The best men’s jeans for every occasion – and how to pick your perfect pair

Are straight-leg jeans the cut of the moment? Is black denim your smartest buy? Our menswear expert has all the answers …

• The ultimate men’s capsule wardrobe

You probably wear your jeans more than anything else in your wardrobe. No surprise, given they work for any social scenario that doesn’t call for a smart dress code. But subtle design details can take your chosen pair from good to great – you just have to know where to look and what to look out for.

As a menswear writer and stylist, I’ve seen my fair share of denim, from high street to vintage, small menswear labels to heritage brands (I’m looking at you, Levi’s). And I’ve developed some tried and tested denim shopping principles.