Ever since we ditched jammies and 24/7 sweats, we’ve lived in jeans. They’re the most versatile pant option around—you can dress them up or down. But if your collection of denim only includes different shades of indigo, it’s time to diversify. A pair of black jeans, like their blue counterparts, can be paired with a white tee or a button down. They can be worn to a nice dinner or on a lazy Sunday. You should have a pair in your denim arsenal. If you need some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite pairs.
ASOS Relaxed Tapered Jeans
Shortly, we’re going to introduce you to a bunch of jeans that cost more than some people are willing to pay. Truth is, you get what you pay for when it comes to denim. That said, if you’re not looking to drop over three figures on a pair of black jeans, we’d recommend this affordable pair from ASOS. They’re not selvedge or made from specialty denim from the Far East, but they are designed by ASOS’s in-house team, and those guys know a thing or two about cuts and style. The non-stretch jeans feature reinforced seams, a raw finish, a button fly, and a price that can’t be beat.
$25
Mott & Bow Straight Morton
Mott & Bow make exceedingly comfortable jeans. The Straight fit in their Morton fabric is no different. The 4-way stretch black denim resists fading and offers enough stretch to keep you comfortable while you’re on the move. Since there’s no distressing involved, the jeans are a good dress pant substitute for the office or a night out. And if that night out ends up involving hustling through rain to a waiting cab, you’ll still feel like a million bucks.
$128
Taylor Stitch The Democratic Jean
To craft these jeans, Taylor Stitch turned to Yoshiwa Mills, a legendary denim mill in Japan. Together, they built a pair of black jeans out of a 14-ounce denim that is both sturdy and soft. The unique denim will stay true to color over the years but will slowly soften and reveal its texture. Because the denim is so limited, so are the jeans. If you want a pair, we’d suggest picking them up before it’s too late.
$145
Naked & Famous Black x Red Stretch Selvedge
Naked & Famous like to get a little playful when it comes to their jeans. (Scratch-n-sniff mint denim, anyone?) But whimsical doesn’t always mean cheap and tacky. In fact, Naked & Famous craft some seriously awesome denim jeans. Take for example their Black x Red Stretch Selvedge. Not only is the 12-ounce Japanese denim durable without being too stiff, but the contrasting red weft adds a subtle crimson undertone. When you want to take it to the next level, turn up the cuff to reveal even more color.
$155
Rag & Bone Standard Issue Fit 1 Black
If you’re looking for a pair of solid, wear-with-anything, made in the USA black jeans, you’d be wise to consider this pair from one of our favorite brands, Rag & Bone. Complete with classic Rag & Bone missing patch, the jeans offer just enough stretch and support to feel quality and deliver comfort. The slim jean with its tapered leg helps keep a clean silhouette and the branded rivets and button fly are nice touches.
$175
Nudie Jeans Brute Knut Black Turmoil
Not all black jeans have to look as dark as night. This pair from Nudie Jeans Co. features reinforcing patches under the fabric to add unique textural details. On top of that, each pair is worked on by hand to appear beautifully distressed. These aren’t the black jeans you wear with a button down and a blazer, but they are the jeans you turn to when you want to add a bit of a garage rock edge to whatever tee you’re donning that day.
$250
