The 8 Best Stretch Denim Jeans For Men To Wear

Denim has become a permanent aspect of our lives. There’s hardly anything as classic, timeless, or tasteful as a great pair of jeans. As such, it makes sense that the style staple has persevered through generations of adversity, emerging victorious each and every time. Over its tenure, the denim jean has held true to its original design, committing to a life of rigid, durable wear. However, as times began to change, the calls for a lighter, more mobile garment became increasingly clear, and stretch denim jeans answered. To complement this slimmer, more form-fitting style that was emerging within the menswear space, brands began to imbue their all-cotton garments with small portions of stretchable material, eliminating the rough, rigid silhouette that had defined the genre for over 100 years. These days, “stretch denim” has become commonplace, branching out into virtuous realms. So our best stretch denim jeans guide should help you decide what’s right for you.

Is Stretch denim actually denim?

Yes, they are – stretch denim jeans are made with a denim fabric that’s been constructed with a majority cotton blend, including elastic material, allowing for a tight and comfortable fit on your legs. And thanks to a handful of innovative improvements in textile technology within the past decade, companies have begun to incorporate stretchy, lightweight materials like elastane (and polyurethane) into their manufacturing practices.

Stretch Denim vs. Regular denim

As opposed to the rugged utility and 100% denim blend associated with regular denim jeans, stretch denim jeans are best for comfort and style, and include some sort of elastic. That doesn’t mean a solid pair of stretch denim jeans can’t be durable, however, as the majority of the material blend is still made with cotton (and it’s still denim). Stretch denim jeans are great for hanging out or getting active, while regular denim jeans will hold their shape and last longer.

What to look for

Comfort: You want your stretch denim jeans to be comfortable, as you’re sacrificing a little durability by not opting for regular denim jeans. Also, you need to decide how stretchy you’d like your jeans to be, so pay attention to the material breakdown and take note of how much elastic material is used.

Material: Unlike regular denim jeans, you shouldn’t expect your stretch denim jean’s blend to be 100% cotton, although a majority of it still should be. The more elastic material included in the jeans, the more they will stretch, which is ultimately a personal preference.

Style: Skinny jeans are very much in style right now, which is why stretch denim jeans are seeing an increase in popularity, especially here in the States. So if you’re looking for some stylish options, then it’s hard to go wrong with most of the options out there. But if you want some comfy daily drivers, then opt for some simple straight-legs.

Levi’s 501 Original Fit Stretch

The Classic: Over the years, Levi’s has introduced a number of reputable jean styles. Because of this, each of the brand’s unique examples has been given its own demarcation. Among these, the 501 is recognized as the all-original offering, thanks to its generational style, iconic, straight-leg fit, and durable, long-lasting construction. Since 1873, the 501 has been at the forefront of contemporary denim, and now, it’s been imbued with elastane, giving it just enough stretch to compete with some of today’s most progressive legwear pieces. That being said, these All-American staples hold true to their lineage, augmenting their 99% cotton construction with a meager 1% elastane blend.

Everlane Slim 4-Way Stretch

The Sustainable Pick: Everlane’s Slim 4-Way Stretch jean is an exercise in brilliant denim design. From its organically-farmed cotton fabric, all the way to its water-reducing Indigo Flow dying process, the company has taken adequate steps to ensure that almost every aspect of the manufacturing process has been revised for a better, more conscious jean. Each example boasts a handsome cotton and elastane blend, as well as a close-cropped, slim fit that’s slightly tapered as it approaches the ankle. If you’re in the market for a legwear piece that’s consciously crafted and fashionable, this Turkish-milled model is an attractive competitor.

DU/ER Performance Denim

The Best Summer Jeans: To say that DU/ER has built its entire catalog around comfortable mobility might be an understatement. We’re especially fond of the brand’s Performance Denim offering, which boasts a movement-approved cotton/polyester/LYCRA spandex blend, a classic, five-pocket layout, and an increased range of motion for unparalleled utility. Instead of the traditional cotton and polyester blend that you’ll find in most denim offerings, DU/ER’s unique example features a large helping of Coolmax All-Season polyester, allowing it to take on a more breathable role during the summer when full leg coverage might not seem so intriguing. As a result, these mid-rise must-haves are a great alternative to the heavier pieces of denim that rarely find their way into your arsenal during the warmer months.

