12 Best Black Jeans for Men: Versatile & Slightly Edgy

It’s like I said earlier: Buck Mason denim are, quite simply, a personal favorite, and a pair that check all the right boxes in terms of classic-meets-modern style.

The mid-rise and tailored (but not overly skinny) fit is just right in my book, especially when paired with everything from a Buck Mason blazer to a rugged shawl cardigan and henley.

Selvedge denim doesn’t just apply to the rich indigo blue jeans you wear for their coveted “fades” – it can prove every bit as cool and stylish in black selvedge, as the denim masters at Kato Brand handily prove.

They’ve put an obsessive amount of detail into these handsome black jeans, from four-way stretch fabric to durable hardware.

You simply can’t talk about the best jeans for men, or indeed, the best black jeans, without mentioning iconic brand Levi’s.

Once the jean of choice for prospectors and explorers, the brand has taken on a rock n’roll edge and the 501, with its straight-leg cut that’s not too baggy, looks great just about any way you wear it.

Want to truly dive into the world of the best black jeans for men? Look no further than the true denimheads at Raleigh Denim, who remain committed to excellent USA-made jeans made from some of the finest material on the market. Note the use of textured, stylish donegal fabric for added appeal.

When you want to get the job done, when you want a truly hard-working pair of pants you can count on, you tend to reach for denim, right?

Dickies knows this all too well, in the best way possible, and that lends itself nicely to rugged carpenter jeans ideal for holding your EDC and handy tools.

Paige calls this pair “the perfect black jean,” and there’s quite a lot to live up to with that claim.

But if you’ve tried Paige denim, you’ll note that the cotton-blend fabric is soft and stretchy yet durable, the color is rich and molds to your body over time, and the straight fit is easygoing yet polished.

If you find something you love, just roll with it as you restock your wardrobe. At least, that’s been my experience with Bonobos chino pants, with an outstanding fit and comfortable fabric.

The same holds true for these stretch travel jeans (note the “extra” moniker), now in a handsome shade of black.

If you want to dip your toes into the world of black denim without going overboard in terms of price, then Mott and Bow is a solid first move.

Based in New York City, the company brings decades of family experience in denim into every pair, including in these stretchy, super-soft black jeans that are a personal favorite of mine. They seem to get better with every wear.

The denim industry can be notoriously wasteful, which is why surfing legend Kelly Slater sought to make his jeans in a much more sustainable way with his highly eco-conscious brand.

The result is an organic cotton pair of wear-with-anything black jeans, which get even cooler when you consider the streamlined matte black hardware.

The best pairs of black denim are meant to get better with age, not unlike their indigo denim counterparts. That should certainly hold true for these designer-quality jeans from the minimalist menswear masters at Rag and Bone, which use darted pockets for a clean look similar to that of your favorite pair of chinos. 

Wrangler, with its penchant for durable Western wear and workwear, knows how to craft some of the best jeans for men, and that’s held true for decades.

Its Authentics fit is classic and functional, made from 100 percent cotton in a dark black color that wears well with denim shirts and trucker jackets aplenty.

The best black jeans for men, bear in mind, should also have highly functional roots, and that’s what’s so great about these dependable jeans from Lee.

The cotton fabric should prove durable for days on the job or nights at your local dive bar, with a crisp straight-leg fit you can style with durable leather boots all year long.