What Guys Need to Know about Wearing Jeans Casually

Jeans are as American as apple pie, every man owns several pairs and they represent a casual wardrobe staple.  So if they are such a cornerstone to our closet, they deserve a closer look. 

Lets consider the jeans procurement decision making process and how each pair came to be in there:

Reason # 1:  They were close to my size at eye level at the moment I wanted to buy them. 

Reason # 2:  Ditto reason number 1

Reason # 3:  The price was right

Reason # 4:  Ditto reason numbers 1 through 3.

See a pattern here?  

When women buy jeans its more like:

Reason #1:  I want to go shopping

Reason # 2: Jeans make me look hot

Reason # 3:  I'm up to a good challenge today

Reason # 4:  They cost enough to feel victorious in my quest

I'm suggesting that you guys borrow just a little of the female perspective of jeans buying - that is - just enough to a) pay more than $27 at Costco, and b) bend over to the bottom of the shelves to find your best size and c) look in the rear to see how they LOOK.

Not asking that much.  After you've gone to those lengths, then the detailed article of jeans styles and what to wear should be a piece of cake!

1. Most Casual

Fit:  Straightleg, loose, not baggy, but not snug - plenty of room for activity or lounging.  Relaxed fit is good.

Wash: light to medium blue is fine, light grey is a great casual take on casual, as is white.  Distress marks (fancy holes) can be worn if they are moderate.

Cuff and Shoes:  Rolled up is a nice look, pair with (nonathletic) sneakers or boat shoes

On Top:  A T-shirt or polo works great, keep it slim fitting (fit the underarms near to your own), wear it untucked, and make sure the length of the shirt comes about to the top of your back pocket.  A belt can be omitted, or be jute, or even colored madras.

 

2.  Casual with a bit of Polish

Fit: With a more fitted shirt, wear a more fitted, straight leg jean. Look for a good fit at the waist, and  a bit snugger in the butt and thigh.

Wash:  Medium to darker blue.  These jeans can have some markings on them, some light vertical lines around the crotch, or "sandblasting"

Cuff and Shoes:  They can be cuffed, but the most important aspect is to pair with leather shoes or boots.  Driving mocs are popular. And keep the length on the shorter side, especially when cuffed - a little skin showing is fine.

On Top:  A casual oxford shirt made of great cotton that improves with age, a layered look with a tee and sweater - either way keep the tails of the shirt on the shorter side if you leave them out - better to tuck in at this level.  Add a great leather heavyweight belt.  

 

3.  Dressing up Jeans for a Stylish Dressy look

Fit:  These jeans must relate to the shape of your body - that's not "tight' but fitted and slimmer.

Wash:  The darker the jeans, the dressier.  Midnight blue or black.

Cuff and Shoes:  No more cuffs, and now the quality of your shoes can really make your jeans look pop!  Wingtips, great suede bucks in a myriad of colors, laceups. Sockless in the summer, great argyle sock in the winter.

On Top:  A dress shirt tucked in with a great dark belt. Perhaps a very light weight sweater layered on top; consider a cotton or linen blazer - that's a great look!  In the colder months jeans and a tweed jacket with a wool tie - love it! 

About the Author

If you are a professional man determined to make the most monetary gain by your efforts, or a man who has recently re-entered the dating world you are on the cusp of doing something for yourself that will be more fun, socially and financially rewarding than you may have done in a long time!  How? Image Consulting is the conscious and skilled management of your best calling card - yourself!  Knowledge is power, right?  Connecting the elements of grooming, clothing and body language with your message and personal goals is what multiplies your success rate - anywhere and everywhere - on a date or in the boardroom.

Trained at the prestigious Image Resource Center of New York and Certified by the Association of Image Consultants International, I am a unique provider to men.  I have past years of corporate business experience as well as high-end haberdashery retail and fitting experience to make me the menswear specialist.  Additionally, I work directly with an upscale dating service and have training in Date Coaching as well as a degree in Sociology.  

My mission statement is to significantly improve each client's personal and professional experiences, using tools and concepts he may have never known existed, but will employ for life.