From the 1950s, well into the 70s, slim fit trousers were at the heart of men's fashion. They dropped out of favour for a decade or two, replaced by the baggy jeans of the 90s, but since the late noughties they've come back, and they're showing no signs of disappearing!
Whether you're searching for a pair of jeans that'll make you stand out from the crowd, or you're simply looking to stay on-trend, there's a pair of skinny jeans for every man. In this guide, we'll introduce you to everything from casual slim fits jeans to ripped skinny jeans straight out of the 1970s punk scene. We've even compiled a list of the top 10 best skinny jeans available to buy online in the UK from Amazon, John Lewis and ASOS.
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of Skinny Jeans for Men available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() All Saints | 2 ![]() Scotch & Soda | 3 ![]() Reiss | 4 ![]() COLLUSION | 5 ![]() All Saints | 6 ![]() westAce | 7 ![]() HUGO | 8 ![]() Topman | 9 ![]() JIER | 10 ![]() Ze ENZO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Rex Skinny Jeans | Skim Skinny Fit Jeans | Deep Stay Slim Jeans | x003 Tapered Jeans | Rex Skinny Jeans, Indigo | Men's Skinny Stretch Chino Trousers | 734 Skinny Fit Jeans | Spray On Jeans | Men's Jogging Denim Pants | Super Skinny Fit Ripped Biker Jeans |
Features | Blue Denim Skinny Jeans in a Classic 70s Style | Slim Fit Jeans Made By Top Quality Designers | A Formal Pair That Are Perfect for the Office | Ecru-Coloured Jeans for Spring and Summer | A Relaxed, Low-Rise Fit for a Timeless Look | Skinny Chinos for Both Formal and Casual Occasions | Vibrant White Skinny Jeans | An Extra-Tight Pair of Spray-on Skinny Jeans | Stylish and Comfortable Skinny Jogger-Jeans | Skinny Jeans for Those Who Love Distressed Denim |
Price | £98.00 | £83.96 | £98.00 | £19.45 | £98.00 | £11.92 | £59.25 | £30.00 | £18.29 | £21.99 |
Cut | Skinny | Slim | Skinny | Tapered Skinny | Skinny | Skinny | Skinny | Extra Skinny | Skinny | Skinny |
Rise | Mid | Mid | Mid | High | Low | Mid | Mid | Mid | Mid | Mid |
Material | Denim: 76% cotton, 16% polyester, 7% rayon, 1% elastane | Denim: 95% cotton, 4% polyester, 1% elastane | Denim: 54% cotton, 28% polyester, 16% viscose, 2% elastane | Denim: 100% cotton | 76% cotton, 16% polyester, 7% rayon, 1% elastane | Denim: 98% cotton, 2% elastane | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane. | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane | 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester | Denim: 98% cotton, 2% elastane |
Best For | All Occasions | Casual Occasions | Formal look | Sunny Weather | Casual Events | Chino style | Casual Events | 'Sprayed on' look | Very Casual Occasions | Folds, rips, distressed look |
Colours Available | Indigo, Black | Black | Blue, Black | Ecru | Indigo & Jet Black | (20 colours available) | White | Black | Blue & Black | Blue Wash, Black, Black Acid, White |
Link |
Of the three cuts, the standard 'skinny' jean sits somewhere in the middle. Gone are the days when a man wearing tight jeans might attract negative attention, and skinny jeans can now be found at all fashion retailers. Their fit tapers towards the bottom of the leg, leaving ample room for the thighs before tightening around the ankles.
Such a cut tends to fit slimmer men better, but the use of stretch fabrics means there are skinny to comfortably fit all sizes and leg shapes. However, men of all sizes should bear in mind that a tighter fit means restricted movement. But as long as you're not going rock-climbing, you should be okay!
Slim cut jeans are the widest, and they're slightly more forgiving than their skinny counterparts. They still taper, but do so in a more relaxed way following the shape of your body. They're not as figure-hugging, so you won't feel as restricted as you might in skinny cut jeans.
