Straight jeans come in 3 widths, each named for how much fabric sits between your leg and the denim: slim straight follows the leg closely, standard straight gives a bit more room, and relaxed straight opens up through the seat and thigh.
Wash sets the mood on top of that, light for a weekend and one shade darker for work or dinner.
1. Slim Straight Jeans
Slim straight jeans taper a little less than skinny cuts, so they follow the leg without clinging to it. That is why I reach for them when I want a clean line and still want to sit down comfortably.
Pair them with a dark or neutral top, as above, and let the shoes carry a bit of color.
If you wear a cap, leave everything else plain. One casual piece is enough.
2. Straight Leg Jeans
A straight leg jean keeps the same width from hip to hem, and that classic line is why it works on almost anyone. Light wash gives it a relaxed, weekend feel.
A plain black tee and black shoes make this sharp without much thought. Light denim against all that black does the visual work for you.
For work or dinner, I would go one shade darker on the wash. The shape stays the same.
3. Relaxed Straight Jeans
Cut with more room through the seat and thigh, relaxed straight jeans suit a man who wants to move around and not think about his pants all day.
I like them best with a plain tee, since the jeans already supply the volume.
Keep the top simple and the shoes clean, and the looser leg reads as intentional. White sneakers do this well.
Tuck nothing in. A tee worn untucked, hem near the pocket line, balances the extra fabric.
Sometimes you’ll see brands calling this fit a “regular straight” or “classic straight.” If you’re looking for advanced stats, straight leg jeans tend to leg openings that measure about eight inches across.
— GQ
4. Fit for Athletic Build
Men with an athletic build should look for straight jeans cut with extra room in the thighs. Standard slim cuts pull across the quads and bunch at the knee, which looks worse than a slightly roomier leg.
A straight leg gives the thigh space, then falls clean to the hem. Buy for the thigh first, and have the waist taken in if it gapes.
A fitted tee in a dark color shows off the shoulders without fighting the jeans. Light wash keeps the lower half from looking heavy.
5. Button-Down Shirt and Straight Jeans
An olive button-down is one of my favorite partners for dark blue straight jeans, because the muted green and deep denim sit comfortably together without clashing.
Wear the shirt untucked and open at the collar for a casual day, or tucked in with a belt when you want it to read as dressier. Fold the cuffs once or twice.
White sneakers make this lighter. For an evening out, swap in leather shoes and leave everything else alone.
6. White Tee and Straight Jeans
White tee, blue straight jeans, black canvas sneakers: 3 pieces, no decisions. This is the most repeatable choice here.
Fit does the work here. Choose a tee that lies flat across the chest and ends around mid-fly, and let the jeans fall straight to the top of the shoe.
Black canvas sneakers add contrast and hide scuffs better than white pairs. Buy two or three identical tees so you can wear it all week.
Understanding Jean Terminology
3 measurements decide how a pair of jeans sits on you: the waist, the rise and the leg opening.
The waist is the band that wraps your midsection. Rise is measured from crotch to waistband, and the front measurement and back measurement can differ by an inch or more.
Mid-rise sits between your hip bones and navel.
High-rise meets your natural waist at the navel or slightly above, and most brands cut it roomier through the leg. Low-rise sits on the hips or below, and I find it hardest to wear.
2 more terms show up in product descriptions.
The top block is the crotch and seat area, and the thigh is the stretch between the top block and the knee. Check both before you buy.
Importance of Fit
A slim-straight that pulls too snug across the thigh looks like a skinny jean instead.
So I treat a tailor as part of the purchase. Buy the pair that fits best where you can’t change it, then pay for the adjustments that finish the job.
A good fit comes from many small measurements, not just the size on the tag. Once a pair is adjusted to you, it is worth buying again in the same cut.
Styling Tips
Straight jeans handle both ends of the dress code, which is why they earn a place in a small wardrobe.
For work, put a blazer over them. Keep the denim dark and free of heavy fading, and the jacket does the formal part.
For casual days, a T-shirt is all they need.
