Denim Type Or Fabric Blend
Denim material can be blended with a variety of other fabrics. Some jeans may have two to three percent spandex and others might have polyester blended into them.
A quick thought if you go with spandex blends:
- Spandex blends, while a little more comfortable and forgiving in the thighs, tend to stretch out and not retain their shape as well as 100% cotton blends. Ive definitely seen some poopy pants as a result of this.
Itll depend on what you prefer, I can go either way on this some of my reccs below are blends, some are 100% cotton.
Caring For Your Dark Wash Denim
A common question is, how do I wash dark blue jeans without it fading?
So, how often should you wash your dark blue jeans? The short answeras little as possible.
A rule of thumb is to go for as long as possible without washing. When will you know its time? A good old fashioned smell test never fails.
First, heres what you shouldnt do:
- Wash your jeans after every wear
- Put your jeans in the dryer
- Put your jeans in the freezer
Washing after every wear is not only bad for the environment, but will shorten the life of your jeans. And the heat from a dryer can actually damage your jeans, causing extreme fading.
Forget about freezing your jeans to kill bacteria, it doesnt work.
If you want to preserve the dark color of your jeans and prevent fading, the best method I found is courtesy of Bespoke Post. Granted, its advice for treating raw denim, it works perfectly on regular dark blue jeans as well.
Ill let them tell it.
For more on caring for your jeans. Via Levis Unzipped blog.
Finally, heres some more interesting facts about jeans if youre curious.
Dark Wash Vs Dark Rinse
The dark rinse is a fabric thats dipped in darker dye after the jeans are actually sewn together, allowing for the dye to saturate all the seams for a soft feel and deep color.
The dark wash is dark colored denim thats washed during production, which gives it a soft touch and adds unique texture.
For simplicitysince they look similar, wash and rinse will be used interchangeably in this article.
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Best Affordable Dark Wash Jeans: Uniqlo Stretch Selvedge Slim
Hoping to upgrade your style without spending a fortune? These dark wash jeans for men from Uniqlo are hard to beat and wont make your wallet hurt either. Made from selvedge denim, Uniqlo went ahead and integrated some stretch into an otherwise rigid fabric so that these jeans can move with you.
The slim fit offers a bit of give since they adapt to your body over time, and the black colorway is alluring enough that you may want to wear them every day. A great building block for a sophisticated outfit, pair them with smart sweaters or hoodies.
Material: 99% Cotton, 1% Spandex | Fit: Slim | Sizes Available: 27 40 | Wash: Black
What To Look Forward To
A.P.C. has been a prominent name in raw denim since its debut in 1987. All of this companys jeans have a street price above our initial $200 cutoff. But in the future well consider A.P.C.s Petit Standard jeans. They are only slightly above that limit, and they are made of 14.5-ounce denim, with a straight leg, a low rise, and a button-fly zipper.
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Most Stylish Dark Wash Jeans: Fort Book Denim Pants
These gems have that little something extra to create an interesting pair of pants without deviating from the roots of pure essentialism. Forét believes in slowing down, which allowed them to create this artful pair of mens jeans.
Made in Portugal from cotton twill, these chino jean hybrids are simplicity at its finest with a little oomph that makes these dark wash jeans just that much better. Dont be afraid to dress these pants up with a pressed white button-down and a pair of derbies. Or throw on a hoodie and call it a day. Were not judging.
Material: 100% Cotton Twill | Fit: Straight| Sizes Available: 28 36 | Wash: Denim
Every man needs a pair of raw denim jeans. Look no further than Asket . The Japanese raw denim is a little more rigid, but it gives these jeans a much longer lifespan. Theyre basically bulletproof but dont test that theory.
And they only get better with age . So feel free to wear them into the ground without fear of them losing shape or *shudders* becoming too baggy around the crotch.
The slim-fit design is a flattering one, and the mid-rise waist keeps your boxers from peeking out. Wear them with blazers or flannels, depending on the look youre going for. Theyre versatile enough for any situation that arises, so dont stress over your outfit. These are a hard yes from us.
Material: Japanese Denim | Fit: Slim | Sizes Available: 28 36 | Wash: Raw Denim
Scenario #: Date Night
SHOP THIS LOOKBlack LapelSpier & MackayGapAllen EdmondsStuhrlingProper Materials
Quick aside: Stay away from the blazer and tie combo if youre only a few dates in. You might come off as too try-hard. This is more for a longer term relationship of say 6 months+.
Related: You might like this American Eagle vs Express jeans review.
So its date night with your special lady? Heres how to wear dark blue jeansdressed up.
In this scenario, I dressed up our trusty dark blue jeans with a silk blended charcoal blazer to up the class factor. The silk blend gives off an air of elegance that is perfect for a fancy date or anniversary.
Though hard to see, the shirt is light blue with thin white stripes. The navy, speckled tie is made of a wool fabric that contrasts nicely against the lighter shirt. Dont be afraid to mix patterns and textures.
