9 Ways to Wear Black Jeans (for Guys)

Black jeans are simple yet versatile, and they pair well with tons of outfits and styles. Here are some of our favorite ways to wear black jeans.

Chances are you already own a few pairs of black jeans. Many guys even prefer them to blue jeans. You can find them on both the catwalk and the street, which is a testament to their versatility.

While black jeans are basic, you can style them in many different ways. In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the most stylish ways to wear black jeans, so if you’re looking for some outfit inspo, you’re in the right place.

Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Fit

First things first––we need to talk about how jeans should fit.

Whether you’re short or tall, skinny or heavy, you need to know what kind of fit suits your frame and proportions best.

Let’s look at four of the most common types of jeans: skinny, slim, straight and athletic.

Skinny Jeans

The term “skinny jeans” is a little misleading these days. For a while, the term “skinny” was synonymous with skin-tight, but more recently, it’s become a broader term. Nowadays it tends to refer to jeans that are skinnier than slim fit jeans but not actually skintight.

Wondering how to wear black skinny jeans? Well, they’re best for guys with thin legs that aren’t too muscular. They’re also helpful for short men since they make your legs look longer due to the thinner fit.

Slim Jeans

Slim fit jeans are best for most guys. They provide a nice middle ground in terms of fit––they’re not too tight or too baggy.

Heck, even stockier guys can look great in slim jeans. If you’ve overlooked them before, give slim fit jeans a second look. You might be surprised.

Straight Jeans

If you ever went into a large store (like Target or Kohl’s) to buy basic jeans and didn’t have a fit in mind, you probably ended up walking out with straight cut jeans. As the name suggests, these jeans maintain a straight line from waist to ankle.

While some guys can pull them off, straight jeans aren’t flattering for many body types. Unless you have perfectly even legs, straight jeans will probably accentuate certain parts of your leg, creating an off-balance look. However, if you have thin legs and want a casual jean, you might like having a pair of straight jeans in your closet.

Athletic Jeans

Speaking of jeans and body types, let’s talk big thighs. If your thighs are meatier than most, you’ve probably had tons of problems buying well-fitting jeans. (And if you’re like me, you’ve managed to rip a pair or two.)

Enter the athletic fit, which has more room in the thigh and hip. This is a saving grace if you’re tired of trying and failing to squeeze your thighs into your pants. Ironically, this fit isn’t for all athletic guys––think squat-loving lifters instead of runners. (Or maybe you just have thicc thighs like me.)

Now that you know the four basic fits, let’s take a look at what to wear with black jeans for men.

Black Jeans Outfit Ideas

Here are some outfit ideas that will have you always looking stylish in black jeans…

#1: Casual T-shirt and Jeans

For a casual everyday look, you can’t go wrong with the simple combo of black jeans and a t-shirt.

Even though this is a basic outfit, you can get a lot of mileage out of it. For example, instead of wearing a black or white t-shirt, you could wear a dark grey t-shirt as shown above. This creates an outfit that’s all about subtle, muted tones.

While the jeans shown here are slim fit, you could also rock skinny or straight jeans with this look.

#2: Casual with Accessories

To take that t-shirt and jeans look to the next level, throw a couple accessories into the mix.

While there are a lot of accessory options to choose from, we’re partial to sporting a watch and a nice pair of shades.

Yes, watches can be expensive, but you don’t have to take out a loan to get a well-made watch. There are plenty of great watches under $500 that will last you a long time and look awesome with a ton of outfits.

#3: Button Up and Jeans

Pairing a button up with jeans gets you a simple smart casual outfit that you can wear almost anywhere.

Most types of button ups, from relaxed flannels to more formal OCBDs, will look good with jeans. If you like wearing your button ups untucked, make sure they’re not too long. On the other hand, if you want a smart casual look that’s a bit on the smarter side, keep the button up tucked in.

Since this outfit is simple and balanced, it’s a good choice if you tend to wear straight or athletic jeans that are bit larger in the thigh section. However, you’ll probably want to avoid super skinny jeans since those will make your outfit look top-heavy.

#4: With a Dark Polo

That’s right, polo shirts aren’t just for preppy college athletes. A nice polo can complement black jeans very well, especially if you stick to darker earth tones.

And if you opt for a nontraditional long-sleeved polo, you’ll have a stylish, minimal outfit that’s perfect for most seasons and occasions.

Here, the dark green adds just enough contrast to the slim black jeans. These particular jeans have a lighter wash, but this color would also match darker black jeans.

Toss a functional bag into the mix, and you’re all set for school or work. And of course, you can accessorize. Like I mentioned earlier, you can’t go wrong with shades and a watch.

#5: With a Bomber Jacket

Jackets are kind of magical. You can wear one over almost any outfit, and it’ll look fantastic.

While most jackets look good with jeans, bomber jackets (or Harrington jackets) are especially nice due to their sleeker appearance.

At its core, this outfit is just a graphic t-shirt, jacket and jeans, but it doesn’t make you look like you’re sixteen. That’s because it’s so well constructed.

The repeated use of black with white stripes ties the outfit together, and the vintage-style baseball jacket and matching beanie add even more style. These are simple stylistic touches, but they make a big difference.

#6: Fall Layers

If you’re a sucker for layered outfits in autumn––and really, who isn’t––then you’ll dig this stacked outfit that features a pair of slim black jeans.

The slimness of the jeans helps to reduce the visual weight of the outfit. And since this outfit has three layers, minimizing its weight is important. Keeping the layers relatively thin helps, but the taper of the jeans and the sleek chukka boots also play a vital role.

#7: Dressy Summer Fit

You might have noticed that black jeans are great at tying outfits together and making them look cohesive. That’s true of this outfit that features a graphic print camp collar shirt and a sharp pair of boots.

This is another excellent example of how black jeans can balance an outfit. Since the shirt and boots are both quite loud, it would be way too much to have similarly loud pants. That’s where the jeans come in; they ensure the look isn’t too overwhelming.

#8: Color on Black

The all black look is a classic, but if you want something a bit more unique, try adding a pop of color to an otherwise black outfit.

Check out how the rich red turtleneck transforms this all-black outfit:

Without the turtleneck, this outfit would be a pretty typical biker-style look. The splash of red adds a ton of class, and it also dresses up the jacket and jeans. If you ever needed proof that simplicity can be extremely stylish, here you go.

#9: Winter Layers

You can wear black jeans pretty much year-round, save for particularly sweltering summer days. This makes them ideal for winter outfits when you need to bundle up and fight off the cold.

This is another outfit that benefits from the simplicity of black jeans. The charcoal cardigan and light grey scarf match the color of the jeans while the coat frames their slim fit perfectly.

And in case you’re wondering––yes, the “black pants brown shoes” look is okay. It helps if your shoes are lighter than your pants. Brown boots and black jeans work especially well together.

Conclusion

These are just a few fashionable ways to wear black jeans. Ultimately, the sky’s the limit. Black jeans are incredibly versatile, so experiment with them and see what you like.

How do you wear black jeans? Let us know in the comments!