How Many Pairs of Jeans Should a Man Own?

Finding the right pair of jeans can be a struggle.

So much so, in fact, that a lot of guys might forego jeans altogether and just settle with whatever’s in their closet. 

But there’s no denying the level of comfort that comes with owning the perfect pair of jeans – and they look great, too.

So how many pairs of jeans does a man need?. 

Are you better off with as few as 2 pairs or as many as 7 pairs?

We’ll answer these questions as we go through the guide, covering different types of jeans along the way.

How Many Pairs Of Jeans Should You Have?

In our view, you can’t go wrong with 4 quality pairs of jeans, depending on your age and level of activity. You’d be surprised how many looks you can pull offf with just 4 pairs of jeans, especially if you invest in different styles.

In this guide, we’ve only listed and thought about the essential pairs of jeans that need in your wardrobe. Before we take you through the specific types of jeans to keep, though, let’s go over the unspoken rules of how to find the right pair of jeans. 

What Jeans Should You Wear?

Some people might balk at the idea of owning as many as 4 pairs of jeans, while others will undoubtedly think it isn’t enough. Keep in mind that this is how we feel about this issue, and there are good reasons behind choosing this number. 

While we can tell you what kind of jeans we think you should invest in, only you will know what works best for you. If you work with your hands, for instance, you may need more pairs of sturdy blue jeans than most, and can omit the other styles from your wardrobe.

For the younger demographic, a pair of ripped, colored, or slim fit jeans can help you look your best without overloading your wardrobe with denim. 

Getting The Right Pair Of Jeans

Finding a pair of jeans that fit you just right is an experience unlike any other, especially if you’ve put up with baggy clothes your whole life. We can’t stress enough how important it is to find the right pair of jeans if you want to elevate your sense of style, and you’ll be amazed how a good fit and style can help.

It’s generally perceived as much more attractive to wear figure-fitting jeans which hug the waist and legs. 

However, this can depend on the person, especially in regards to their style. 

For boot-wearing enthusiasts, a bit of room between your jeans and legs can add depth and layers to your outfit.

On the other hand, slim and thin tapered jeans work best with sports shoes like Nike, Adidas, and even Onitsuka Tigers. 

Feel free to explore the fit that you want, but keep in mind that baggy and slim-fit jeans each have their own special separate aesthetic. 

The Pairs Of Jeans A Man Should Own

The Classic Dark Blue Jeans

Starting off with the iconic and classic dark blue jeans—you can never go wrong with this timeless pair of pants. Dark blue jeans just have something about them that works with anything casual and semi-casual.

These jeans are perfect for casual occasions and provide a sufficient amount of warmth against cold weather. You should definitely keep a pair of these in your closet at all times, the availability of some ready-to-go jeans that match with almost anything is a valuable asset to have. 

Try blue jeans with a white shirt and a pair of boots or sneakers and you’ve nailed the perfect casual look. You can never go wrong with a white shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans.

The classic dark blue jeans are universal. 

They work well with almost any aesthetic, from grunge, clean, work, rough, rock, and so on. 

Definitely a must-have if you’re thinking about clearing out your closet but saving a single pair of jeans.

Soul Black Jeans

Regardless if you’re on the younger side or are rocking the silver tones of grey hair, black jeans are always a hit.

There’s something sexy about black, especially when it’s dressed up  as part of a smart evening outfit.

The color black has always been associated with mystery which explains its appeal. 

Whatever it is, black jeans should be a staple since they can make you look fit and sleek with the right outfit.

Grab a pair of Chelsea’s, a band shirt, and a leather jacket to complete the bad-boy aesthetic. 

Since black is generally a formal color, you’ll easily stand out even with a casual outfit. 

Lively Light Blue Jeans

While this might be a no-go for the older gentlemen reading this list, light blue jeans give youthful energy to an otherwise casual look. 

The secret with these jeans is finding ones that fit perfectly or getting them personally tailored to your size.

Light blue jeans can feel kind of tacky when they’re oversized since these are usually seen sported as slim-fit wear by the younger generation. If you’re on the adolescent demographic, keeping a pair of these jeans would look killer for casual outdoor activities. 

But don’t limit yourself there! 

These jeans work well for clubs and night outs with your friends. Grab yourself a pair of light blue jeans, a light-colored plain shirt, together with a denim jacket to add layers over your outfit.

Perfect for the boy’s night out and long midnight drives with your friends.

Hip And Young Ripped Jeans

A pair of ripped jeans can be a fashionable choice that works well with today’s fast fashion. 

Tattered and ripped jeans are usually associated with a wild or rugged lifestyle which works really well with the fashion of the younger generation.

While this might be tailored more to the adolescents and teenagers, ripped jeans can also work for older gentlemen; given that you don’t take yourself too seriously and that it already fits your aesthetic.

