Jeans are a classic wardrobe staple. They can be found on individuals across the globe and have virtually unmatched versatility.
But when you’re serious about taking your style to the next level, there are plenty of other pant options to consider (I assume you already own jeans).
Jeans are timeless, functional, and durable. With those aspects in mind, let’s talk about some alternatives that will absolutely mix up your outfits.
Denim Work Pant
Jeans are characterized by their denim material, five riveted pockets, and double stitched seams. Though jeans are made of denim, not all denim pants are jeans.
We will kick off this list of jeans alternatives with the denim work pant. This pant is every bit as timeless, functional, and durable as a pair of jeans. It really only has a few differences that set it apart.
The denim work pant often features large patches or pads across the front of the leg meant to increase durability at the main stress point (the knee) when working in labor-intensive situations.
Slanted pockets with wider openings allow for easier access and additional room and are another one of the differentiating features of the work pant you’ll often find. You’ll also usually find a loop meant to hold a hammer and additional pockets used to hold other tools for easy accessibility during use.
Though clearly designed for job sites that require a great deal of physical exertion, the denim work pant can certainly be incorporated into your wardrobe for every-day wear.
Why I like them:
They are durable and about as functional as they come. Plus, they have a unique “cool” factor due to their specific cut and style.
When to wear them:
They are versatile, but not as versatile as a pair of jeans. The extra pockets and hammer loop increase the casual factor, making them a pant I would not recommend wearing with tailored blazers and the like.
Wear these instead with a tee shirt in the spring or with simple sweaters and coats in the fall and winter. A denim or suede jacket would pair very nicely.
As they are work pants, work boots (cowboy boots included) will typically be the best pairing. But nice sneakers or suede boots (such as a Chelsea or Jodhpur) could be a fun way to dress the pants up a bit in an unexpected way.
Denim Chino
Chinos are a style of pants with simple details and a clean silhouette. They’re casual, but sleek enough to be dressed up a bit if needed.
At a distance, they’re not too different in appearance than a pair of jeans. But the details set them apart. They feature slanted rather than Western-style front pockets and use less stitching than jeans. They also lack the patented rivets that you’ll find on jeans pockets.
Chino is both a style of pant as well as a type of cotton. You’ll often find chinos with stretch fibers added for flexibility, although traditionally they will be made of 100% chino cotton cloth.
Various blends of cotton are now widely available for chinos, with denim also contributing to the list of options. Denim is cotton and uses the same type of weave (twill) as other cloth for chinos, but is characterized by its thicker fibers, heavier weight, and visible texture.
Whether denim or another form of cotton, chinos use mercerization to smooth out the fibers and increase their softness, strength, and luster.
Denim is typically more durable than other options for chinos, making the denim chino a great addition to this list.
Why I like them:
They’re not too different from a pair of jeans to the un-keen observer. They’re also comfortable and don’t typically require a break-in period as jeans often do.
In addition, they’re extremely affordable and easy to come by.
When to wear them:
Any time you might wear jeans, but want something a little different. They are also great for dressing up slightly. Say, casual weddings, cocktail parties, date night, etc.
Wear them with a tee shirt, or dress them up just a little with a button-down shirt. Maybe even a tie. Throw on a sport coat or blazer for that extra level of elegance and formality that would suit you well for business events and other semi-formal occasions.
Though you may be able to get away with dressier shoes here, I’d personally recommend sticking to sneakers of some sort. A nice leather sneaker in a neutral color could be a good choice for dressing these up more without donning oxfords or brogues.
Denim Gurkha
The Gurkha trouser is a unique and really cool alternative to jeans. They may not be for everyone but are increasing in popularity at a rapid pace.
The Gurkha trouser is every bit as old and reliable as Levi Strauss’s patented jeans. Designed for the British Indian Army in the 19th century, they take their name from the elite Nepalese soldiers of the region of Ghorka with whom the British formed an alliance.
Featuring a high waist, double inward-facing pleats, and a unique buckle closure, they’re always sure to stand out in a crowd.
The denim variation most closely meets the requirements for this article as a reliable alternative to jeans, but don’t shy away from other options. Overall, Gurkha trousers are extremely reliable. They were designed for military use, after all.
Why I like them:
Their unique look and soft-wearing durability are a favorite of mine. With their pleats and particular cut, they are even better suited for dressing up than a pair of chinos.
Full suits can be found with Gurkha-style trousers on the bottom. And I’m a fan.
When to wear them:
Really, any time that you don’t have a specific dress code to which you must adhere. Their looser cut and lightweight, yet durable construction make them a great choice in the spring and summer.
They’ll serve you well as a trusty go-to when you want to spice up your outfits a bit without too much effort.
As with the other options mentioned so far, these look great with a simple tee shirt. But sweaters (I love turtlenecks), tank-tops, jackets, and even your dressiest shirts will all pair wonderfully with Gurkha trousers.
From sandals to a semi-formal oxford or derby, a large range of footwear is also available to you.
5 Pocket Cotton Twill Pant
Perhaps I should have listed these items in a more particular order. Because, the 5 pocket cotton twill pant is probably about as close as you’ll get to a pair of jeans.
