You already own jeans. Heck, your bedroom floor is probably carpeted in pairs awaiting the washing machine at this very moment. But what you might not realise is that this year has seen a step-change in the wealth of styles available to men with an appetite for quality denim. So what better time to talk you through the strongest cuts, fits and washes to style out the rest of summer, and the year…

Distressed Denim

In an ideal world, you’d break in your own jeans (or have enough money to pay someone else to do it for you), allowing authentic creases, abrasions, gouges and rips to form naturally over time. But in reality, it’s easier to just pick up a pre-distressed pair already equipped with these said knackered elements which lend a pair of jeans that distinctly laid-back, grunge-infused feel. This year, you’d be hard pushed to find a retailer who isn’t pedalling this kind of patched up and artfully distressed denim on its shop floor. There are, however, brands that do the 1990s stonewashed thing better than others. At the upper end, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and AllSaints produce quality jeans with exploded knees and just the right number of patches. At the lower, wallet-friendly end of the scale, high street favourites Topman and ASOS are churning out skinny and slim styles that come preloaded with enough rips to suggest you’re capable of manning a cattle ranch or erecting a barn, if required. Wear yours with a fresh riff on rebellion, like how Saint Laurent styled theirs for autumn/winter 2015, and combine with a neutral tee, pair of Chuck Taylors and bomber jacket for a look that’s put-together but errs on the side of effortlessly cool.

Key Styles

• Allsaints Keiko Cigarette Jeans
• Allsaints Chika Cigarette Jeans
• Cheap Monday Jeans Tight Skinny Fit Posted Worn Blue Distressed
• Cheap Monday Jeans Dropped Crotch Skinny Fit Prosper Mid Wash Knee Rips
• Topman Grey Double Knee Rips Stretch Skinny Jeans
• Levis Vintage Clothing Jeans 1966 501 Customized Selvedge Slim Tapered Fit Silver Rebel Distressed
• Burton Mid Wash Rip & Repair Jeans
• River Island Light Ripped Knee Sid Skinny Stretch Jeans
• River Island Black Ripped Sid Skinny Stretch Jeans
• He By Mango Straight-fit Vintage Marc Jeans
• Alexander Mcqueen Slim-fit Washed Selvedge Denim Jeans
• Levis Vintage Clothing 1960s 606 Jean Avalon

Black Denim

Arguably the key trend for 2015 (and 2014, for that matter), monochrome dressing offers the easiest way to pull off double denim, because there’s no confusion about how to clash your colours or washes and what cut of jeans to go for: it’s all about your black skinnies. The reprisal of the indie rocker and his sophisticated uniform – seen on the likes of Alex Turner and recently reformed The Strokes – has been rolled out onto the runways and into stores, championing black jeans that fit like a snug, testicle-compromising second skin. And with high elastane content, these jeans don’t lose their shape or shift from skinny- to straight-fit after a few rounds with your tumble dryer. That said, if a stretch skinny style makes you look like you’ve tried to force yourself into sausage casing, then try relaxing the situation by swapping for a pair of slim jeans instead – they’ll look sharp without obstructing blood flow. You’ll find the best mid-weight options at Cheap Monday, Dr Denim and Weekday, while Nudie, A.P.C. and Acne Studios should be your destinations for heavyweight options, provided you’ve got the budget. For the full indie/grunge hybrid look, try combining yours with a black denim jacket, plaid shirt and a white/black crew neck tee layered underneath. Alternatively, if you’re a more refined dresser, use them in place of your smart trousers. Team with a crisp white shirt and blazer/leather jacket, and then finish off with some black penny loafers or Chelsea boots for a smart-casual look that takes just seconds to pull together.