Men's Jeans

Jeans are one of the most popular forms of trousers that exist, not least because they’re continually fashionable and are hardwearing. If you’re looking to buy a pair of jeans that fits well and feels great, here’s a guide to getting the right fit of men’s jeans.

Denim has a long history and has been widely used since the late 18th century. Denim originally got its name due to the place where it was first made. It was first created in the city of Nimes in Southern France, between Avignon and Montpelier. The ‘de’ part that forms the start of its name means ‘from’, so the name denim means ‘from Nimes.’ When it was first produced, it was a form of serge, but the cloth has since evolved into a type of cotton twill.

As a man, getting a pair of jeans that fits should, in theory, be slightly easier than it is for women. Where women’s clothes use a range of supposedly set sizes, such as 10, 12, 14 and 16, but where actual measurements can vary a lot between different manufacturers, men’s jeans at least have a much more sensible approach. Rather than using an assigned number sequence to designate the size (like 12, 14, 16 etc) they use the actual waist and length measurements. This means the size can’t deviate too much from what it’s supposed to be, so you’ve got a much better chance of getting a good fit.

The commonly available waist measurements for men’s jeans usually include:

30”
32”
34”
36”
38”
40”
42”
44”
46”
And the lengths on offer include:
29”
30”
31”
32”
33”
34”
35”
Jeans also come in various different styles and cuts, which plays another part in influencing the fit, although perhaps not as much as with women’s jeans.

Finding Your Essential Measurements
When you’re out to find a perfect pair of jeans that fit correctly, it’s essential you know your exact measurements to start with, otherwise you’ve got nothing to base your clothing choice on. Even if you always knew you were a size 32” waist 10 years ago, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be now, so it’s always worth getting measured regularly to spot any changes.

You can either measure yourself or be measured, for example in any good men’s clothing store or jeans department. To obtain your waist measurement, put a tape measure around your waist – at your natural waistline – and take the measurement. It’s best to opt for inches, as this is generally the standard way of labelling jean sizes, but you can always convert it at a later stage if you only have a tape measure in centimetres.

The length of jeans you require is dependent on your inside leg measurement. To find this out, measure from the crotch to just below your ankle, or where your trousers normally fall (or where you’d like them to fall) just above your shoes.

Once you’ve got these two measurements, make a note of them and keep the details handy when you go out shopping and looking for jeans in your size. Don’t forget to always try the jeans on before you buy, as this will save time and hassle if, for any reason, the style of fit isn’t quite right.