Trends come and go, but one constant in menswear has always been (and will likely always be) a good pair of jeans. In fact, they've now officially been around 150 years in 2023, thanks to the originator, Mr. Levi Strauss and the 501. And while lighter washes and distressed styles were the go-to looks for the past five years or so, we're now seeing a return to the original classic. We're talking about a fresh pair of raw selvedge indigo-dyed jeans—the perfect blank canvas for anyone to wear. Of course, you can spiral down into an absurd amount of style forums trying to figure out which brands are the best, read dissertations on fabric weights, wefts, and the debate over unsanforized (no shrinkage) versus sanforized (pre-shrunk). But you don't need all of that.

All you really need to know is that while raw denim is back, it is a little different than what we were wearing before. Today's unwashed dark denim is cut in more straight and relaxed fits, as opposed to years ago, when they were slimmer with an aggressive taper. I blame the pandemic for the resurgence. Before COVID, guys were happy with comfy, lived-in jeans, but once you start wearing sweats for two years straight, pulling on a pair of crisp, raw denim is almost refreshing.

Over the last century and a half, denim has clearly evolved, but the classic fits are enduring for a reason. They just work. Which is why Levi's Vintage Clothing brings back some retro 501 fits each year. And really, no matter what your favorite denim brand is, I'm sure they've made some type of fit influenced by a pair of 501s or 505s.

We went from not being able to get dressed up to now embracing the time it takes to wear-in a sturdy pair of jeans that will inevitably take awhile to break in. But if you're a little concerned about the break-in period, you'll be happy to know that the new interpretations are more laidback, with a roomier silhouette. There are even cargo and painter pant styles out there—which is definitely a little easier on the legs. The key is to wear the hell out of them, and no matter what the washing myths are, clean them whenever they start to stink. Trust us, you'll know it when you smell it (and don't put them in the freezer). So to get you started, we've rounded up the best denim in a range of price points, so choose the one that works best for your style and budget.