back over 100 years, the company has consistently been at the forefront of the denim industry.
The company still makes its 501 design, but not everyone wants to sit in a bath to have their jeans shrink to fit. Instead, you could go for this slim fit pair from the company's Premium range. Being part of this collection means this pair has been on the receiving end of extra attention and "superior craftsmanship". Available in various shades of black and blue, they could be just the pair to add to your wardrobe.
Hugo Boss
Yes, you really can have true designer label denim for under $150. Ok, so you may have to wait for a sale to be able to snap up the majority of pairs, however there are a few that fall under the bracket on their own accord. No matter which you go for, you can be safe knowing your jeans are going to be made to a high standard in order to earn the Hugo Boss branding.
This slim-fit pair are made from a knitted denim fabric, giving them the look and style of conventional denim, but with the comfort and softness of jogging pants. Could there be a better hybrid? A regular rise gives them universal appeal, and the faded wash detailing nearer the waist has been created naturally during the production process.
G-Star RAW
It may have entered voluntary administration in Australia but elsewhere Dutch denim label G-Star RAW is still regarded as one of the heavyweights in the jeans industry. It's easy to see why, the company produces stylish designs cut from various, quality denim fabrics. Best of all, they're competitively priced, and although a lot of pairs are priced over our budget, some fall under the threshold.
Such as this pair of 3301s. They rock a tried and tested five-pocket design and are perhaps one of the cleanest looking pairs in G-Star's catalogue (no rips or frays here). Cut from a 10.2oz mid-weight denim that contains a hint of elastane to provide some stretch, they'll remain comfortable for every wear.
Everlane
Everlane is an American direct-to-consumer retailer that is fast becoming one of our all-time favourites. Clothes are of a premium quality, especially for the price you pay. Materials used come from sustainable sources and because of the business model employed, you can save yourself money over some of the bigger names in the industry, yet receive essentially the same product in the process. What's not to love?
The Slim Fit Jean is perhaps the standout pair, being made from an 11oz Japanese denim which exudes quality. If slim fit isn't for you, you can get them in either a straight or athletic fit instead, but no matter which you choose, they'll be available in a variety of colours over just the standard black and blue. This sand pair for example are an absolute must-have.
Flint & Tinder
Flint & Tinder is a clothing brand stocked exclusively by online retailer Huckberry, which puts a strong focus on clothing, footwear and gear that can withstand the rigours of an adventurous lifestyle. Its jeans, then, are aimed more at those who need a pair to accompany them out in the bush or on farmland, for example. Or simply for those who like workwear style.
The company's 1-year wash jeans are the result of over 150 years of denim experience, and each pair is made from a bespoke Cone Mills denim. They're hand-washed before rolling off the production line, making each individual pair unique.
