Hype Direct’s Guide to.... Choosing the Perfect Pair of Jeans

Hype Direct’s Guide to....Choosing the perfect pair of jeans

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my

clothes”. Yves Saint Laurent

The Fit

We all want to keep up with the latest trends, but just because the catwalk is

screaming neon carrot fit’s, it doesn’t mean the rest of us should follow suit! Rather

than jumping on the fashion bandwagon, first take a look at your build, as dressing

for your size is rule number one when choosing your perfect pair! For guys with

‘more to love’ so to speak or larger leg muscles, stay away from the slim or skinny

fits. Instead, opt for a wider leg style such as the ‘relaxed fit’ which is more forgiving

on any lumps and bumps without making your legs appear larger.

Slimmer men should avoid anything baggy and instead choose a slim fit or straight

leg pair of jeans which accentuate the physique rather than trying to hide it. Slimmer

guys also have the added advantage of being able to pull off the classic skinny!

Though for you super skinny guys, try to avoid these to avoid looking even skinnier –

matchstick legs are never a good look.

It goes without saying that a good pair of jeans is a staple item in every man’s wardrobe, but how many of us really know what we should be

shopping for?

To help make things a little easier, we’ve put together our guide for picking that perfect pair of jeans!

The Rise

Low rise, mid rise, high rise? It may seem like a minefield, but the rise simply refers

to the space between the waist and the crotch area. For jeans that sit on your hips

rather than higher up towards your belly button, consider trying a pair of low rise

jeans.. but beware, they aren’t for the fainthearted, and tend to only flatter those

guys with smaller hips and a narrow waist. For the majority, the classic mid-rise style

are the perfect choice! Sitting just below your waist, they’re suited to all body types

and work well with just about any look.

If you’re packing a few extra pounds in your midsection however, try on a pair of high

rise jeans! These mini miracles have just enough fabric to tuck away those extra

pounds, leaving you looking lighter and leaner. Much cheaper than a tummy tuck!

The Finish

With ‘distressed’, ‘stonewash’, and ‘brushed sateen’ to name only a few types of

finish, you can be forgiven for wishing choosing your jeans was as simple as

choosing the colour and fit! To make things even more complicated jeans come in

all sorts of different shades, or ‘washes’. One of the most popular, is ‘stonewash’, a

process whereby a mixture of enzymes and pumice stones (yes! those exfoliating

stones you find in the bath) are added into an industrial machine along with the

denim to break down the fabric and add a level of softness not offered by other

methods. For a more distressed look, your jeans may have encountered hand

abrasion or even sandblasting. Raw or ‘dry’ denim is a slightly less popular choice,

but one that should certainly be considered. Unlike stonewash or acid wash, raw

denim, is just that, – a pair of jeans that have completely skipped the entire fabric

washing and dying process. These types of denims are the longest lasting, and it’s

not unusual for the wearer to get a good 15 years out of one pair. See our top tips

below for the best ways of caring for your new denim.

Measure Up

Got a tape measure handy? Knowing the exact size of your waist can cut down a

good chunk of time when out shopping! But beware of vanity sizing, often used by

companies to make their customers feel better about themselves. If you can’t try on

a pair of jeans first, make sure you consult the company’s size guide or contact them

for further help. Nothing is worse than waiting for that perfect pair of jeans to arrive

for them not to fit.

Brands

Styles can vary considerably between brands. If you’re big on ethics, Monkee

Genes are accredited by both the Global Organic Textile Standards and The British

Soil Foundation for their ethically sourced organic cotton. For a pair of raw denims,

our favourites have to be the Power Men’s Straight Jeans from French Connection.

It’s all a matter of taste!

At Hype Direct, we’ve a huge range of denims to choose from, from Monkee

Genes, Eto and Guess to Jack & Jones and Trainerspotter to name only a few. Need

help choosing your perfect pair? Drop us an email and we’ll be sure to help you out.

Our Top Tips

When it comes to denim you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a pair that will

stand the test of time and keep their colour then its best to stay clear of Primark and

choose something a little more expensive – trust us!

Once you’ve worn your jeans a few times, it’s only natural to want to wash them but

try and hold off for as long as you can! It’s recommended that you wait at least six

months before that first wash, even longer if you’ve been lucky enough to source a

pair of raw denim jeans! If that thought scares you, try hanging them up to air them

out after a few wears and spritz with Febreeze or other fabric freshener – they’ll

smell as good as new and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’ve a pair for life!

Contact: Jemma Walsh marketing@hypedirect.com