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[Update] The Latest Trend of Best Men’s Jeans in 2022
Even something as old and seemingly indestructible as denim is susceptible to the passage of time. As time passes, some styles come and go, and despite a worldwide health emergency that has brought most of the world to a halt, denim fashions continue to evolve. Skin-tight fits have been surpassed by 2000s-throwback bagginess in recent years, distressed denim has become so holey that it has vanished totally, and high-rise waistlines have awoken from a decades-long hibernation. But what is the future of jeans? We answer that question below by looking at some of the year’s biggest denim trends.
These are the denim trends you need to know about in 2021, from the evergreen stalwarts to some of the more dubious seasonal versions. So, if you have any doubts, trust Teeanime!
Stacking Up
Cropped and pinrolled jeans are still popular in menswear today. So much so that it’s easy to forget there was ever another, longer manner of doing things. But there was, and it’s making a comeback in 2021.
The re-emergence of jeans with longer legs that stack above the ankle is suggestive of a bigger trend in menswear. Styles prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s are making a resurgence, and stacked legs is one example in denim.
How To Wear
Blue jeans look well with casual clothing. Indigo denim has its roots in workwear and will always look fantastic with other pieces fashioned from similar fabric. You can’t go wrong with classics like flannel shirts, plain T-shirts, casual outerwear, and boots or shoes.
Simply turn up the darkness if you need something a little wiser. Darker blues, such as raw indigo, can look great with Oxford shirts, loafers or Derby shoes, and even soft tailoring.
Workwear Inspired
The love of manual labor in menswear is nothing new. Along with sports and the military, it’s one of the most common sources of inspiration for designers.
Jeans, and denim in general, have their origins in practical applications. Blue-collar employees preferred it because of its strong structure and toughness. But it’s not just the content that we’re discussing this season. Workwear-inspired details like hammer loops and patch pockets are also making a surprising reappearance.
Meanwhile, denim chore coats are making a comeback. And, thankfully, they’re easy to style.
How To Wear
Carpenter jeans are never going to be a simple garment to get right, but if you want to avoid looking like a 13-year-old skateboarder from 2002, wear them as part of a workwear-style ensemble. Stick to a denim chore coat paired with either contrasting jeans or trousers and topped off with a strong pair of winter boots for a less contentious alternative.
Baggy Trousers
Another important indication of the fashion rebound of the late 1990s and early 2000s is the resurgence of denim. Baggy is back, and this time it’s not just skaters and teenagers who are wearing it. Baggy fits can be seen in everything from tailoring to T-shirts, and denim is no exception.
Loose-fitting legwear will be prevalent in 2021, which may be a difficult pill to take for those of us who have spent the last decade living in slim-fit denim. However, baggy jeans offer advantages in terms of comfort and can look excellent when styled properly.
How To Wear
The first thing to understand is that ‘baggy’ does not imply ‘ill-fitting’. It is entirely possible to accept a larger, looser leg without looking like a youngster who has raided their father’s closet. First and foremost, get the fit right: mid-rise, snug in the waist, roomy in the thigh, and a modest taper from the knee to the ankle.
Again, baggy jeans should not be worn with anything fitting or clingy. Instead, choose outfits that are similarly sloppy and casual and suit the cut of your legwear.
(Always) Slim Cuts
While skintight silhouettes have all but vanished from menswear, narrow cuts remain popular. It’s a classic fit that’s both attractive and versatile, making it well worth adding to your rotation (if it isn’t already).
Slim-fit jeans, while not necessarily a trend, will always look fantastic, regardless of the year or season. Consider this look to be one of the primary building elements of your wardrobe. It’s simple, modest, and, perhaps most importantly, it won’t make you cringe when you come across photos of yourself ten years from now.
How To Wear It
Slim-fit denim looks best when paired with other fitted garments. Aside than that, it can be worn in any way you like. Choose black and pair it with black leather Derby shoes and an Oxford shirt for a smart casual look. Dress it down with a crew-neck sweatshirt and some sneakers.
Raw On Top
Why should your legs have all the fun with raw denim? Give your torso some movement as well. Raw denim is nothing new, but wearing it as a jacket is getting more trendy.
A decent raw denim jacket is an excellent investment. Wear it frequently and take care of it, and you’ll be rewarded with a garment that ages and weathers with you, becoming entirely customised and unique.
How To Wear
Again, while wearing denim on top, make sure it doesn’t clash too much with what you’re wearing on your legs. In general, black or white/cream jeans will look good here. Better still, wear green or beige chinos instead. Then add a pair of suede boots and you’re ready to go.
Return To High-Rise
Waistbands in tailoring and pants in general have been trending north for a some now, so it seemed only logical that jeans would follow suit. A return to the high-rise styles of the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s has been planned for some time, but unlike most vintage throwbacks, this one has depth.
Historically, high-waisted denim leggings have been the norm. And, while it has given way to mid-rise and even low-rise types throughout the years, it will remain relevant.
How To Wear
Before going for the high-rise jeans, consider your body shape. If you have long, spindly legs, adding more length at the top won’t help you balance out your proportions. Go wild if you’re of average height or less. However, if you’re on the short side, we recommend avoiding the tucked T-shirt look.
Whiteout
Wearing white outside of shirts, T-shirts, and sneakers has always been fraught with danger, especially when it comes to trousers. If you nail it, you’ll be the coolest guy at the party. If you get it wrong, you’ll be a middle-aged lady on a hen do in Benidorm.
We believe the payout is large enough to justify the risk, and judging by the recent spike in popularity of white jeans and denim jackets, so does everyone else.
How To Wear
Contrast is your friend when it comes to white denim. If you’re wearing all white, use rich, dark colors for your bottom half and vice versa. It’s critical to get the fit right when it comes to jeans: avoid anything too tight and instead choose for a slim or straight leg to keep things traditional.
Get Faded
We all know that the goal of raw denim is to achieve gorgeous fades and intriguing patinas over time. The problem is that not everyone wants to spend a year living in a pair of dirty jeans while the process takes place.
Fortunately, pre-faded denim is hot this year, and with the quality of washes available from specialist jeans labels like Edwin, Nudie, and OrSlow, no one will notice the difference.
How To Wear
There’s no denying that faded denim looks beautiful, but it’s far from sophisticated. Unless you want to seem like Jeremy Clarkson, we recommend wearing a different shade of denim for smart-casual occasions and save the faded denim for informal looks and weekend responsibilities. Cuff them slightly above the ankle and wear with suede chukka boots or retro runners.
The Repair Job
Have you ever gone home in shredded jeans only to have a clever relative offer to stitch a patch on them? They’ll enjoy the current frayed denim trend to hit retailers and street-style galleries around the world.
A new species of distressed jean has emerged to fill the void left by the shredded and frayed denim of the mid-2010s, with purposefully (and sometimes not-so-strategically) placed decorative patches. Yes, it’s an acquired taste, but it’s not hard to incorporate it into a seamless ensemble.
How To Wear
As with most aspects of menswear, “less is more” is the optimal approach. Avoid full-on patchwork monsters in favor of nicely handled cut and sew detailing and sparingly utilized patches. Patched-up jeans, like any statement piece, benefit from being surrounded by simple, stripped-back pieces, but keep everything slouchy and comfortable rather than neat and spotless.