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12 Best Black Jeans for Men: Versatile & Slightly Edgy

By Beau Hayhoe  |  Updated February 13, 2024

12 Best Black Jeans for Men: Versatile & Slightly Edgy
Courtesy of Hiroshi Kato (Pen Slim Selvedge)

You’re likely well-acquainted with the reliable, dependable durable everyday style of the iconic blue jean. At first a workwear staple prized for its densely woven cotton fabric, the blue jean rings true as a bona fide style classic. But what about a pair of black jeans – and not just any pair, but some of the best black jeans?


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • A swerve from the blue jean: When you want a touch more edge and visual appeal than classic blue jeans, the right pair of black jeans can prove a nice change of pace.
  • Edgy yet accessible: Some pairs of black jeans are cut rockstar-skinny, but opt for a pair in a fit that mimics that of your favorite jeans, then style them accordingly.
  • Denim on denim: There are many ways you can rock your new go-to pair of jeans, including with a grey, tan or even indigo denim jacket. Yes, denim on denim still works.

Black jeans might seem difficult to pull off, but in the right fit and construction, they can prove every bit as wearable as classic blue jeans.

They’ve got a touch of rock n’roll edge to them (never a bad thing to have in your casual wardrobe), but they pair up just as nicely with, say, a waxed trucker jacket, your favorite T-shirt or a trusty henley.

These are my favorite pairs at the moment, from accessible and affordable to surprisingly luxurious.

Best Overall

Buck Mason Black Maverick Slim Jeans

Why did I choose it?

When putting on a pair of black jeans, I look for the right fit and fabric above all else. And whether in faded indigo or a rich, inky black, the slim-straight fit and durable denim fabric of Buck Mason’s Maverick Jeans are unbeatable. They pair up nicely with a classic Buck Mason T-shirt.


Best Black Selvedge Denim
Kato Brand Pen Slim Black Raw Selvedge Jeans

If You Want to Stick with a Classic
Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans

Best for the Jean Connoisseur
Raleigh Denim Workshop Martin Selvage Denim

Best Work Jeans
Dickies Straight-Leg Carpenter Jeans

Softest Black Jeans
Paige Federal Jeans in Black Shadow

Stretchiest Jeans
Bonobos Extra Stretch Travel Jeans


Best Overall

Buck Mason Black Maverick Slim Jeans


$148
 

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.





Best Black Selvedge Denim

Kato Brand Pen Slim Black Raw Selvedge Jeans


$219
 

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.





If You Want to Stick with a Classic

Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans


$79.50
 

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.





Best for the Jean Connoisseur

Raleigh Denim Workshop Martin Selvage Denim


$395
 

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.





Best Work Jeans

Dickies Straight-Leg Carpenter Jeans


$40
 

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.





Softest Black Jeans

Paige Federal Jeans in Black Shadow


$189
 

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.





Stretchiest Jeans

Bonobos Extra Stretch Travel Jeans


$129
 

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.






Mott and Bow Slim Mercer Jeans


$129
 

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.






Outerknown Ambassador Slim-Fit Jeans


$88
 

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.






Rag and Bone RB24 Raw Black Selvedge Denim


$228
 

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 Authentics Five-Pocket Jeans


$30
 

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.






Lee Regular Fit Straight-Leg Jeans


$25
 

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.





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