Neil Diamond may have sung Forever in Blue Jeans, and sure, there’s no denying the range of classic indigo denim—but the best black jeans for men can do everything that blue jeans can, and sometimes even more. Classic American straight-leg jeans, workwear-inspired Japanese selvedge denim, baggy 90s fits—all of the best men’s jeans look absolutely stellar when you turn on dark mode. It’s no wonder punks, rappers, cowboys, Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, and just regular dudes have all reached for them when they want a dose of edge. And when paired with tailoring? The right pair can instantly rock with even a shirt and loose tie—effortlessly sharp, with just the right amount of attitude.
But what are the right black jeans for you? Are they pitch black and pressed, or washed and thrashed? Are they slim-cut or wide-leg? Jet black, stonewashed, artfully f’d up, baggy and relaxed, or skinny and sharp—there are spins on black denim out there than there are coffee orders at Starbucks. So we put in the hard work for you to round up the absolute best black jeans to pick up right now.
The Best Men’s Black Jeans, According to GQ
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Best Black Jeans Overall: Levi’s 501 ‘93 Straight Jeans
Those with bigger thighs might find them on the tighter side. We’re not going to be contrarian here—you really can’t beat the Levi’s 501. It’s the blueprint for the entire denim universe as we know it—a trendproof, universally flattering standard bearer, thanks to its perfect mid-rise and classic straight-leg silhouette. Trends come and go, but thanks to its perfect construction, it has defied them all. And while you can always pick up a pair of the (admittedly slightly cheaper) OG, for me, the ‘93 fit is superior: It has a slightly higher front that sits truly at the waist, and is a bit looser in the seat and thigh for a more relaxed fit.
Softest Black Jeans: Carhartt WIP Newel Jeans
Black jeans often bring to mind stiff, unyielding denim, but leave it to the kings of refined workwear—Carhartt WIP—to strike the perfect balance between rugged and wearable. Their stonewashed black denim is tough as nails yet soft as hell, crafted from 13.5oz non-stretch organic cotton, with reinforced stitching for extra durability. The best part? That broken-in feel is paired with a relaxed tapered fit—ideal for the guy who wants his jeans to work hard, while he still feels nice and easy.
Best Baggy Black Jeans: Abercrombie Baggy Jean
The Abercrombie of the 1990s was all about high-quality, trend-forward denim (okay, and maybe the dimly lit stores and shirtless models). So it’s nice to see that today’s Abercrombie is keeping the best parts of that DNA alive. Case in point: the Baggy jean, a relaxed-fit style that drapes effortlessly and pools slightly at the shoe—right in line with the current trend. Even better? The 100% cotton construction—no stretch, just pure denim that feels broken-in from day one. Even with an almost endless variety of washes, the vintage black still stands out as a favorite, offering a coveted worn-in look without sacrificing any structural integrity.
Best (Upgrade) Baggy Black Jeans: Nudie Tuff Ton Jeans
Back in the indie sleaze glory days, it was all about brightly-colored V-necks, battered Converse All-Stars, and a pair of spray-on Nudie jeans. Well, Nudie never left—it’s still cranking out high-quality organic cotton denim with that classic pocket stitching, just now in a more low-key tonal stitch. Our fit preferences, on the other hand? They’ve evolved, and so has the Swedish brand. This loose-fit, wide-leg style is made from the same high-quality denim that made Nudie popular in the first place, and comes with a lifetime repair guarantee.
Best Faded Black Jeans: Orslow 105 Straight Leg
For those who want that perfectly faded gray look like, yesterday, you’re in luck—Japan’s Orslow has been mastering American-inspired denim for years. Specifically, the best of the classic Levi’s 501, resulting in their 105 jeans (see what they did there?) Cut in a classic straight-leg fit from 13.5oz denim, they’re expertly stone-washed to serve that broken-in, vintage fade right out of the box—faster than you can say “Did you know my jeans were made using historic mills in Japan?”
Best Black Jeans for Denimheads: 3Sixteen 222x Classic Straight Double Black
Whether it’s records, sneakers, or rare whiskey, the real heads out there search long and hard for the finer, more rarefied things in life, and for denimheads—it’s raw selvedge or nothing. The true connoisseur wants to work those fades and creases in himself, dammit! And you can still get those sweet fades with the right pair of black jeans. One of our favorites? New York City-based denim experts 3sixteen, and their 12oz Japanese-woven 222x Double Black denim.
Both the warp and weft threads (that’s the vertical and horizontal, respectively) are dyed black—no indigo in sight—giving them a deep, inky darkness that takes its time to fade. When it finally does, expect a perfectly worn-in, dirty gray patina that’s totally distinct.
More Black Jeans We Love
Celine Straight Leg Distressed Jean
Madewell 1991 Straight Leg Jeans
Todd Snyder Black Selvedge Worn Wash Jeans
Buck Mason Japanese Denim Ford Standard Jeans
A.P.C. New Standard Jeans
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
