The Best Denim Brands to Add to Your Rotation
When picking the best jeans, it can be overwhelming to parse through every single pair on the market. So rather than identifying a specific set of dungarees to buy, it can be helpful to narrow your search down to the right brand and then explore their roster. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of the best denim brands to consider when you're hankering to add a pair of baby blues to your collection.
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1. Everlane
Image credit: Everlane
Our picks: The Selvedge Straight fit Jean $128, The Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean $88
Everlane has become a big favorite in the retail world in the past few years thanks to their clean, modern basics that are built to last, and this certainly applies to their denim selection. Sustainably sourced and manufactured from organic cotton, these timeless styles are offered for an incredibly fair price point. They even offer selvedge denim for less than $150. For their price point and quality, Everlane has to have a spot on a list of the best denim brands right now.
2. Calvin Klein
Image credit: Calvin Klein
Our picks: Standards Unbleached Marble Dye Straight Leg Jeans $64, Slim Fit Blue Rinse Jeans $89
Calvin Klein feels almost taken for granted in the past couple decades as a casual style brand, but they continue to make the great denim that popularized their name in the 90’s. If you are searching for an effortless, slouchy fit, CK's wide selection of washes still firmly cements them as one of the best denim brands on the market.
3. Madewell
Image credit: Madewell
Our picks: Slim Jeans in Stratfield Wash $138, Relaxed Taper Jeans in Claybrook Wash $138
Until recently Madewell was a trusted retailer for women’s clothing only, and built a reputation off of quality, well fitting jeans. In the past couple years they’ve expanded into the menswear market, and thankfully the product is just as good on this side of the aisle. They offer a wide variety of cuts and weights, so customers can choose between rigid, extreme stretch and any degree between.
4. Levi's Made and Crafted
Image credit: Levi's
Our picks: Made in Japan 511 Slim Fit $149, 80’s 501 Z $137
Levi’s is the quintessential denim brand, and is near ubiquitous when it comes to blue jeans. While standard Levi’s are great jeans whether you get them new from the store or thrifted from just about anywhere, their Made and Crafted line aims specifically to create future archival pieces for the brand, meaning there is often something a little extra special in each design. While their silhouettes are often vintage inspired and give a nod to the label’s storied past, they are always created with the modern customer in mind. A list of the best denim brands without Levi's would be heresy.
5. NEUW
Image credit: NEUW
Our picks: Lou Slim - Moonshake $179, Liam Loose - Concrete $189
NEUW is a premium denim brand fast growing in its popularity, not only to their desirable cuts in organic or recycled cotton, but sentimental design philosophy that shines through in the details. Every pair of jeans from NEUW has a repair stitch on the back right pocket and a fob ring fastened around the front belt loop, reminiscent of the director’s memories of his grandfather.
6. FRAME
Image credit: FRAME
Our picks: Stacked Straight $248, L’Homme Slim $195
Beginning as women’s only denim brand in 2012, FRAME quickly rose to prominence through celebrity endorsements and collaborations. They soon after began producing men’s jeans, crafting an effortless and slightly irreverent style. FRAME offers both comfortable stretch denim and well as a rigid premium cotton model to cover customers on either side of the spectrum.
7. Stan Ray
Image credit: Stan Ray
Our picks: OG Painter Pant (Raw Denim) $91
Founded in Texas in 1972, Stan Ray is a workwear company that remains less talked about than the Dickies and Carhartts in the industry, but they remain a great source to get stylish, functional pants for the modern man. Utilizing the same techniques and raw, dry denim from decades ago, this brand is a strong choice for a pair of carpenter pants, and with a price point under $100.
8. Naked and Famous
Image credit: Tate and Yoko
Our picks: Weird Guy - Indigo Selvedge $148, Easy Guy - Left Hand Twill Selvedge $158
Naked & Famous has been a big name on campus for the denim obsessed forever now, and with good reason: they are singularly devoted to quality. They produce only raw denim made in Japanese mills that are then cut and sewn in Canada. Raw denim has the ability to fade over time in a way that maked it truly unique to the wearer, which is why this brand stands by only producing nothing else. While these guys are serious about quality, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a sense of humor, evident by their recent collaborations with Rick & Morty and classic horror flicks. They’ve also made some crazy experimental jeans in the past, like glow in the dark or scratch-n-sniff denim.
9. Carhartt WIP
Image credit: Carhartt WIP
Our picks: Double Knee Pant - Denim $148, Newel Pant $128
As the utilitarian craze took over the streetwear market, Carhartt WIP came out of the classic workwear brand to meet the more style focused demand. If you’re in need of a painter’s pant or double knee jean, this is the first place to look. While WIP is about the style sensibility rather than durability, that doesn’t mean these pants aren’t made from premium, heavyweight organic cotton.
10. A.P.C.
Image credit: A.P.C.
