The Best Black Jeans for Men to Wear With Any Outfit

There are a few garments more versatile than a pair of black jeans, and it’s something everyone should have in their closet. Whether slim-fitting or baggy, it’s always a good idea to stray away from the traditional blue shades every so often; plus, nothing will go better with a leather jacket, another piece you should consider picking up alongside your stark denim bottoms. But, like with any other article of clothing, pinning down the perfect pair can be difficult, so we did it for you. Find the right match with our guide to the best black jeans for men.

What to look for

Material: You’ll need to decide whether you want 100% cotton jeans (selvedge or not), or jeans with added material for some added stretch like elastane. This is really a personal preference, like choosing between raw or washed denim (with raw being more durable and washed jeans will be more comfortable during the first wears). So make sure you have at least an idea about the material construction you prefer to help narrow your choices down.

Fit: While skinny jeans are all the rage right now, the fit certainly isn’t for everyone. So if you want to be safe, a pair of regular or relaxed-fit jeans with a straight cut will do you good.

Color: Obviously, all of the picks in this guide are black jeans, but they aren’t all the same shade of black (and have likely been dyed via different methods). So pay attention to how the label describes its colors and methods to make sure you’re aware of any possible fading/quirks.

are black jeans in right now?

While black jeans never really completely go out of style (black is always the new black), they are becoming increasingly popular at the moment. And not just black jeans, however, but the shade of black itself. Minimalism has always ebbed and flowed through the fashion world, but giants like Balenciaga and Rick Owens have been leading the charge with sleek, brooding, and black pieces that have taken the industry by storm.

Levi’s 501 Jeans

The Classic Pick: There is classic, then there’s the 501. Since the 19th century, these jeans have been trusted by everyone from prospective gold panners to stylish youngins in the city. You may be more accustomed to seeing the quintessential pair of jeans in a standard shade of blue, but this black-colored pair is a brooding way to class up the already-timeless look.

Dickies Relaxed Houston Jean

The Best Relaxed-Fit Jeans: While the fashion world has heralded Dickies’ original work pants as must-have bottoms, we could say the same about its simple Houston jeans. The sturdy pants are crafted from 12.5 denim and boast a loose fit for optimal freedom of movement and easy-going comfort. And since they’re coming from an American label with over a century of experience crafting durable workwear, you can bet these will last you a while.

Buck Mason Maverick Slim Jean

The Best Jeans with Japanese Denim: Try these out for size if you want to avoid wearing chinos to work daily. Like the 501, Buck Mason’s slim-fitting Maverick silhouette is available in similar colors, but it offers a narrow fit through the leg and thigh for a more tailored look. Plus, it’s rounded out with a button fly to create a custom-like fit. 

A.P.C. Martin Slim-Fit Jeans

The Best Slim-Fit Jeans: A.P.C has been strutting its stylish brand of Parisian minimalism long before Kanye was parading around in his collaborative $120 white tee. While the imprint’s sizing guide can be hard to pin down, the stylish Martin silhouette offers a slim fit that allows you to rock chic black jeans with a modern style.

Noah Pleated Jeans

The Best Selvedge Denim Jeans: Noah got started back in 2015 when Brendon Babenzian set up his first shop in Soho, NYC. In the short time since then, the label has struck a unique balance between East Coast and streetwear styles, without losing focus on social consciousness and sustainable sourcing. And these jeans, made with selvedge denim crafted in Japan, are another quality offering from the brand. Classic weaving techniques provide a dense and sturdy fabric that will have a slightly different look on each pair, making every iteration a unique piece.

Todd Snyder Slim Fit Selvedge Jean

The Best Vintage-Inspired Jeans: If there’s one thing you can’t knock Todd Snyder for, it’s the brand’s consistency, and its testament to making high-quality, closet essentials is admirable. These slim-fit jeans are comprised of genuine selvedge fabric, then rounded out with oxidized rivets, coming together in a retro-inspired pair of jeans that look like a grail find from the thrift store.

The Workers Club Black Fade Slim Fit 001 Jean

The Premium Pick: These jeans are somewhat of an international affair. While The Workers Club is an England-based brand, these selvedge jeans are composed of 13-ounce denim sourced from Okayama, then they’re garment washed to give it that distinct faded look. Lastly, the brand strategically sanded each pair by hand for abrasion protection, then finished with a button fly.

The Best of the Rest

Nudie Jeans Gritty Jackson

When the word “jeans” is in your brand, odds are you know how to make a good pair, and so is the case with the Swedish brand. Nudie sews its Gritty Jackson Jeans from 12.5-ounce, non-stretch, organic cotton denim and rounds it out with a traditional zip fly.

3Sixteen C2-220x

3sixteen is one of our favorite boutique brands, and these jeans are one of many reasons. They are made from heavy-duty, 14.5-ounce black denim, so they are ready for anything. Plus, the Big Apple-bred brand’s signature CT cut is a blend of its classic and slim tapered fitting, giving you the perfect balance if you can’t decide which look you’re going for. 

The Best Pocket T-Shirts for Subtle Style

Want to keep things simple? We’ve got you covered. Throw a simple pocket tee to your over your black jeans for a subtle look.