Ants with the Pants

By Andrew Richdale, GQ Magazine / Photos:Ben Ferrari
We sifted through hundreds of men's jeans in stores this spring and came back with these 20 slim-fit pairs of all prices, brands, and fades.


Model: Arthur K.
Grooming: Kumi Craig
Acne Jeans
Roc Soft Raw $230

You know how your girlfriend got her special jeans? These are the guy version of those. They're not cheap, but a lot easier than doing squats. Buy 'em as small as you can button them. They'll stretch a little and age better that way.

Available at Acne Studio, 10 Greene St, NY and acnestudios.com

T-shirt (shown throughout), $52 by AG Adriano Goldschmied, available at AG Beverly Hills and AG Soho. Bracelet by Miansai. Boots by Red Wing Shoes.



Bracelet by David Yurman. Watch by
TAG Heuer. Wingtips by Alden.
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GAP 1969 Jeans
Skinny-fit jean, Dark Star $64.50

The masters of classic and affordable American essentials bringing another, well, classic, American pair of jeans. They don't have too many tricks and are perfect for a casual weekend look.

Available at Gap stores nationwide and gap.com




Watch by TAG Heuer. Bracelet by Tod's.
Loafers by G.H. Bass & Co.
Naked & Famous Denim
WeirdGuy, black selvage $135

Winner for Best Name for a Fit Ever goes to denim obsessive Brandon Svarc of Naked & Famous. What the heck is the "WeirdGuy" though? It's got a tapered leg with a little more give up top. Perfect if you like a skinny jean but still want to have kids one day. Not perfect if you're looking for something on the lighter side. These are jeans with some serious, bulletproofish heft.

Available at Barneys New York and barneys.com




Bracelet by Gregg Wolf.
Boat shoes by Rogues Gallery.
Dior Homme Jeans
Powder blue jeans $670

Almost the best jeans money can buy from the brand that really got the mega-pricey denim craze off the ground. Here's what you're paying for: a pair of jeans with a crazy good fit and a subtle, intentional wear and tear. A paint and resin splatter here, a crease and whisker there.

Available at Dior Homme NYC, LA, Las Vegas, and diorhomme.com



Watch by IWC. Flip-flops by Havaianas.
Hudson Jeans
Harper selvage straight leg in rinse wash $238

The thing about selvage is you run the risk of all kinds of not so comfortable conditions in the skin department. Here's a great raw slim option that's still seriously soft to the touch.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue





Watch by IWC. Bracelet by Tod's.
Shoes by Alden.
7 For All Mankind Jeans
Slimmy in Chester Row $169

From the pioneers of the LA-denim movement, the Slimmy is Seven's skinniest fit. (Shocker, we know.) It also happens to be one of the best dressier summerweight jeans out there right now.

Available at 7 For All Mankind stores nationwide and 7forallmankind.com




Bracelet by David Yurman. Watch by
Victorinox. Sneakers by Converse.
Armani Exchange Jeans
Ultra-slim jean $125

A killer gray option for a fashion-y guy who wants to set himself apart without throwing down his savings.

Available at Armani Exchange stores nationwide and armaniexchange.com




Watch by Victorinox. Bracelet by
David Yurman. Shoes by Alden.
ck one Jeans
Slim Slouchy $69.50

This slouchy-waisted, skinny-legged jean has been called a lot of things. If you don't hang out in hoods with artisanal coffeeshops and graffitied warehouses, just keep on clicking.

Available at calvinklein.com




Lace-up shoes by Ralph Lauren.
J.Crew Jeans
484 slim-fit selvage denim $225

One of the most reasonably priced, best-fitting selvage options on the market. Seriously, any guy looks studly in these and they can be dressed up or down just as easily.

Available at J.Crew stores and jcrew.com




Bracelet by J.Crew. Sneakers
by Converse.
True Religion Brand Jeans
Rocco in Tennessee $216

The just-right textured shade from the washing experts at True Religion. The cut is shorter for a reason: These are made to be rolled up like a cool kid. Don't try and pull them off with anything but simple sneakers.

Available at True Religion Brand Jeans nationwide and truereligionbrandjeans.com




Bracelet by David Yurman.
Wingtips by Ralph Lauren.
AG Adriano Goldschmied Jeans
The Dylan 1 Year Freshman $215

The designers behind LA-based AG are pros at distressing. Their slim-fit 1-years have the perfect amount of creasing and whiskering for our taste with a rise that's on the lower side.

Available at AG Beverly Hills and AG Soho



Bracelet by Tod's.
Sneakers by Dior Homme.
H&M Jeans
Sliq Jeans $29.95

Look, we know that the price of jeans has gotten a little out of hand to say the least, which is why we can really get behind a pair like these from H&M. Here's the truth: the treatment and fit of these is nearly indistinguishable from ones 20x's the price.

Available at H&M stores




Watch by Hamilton.
Wingtips by Ralph Lauren.
Polo Ralph Lauren Jeans
Slim-Fit Cole Wash Jean $145

One of the slimmest pairs you'll see here. They're all-American with a little bit of a rinse and are entirely versatile. They'll become the gutsy basic you can wear with almost anything.

Available at select Ralph Lauren stores and ralphlauren.com



Desert boots by Clarks.
DKNY Jeans

The Williamsburg Jean $69.50

Another affordable option for guys looking for something slim and casual with an urban, washed out feel.

Available at zappos.com




Bracelets by Miansai.
Sneakers by Converse.
Levi's
511 skinny jeans $68

The essential Montauk-y vacation jean without the baggy fit you generally associate with sandy locales. With just the right mix of holes and abrasions, this vintage wash is specifically perfect for the warmer months. And, yes, it's another you should flash a little ankle with.

Available at levis.com



Watch by Zenith. Boat shoes by H&M.
Joe's Jeans
Brixton Fit $169

You probably wouldn't guess it from this photo, but these jeans are impossibly light and comfy. They're also low-rise and—yeah, you get the point by now—slim fit.

Available at joesjeans.com




Bracelet by J.Crew. Sneakers by Vans.
Diesel Jeans
Tepphar jeans $280

These have that dirty "I just wiped the grease from my hotrod on my thighs" kind of wash, which means a few things. You shouldn't be afraid to beat these up a bit. And their usage should be restricted to tee-and-sneaker-friendly occasions only.

Available at Diesel 5th Avenue NYC and diesel.com




Watch by Cartier.
Shoes by John Varvatos.
Spurr Jeans
Slim fit 1-year wash jean $255

These pipe-like jeans are tailored to perfection, a quality any item of Simon Spurr's has. If you're on the prowl for a premium pair with minimum detailing that won't sag out over time, well, then—Eureka!

Available at select Bloomindale's




Necklace by Beryll. Watch by
Hamilton. Boots by Dolce & Gabbana.
GUESS Jeans
Kurt Jean, Activity Wash $148

Denim with some conservative wear-and-tear. The fibers are faded and loosened a bit for a rugged feel. These are the sort of jeans that look great tucked into some equally roughed up boots.

Available at GUESS Retail Locations Nationwide, guess.com




Sneakers by Converse.
J Brand Jeans
Kane in Boone $165

A good reasonably-priced premium option. The rinse of these takes out some of the stiffness denim of this quality usually comes with. They also pack some prominent creases so everyone thinks you've been squatting and roundhouse kicking in 'em for years.

Available at Nordstrom