Our picks: Fairfax Jeans $265, Petit New Standard Jeans $265
Inspired by minimalism and effortlessness, this French fashion company made their name off of the superior fit of their raw denim, and if you’re looking for a pair of slim or skinny jeans, the cuts they offer are still among the best around. They’ve also expanded into the wider leg market as well, and offer some pieces made with Japanese denim.
11. Dr. Denim
Image credit: Dr. Denim
Our picks: Chase Jeans $100, Dash Jeans $100
While most denim lovers are strictly searching for raw, starchy, heavy denim not every customer needs every pair of pants they own to be an investment piece that takes months of daily wear to break in. If you’re looking for comfort from day one, Dr. Denim is the brand for you. They offer great cuts and washes in stretch denim at an affordable price point, so you’ll be able to look stylish and move around from the get.
12. Nudie Jeans
Image credit: Nudie Jeans
Our picks: Rad Rufus Dry Deluxe $210, Steady Eddie II $210
Nudie Jeans is another brand beloved by people who really get denim. Using only organic or recycled cotton, they also keep selvedge and raw options in stock. The best thing about these jeans is they’ve got a warranty: Nudie will repair any pair of jeans they make free of charge. If you’re a customer with sustainable intentions, Nudie is surely one of the best denim brands in regard to manufacturing practices and in waste reduction by prolonging the life of each piece.
13. Eytys
Image credit: Eytys
Our picks: Benz Jeans $345, Titan White Stone Jeans $375
While this label is probably best known for their chunky tennis shoes and loafers, EYTYS has perfected the highly sought-after baggy silhouette in their denim lines. The Benz Jeans create a clean, wide leg that stacks slightly at the ankle, curating a vibe that sits between Y2K nostalgia and casual elegance. While you’ll find the perfect stone washed blues and faded blacks, their jeans come in a variety of surprising and eye-catching washes and prints as well.
14. DIME
Image credit: DIME
Our picks: Dime Baggy Denim Pants $127
Hyped skate brand DIME essentially reinvented the JNCO jean with their DJCO model which promptly sold out. The Baggy Denim pant is a paired down version of the same silhouette, offering the perfect modern relaxed skater look in four solid washes. Beyond the oversized pant legs these jeans have a minimal look, with added interest in the wavy shapes of the pockets in both the front and back.
15. mooji mooji
Image credit: mooji mooji
Our picks: Men’s Classic 5-pocket Denim $68, Mooji Work Pants $88
This LA based brand is all about the art of damaged goods. If you’re looking to add a grunge spin to your wardrobe this is the first place to look for denim. Upcycled or crafted from vintage fabric, each piece is unique whether finished with intentionally aging, pain splatters, distressing or a cut and sewn pattern.
In addition to being one of the best denim brands, mooji mooji was also one of our selections for best hoodie brands, check out that full list here.
16. Spa Boy
Image credit: Spa Boy
Our picks: Poet Jeans $380, Bobby Jeans $350
Spa Boy is a Toronto based clothing brand inspired by electronic music and DIY culture, utilizing grungy, acidic hand-dye techniques and text-based graphics to create extremely unique garments. It takes the trend of bleached jeans to a dreamy and elegant level, with wide-legged clean lines and painterly dye techniques over the knees or along the side seams.
17. Pop Trading Company
Image credit: Pop Trading Company
Our picks: Pop Phatigue Farm Pant Rinsed Denim $145, Pop Lex Pott DRS Raw Denim $145
Pop Trading Co. is a skate company out of the Netherlands, and they have a plethora of easy, baggy, casual bottoms. If you’re looking for a fun take on the skater jean, they have a great pair of raw denim with neon green contrast stitch throughout, as well as a denim fatigue with clean white stitching over the perfect indigo wash.
18. Acne Studios
Image credit: Acne Studios
Our picks: Regular Fit Jeans $360, Loose Fit Jeans $340
It feels like Acne has shifted away from denim as a focus to their brand in recent years, instead bringing knitwear and extravagant runway pieces to the forefront. However, Acne Studios is still one of the best denim brands for those looking for a great pair of jeans, using rigid, organic cotton and smart lines for a high-end designer touch.
19. Outerknown
Image credit: Outerknown
Our picks: Local Straight Fit: Selvedge $188, Ambassador Slim Fit $148
Outerknown is a brand founded on sustainability as their key principle in production, and as such they guarantee their jeans for life in a philosophy of keeping more clothing and textiles out of landfills. They use 100% organic cotton from Italian mills, and offer many silhouettes in selvedge as well. This is one of the best denim brands with no frills: just classic jeans, made responsibly.
20. G-Star Raw
Image credit: G-Star Raw
Our picks: Triple A Regular Straight Jeans $120, Grip 3D Relaxed Tapered Jeans $132
G-Star is a denim brand experiencing a bit of a resurgence as of late. Always known for their high-quality raw denim, some of the “hardcore” and moto detailing on their jeans have begun to swing back around. They have plenty of more minimalistic designs on offer as well, such as the Grip 3D Relaxed Tapered Jeans that feature less hardware and put all of the design into the unique silhouette.
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