Find the perfect jeans for your body type
Article: Jens Al-Sheikhali & Ditte Turatti
Published: 02/11 2023
Theme: Guide
You probably don't just have one pair lying around at home. In fact, there's a pretty good chance you're wearing a pair right now as you read this. These are men's jeans, of course. Jeans are one of the most used and widely worn garments in the world.
But men's jeans aren't just men's jeans. They come in many different sizes, fits, and cuts, each of which will look better or worse depending on your body shape.
So, how do you find the perfect pair of jeans—the ones that fit your body shape perfectly? We asked Jesper Lindstrøm Madsen, who has advised and guided thousands of men in their search for new jeans over the past 10 years. Here, Jesper shares his recommendations when it comes to matching jeans cut and body type.
Is there a 'one size fits all'?
No. That's the short answer, but Jesper will still go so far as to say that there's a fit that, with minor adjustments, suits virtually all men: "There's the model we call tapered fit. Here, I'd say that 9 out of 10 men can actually wear this type of jeans. They're a bit like a carrot, fairly regular at the top, but then they taper off a bit at the bottom. They just fit really well—whether you're the type who works out several times a week or the type who likes to eat cake."
But tapered fit jeans aren't just versatile in terms of different body types; they also suit different age groups.
The slim type
If you're a slim type, it's recommended that you avoid wide-legged, loose-fitting jeans. They'll simply fit too loosely, and that could give the impression that you're not really getting into the swing of things. Jesper's recommendation would be skinny fit jeans instead: "These can really suit a slim man, as they give him a sharp silhouette. If he wants to be a bit more modern, he can pair them with a loose T-shirt, shirt, or sweater."
The sporty type
You fall into this category if you typically run or do strength training a few times a week. So, you have a good, muscular butt and strong thighs.
"Typically, this type will opt for loose-fit jeans. This style fits well on the butt and thighs, but the problem is that it often gets too baggy at the bottom. You should be 185 cm or taller, otherwise you'll quickly look short and boxy," explains Jesper. "So my recommendation would again be tapered fit jeans."
The muscular type
Here we're dealing with the man who enjoys steaks, protein powder, and energy drinks before and after hitting the gym and lifting weights.
"Men who lift a lot of weights are often characterized by a wide top and bottom. In this case, however, I would recommend loose-fit jeans. This model helps maintain the wide silhouette of the muscular man until the end. And that looks good."
Wide hips
Here, you should primarily avoid skinny jeans. It can look unintentionally awkward, explains Jesper.
"My recommendation is usually a pair of regular-fit jeans. Lindbergh has a model that sits a little higher on the waist, which ensures they don't slip down and reveal the 'plumber's crack,'" he says. At the same time, high-waisted jeans can help men with wide hips create a good synergy from the hips down.
Large waist
"A classic mistake is that if you're wide around the waist, you'll automatically reach for loose-fit jeans. You think there needs to be room to move, after all. But unless you're 190 cm tall, you might look a bit too bulky," explains Jesper. "The fit is extremely important here. My suggestion would be a tapered fit. It shouldn't be slim, but still a bit narrow, as this will give a nice silhouette to a man with a large waist."