A pair of brown brogues like that of Allen EdmondsStrand in Walnut always looks great with dark blue jeans. You can of course go darker with your shoe shade according to your personal taste.
Show her that you care and put in a little extra effort to wow her like in the beginning.
Quick note: If youre enjoying this article on dark wash denim, then youll probably find my other writing on all things mens style useful. Each week, I share updates, style tips and other things not shared on the blog through my free email newsletter.
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Slim Or Regular Build
Youll want to get a Slim fit. Slim-fit jeans tend to slightly hug the thighs, knees, and calves while tapering down from your knee to ankle.
A lot of my slim & regular built clients initially believe this style will make them look too skinny. This couldnt be further from the truth. Its just that theyre used to wearing super baggier clothes to try and hide their slimness, which, coincidentally, just makes them look slimmer. A proper fitting pair of jeans just looks right, regardless of your build, and doesnt make you look one way or another I promise.
Things to avoid:
- Dont make the mistake of thinking Skinny fit is the same as Slim fit. Skinny fit jeans are usually skin-tight and not appropriate.
- Avoid Straight Fit jeans. Like the name implies, the leg of the pants are looser and will be cut straight down from the knee to ankle. This cut will look terrible on you.
- If you can pinch more than an 1.5 inches of denim on either side of your thighs, you need to move down to a slimmer cut or get the legs taken in. If you can avoid it, dont rush to the tailor. Try a size down first or another brand. This is costly for a tailor to do. Having too much fabric on your thighs will make you look smaller, shorter or wider than you are.
Best Eco Friendly Dark Wash Jeans: Closed Unity Slim Jeans
This pair of Italian-made mens dark wash jeans screams quality and comfort. The eco stretch denim allows you to move without restraint, so wear them on whatever adventures life throws your way.
Thanks to sustainable materials and practices, these organic cotton jeans use less water and energy than a typical pair. So they look good, and you can feel good when you wear them, knowing theyre made with the environment in mind. Since the slim fit design creates a polished look, pair them with sneakers, loafers, and a smart top for maximum style points.
Material: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Recycled Elastane | Fit: Slim | Sizes Available: 27 38 | Wash: Dark Blue
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The Perfect Mens Dark Wash Jeans
For versatile bottoms youll want to wear as much as possible, explore premium dark denim in a variety of men’s fits. Find your favorite cut, or choose multiple fits to complement the rest of your wardrobe.
Designed especially for comfort and ease, our relaxed fit jeans offer easy movement with a flattering appearance and balanced proportions. If dark skinny jeans are your go-to, we’ve got the close, lean fit from hip to hem. Get our straight jeans for a classic fit with a streamlined look, or opt for slim fit dark denim with a slightly slouchy leg.
No matter your desired fit, our dark denim options are a must for any man’s lifestyle.
Casual Jeans Outfit Ideas
#1: Jeans & Henley
Heres a classic casual look thats never going out of style: dark blue jeans and a grey henley.
You could definitely wear boots with this outfit, along with any kind of outerwear you like, but the high top sneakers give this getup a more urban feel.
#2: With a Field Jacket
Jeans are inherently rugged, so they go well with other utilitarian pieces like work boots and field jackets.
As youll see throughout this article, the blue-green-brown combo works pretty much every time.
#3: Baseball Cap & Quilted Vest
Speaking of blue, green and brown, heres another casual outfit featuring dark wash denim.
This is one of the comfiest outfits you can wear during fall. The lightweight quilted vest is a highly underrated garment!
#4: Burgundy Top
Another great color combination is dark blue and burgundy. These complimentary colors will always look good next to each other.
Above, the shearling color and loafers give this outfit a comfy, casual look and feel.
#5: Leather Jacket & Boots
Dark wash jeans and a brown leather jacket go together like Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer: I dont know why, but they just work.
In this case, the lighter blue chambray shirt looks great with the darker blue jeans.
The only other color in this outfit is brown, which goes to show you really dont need more than two colors to create a solid look.
#6: Cuffed With Boots
Unlike wool or cotton trousers, jeans are highly cuffable. The stiff fabric is perfect for keeping a roll in place all day.
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How We Picked And Tested
We started this guide by researching hundreds of pairs of jeans, culling the list to around 50 pairs of interest from popular retailers, other reviews, and roundups. For this piece, we focused on slim jeans marketed for men, though they can be worn by people of any gender. These jeans are shaped differently than jeans that are marketed as being for women. The jeans in this guide have straight cuts extending across the leg, a narrower waist, and a wider hip. By contrast, jeans made for women generally have a narrower hip and more size variety in the waist . We think slim jeans should fit comfortablyneither too loosely nor too tightly . They should fit straight through the hip, with a narrow opening around the leg. We used the following criteria to narrow down our list even further:
Construction: We spent time wearing each pair of jeans for a few weeks, as well as poking and prodding them to pinpoint issues like uneven stitching or flyaway threads.