Buck Mason Ford Standard

The Best Jeans Overall: Buck Mason makes some of the finest heritage menswear in the industry, and that means that they’ve got a thing or two to say when it comes to our most iconic legwear pieces. For their own unique adaptation of the traditional jean, the brand’s Ford Standard example introduces a durable, 13-ounce Japanese Stretch denim, resulting in moderate give as you go about your day. Since they feature a 99% cotton/1% stretch blend, they’re not as forgiving as some of the other offerings on our list, but you can rest assured that they’ll stand up to whatever you throw their way. The sheer weight of the jean should tell you as much. To round things out, tonal stitching, a safety fly, and classic patches provide subtle visual accents that pay homage to the genre’s most iconic wares.

Acne Studios Slim-Fit Stretch-Denim

The Best Slim-Fit Jeans: When it comes to style, Acne Studios is second to none. To them, minimalism is more than a term; it’s something that defines and dictates the shape, feel, and aura of their clothing. The brand’s Slim-Fit Stretch-Denim is a testament to this understanding. Thanks to its smart, all-black silhouette, slim-fit persona, and stretch cotton/polyester/elastane blend, you’ll be able to take on any formal event without having to worry about feeling out of place. That’s not to say that the jean doesn’t shine in the casual setting, as well. Regardless of its application, the great-looking garment is sure to round out any outfit, thanks to its classic, five-pocket layout, subtle belt loops, and tasteful designer emblem.

Hiroshi Kato The Pen Slim Stretch Selvedge

The Best Selvedge Denim Jeans: Out of all the offerings on our list, KATO’s Pen Slim Stretch Selvedge jean is voted most likely to spend an evening at the campsite. The need for stretchy, mobile denim isn’t exclusive to the urban environment, and thanks to the brand’s premium, 14-ounce Japanese selvedge fabric, you won’t have to worry about common inhibitors that might make mince-meat of lesser models. Each example features capable four-way stretch, 360-degree, multi-directional comfort, and a classic, five-pocket layout that provides ample storage space for your EDC essentials. The best part? Every KATO jean is made in Los Angeles, California, under the watchful eye of some of the industry’s finest artisans, resulting in a premium, personalized product that’s become known for its attention to detail.

A.P.C. Petit New Standard

The Best Japanese Denim Jeans: A.P.C. is always a contender for our style-focused roundups, but when it comes to denim, they’re hard to beat. Like the Buck Mason Ford, these robust offerings are heavyset, providing the illusion of a traditional pair of jeans. However, they’re defined by a great-looking Japanese Stretch Denim, which pairs cotton and polyurethane for a subtle, but noticeable stretch. Since A.P.C. wanted to remain as close to the classic denim as possible, an iconic indigo dye has been utilized alongside the pant’s tried-and-true five-pocket layout and button fly.

Todd Snyder Slim Fit Japanese Selvedge Stretch

The Best Premium Jeans: Todd Snyder continues to enamor us with its tasteful menswear pieces. We’re especially enthused with the Slim Fit Japanese Stretch — yet another model that adopts the transcendental fabric. Unlike other offerings, Todd Snyder’s unique take on the stretchable legwear garment has been cut from a premium selvedge fabric before undergoing an authentic rinse and wash process, resulting in a “lived-in” feel straight from the rack. Because of this, it’s lauded as one of the softest denim offerings in the designer’s arsenal. Dive deeper, and you’ll find a classic, five-pocket architecture, a button fly, and a set of unique TS-stamped buttons for adherence to the genre’s trademark stylings.

The Best Crewnecks for a Relaxed Outfit

Crewnecks are another great casual staple that can be elevated if needed. So head over to our best crewneck sweatshirts guide to grab one.