As a designer, you're constantly looking for an authentic point of view. You know that personal preference, backed by deep experience, is often the most powerful guide in creating a product with a real story.

My favorite jeans are a classic, loose straight-leg cut. After two decades, I've found that this fit offers the perfect blend of timeless style, unmatched comfort, and incredible versatility for any occasion.

Dean, it might seem like a simple question, but after handling millions of pairs of jeans over 20 years, my preference is built on a mountain of data. The loose straight-leg isn't just a personal favorite; it's a silhouette that has survived every trend cycle for a reason.

It's the original blueprint. When I put on a pair, I'm not just thinking about comfort. I'm thinking about the history of the garment and its pure, functional design.

For your brand, understanding this core appeal is essential. It’s the anchor point from which all other fits—slim, skinny, tapered—have evolved. It's the standard-bearer for what a jean is supposed to be.

What Type of Jeans Are Best For Your Collection's Core?

You need to build a collection that has both commercial appeal and a strong identity. Where do you place your bets to ensure you have a foundation that resonates with the broadest audience?

For the core of any modern men's collection, a slim-straight jean is best. It's the most versatile and commercially successful fit, appealing to men who want a modern silhouette without the constraints of a skinny jean.

While my personal favorite is the loose straight leg, my professional advice for a brand's core offering is always the slim-straight. It's the undisputed champion of the modern denim market. Why?

Because it solves the biggest problem for the modern male customer. It offers a clean, tailored look through the thigh, which is more flattering and contemporary than a classic regular fit.

But from the knee down, it maintains a straight leg, making it comfortable and easy to wear with any type of shoe, from sneakers to boots. From a production standpoint, it’s also incredibly efficient to pattern and grade across sizes. It’s the fit that makes the most people happy, and in this business, that’s the definition of "best."

Comparing Key Jean Fits

Fit Type	Best For	Key Characteristics	Target Customer
Loose Straight	Comfort & Authenticity	Roomy seat and thigh, straight leg	The traditionalist, the comfort-seeker
Slim-Straight	Versatility & Sales	Slim thigh, straight from knee down	The modern man, the broadest audience
Slim Taper	Fashion-Forward Style	Slim thigh, narrows to a small ankle	The younger, trend-aware customer
Skinny	Niche Trends	Tight all over, very small ankle	The highly fashion-conscious, slim build

What Is the Most Popular Style of Jeans Right Now?

You need to balance timeless designs with current trends. What is the single most dominant style in the market that your brand cannot afford to ignore?

The most popular style of jeans is overwhelmingly the straight-leg, in a spectrum from slim-straight to more relaxed, classic fits. The era of the ultra-tight skinny jean as the dominant force is over.

From my perspective in the factory, I can see the market trends in the orders that come across my desk. Five years ago, 70% of my production was slim tapered or skinny fits. Today, that number has completely flipped.

The vast majority of orders are for straight-leg variations. We're making classic 501-style regular straights, modern slim-straights, and even the looser, more relaxed straight fits that are my personal favorite.

The entire market has shifted back towards comfort, authenticity, and a more timeless silhouette. The skinny jean still exists as a niche product, but the commercial energy and volume are entirely behind the straight leg.

Any brand that isn't making a great straight-leg jean right now is missing the biggest part of the market.

What Are 7 For All Mankind Jeans Known For?

Understanding what makes a major brand successful provides valuable lessons. What was the key innovation or focus that allowed 7 For All Mankind to capture the premium market?

7 For All Mankind is known for revolutionizing the premium denim market by focusing on sophisticated washes, luxurious fabrics with stretch, and, most importantly, a fit that was exceptionally flattering for women.

I remember the rise of "Sevens" very clearly in the early 2000s. Before them, "premium" denim was mostly about rigid, raw selvedge for men. 7 For All Mankind completely changed the game.

Their genius was realizing that customers, especially women at first, would pay a premium for a jean that made them look and feel amazing. They were pioneers in using stretch fabrics.

They introduced nuanced, complex wash treatments that made the jeans look authentically worn-in and incredibly soft right off the shelf. But their biggest contribution was their obsession with fit.

They spent countless hours perfecting patterns that lifted and flattered the body. They weren't selling denim; they were selling confidence. It was a masterclass in shifting the focus from the product's heritage to the customer's experience.

What Type of Jeans Are Right for Me?

This is the ultimate question every customer asks. As a brand, how do you guide them to a decision that makes them a loyal, long-term fan of your product?

The right jeans for you are the ones that fit your body type and, most importantly, make you feel confident. Start with a classic straight or slim-straight fit and focus on finding a pair that is comfortable in the waist and thigh.

As someone who has seen every possible body type in every possible jean, my advice is always to ignore the name on the label—whether it says "slim," "skinny," or "relaxed"—and focus on two things: comfort and confidence.

The first checkpoint is the top block (the waist, seat, and thigh). This area must be comfortable. If it's too tight or too loose here, no other part of the jean will matter.

Once the top block fits well, the rest comes down to personal style. A straight leg is timeless and easy.

A tapered leg is more modern and fashion-forward. The "right" jean is the one you put on and stop thinking about because you feel so good in it. For a brand, the goal should be to create that experience for the customer.

Conclusion

While my personal favorite is a loose straight-leg, the best jean is a matter of personal comfort and confidence. For brands, success lies in perfecting the versatile slim-straight fit to meet modern demands.