Best Jeans for Men Over 40: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Irrespective of a man’s age, a good pair of jeans are simply a must for any guy’s closet. Whether you’re in your 20s or 40s, you don’t have to compromise on your look and style.
There are many different options designed specifically for different age brackets. The best jeans for men over 40, for example, are designed to amplify the look of sophistication and wisdom that is apparent at that age.
Then again, this is the case only if you buy the right kind of jeans. Do you know which style makes perfect sense for your age? If not, we’ve listed the best options for you down below.
Comparison Chart
Best Jeans for Men Over 40 Reviews
AG Adriano Goldschmied Graduate Tailored-Leg Jeans
The first one on our list is from the line of well-known Italian design Adriano Goldschmied. This guy is famous for his high-end denim jeans collections that have been loved by men all over the globe since 1969. In fact, he’s even called the “Godfather of Denim” around his region.
The Graduate Tailored-leg Jeans are available in 10 different sizes, making them a good option for a wide variety of people with different body sizes and shapes.
Product Highlights
Available in Robinson color, the stylish jeans look great on middle-aged men. These jeans are made using 11-ounce dark denim, which is easily machine-washable. These are made from high-quality Japanese denim with a cotton-stretch blend that includes 98% cotton and 2% polyurethane.
These jeans come with a front rise of 9.75 inches, as well as tailored-legs and knee opening of 17 inches. The bottom opening is around 15.5 inches while the inseam length is 34 inches. (These dimensions are for size 32). These five-pocket jeans come with embroidered pockets. The denim also features slight whiskering.
The Good
These jeans come from a well-known fashion designer who is also the originator of Premium Denim. Truly, you can expect only high-end jeans from Adriano Goldschmied. Moreover, the tailored-leg Graduate jeans offer you a roomy fit around the waist and thighs, making it comfortable to wear.
These jeans start to get narrow from the knee down, giving it a unique, stylish look. You also don't have to worry about its color fading away, as the material is resistant to wear. Therefore, the color will remain even after dozens of washes.
The Bad
For those who want a more sophisticated look, this may not be the best choice. These jeans are more appropriate for casual settings as opposed to semi-formal ones. Also, the jeans are better for winter months. The cotton blend is good for heat insulation, but it doesn’t do much for sweat absorption.
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7 For All Mankind Men's Standard Straight Leg Jeans
Founded in 2000, 7 For All Mankind is the first company in California to take premium denim to large-scale production. With the use of innovative materials and an elite fashion team, it is a denim brand that is popular among even celebrities. Don’t be surprised if you find these Straight Leg Jeans in the tabloid shots of Hollywood’s elite.
Product Highlights
The most popular shade is Offbeat Blue, but you can buy these jeans in many different colors, including Military Green, Autumn Night, and River Blue. The material is 98% cotton and 2% Spandex, whereas the zipper is made with high-quality metal.
The 7 For All Mankind jeans have a 10-inch front rise and 9.5-inch cover (for a size 28). You can have these dimensions altered as per your needs. Like the Adriano Goldschmied jeans, these also have a five-pocket style with embroidery at the back. The embroidery doesn’t overpower the cut and color of the jeans, but instead, it simply serves as a subtle embellishment.
The Good
The cotton and spandex combination makes these jeans more flexible and, therefore, very comfortable to wear. The straight fit falls perfectly in line with your figure, making this perfect for men over 40. The straight leg cut makes the wearer look slimmer and smarter.
Also, the zipper is high-quality metal, which creates less friction when you open or close your fly. You don’t have to worry about the zipper getting stuck, or your fly suddenly falling open.
The Bad
The inseam size is a bit unclear. Hence, you may want to contact customer service before purchasing to be sure that these jeans will fit you. Otherwise, you may have to pay extra to have them altered.
Moreover, these jeans are better to wear on special occasions. The materials aren’t suited for everyday wear and will eventually stretch out and fade.
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True Religion Men's Ricky Straight Leg Jeans
True Religion has been setting industry standards since the company began in Los Angeles, California, in 2002. Their lines of jeans and other denim products cater to people of all ages and genders, especially older demographics.
The company’s mission statement is to create jeans that make bold statements of personal style and taste. The Ricky Straight Leg Jeans work to do just this.
