From the Mailbag: Where can a guy with bigger legs find well fitting jeans?
Photo credit: this guy
As a 24 year old emerging in the business world, I have started to become more critical of my style and appearance. For the most part, reworking my wardrobe has been fun and not too difficult. I started with my work clothes and have since moved on to my casual clothes. This is where I’ve encountered a problem that I hope you can help me with.
I want to buy better fitting dark wash jeans. I’m moving away from the baggy towards a more fitted leg, but being 6’3 and 240 lbs, I was graced with horse quads. I can’t seem to find any nicer denim with room in the quad area without the whole leg being obnoxiously baggy. Any ideas or brands that may cater to my type?
Thanks,
Brice
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The Short Answer: GAP Authentic Fit Resin Rinse – $43.60 with code GAPDEALS
Even though I clock in at around 5’9” and just under 170lbs, Brice and I share a common trait: disproportionally large upper legs. I’d love to say my hamstrings and quads are large because Inconsistently worked squats into my gym routine (I don’t), but instead I think it’s more my German/Polish/Irish midwestern stock that’s to blame. A steady diet of 2% milk and cheese during your formative years can leave you with a sturdy frame once you’ve grown, even if you watch what you eat like a hawk.
Right now I’ve got four pairs of jeans in rotation. Here are the brands and fits I wear running from slimmest to roomy:
Levi’s 514 slim straight – sometimes just too damn tight
Levi’s 501 original – my preferred, but probably gonna be too tight on Brice
Gap Authentic Fit – the one true not too slim not too baggy straight leg jean
Levi’s 527 Boot Cut – my weekend pair
I’m thinking the Gap Authentics are what Brice should go with. They’re the Goldilocks of the modern affordable denim world. Not too low rise, but not Dad Jeans high. Not too slim but far from baggy. Just right all around and they work equally well with a blazer and oxford as with a t-shirt and classic sneakers.
All the sizes are available online and you’ll even save money by buying off the web. Use this code at checkout: GAPDEALS. That’ll get you an extra 25% off through Wednesday through their “October Deals” select merchandise promotion. The Authentic Fit makes the cut and therefor gets the discount. With the code, tax, and $7.00 shipping, they’ll run about $50, or $4.50 less than in store at retail.
What’s your favorite brand and fit? Make sure to specify if your legs are larger or smaller than normal…
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Not sure if this is a nation wide sale, but my local Gap store has had a 40% off all 1969 Jeans deal the last two times I have gone in. This brought the total down to around $32. It might be worth the trip to check and see for yourself if your store has this sale going on too.
I was glad to see this post today, seeing as many of the clothes mentioned on this site tend towards a slimmer fit. I am 6’1″ weigh about 235 with an athletic build, and years of playing football mean that slim cut just doesn’t cut it for me. The best fitting pair of jeans I have found recently have been Citizens of Humanity (although they were almost $200) but for a more affordable option my Levi 501’s fit great all the way through.
I’m glad to see this post as well, however, my issue goes into a different direction. I as well am upgrading my style to a more adult “slim” cut. I’m 6’5″ and now that I don’t wear baggy jeans or sag, I’m having trouble finding jeans long enough.
Thus far I have been having to settle for the Old Navy boot cut 34w 36l. Problem is I am more of a 32 waist, which causes me to tighten my belt and creates folds in my jeans which prevents me from wanting to tuck in my shirt. I can’t find any retailer that provides 36l with a 32 waist. I would also kill to find a resin rinse that fits on me as in the pictures shown above.
Long story short, anyone know where tall men can find some love in the jeans department?
I would love to see this article expanded to upscale jean options as well as some different pant types. Most options available are the slim cut and I’m often forced to make due with some less than ideal pants as I have the same problem, even though I’m only 6′ 190lbs years of hockey have left me with a disproportionate lower body.
@Ian: You’ll pay for em’, but you can get Banana Republic’s straight dark wash jean in a 32×36. Click the tall tab and the 36 length will show. They are $80 though. But they’re always running coupon codes, etc… I’ll keep an eye out for you?
6’5 205 checking in.
I have trouble finding pants that fit but as Joe mentioned Levi’s are good at supporting those with bigger legs while still having that modern feel/look.
@Jim I totally agree about expanding this on pant sizes. I went into J Crew and picked up some chinos in my normal 34 x 34 size only to find out J Crew’s 34 x 34 fits like a 32 x 34! I wear a 34 x 34 in most brands but there are those brands that run small or just don’t fit my body build.
