Denim used to be simple. Cotton, indigo dyed, and made to soften and shape through years of wear. A mix of consumer demands evolved this base product – itself starting as workwear and eventually used by the U.S. Navy – to encompass multiple finishes, washes, fabrications, and weaving methods. Acid washed, stone washed, or bleached? Ultra-skinny with spandex to raw and relaxed? It all falls under the vast umbrella characterizing the modern denim market. As such, naming a best denim brand often comes down to how well they cover this full spectrum or if they hone a specialty – for example, splatter-painted biker jeans or exclusively Japanese selvedge denim. Then, of course, there’s knowing what works for your body and comfort level, and all the factors that now go into selecting the perfect pair of jeans. We’ve rounded up a diverse array of denim brands based on style, construction, and the expected versatility to appeal to a broad swath of consumers:
Levi’s
Yes, you’ll hear that Levi’s changed their construction over the past 20 years – but they’ve also been adapting their line in response to consumer trends since launching in 1873. What started as a workwear brand evolved into the work horse of casual denim by the mid-20th century and has diversified in response: Tapered to relaxed and wider cut, 100% cotton to a touch of stretch, Levi’s does it all – and does it well – without pretention.
Wrangler
Yes, boot cut jeans have returned – in a nod to their ubiquity during the Y2K era. But, regardless of what’s trending, Wrangler stands on a foundation as a cowboy jean: They’re not quite workwear – that would have to go to the double-knee-pocketed designs of Carhartt and Dickies – but still factors in hard-wearing use without jacking up the price. Yes, they’re typically found at discount, rodeo, and farm supply stores in the U.S., but that’s part of their appeal: They’re mid-weight, sturdy, and above bending over backwards for the latest trends.
AFFORDABLE MEN’S JEANS
You can still find a decent pair of men’s jeans at the mall – or even a browse online for under $200:
J.Crew
J.Crew does unpretentious preppy staples well, and its denim is no different. Styles span skinny and straight to workwear influences, 100% cotton based on 1950s construction to a hint of stretch intended to resonate with modern consumers.
Madewell
When Madewell made the transition to menswear roughly six years ago, denim marked its first endeavor. Today, this initial effort remains the core of its product line, resulting in silhouettes made with premium ringspun fabric that’s lightly distressed and fits well. As the denim market continues to diversify, so have its materials, from rigid, midweight 100% cotton to its Authentic Flex with a smidge of stretch to its ultra-soft Everyday Flex and the inclusion of CoolMax® for controlling perspiration.
The Gap
The Gap embodies the ‘90s mall brand, and while sales have declined in recent years, denim remains the apex of its offerings. You might recall some of their commercials from the ‘90s and 2000s, but today, their stonewashed heyday translates to a modestly priced, long-lasting pair of jeans. Added to this, The Gap doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, instead nodding to how denim used to be constructed with its Washwell series.
