Denim has a place in all of our wardrobes. Whatever your age, shape or style, denim is quite often an outfit-building starting point given its unrivalled versatility, that comes as no surprise. Our love for denim started back in 1873, when a certain gentleman named Levi Strauss created the first pair of blue jeans in San Francisco. These jeans, which were originally designed for gold miners, soon became adopted by other groups in the States – think cowboys and farmers in the 1930’s – and it was only a matter of time before they became a covetable fashionable piece of clothing. For everything you need to know about our selection, check out our denim brands fit guide.

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Jeans have been associated with cultural, historic and societal change through the past century like no other apparel has (just read our History of 501s article). Despite being such a staple and classic garment, jeans can prove to be one of the hardest things to buy; is the fit right, the style, the wash, the brand?
The denim offering out there is endless, but there are few that stand out amongst the rest, including Japanese brand Edwin. Edwin are the first company to create ‘stone washing’ and thus revolutionising the entire denim industry. Levi’s, the original and still one of the best. Then there’s Gothenburg-based Nudie Jeans, a younger brand compared to other denim heavy-hitters, but with its strong ethical principles and exceptional quality, and J Brand – the leaders of the skinny silhouette. Discover the denim brands you need to know below.
#1 A.P.C.
A.P.C. jeans have a cult following all of their own, thanks to the brand’s use of premium denim and a no-nonsense, minimalist approach to design. The A.P.C. Petit New Standard, with a straight low-rise, slim leg and fitted ankle (for a similar fit but a slightly less fitted ankle, go for the Petit Standard). For women, the Tallie Jean has a lightweight feel with a low rise waist, a straight leg and a slightly cropped length they are a comfortable and flattering shape on all.