My biggest issue is finding shirts that fit long in the arms but slim in the body and stay tucked in. But that’s my fault for still buying dress shirts in letter sizes rather than number sizes.
There was recently an article about how jeans don’t measure up to the size they list. So I find myself somewhere in the 31-34″ waist range, dependent upon the company.
As for jeans, I too have some larger than normal calves and thighs (running, farming, climbing stairs, I’m not sure) but I have found Old Navy has some pants that fit rather comfortably without looking like I am trying to be a teenage thug. I would also check out Levi’s Review site (http://reviews.us.levis.com) as they have user reviews of all their jeans, including Big and Tall.
There are certain items in a wardrobe that, while nice to have at a discount, don’t really need to be. I feel jeans are one of those, because you really only need two pairs: dark and darker. Any other can be cheapies, but why not splurge on some high quality jeans if you only need 2 (or even 1 really) pairs. Higher quality will last longer and become nicely worn with age, as well as just feel better and fit better.
Though Levis are an “american staple,” I see a huge difference in the quality of their jeans with some of the more expensive jeans. The first time I tried on Lucky Brand jeans (~$100) I thought I was in heaven. The denim felt higher quality, the fit (221 Slim Fit for me, but they have others) was perfect, and they were so comfortable. I bought them on the spot, despite the price (which, before trying them on, I thought was high).
I now have a pair of $165 raw/unwashed denim by A.P.C en route to my house and I can’t wait to try them. I don’t think I’ve ever read a bad review, and it will be a fun “project” of sorts to break them in over the next 6 months or so.
Obviously I’m not saying to go to those lengths if you can’t afford it, but don’t be afraid to try on some of those more expensive jeans you see in J.Crew, Banana Republic, or other retailers. The quality will usually (from my experience) justify the price. Not always the case, but often, thus trying it on in store to judge for yourself.
APC and Acne are the best denim you can ever buy. But for those bulkier guys you can try BR and Express. Gap authentic fits me good and I got skinny legs so I don’t know what they’ll do for this guy. What I like about the authentic fit is that they emphasize my ass which other jeans completely erase. Thats why levis don’t cut it for me either.
I was about that size up until a few months ago when I started trying to lift less and lean out more. I was 6’3 245. Now I’m about 230lbs, but I digress. Only jeans that I found that fit well were Levis 569s (but get the stiffer denim ones, they seem to hold up better over time and dont stretch out as much). Gap Authentics arent bad either and Lucky Brand jeans fit well also. If there is a Nordstrom’s Rack near you, you can regularly get Lucky jeans for $50.
There is a post here on reddit with a few brands listed: http://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/cu1g9/jeans_for_a_guy_with_larger_thighships/c0v9ca3
The Authentic Fit didn’t quite work for me, but I’m LOVING the Standard Fit.
I’m a 5″11, 240lbs powerlifter type. I quit trying to find jeans that fit my upper legs/ass when I started wearing Levis 560’s. I’ve found nothing else that works. I can’t get 501’s on, and can’t get anything described as “skinny” or “slim” past my knees. I also can’t get 527s on.
The 560’s are a touch baggy in the thigh, but snug enough to have the ladies be impressed with my posterior chain. They dress up/down just fine, and I don’t have to buy a bigger waist size.
On the dressier front, I’ve had good luck with Nautica (but never liked their jeans) khakis, Jos A Bank khakis are also have a generous cut.
I have the bulky quads problem, too, so I’ve habitually worn ‘loose fit’ jeans sized up a bit so I wouldn’t feel bound/squeezed. I hated it, it felt slovenly and looked like crap but slim fit jeans won’t go up over my thighs. I visited the Gap and tried on the ‘authentic fit’ jeans and… THEY FIT. THEY ACTUALLY FIT. I’m probably still wearing them a little bigger at the waist than I ought to, but these already look ten times better than the floppy denim sacks I’ve been stuck with.
Thank you for the tip.
Have you guys checked out that new brand Barbell Apparel? They make jeans for athletes and those who are physically fit; specifically those with larger thighs and smaller waists! They’ve completely solved the jeans for people with the big thighs problem. They launched a kickstarter to start their brand and ended up making national news and selling over 6000 pairs in 45 days!!!
http://www.BarbellApparel.com
This article is pointless. 5’9″ at 170lbs puts you very squarely in the normal thigh range.
5’10” and 230lbs with 29″ thighs. I’d say this is probably what I’d consider big.
All of the jeans in this article are for normal to small thighs.