Product Highlights
Available in dark and light washes, the True Religion Men’s Ricky Straight Leg Jeans are for men of all body types and heights. The denim is 100% imported cotton, built for comfort and durability.
The jeans have a 34-inch inseam that stretches to accommodate all body types. The back pockets are embroidered with horseshoes, giving the jeans a more masculine look.
The Good
The material is double-stitched to promote durability and resistance to wear. Therefore, you can easily wear these jeans every day without worrying about the color fading or the stitching coming apart.
Since the denim is 100% cotton, grinding and irritation are minimized, making these jeans perfect for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
The Bad
Even though the stretchable 34-inch inseam is awesome, it can also be a disadvantage. Depending on your body type, the jeans may either be too long or too short. You may need to get the length altered by a tailor, so beware of the size that you order.
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Diesel Men's 842q Sleenker Trousers
Diesel is an Italian retail business based in Breganze, Italy. The company, created in 1978, has online retailers in countries all around the world, including the US and the UK.
The company has seen significant growth since its inception and produces over 3,000 products every fashion season. Diesel Men’s 842q Sleenker Trousers are from their line of innovative, premium casual wear.
Product Highlights
Only available in dark blue or black, the 842q Sleenker Trousers are dark-washed with a subtle fading look. These jeans are machine-washable but are not dryer-compatible as the dryer may increase the rate of shrinkage. You need to dry them flatly on a hanging wire.
These trousers feature a straight fit with a relaxed, regular waist. The pockets have a darker blue shade for a more faded look, and the iconic Diesel logo is imprinted on the left-back pocket.
The Good
The relaxed waist and narrow legs on these jeans end up giving the wearer a very clean-cut look, making this a perfect choice for matured men. These are casual-style jeans, yet they offer a subtly sophisticated vibe, which is ideal for anyone who needs an adaptable pair of jeans.
You can easily wear this for a casual day out and then turn it into semi-formal wear by pairing the jeans with a dress shirt or a sports coat.
The Bad
If you don’t like the faded look, these jeans may not be for you. Some may find faded jeans trendy, but the look may not suit everyone’s taste and preferences. Moreover, the darker blue pockets, after fading away themselves, give the jeans a rather unsophisticated look.
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Naked & Famous Denim Men's Laid Back Fit Jeans
Based in Canada, Naked & Famous Denim imports the best quality denim from Japanese mills to manufacture their products. The company holds a 1950s aesthetic both in their logo and their products. At the same time, their designs still manage to incorporate the latest pop culture trends. The Men’s Laid Back Fit Jeans are meant for utility as well as fashion.
Product Highlights
These jeans are made from high-quality, Japanese selvedge denim, which has a higher density than non-selvedge denim. The material is also adaptable, which means that it will stretch to accommodate your body type after the first few wears.
These jeans have a relaxed fit and tapered legs, making them slightly tight-fitted at the bottom. These come in black with light orange stitching around the hem and pockets. The orange adds a nice contrast to the black background, making these jeans stand out even more.
The Good
As mentioned, the selvedge material is denser and, therefore, sturdier than others. The selvedge is a rare type of denim with a more desirable and attractive look as opposed to non-selvedge materials. While non-selvedge materials do provide more flexibility, the selvedge material on these jeans is softer and more comfortable.
The Bad
These jeans are only available in sizes ranging from 28 to 38 (in length), so taller men or plus-size men can’t wear these. Moreover, the tapered fit leaves the jeans baggy at the waist and thighs, which is not a good look for those with thin or athletic body types.
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BUYER'S GUIDE
To make the most of our list of the best jeans for men over 40, you need to know how to choose the right pair. After all, you can't just buy the first jeans you laid your eyes on. You need to look for different features and compare different products to make sure you are spending your money on the right pair of jeans.
Here are some of the key features you need to look for when buying jeans:
1. Wash
There are two common washes for you to choose from: one lighter and the other darker. For middle-aged men, darker, cleaner, and less whiskered jeans look more sophisticated and stylish. You can also easily wear them on different occasions.
On the other hand, lighter-colored washes come with aggressive whiskering and are more suited for the summer months. For men above 40, stonewashed jeans, treated to offer you a worn, faded appearance, are probably not the right option. For your age, you need a darker wash that adds sophistication to your personality.
