10 Best Jeans For Men Over 40 – Must Have’s For 2024

Like most of you, I’ve been wearing blue jeans since I was a kid in the ‘80s. Fashion trends have come and gone over the years, but the blue denim jean has stood the test of time as a staple in every man’s wardrobe. I love jeans more than any other type of pant because they are so easy to wear with almost any shoe or shirt. A good pair of jeans looks great, they’re durable, and they’re functional.

Jean Trends Over the Years

As a kid growing up in the ‘80s, I didn’t really care what jeans I wore – I destroyed many a pair of jeans, getting them all muddy with holes in the knees within months. 

By the late ‘90s, baggy jeans ruled. This was one of the most comfortable phases of life, as I routinely headed to class in baggy jeans, a hoody and Nike Air Max running sneakers. 

Heading into the early ‘00s, jeans started to slim down as bootcut jeans became popular. 

And then in the mid-’00s, skinny jeans were really taking over – first for women and then for men as well. I remember going to clubs in New York City and seeing guys rocking skinny jeans, a tee shirt and driving moccasins. I thought this was such a cool look and immediately tried to emulate it. I bought a few pairs of skinny jeans from brands like Lucky Brand and Levi’s and they looked great showing off my sneakers that I had been hiding under my jeans for the last decade. 

Selvedge Denim Obsession

The skinny jean trend lasted well over ten years, and evolved into a bit of a fascination. Selvedge and raw denim introduced an intriguing concept of buying a pair of dark indigo raw denim with zero stretch, allowing them to naturally wear over time and seeing how they would fade. The various styles of selvedge stitching also captured attention, highlighting the nuanced details in these jeans.

My first pair of selvedge jeans were from The Gap, and I only spent about $40 on them. They were definitely uncomfortable, but they faded really nicely over time. I paired them with Chippewa boots and started to feel like an urban woodsman in New York City. This led to my first expensive jean purchase – a pair of skinny selvedge jeans from Rogue Territory that cost over $200. I remember trying them on at a shop in Chicago, and the sales associate told me that “breathing was overrated” when I said they were a bit tight.

The fascination with raw selvedge denim grew quickly from there, and I bought enough skinny jeans to last me the next 20 years, but I have a new problem – I turned 40. 

Sudden Changes in My 40’s

People say you will gain a lot of weight in your 30’s, but this never happened for me. Even up to my 41st birthday, I was still the same weight I was in high school. This all changed over the last year, as I shockingly gained about 6 pounds. It was a combination of sitting at a desk all day, a slower metabolism, and not really working out or walking that much. 

I started freaking out – how could I have possibly gained so much weight? What am I going to do with all these really nice selvedge skinny jeans?

Slowly, all my raw selvedge skinny jeans have stopped fitting. At the same time, jean trends have shifted to baggier fits over the past few years. Skinny jeans had a great run, but pretty much everyone has moved on to the baggier fits we enjoyed back in the ‘90s. 

Denim Options

Overall, it’s a great time to be a man and over 40 – your denim options are endless. Up until the ‘90s, men in their 40’s typically all wore the same style of denim. Bell bottoms in the 70’s, skinny fit jeans in the ‘80s, straight fit “Dad jeans” in the ‘90s. Then in the ‘00s, there were more options. Men in their 40’s could wear boot cut jeans, slim-fit jeans, straight-leg jeans, baggy, and of course they could still rock a lightwash “Dad jean.” 

Though today skinny-fit jeans are on the way out and Dad jeans are super popular, there are still plenty of options besides those two. For example, an Ivy fit jean is a great choice, as are all the selvedge denim labels. 

The challenge when you turn 40 as it has been for me is that your body starts to go through some changes. I, for one, found out the hard way when all my selvedge jeans stopped buttoning at the top because I put on a few pounds around my gut region. I figured I’d be the same weight forever, but nature had different plans. I wasn’t a fan of stretchy jeans, but now I get it. On those days when you’re feeling a little bloated and need some extra room, that 2% stretch comes in handy. 

Considerations For Those Over 40

Some things to consider if you’re over 40 and in the market for a new pair of jeans are whether they are 100% cotton or a blend with some stretchy material, the fit of the jeans, and where they are made. Most of the jeans I like are a straight or regular fit with little taper. They are also all mostly a light blue wash, as that is in style for men of all ages right now.

I also find jeans that are 100% cotton and made in Japan or the USA to be superior to jeans that are made anywhere else. Typically jeans made in Japan or the USA are in smaller warehouses where more time and attention is paid to details and quality.

