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The Ten Commandments of Denim Style

July 17, 2010 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

The Ten Commandments of Denim Style

Originally Published 1/19/2010

BEHOLD HIS MIGHTY PANTS – We’re offering these suggestions because Moses was in an obvious Robe Rut.  Pics are of jeans you SHOULD consider buying*

JeansGapStraightFitI. Thou Shalt not buy pre-destroyed Jeans

Would you buy a shirt that’s pre-ripped?  No?  What makes the lower half of your body any different?  Same goes for baseball caps.  Wear and tear should be genuine, not fake.

II. Thou Shalt wash only once a week, inside out.

Jeans are meant to be tough.  Unless you’ve got a problem with your thighs sweating uncontrollably, you should be fine with a once a week wash.  Denim fades with washing, so to keep them dark, wash them once a week.  Inside out.

JeansLevisBootcutIII. Thou Shalt Keep it simple

Easy on the Embellishments, the fading, the whiskers.  Leave that crazy stuff to the ladies and the Jersey Shore.

IV. Thou Shalt Keep It Dark

Black is a risk.  White is worse.  Keep it medium to dark blue.  It’s more versatile and you’ll avoid the Dad Jeans look.  That and it’s just more visually appealing.

V. Thou Shalt Not Wear Carpenter Jeans

Unless you’re a carpenter.  Then you’re fine.  Or need to carry a hammer with you for some unknown reason.  Lose the loop.

JeansBananaRepublicStraightFitVI. Thou Shalt Not purchase tapered or baggy fits

One of the foundations of having a sense of style is avoiding looking substantially older or younger than you actually are.  Those two sorry excuses for “fits” do just that.  Keep it to straight or (brace yourselves) boot cut if they don’t flare too much.

VII. Thou Shalt Not purchase skinny Jeans

Are you nineteen years old, Emo, and standing outside of a coffee shop smoking a cigarette?  No?  Okay.  They’re a fad.  Steer clear.

VIII. Thou Shalt Not be afraid to wear a tie with Jeans

It can be a really good look.  Keep the denim dark, your tie thin, wear a blazer.

IX.  Thou Shalt Embrace Low Rise

JeansCalvinKleinLowriseThey feel better, they look better.  Make the switch and then try to tell me regular rise doesn’t feel like you’re wearing waders.

X. Thou Shalt not wear Jeans and a Jean Jacket

Some say you can pull it off as long as the washes are drastically different.  We say you look like a hoser.  Unless you’re Clint Eastwood.  Then you look like a bad ass no one would ever want to mess with.  Especially over his choice of pants.

*The Jeans Pictured are…  starting at the top: Gap Straight Fit Dark Blue Jeans – $54.50,  Levi’s 527 Low Rise Boot Cut – $32.99, Banana Republic Dark Wash Jean – $79.50, Calvin Klein Low Rise Straight Leg – $39.99

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: 10 commandments of denim, blue jeans, charlton heston, denim, Jeans, Pants, rules of style

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Comments

  1. tim says

    December 15, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    Can this fet printed up in pamphlet form so I can hand it out to the dudes I see wearing lady jeans? It would be a public service.

  2. gaoman says

    December 16, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    Fantastic! Well Said!

  3. Sarah says

    December 16, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    I whole heartedly agree with the no tappered or baggy fit jeans. Boys; wear jeans that make your butt look good! Tappered and baggy fit jeans do not cast rear-ends into the best light.

  4. JC says

    January 3, 2010 at 7:32 PM

    Wish I had seen this one before I wote a version. Love the Moses pic! Looks like we agree on 1, 2, 4, and 7.
    <a href=" Feel free to comment on my version

  5. Bryan says

    March 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM

    Question. Commandment IV states: Thou Shalt Keep It Dark.

    What about jeans that are clearly not a shade of blue, such as these, from Levis. Someone got me a pair of approx that color 514’s a while ago, but I’ve not been able to wear them without having strong reservations about how they look. I’ve yet to wear them except for around the house and maybe the quick errand.

    Should jeans of that color be avoided, or are they an exception to the “keep it dark” rule?

    Thanks

  6. Joe says

    March 10, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    Interesting… never considered a light/pale gray or taupe option. I think the “keep it dark” only refers to blue. You don’t want to look like you’re wearing those periwinkle Dad-Jeans circa 1991. But a pair of jeans like those from Levi’s look much more fashion forward and stylish. Maybe too much so unless you’re the kinda guy that takes those style risks every once in awhile. I, personally… am not. So I don’t know if I could pull them off. But what I can tell you, is that I have a lot of blue shirts that sometimes make me look like I’m addicted to the color blue when paired with jeans, and that wouldn’t be an issue with the pair you’re talking about.

  7. DenimHead says

    April 10, 2010 at 11:26 PM

    VI. Thou Shalt Not purchase tapered or baggy fits

    still call yourselves a fashion website

  8. Bobby says

    July 17, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    I live and die by my Banana Republic boot cut low-rise jeans. You can count on them to keep their washes simple and embellishments to a minimum. My only wish is that they offered a 31 length. I’m at the awkward height were 30 makes me look like I’m in an Amish porn magazine and 32 drags a bit over some of my shoes, causing fraying.

  9. Matt says

    July 18, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    A good tailor can make those 32s from Banana Republic look great on you. I have the same issue with Guess jeans and my tailor works wonders. Just make sure they can do the original hem.

  10. Chris R says

    July 19, 2010 at 12:26 AM

    I love most of your stuff but to me boot cut jeans are prolly one of the worst sins you can commit when it comes to denim and you featured a pair in your article as an example of a good pair.

  11. HM says

    July 19, 2010 at 7:58 AM

    I liked everyones comments and personally agree with everything…except for denimhead; maybe i read it wrong but y would you wear tapered jeans, thats just awkwards and douchebagish…

  12. Joe says

    July 19, 2010 at 8:13 AM

    Yep. Sure did. There are bootcut jeans out there that aren’t obnoxiously flared. My Levi’s 527s are an example. I doubt anyone can tell the difference between those and my Gap authentic fits. Plus, imagine how boring things would be if we all agreed on everything…

  13. w00py says

    July 19, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    You can get 40% off one item today at us.levi.com and if you sign up for their newsletter first you can get free shipping.

  14. Zach says

    July 19, 2010 at 2:01 PM

    @Bryan,

    Those jeans look fine. I have a couple pairs of light gray jeans and I love them. I get compliments on them all the time. I think ‘keep it dark’ should only apply to blue jeans.

  15. Dave says

    July 19, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    Thanks for the heads up w00py. I copped some raw selvedge STF 501s for $60 after tax. The fit pictures on Levi’s website sure are unflattering.

  16. Chris R says

    July 19, 2010 at 11:45 PM

    @ joe…I feel you but i still think boot cut sucks and if you cant tell the difference than just get a straight leg jean.

  17. Chaps says

    July 20, 2010 at 8:47 PM

    Only 3 of them apply to the larger man… I still cannot get jeans tht fit… nearly always the wrong length and ALWAYS overpriced here in Australia…

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