The main detail that sets the two apart is the material. Cotton twill is slightly different from denim. Although denim is a cotton cloth in a twill weave, this non-denim alternative is lighter in weight and possesses a less-textured appearance due to its thinner fibers.
In addition, although denim can be dyed in any color, shades of blue and indigo are most common. With the cotton twill pant, a rainbow of available colors is typical.
Retaining similar integrity as that of denim jeans, and boasting a multitude of color choices, the five pocket cotton twill pant might be a good choice for you as a suitable alternative.
Why I like them:
Their lighter weight and softer movement can be a plus in certain environments. They are easy to come by and can be found at any price point.
When to wear them:
Any casual situation or on warmer days when your jeans may be a bit on the heavy side for the weather.
Due to their ability to hold dye better than denim, these twill pants can endure washing a bit better. That also makes these a great choice for outdoor activities such as hiking where they might endure heavy rains and mud or other types of grime.
These are definitely a casual pant. So tee shirts, tanks tops, sweaters, and the occasional button-down will be your best companions here.
Wear only with casual sneakers, or, as appropriate, hiking boots or sandals.
Moleskin Pant
If you haven’t heard of moleskin before, you’re missing out. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this, I don’t own a pair of moleskin pants. But I would sure love a pair.
Moleskin is not actually derived from moles, just to be clear. It’s a type of dense weave and process that gives cloth a soft, velvety finish not unlike that of a mole’s skin.
Typically made from 100% cotton, moleskin has a luxurious look, and is as durable as any other pant on this list.
Why I like them:
They are very unique in appearance and can feel similar to soft suede. They are luxurious and hard-wearing. You’re unlikely to see someone else in a pair of moleskin pants at the same time as you.
When to wear them:
Depending on the cut of the pants, these can be dressed up or down. They are more of a casual pant overall but can be appropriate for dinner parties or other semi-formal events.
Wear them with shirts or sweaters suited for casual and business casual settings. Sport coats in heavier fabrics pair well with moleskin as moleskin is also a thicker, heavier material.
Boots such as chukkas or Chelseas work really well here. Pebble leather or suede are particularly nice pairings. Sneakers also work well.
6. Corduroy Pant
Corduroy, like moleskin, is a type of weave and process, not a material. Usually made of cotton, corduroy features prominent ridges in the cloth referred to as wales.
These ridges vary a lot in width between cloths, with wider wales being my preferred choice, as they provide more visual texture.
Corduroy is a heavier-weight cloth that is well-suited for cooler weather. But due to its weave, it is softer and provides more movement than similarly weighted denim fabrics.
Corduroy is a timeless classic and is much-loved for its unique visual appearance. I recommend a pair of corduroy pants about as much as I’d recommend a pair of jeans. In other words, they should hold a permanent place in your wardrobe.
Why I like them:
They are just too cool. Nothing else looks like corduroy. They add excellent texture to your outfit (which is very important). They are soft, durable, and easy to care for.
When to wear them:
Corduroy Is very casual. But any casual outfit you could conceive would benefit from a pair of corduroy pants.
Wear them really with anything outside of your formal wardrobe.
I love leather with corduroy. Leather shoes or boots, and leather jackets.
7. Linen Pant
Linen? Indeed, linen pants may seem a bit out-of-place on this list at first thought. But in fact, I think they make a great alternative to jeans.
Linen is made from the flax pant and is extremely durable. Specifically, long-staple would be my recommendation for this list as it’s even stronger than short-staple linen fibers which are more commonly found in North America.
Linen is typically woven as a lightweight and breathable cloth. Because of this, it usually won’t have as much structure as denim. But as it is so lightweight and breathable, it may just be what you need to replace your jeans on a hot summer day.
With an overwhelming amount of colors available, you can select for yourself a blue in a similar tone as your jeans. This would make them an even closer replacement if color replication is important to you.
The unique characteristics of linen make it a must-have cloth in any man’s wardrobe, in my opinion. And linen pants are a great place to start.
Why I like them:
They are extremely durable for how soft, light, and breathable they are. They are available in lots of colors and can be found at very low cost.
They are the perfect spring/summer pant.
When to wear them:
Linen is another cloth with extreme versatility. Linen is a very popular choice for both casual items as well as full suits. So really, you could use these pants for anything.
Just make sure they’re a good cut that doesn’t fit too close to the body. More drape is preferred, especially with linen. When you have the cut right, you could wear these with sneakers one day and a shirt and tie the next.
Nearly any pair of shoes will pair well with linen. From sandals to sneakers, boots to oxfords, it’s hard to go wrong with linen pants. I really love loafers in suede or top-grain leather as they match the warm-weather vibe of linen and can just as easily be dressed up or down.
Don’t by any means think that you should be phasing out your jeans. There’s almost nothing that has stood the
However, there are lots of other cool pants out there that will offer variety in your wardrobe and even differing functionality.
Any one of the pants on this list gets the green light from me. But consider your own taste and wear only those things that you love.
I hope this list has provided you with the information you need to expand your wardrobe with jeans alternatives that you’ll cherish for years to come.
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