Shrinkage: We measured the dimensions of each pair of jeans, and then we washed and dried them, noting any shrinking that occurred. None of the pairs we recommended shrank notably, but it was an issue with some that we dismissed.
Comfort: We considered how the fabric feltwhether it was coarse and rigid, or soft and smoothand how it might feel to wear all day.
Fabric: We noted the combination of fabric used, though most of the jeans we tested were 98% or more cotton, with the remainder being elastane.
Best Slim Fit Dark Wash Jeans: Wax London Slim Fit Rinse Denim Jeans
Theyre pre-washed for an added dose of comfort and designed to be form-fitting with a tapered leg. While they go with just about anything, we particularly enjoy them with creamy knits, premium tee shirts, and a colorful pair of kicks. Ideal for an effortless, versatile style.
Material: 100% Cotton | Fit: Slim | Sizes Available: 28 38 | Wash: Rinse
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Best Stretchy Dark Wash Jeans: Rag & Bone Slim Fit Stretch Denim Jeans
If you like a stretchier jean, this dark wash pair by Rag & Bone is well worth considering. Made from 10oz of Japanese denim, theyre a tad lighter than other selvedge jeans, which are generally crafted from 13oz of denim. Since theres less weight, these dark wash jeans are suitable for year-round wear. And the addition of some stretch makes them some of the most comfortable, too.
We love the look of these jeans with a plain t-shirt and bomber jacket. Cuff the ankles to show off a pair of high tops, or keep it simple with some white leather sneakers. No matter how you choose to style these bad boys, youre in for a sleek outfit.
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Polyurethane | Fit: Slim | Sizes Available: 28 38 | Wash: Dark Denim
Why You Should Trust Us
Im a style staff writer at Wirecutter, and I compare, test, and write about everything you can carry or wear on your person, from T-shirts to jeans. In preparation for this guide, I read reviews of mens jeans from a host of trusted sources to ascertain what makes a great pair. To learn more I also interviewed a handful of jeans experts, including Steve Cruz, store manager at New York Citys Naked & Famous Denim Kiya Babzani, co-founder of Self Edge, who absolutely schooled me on selvedge denim and celebrity menswear stylist Ashley Weston.
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What About Raw And Selvedge Denim
I spoke with Kiya Babzani, the co-founder of Self Edge, and Steve Cruz, the store manager at Naked & Famous Denim, to learn the differences between the denim we see in most stores versus raw selvedge denim. Heres the lowdown, per Babzani: Selvedge denim was originally called self edging fabric because the process created its own finished edge that didnt require more work to prevent fraying. Around the turn of the 15th century, workers shortened the term self edging fabric to selvedge as an abbreviation.
The terms raw and selvedge are often used interchangeably for denim, but a pair of jeans can be neither, either, or both. Selvedge refers to the finished edge of the fabric, and raw denim is the material that is unwashed and untreated, making it stiffer and more prone to bleeding indigo onto anything it touches. But it also conforms to your body over time for a unique fit and look. Uniqlo, for example, makes jeans that are selvedge stitched without being raw denim, and Levis 501 Shrink to Fit jeans are raw without being selvedge stitched.
And thats the beauty of denim, he said. If you buy a pre-distressed pair of jeans, by contrast, they may have lines all over them. But they probably wont match the natural lines that are produced by your bodys movements. They also wont be as comfortable .
Best Classic Dark Wash Jeans: Levis 501 Jeans
Levis and denim are synonymous at this point, so it should be no surprise that they make some of the best mens dark wash jeans. Ideal for the budget-conscious man who doesnt skimp on style, the iconic 501s are a sure bet. And we should hope so, considering theyve been around since the nineteenth century.
Seen on everyone from George Clooney to Steve Jobs, these straight-fit jeans are an epic starting point for a put-together outfit. Pair them with a plain or logo tee, a blazer or hoodie, sneakers, or dress shoes the possibilities are endless. However, one thing remains constantthe dependable nature of Levis original jeans.
Material: 100% Cotton | Fit: Straight | Sizes Available: 28 46 | Wash: Rigid, Black, Stone
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Best Dark Wash Jeans For Men In 2022
The best dark wash jeans for men are an essential part of any wardrobe and the backbone of just about any smart casual outfit. Looking for pants to wear with a t-shirt? Dark wash jeans. How about a button-down Oxford? Dark jeans. A hoodie and pair of Converse? You guessed it: mens dark wash jeans.
No matter how you spin it, dark wash jeans are the best building blocks behind a put-together outfit, so its crucial to have at least one pair in your arsenal.
If youre hoping to build up your dark wash jean collection, weve taken the time to narrow down the best options on the market today. Whether youre looking for a classic or unique pair, youll find it all here.