When shopping for jeans, most men know what they like and don’t deviate from it. But I challenge you to try on different styles of jeans and different brands, because you may just find a great pair of jeans that are the perfect fit. With these things in mind, here is a list of the top 10 best jeans for men over 40.

Top 10 Best Jeans For Men Over 40

Levi’s 501

Levi’s 501 jeans are great because they go well with sneakers, boots and sandals. You can tuck in a button down and put on a blazer to dress up, or just throw on a tee shirt for everyday wear. They are arguably Levi’s most popular jean and the most versatile jean of all time, and the little bit of stretch material really helps if you gain a pound or two.

I bought two pairs of Levi’s 501 during the pandemic because they had a great sale on their website, and I wanted to try a few of their lighter washes. I also liked that they were baggier than all my skinny jeans. After wearing skinny jeans for almost 15 years, the looser fit Levi’s 501 pairs took some getting used to. I bought a pair of medium wash, and a pair of light wash and planned to return at least one of them. However, after trying them on a few times, I loved them so much that I kept both. 

Studio D’Artisan

Studio D’Artisan is a Japanese denim brand that makes a quality pair of jeans. They make a “1950’s Wash” 12.5 oz regular straight fit jean that looks a lot like a pair of Levi 501’s but with much higher quality.

You can’t go wrong with any jeans that Studio D’Artisan makes, as they are all made in Japan. Their regular straight fit jean features a medium rise, standard top block, and a slight taper from the knee down. They are not baggy, and they are not skinny, so you won’t look or feel uncomfortable at all. They also feature some great details, like a custom leather patch, custom branded rivets and buttons, and chain stitched hems with custom roping. If you care about quality and durability, go with Studio D’Artisan.

Kato

If you like high-stretch denim, Kato is for you. Personally, I like rigid denim that takes 5-10 years to break in, but not everyone is as patient as I am with my wardrobe. If you are looking for jeans that are well-made and already feel broken-in when you slide them on for the first time, go with Kato. They are also made for men who prefer a slim fit vs baggier.

Kato makes jeans that you can easily wear to both the office and for going out. The Hammer Straight jean is their baggiest option, and comes in a variety of washes – from a bleach wash to dark indigo. Kato is one of the most popular Japanese brands in the USA, as their products are readily available on their website and other mens online retailers. They used to be on Amazon as well but not anymore.

Gap

Who hasn’t owned a pair of Gap jeans in their life? I had a great pair of selvedge jeans that I wore for years and I regret getting rid of them. Gap jeans have always fit me well and been reliable for years of wear and tear.

Check out their organic cotton loose jeans for $80. They look great with a pair of New Balance runners or Clarks Wallabees. The loose fit is a baggier jean and is manufactured from 13 oz organic cotton. They are machine washable, but I should mention this for all jeans – make sure to flip them inside-out and wash them on the cold cycle. Also make sure never to put them in the dryer. Also make sure to use Woolite detergent, as it helps keep the color from fading too quickly.

Todd Snyder

Former J.Crew designer Todd Snyder has been making his own clothes for over 10 years now. Most of his line is “in the spirit” of J.Crew, but better quality. Todd Snyder makes a relaxed fit jean in a light blue wash for $200 that is made from 100% cotton with vintage-inspired details including a shank button fly, oxidized rivets and selvedge outseams if you want to roll up your cuffs and show off the red ticking. The relaxed fit model is fairly baggy with a very straight leg. I like how they are styled rolled up with black dress shoes. The only downside is for what you pay, they are made in China – not Japan or the USA.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is famous for being a luxury label, but they also make some reasonably priced jeans as well. Their vintage classic fit jean is $148. They are made of 100% non-stretch cotton, and feature a vintage-inspired silhouette that sits higher at the waist with a longer rise and straight leg. The “vintage” look of the jeans gives them a bit of a dressed-up look if you want to pair them with a blazer and dress shoes. And, if you’re looking for something a little fancier with higher quality, check out their RRL straight fit jeans in black for $298. 

LL Bean

LL Bean is a sleeper choice for solid-quality jeans at a fair price. For $60, you can get their straight leg jeans in a durable, heavyweight 100% cotton. They are super-soft and loose-fitting. They’re a great pair if you don’t prefer the worn in look, because they are crafted with an abrasion-resistant weave that also prevents fading and shrinkage. Pair them with a heavyweight flannel and some Bean boots and you’ll be ready to take on the frigid Maine winters.