How to Buy Jeans

The key to finding Your Jean: know what the perfect pair looks like. Here, we show you how to weed out the good from the bad.

5 Things You Need to Know About Buying Denim

Our panel of denim designers weigh in on how to pick a pair like a pro.

"When in doubt, less is more. Start with a clean, dark one-rinse or be brave and go raw."—Scott Morrison, 3x1 Founder and Designer

©GQ

1 of 10 Courtesy of 3x1

Fashion is not that complicated

"Fashion is not that complicated—it's more about proportion than knowing about the newest, coolest shit. A shorter dude, for example, should always wear a tapered leg."—Brandon Svarc, Naked and Famous Founder and Designer

2 of 10 Courtesy of Brandon Svarc

The number one mistake?

"The number one mistake? Buying a jean that fits perfectly. It'll stretch about a full size during your first 30 wears, so always size down."—Matt Baldwin, Baldwin Founder and Designer

3 of 10 Courtesy of Baldwin

Look under the hood and inspect the make

"Look under the hood and inspect the make: The cleaner the seam work, the smoother it'll feel against your skin."—Miles Johnson, Levi's Vintage Clothing and Levi's Made & Crafted Creative Director

4 of 10 Courtesy of Levi's

Cuff your jean

"Cuff your jean—especially when the fabric is selvedge. One turn or two turns. I cuff mine at about 1 1/2 inches to hit just above the ankle."—Frank Muytjens, J.Crew Head of Men's Design

5 of 10 Courtesy of J.Crew

The Fairer Sex On the Unholy Trinity of Bad Denim

The wrong pair of jeans can easily send a gal the wrong message. For a look into the female psyche, heed these warnings on the bad three.

Logo Crazy"Whenever I see a guy wearing jeans with embroidered stuff all over them, I always think his dick is the size of a baby carrot. Really. Just realize less is more."—Eva Amurri, actress

6 of 10 Getty Images

Ultra Skinny

"Right now it's fashionable to hate men in really tight jeans, but I kind of love them. You know when Slash is playing that solo in front of a church in the ‘November Rain' video? And his pants are basically just, like, a tantalizing layer of denim fondant? That was like the Fast Times bikini scene for women who grew up to be really into weirdos. Just know that I usually assume a guy in really tight pants is gay unless he's also wearing something really heterosexual, like an oversized floppy top hat with a rosary and aviator sunglasses."—Julieanne Smolinski, GQ contributor

7 of 10 Courtesy of Julieanne Smolinski

Over-Washed Boot Cut

"They'd be okay on some hot-ass cowboy, but not on a guy who sits behind his desk for most of the day—it just doesn't feel authentic."—Eunice Lee, Unis Founder and Designer

8 of 10 Courtesy of Unis

Brooklyn Denim Co

A favorite of GQ creative director Jim Moore, BDC's closet runs deep: From that hyper obscure Japanese brand to a replica of a Levi's 1967 505, it's here.

Need SupplyWe've described this GQ 100 vet as a "blogger's wet dream." Need more proof? Almost every pair in stock—from those by Levi's to Tellason to A.P.C.—will run you a solid $50 to $200 a pop.

Self Edge NYC This Mecca for denimheads is loaded with Americana-checking brands from Japan, where the highest-quality selvedge is forged.

American RagThe Cali-based company goes easy on the raw jeans, mixing in lighter rinses and brighter colors. But with brands like Baldwin and Levis' Made & Crafted, denim nerds can still get their fix.

Mr PorterAn emporium of grail-status denim hot off the runway. We're talking oiled-denim oxfords, purple jeans, and Margiela trucker jackets. You know, luxury rap stuff.

9 of 10 GQ.com