However, there’s a wide range of washes and finishes available to choose from. These options include raw denim (dark blue unwashed stiff jeans), acid wash, rinse wash (remains dark blue but softens the jeans), mid-wash, light wash, and bleach wash. Keep in mind that the more washed it is, the softer and more comfortable it is to wear.
2. Size
The jeans size often confuses buyers. An example of a jeans size is 34 x 36, whereby 34 is the waist and 36 is the length. Both of these measurements are in inches. Take note that the inseam length is always measured from the crotch instead of the waistband. The length measures the inside leg of the jeans all the way down to the floor.
Measuring the correct size is important because it will determine how comfortable the jeans will be for you. Therefore, make sure to measure correctly. We recommend getting a friend to help you out.
3. Fit
No matter how expensive the jeans are, if they’re not the right fit, your money is wasted. While there are dozens of fits out there, the most common ones are as follows:
- Skinny
- Slim
- Regular
- Relaxed
- Loose
Skinny and slim jeans, which have a tighter fit, may not look too good on middle-aged men. As they’re tighter fitting, wearing them is more challenging due to the narrower leg opening.
The best jeans for men over 40 are regular and relaxed ones. You may not want to wear loose, baggy-fitting jeans as they offer a less flattering look.
Regular jeans mostly come with a mid-rise fit while the trouser legs remain straight from knee to hem and from hip to thigh. If you want more comfortable jeans, the relaxed style is a good choice. It has wide openings that make sure the jeans don't hug your legs or thighs too much.
4. Style
Style is also important when choosing the right jeans. You don’t want to get jeans that are out of style. For example, bell-bottom jeans were all the rage in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but now, particularly on men, they just look silly and unsophisticated.
Additionally, fashion experts unanimously agree that cargo-style denim pants are always unflattering on men no matter their age or body type. They may be practical, but look-wise, they leave much to be desired.
If you want to check out what’s in style, refer to the latest fashion magazines or fashion blogs. There are many helpful ones all over the internet.
5. Rise
Next, you need to check the rise of the jeans. You can't find the perfect jeans without looking into the rise offered by different styles. The four most popular options are:
- High-rise
- Mid-rise
- Low-rise
- Low-crotch
For those who don’t know, the rise is the length of the jeans from the top of the waistband to the crotch. The most popular among men over 40 are high-rise jeans as they’re a better fit for larger guys. The wearer can keep his shirt untucked over the jeans because the waistband reaches the belly button in these jeans.
However, if you like to tuck your shirt into the jeans, mid-rise jeans are better options. You can even opt for low-rise jeans for a more relaxed and casual appearance. These are worn way below the belly button.
The low-crotch rise is probably not for most 40-plus men as these are worn very low on the waist and give a saggy appearance. A lot depends on your body type as well. If you're thin or athletic, low-rise jeans with straight legs will look good on you. For muscular men, mid-rise jeans make better sense, whereas, for men with wider hips, high-rise jeans are a good option.
F.A.Q.
1. How should men dress in their 40s?
Even though you’re older, looking good doesn’t mean spending lots of money and following the latest trends. On the contrary, it means you should do what works for you. Wear clothes according to your body type, personal style, and budget.
2. What are the different types of jeans fit?
Apart from the fits we mentioned above, you may also find tapered, narrow, straight, bootcut, and flared jeans. These tend to go in and out of style.
3. How much do jeans shrink?
If you wash jeans in the washing machine, you can expect anywhere between 3% and 4% shrinkage rate. If the jeans shrink more than 5% per wash, they’re low quality.
4. How tight should skinny jeans be on a guy?
Men shouldn’t wear something skintight. Jeans that narrow below the knee are generally more acceptable, as well as comfortable, for men over 40.
FINAL VERDICT
In sum, we hope you found our guide on the best jeans for men over 40 to be helpful and informative. If we had to pick a favorite from our list, it would undoubtedly be the Diesel Men's 842q Sleenker Trousers. These jeans provide everything men over 40 need in jeans: comfort, fashion, and utility.
The Diesel jeans also fulfill each of the criteria mentioned in our buying guide. They’re in line with the latest trends, the fit, rise, and size are available for men of all heights and weights, and the wash is dark, giving you an edgy look. These jeans are also affordable, perfect for those who are on a budget.
