Date with Denim

Measure everything twice
Baggy pants and protruding boxers are, well, a style crime. A good fit will create a more flattering silhouette. Each brand has its own idea of sizing, often very different from the waist measurement on the tag so it's best to try on a few sizes in different styles until you find the one that works best. When in doubt, start by trying on a boot cut jean, a style most manufacturers offer. Find your size in that cut, and then branch out. (or try our Denim Doctor tool to find the right fit for you!)

Stick to the foundations
Blue jeans shouldn't stray too far from their humble origins. Overly embellished or branded jeans attract the wrong kind of attention. They should make you look great, but you can't put your finger on exactly why. Rather go for an understated pair of jeans with a plain pocket and a medium indigo wash. Avoid ornate pockets and unnaturally colored washes (yellow, red, rust or green!) with short half-lives. A few nicks and some distressing eventually lends a worn in look to your denim, but for anything other than work jeans, scrapes larger than half an inch across or rips that show the skin beneath shouldn't make the cut. If you'd be embarrassed to run into your boss wearing a certain pair of jeans, leave them on the shelf.

Put your own mark on them

Rather than buying jeans with mass-produced distressing, rather wear your jeans in slowly, letting them acquire natural wear created by everyday activities. For something to be authentic, it has to be worn. Spilled salsa won't add anything to your look, but subtle amounts of dirt add texture can create a yellowing, vintage look to cuffs and knees. Wash denim as infrequently as possible. But when you do, turn the jeans inside out and use only cold water. If you want the color to last, never let the heat from a dryer near them. Instead, lay them on a flat surface across the top of your dryer, for instance.