Because they're a little more casual in their style, it's possible to find slim fit chinos, joggers, and even formal trousers that can be worn in the office. However, fashion aficionados may struggle with their lack of je ne sais quoi. After all, slim-cut jeans may be more comfortable, but if you're looking to turn heads or assert your individuality, skinny cut, or extra skinny jeans are the way to go.
Some people just aren't content with half measures! If you're the kind of person that likes to take things to the max, you'll definitely want to take a look at extra skinny cut jeans. They're the narrowest of all the cuts and are so tight it can look like you're wearing spandex. In fact, they're often referred to as 'sprayed on' jeans.
Extra-skinny jeans are the perfect way of expressing an outgoing personality or complementing an extreme look. Just be sure that you've got the right figure for them, as they really leave nothing to the imagination!
Skinny jeans for men are most commonly available in one of two rise heights, either mid or low. The matter may not be as pressing for men's jeans as it is for women's, but it's still important to bear in mind. Mid-rise jeans are the most common style when it comes to skinnies, with a waistband that sits just below the bellybutton and a semi-formal look that accentuates the legs.
Because of the extra height, they're also the jeans of preference for men who like to keep their shirt tucked in. Low-rise jeans, on the other hand, sit a little lower on the waist, giving a more casual, relaxed look that lengthens the torso.
The matter of which to go for depends primarily on how you wear the rest of your clothing and your body shape. For example, bigger men and those with shorter legs may appreciate the extra room and the lengthening effect of high-rise jeans.
When it comes to skinny jeans, cotton is the most commonly used material. This is primarily because it's comfortable to wear - something that's particularly important with skinny jeans - but also because it can be combined with other materials, such as elastane, to give skinny jeans their stretchiness.
After elastane, the most common material you'll find mixed with cotton to make skinny jeans is polyester. Not only is polyester cheaper to manufacture, it also increases the durability of your skinny jeans, meaning they can stretch over and over again without showing wear.
Most skinny jeans will be made from a blend of these three materials. However, different fibre percentages will affect the look and feel of your jeans. Those with a higher cotton percentage will have a more rugged, traditional denim look, whereas a higher polyester percentage results in a softer fabric that looks and feels a little closer to spandex - something that's essential for a 'sprayed on' look.
As you might expect, skinny jeans are available in traditional colours, such as black, grey, and various shades of blue. But as the trend continues, bolder colours are being introduced into the mix, and it's not too difficult to find skinny jeans in shades of red, purple and mustard.
Bound to be music to the ears of those who love a more eye-catching ensemble, if you're eager to try experimenting with colour there's plenty of scope. But if you're not sure how to incorporate bolder shades into your wardrobe, stick to the rule of matching complementary colours. Pair your jeans with other items of a similar hue, and you're sure to look amazing from head to toe!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£98.00
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | Denim: 76% cotton, 16% polyester, 7% rayon, 1% elastane |
Best For | All Occasions |
Colours Available | Indigo, Black |
£83.96
Cut | Slim |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | Denim: 95% cotton, 4% polyester, 1% elastane |
Best For | Casual Occasions |
Colours Available | Black |
£98.00
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | Denim: 54% cotton, 28% polyester, 16% viscose, 2% elastane |
Best For | Formal look |
Colours Available | Blue, Black |
£19.45
Cut | Tapered Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | High |
Material | Denim: 100% cotton |
Best For | Sunny Weather |
Colours Available | Ecru |
£98.00
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Low |
Material | 76% cotton, 16% polyester, 7% rayon, 1% elastane |
Best For | Casual Events |
Colours Available | Indigo & Jet Black |
£11.92
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | Denim: 98% cotton, 2% elastane |
Best For | Chino style |
Colours Available | (20 colours available) |
£59.25
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane. |
Best For | Casual Events |
Colours Available | White |
£30.00
Cut | Extra Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane |
Best For | 'Sprayed on' look |
Colours Available | Black |
£18.29
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester |
Best For | Very Casual Occasions |
Colours Available | Blue & Black |
£21.99
Cut | Skinny |
---|---|
Rise | Mid |
Material | Denim: 98% cotton, 2% elastane |
Best For | Folds, rips, distressed look |
Colours Available | Blue Wash, Black, Black Acid, White |
Written and researched by Ben Willimett
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications