Tag / best light wash denim for guys

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Nudie Jeans Light Wash Vintage Denim Jacket – An Easygoing Spring Jacket Made for Right Now

Best light wash denim jacket for men.

I don’t know about you, but in my experience, it can be helpful to think of your rotation of men’s style essentials as sort of a toolbox: Selections that fit certain situations with a mix of functionality and plain old great looks in mind, particularly in your outerwear rotation during the breezy days of spring. It’s even better if some pieces come in especially handy in certain seasons — take the utility of a lightweight yet durable, casually cool denim jacket, like the one shown above from our friends at Nudie Jeans.

Brands like Levi’s made some of the first widely available denim trucker jackets, focused on road-ready features like a helpful foldover collar, front button chest pockets and reinforced stitching throughout. This stylish denim jacket from Nudie Jeans uses many of those same design cues — never a bad option to have in your outerwear rotation.

And the good news is, that same style can prove mighty useful in modern times, just with a bit of a twist from some equally modern brands — Nudie Jeans comes to mind, and Nudie Jeans just so happens to be making one of the best denim jackets for men.

There’s a tricky balance to shopping for a denim jacket, especially as you try to scope out one of the best light wash denim jackets — too far in one direction, and you veer into ’80s acid wash denim territory, for instance. When in doubt, strike an easily wearable middle ground, just as you would with denim on your lower half.

Find the best denim for men at Nudie Jeans

And yet, this Nudie Jeans Denim Jacket in Desert strikes a tasteful, stylish and effortlessly cool middle ground: A perfect way to try out a high-quality denim jacket if you’ve haven’t given the style a shot in the past.

This particular version uses 100 percent organic cotton denim, and better still is the fact that it’s the rare USA-made denim jacket — hence the higher price tag, but one that will assuredly prove worth it in the long run, whether styled with a short-sleeve henley and black jeans or as a casual addition to shorts and a pocket tee.

In the case of this Nudie Jeans Denim Jacket in Desert, bright washed broken twill denim makes the difference, giving it some depth that keeps it — again — from veering too far into acid wash denim territory. With classic design touches, a pleasingly vibrant shade of light wash denim for spring, and richly crafted USA-made construction, your new favorite denim jacket checks all the proper boxes.

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Light Wash Denim to Buy For Spring

At least according to your Style Guide author, there aren’t many areas where a great pair of dark blue denim won’t fit in.  Yet, as temperatures warm up and we start to get fully into spring, there’s just something that feels right about lightening up, letting go and …. dare I say it … shelving your sturdy selvedge denim in favor of slim light wash denim. OK, there — I said it. If you normally stick with inky blue dark denim,  it’s going to feel a bit odd reaching for a pair that’s both lighter in weight and lighter in color. Rest assured, though –reaching for light wash denim doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style points, fit or affordability. In fact, swapping in light wash denim in place of dark blue denim is a style move that’s easy to pull off when paired with classic spring (or summer) essentials.  Be it teaming a pair of light wash denim with your favorite leather jacket or rocking them alongside refined suede Chelsea boots and a marled henley, you still get nearly the same versatility compared to classic dark blue denim. If that sounds like something you’re interested in,  I’ve got just the #menswear shopping list for you. Let me know what you think in the comments, and drop me a line on The Style Guide Facebook page if ever you’ve got a question.

#1. Nudie Jeans Grim Tim — $226

Nudie Jeans

Style these with a dark navy blazer and a grey pocket tee for effortless cool and versatile style.

Right out of the gate, we’re recommending you go with a higher-than-average quality pair of denim — hence, the higher price tag. After all, if you’re only going to start with one pair of light wash denim, why not make it something eye-catching, unique and sharp, like the Grim Tim? Ya dig? These jeans are made from organic fibers and feature two percent stretch, in addition to a unique “Salty Summer” wash that’s practically begging to be worn on spring break or better yet, an upcoming summer road trip.

Sutro Footwear

#2. Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Selvedge in Medium Indigo Wash — $248

Not your average pair of dark indigo denim, but not fully faded either — a happy medium from an outstanding designer.

Leave it to your favorite menswear designer — or rather, my favorite menswear designer — to craft a pair of light wash denim that actually toes the line between dark and light. This pair is an easy-to-wear, high-quality and yes, super-pricey way to dip your toes into the pool that is expertly faded denim. And while we all love a crisp pair of dark blue selvedge denim, a lighter wash is sometimes the way to go — and there’s no question that you could stil wear the Todd Snyder Medium Indigo Wash Selvedge with everything from a khaki blazer to a slim pocket tee.
Beckett Simonon

#3. Abercrombie and Fitch Skinny Jeans in Light Wash — $78

Abercrombie & Fitch

A light wash and a slim fit from a quickly evolving brand — doesn’t get much better than that.

We’re back to what you might call a true pair of light wash denim for entry No. 3 in our latest Online Shopping Picks list. It should come as no surprise that as the menswear calendar continues to roll on, Abercrombie and Fitch gets better and better. From cold weather picks like the brand’s Chamois Shirt to spring-friendly pieces like these tailored light wash jeans, A&F really is turning into a one-stop shop. Know that they also offer Straight and Slim fits in a variety of denim washes — again, they’re a one-stop shop!

Greats

#4. Nudie Jeans Lean Dean — $200

Nudie Jeans Lean Dean

The ideal pair of casual denim — slim and well-made.

As first seen in this site’s feature on how to dress for the NCAA Tournament, the Nudie Jeans Lean Dean makes an appearance on this list that’s rightfully deserved. Featuring unique design touches — like orange stitching and copper trims — this particular pair favors a less extreme wash than the Grim Tim, yet it’s still a striking pair of light wash denim in its own right. The Lean Dean also features one percent stretch and a tailored fit; try these guys with a slim black leather jacket for a bit of throwback style as you head to your next rock concert. 

#5. Old Navy Built-In Flex Slim Jeans — $38

An affordable go-to if you want to try out light wash denim.

It’s hard to argue with a slim, well-fitting and nicely priced pair of denim from a reliable standby like Old Navy — right? The brand’s styling potential has improved markedly over the years, and if you want a pair of denim that works with a broken-in pocket tee or a casual polo, this is the pair for you. They’d also look just right atop classic chukka sneakers and, say, a tough leather jacket this spring. Again, you’re doing just fine if you pick these up.

Although at first it might feel odd trading in your trusty dark blue denim for light wash denim — as we discussed at the start of the post — it’s actually a style switch that can pay dividends. In terms of unique looks and easygoing wearability, light wash denim takes the cake. The lighter weight and lighter color are practically made for spring (and summer!), and you still get tremendous fit and excellent quality — particularly if you snag a pair like the lauded Nudie Jeans Grim Tim or the Nudie Jeans Lean Dean. Plus, plenty of affordability is in the mix, too — just look at the price point on  that Old Navy denim. Now, narrowing down any list can be difficult, so I’d urge you to hit me up on Twitter if you need your questions on light wash denim answered. Until then, let’s prep for spring in style — shall we?

See you out there,

-Beau