You can have ripped jeans in multiple ways; some prefer a small tear, while you may have seen celebrities with gaping holes. We feel that the small horizontal tear is much classier and avoids a lot of tackiness that larger cuts produce.

Ripped jeans work well in either dark blue, light blue, and black colors so feel free to get one in either variation. 

Grab yourself a pair of white Adidas Stan Smith shoes, light blue ripped jeans, and a sweatshirt or hoodie and you’ve got yourself the perfect chill but exciting outfit. 

The Semi-Formal King, Chinos

Now we understand that these aren’t jeans but these last two entries are definite must-haves in your wardrobe if you’re thinking about decluttering.

Chinos are an underrated fabric that works amazingly well with semi-formal outfits.

A beige chino together with a pair of dark brown leather shoes goes well together with a polo, sweatshirt, or a normal shirt!

The variety and freedom that chinos bring to the table can never be understated.

Chinos works for formal occasions when you need to go to work with a long-sleeved polo on. 

At the same time, you can change this for a casual hoodie during a quick lunch out with the team and still look fashionable!

Stretchy And Comfy Slacks

Finally, gone are the days of slacks being tight or hot. 

Many brands, particularly Uniqlo, offer slacks that are stretchy and comfortable despite looking deceptively like ordinary formal slacks.

If you’re the type to dress up in a semi-formal attire every so often or just want to put in that extra effort to look classy for a hot date, then you should definitely grab yourself a pair. 

The breathable and stretchy fabric is a whole different experience compared to regular slacks.

In fact, it generally feels like wearing a pair of joggers with the texture and look of classic trousers. 

We wouldn’t recommend this as a substitute for super formal occasions however, unless you find a pair that resembles the reflective finish of normal slacks.

These work with generally the same clothes as chinos, which is a great way to alternate between outfits and add variety to your style. 

For this one, you can grab some black leather shoes, a grey checkered pair of stretchy slacks, and a fitting black shirt with wide short sleeves. The perfect semi-casual outfit with a hint of formal. 

To top it off, tuck the shirt into your pants and secure your slacks with a good-looking belt. 

How to Elevate your Style with Jeans

Now you’ve got a good idea of the various types of jeans available, and which pairs you should try to include in your wardrobe, it’s time to elevate your style.

Whether you have 3 pairs of jeans or 4 pairs, the important thing is that you know how to pull them off as part of an outfit.

You could even have 6 pairs of jeans in your wardrobe, but this won’t give you the versatility you’re looking for if you don’t know how to wear them as part of a well-put-together look.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to elevate your style with a pair of jeans so that you can work with them regardless of how many pairs you own.

Invest in Quality

Rule number one when it comes to looking good in jeans is to invest in quality.

You can’t expect to elevate your style walking around in a pair of cheap, tacky jeans.

If you really want to step your game up, it’s worth shelling out a little extra to make sure you get a quality denim product. While it might seem like a waste of money, think about how much longer a good pair of jeans will last and how much happier they’ll make you feel on a day-to-day basis?

Quality jeans will be more durable, more forgiving, but best of all – more comfortable.

Casual Looks

For a meetup with friends or a trip to the mall, you’re going to want to keep it casual.

One of the best – and easiest – ways to pull off the casual look with jeans is to pair them with a crisp white t-shirt or a button-up work shirt.

You can mix and match different color jeans with different t-shirts and shirts and see what looks good to you.

This can become one of your go-to looks when the social situation is more relaxed.

Formal Looks

There are several stylish ways to upgrade your look with jeans and make you look a million dollars.

Despite what you may have been told, you don’t need to wear smart dress trousers to don a blazer.

In fact, a nice pair of jeans coupled with a staple t-shirt and a blazer or sports jacket can make for a refined look.

Best of all?

The difference between a casual and formal outfit can be one clothing item.

That means all you need in your wardrobe to elevate your style with jeans is a few colored t-shirts, 4 or 5 pairs of jeans, and a sports jacket or blazer of some sort.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Pairs Of Jeans Should A Man Own?

How many pairs of jeans does an average man own?

According to a study by Fashion United, the average man owns about six pairs of jeans but only uses around four of them frequently.

 The general number can be given allowances, but generally, most men indeed own more jeans than they wear. 

How many pairs of jeans do I need?

That entirely depends on your needs. 

If you work from home, then you won’t need an entire wardrobe of jeans since you won’t be going out as much. 

Four pairs of jeans are the minimum that we suggest you have or at least one pair of black, dark blue, and light blue jeans.

A Final Word From The Trending Man

Although you should ultimately figure out your needs first, you can reduce the number of jeans in your wardrobe by eliminating the ones that you don’t wear. 

Jeans are the kind of things that you can wear on multiple occasions with a different shirt or pair of shoes and still look fresh.

You should ideally have around four pairs of jeans, one for black, dark blue, and light blue, as well as a backup spare in case of spills or rigorous outdoor activities.