More of a Gripe than Anything - Jeans for Men - Possible Mild TMI

Updated on January 27, 2012
A.S. asks from Lone Tree, IA
20 answers

I'm just going to throw it all out there....my husband is well endowed and as such he cannot seem to find comfortable jeans. He can wear jeans to work but they have to look presentable (no carpenter style, no holes, not super baggy). I got him a pair of straight leg jeans (so not too baggy) quite some time ago and he has been wearing them without complaint but the other day they were the only one's clean and he sarcastically says 'great, I have to wear these jeans.' So I ask what's wrong with them? And he says I don't like wearing them to work because of the clearly visible bulge that happens when I sit down. Ok...understandable. So, he needs new jeans anyway and the man doesn't shop so I go buy a few pairs of jeans for him. I don't remember all the brands but I know one was Calvin Klein because they were on sale and they were deemed the worst by him. He tries the jeans on and quickly surmises that they are "crotch biters." I'm like what the hell does that mean? So he busts out the tape measure and a pair of jeans that he finds comfortable (which were also straight or maybe regular) and proceeds to measure the length of the seat and the length of from the button to the seam - fly area. I don't know if the manufacturers are trying to cut down on fabric to save money or what but there was a crazy difference between the jeans from 6 months ago and the current jeans. No wonder he calls them crotch biters. I know they make those 'ball room' jeans but those look like grandpa jeans so they are a no go. Anyway, that is my gripe of the day...that and my eye keeps twitching. Now...the mandatory question...does anyone else have a difficult time finding jeans for men that fit well and do not come with pre-made holes, snags and that dirt wash that seems to be popular?

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So What Happened?

Totally not shopping in the boy's department, Jo! I'm pretty sure at least one pair was Levis and he had the same issue.

I told him he is going this weekend so he can try everything on and pick something himself.

And really....who thinks skinny jeans are good for men (or boys)? Anyone....anyone? Yuck-o.

Ok...so I did some googling and Levis has "updated" their 505s to be more "fashionable" and to sit lower on the waist. I wonder if maybe many other jean makers are graciously making our men fashionable and therein lies the problem.

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✩.!.

answers from Denver on

Have you tried Wrangles.... Brett Farve a$$ looks great in them... (and so does my hubbys... but Brett takes the cake in that contest, lol)

4 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Lucky you.

;]

Anyway, no Old Man Jeans for my guy either. He does well with plain ole Levis 501s. Updated cut, but not TOO updated.

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

You need to start shopping in the men's department and not the teen section. :p

They are cut for the average plus a bit more so unless your husband is more than 10 inches it is the style that is the issue not his size. In other words the boys want their bulge to show so it is cut to accent that.

Just get him some Levis and be done with it. :)

Read your what happened, maybe he grew and not where he had hoped. :p

7 moms found this helpful
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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

here are my rules for my household. I will cook, clean, care for and shop for clothing for children and myself but refuse to shop for and adult who needs to try on clothing to make sure they fit and like them. I will not be blamed for not stylish doesn't fit right. He is an adult, let him have the keys, and point him toward the mall.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

This is funny, sorry.

He needs RELAXED fit, jeans. Levi's has those.
Try Macy's. They have lots.

And, maybe his body is long waisted? Most jeans, sort of sit a little above the hips. Thus the jeans on a long waisted man, may not fit right.
Perhaps.

As Jo W. said, don't buy jeans for him, that are in the Teen or 20 year old stores.
Those will not fit him.
Straight legs like you describe, are made to FIT closely. And sit on the hips. Low rise type jeans.

Unless a man is built like Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler..... those skinny straight jeans, WILL NOT LOOK GOOD on the average adult, man.

4 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with Jo. My husband is also "well endowed" and he's never complained about Levis.

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My son (he is 18 and man-size) hates anything tight or restrictive, but not low slung or hip hop. His current favorite = Denizen Loose Fit, a Levi jean available at Target. Wide legs, but stay up at the waist. No holes or frays. Very presentable with the right shoes and shirt!

3 moms found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Dover on

We have encountered a similar problem. We have very long legged people with also very long waists. Just tall all over. But thin. Finding jeans that are long enough in the legs is impossible. Finding jeans long enough in the inseam is impossible. When they are too short in the inseam, everytime one of them takes a step they are advertising. Step-package, step-package, step-package. So finding jeans that fit right for men is awful. You would think with men it would be easier. They have a million sizes, unlike women. God forbid you are between a 9 and 11 or 8 and 10. You're screwed. But men have a million. And still. And then, because I need 36 length, they are all too baggy in the waist. I have yet to figure it out. I have learned, however, that each brand cuts them differently so we have to try every single pair on. Take a tape measure if you have to. Now you know what he needs. But measure the fly area and the inseam from bottom leg hem to crotch. That also makes a difference.

*ETA - skinny jeans on males is an abomination.

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I have found that sticking with levi's 501's or 505's seem to be the most popular with the men in my family. They haven't changed the cut/style of these jeans in at least 25 years and my guys love them.

You might try going up one number size in the waist to see if that helps too. Example: if he wears a 32 try a 33. Will give a little more roomieness without sagging to the floor and will still look nice.

But honestly ... I'd take him with me one time, make him try on a BUNCH of styles and sizes and have him sit down, bend over, crouch down, etc ... and when he finds a pair/style/brand he likes ... buy at least 3 pairs of that exact jean. I've been known to buy 5-7 pairs if I find a pair that they LOVE.

Also look for the relaxed fit, they are cut a little looser without being saggy or carpenter style.

2 moms found this helpful

S.K.

answers from Denver on

My husband prefers GAP jeans says that they are the best fit everywhere that he has found.

2 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

My husband's favorite jeans are the Costco Kirkland brand ones. He's tried an absurd amount of brands and styles and these are his favorite and the only ones he'll wear.

2 moms found this helpful

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

ooooo...lucky girl! Lol! But I understand the problem. I went jean shopping with hubby and no freaking lie, I think he tried on 30 different pairs before finally finding one that fit him comfortably. And he bought 3 of the same pair just so we wouldn't have to go thru that again! Lol!!!

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C.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Tell him if he is going to complain then he can go buy them himself and try them on. Only other thing is surgery to make him not so well endowed, but i think that would be a crime. :)

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B..

answers from Dallas on

The only jeans my husband approves of are Gap jeans.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Is he allowed to wear an untucked shirt to work? Not a sloppy one, the kind that are presentable and meant to be untucked? My husbands work is casual enough on casual days that he can do this.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

My husband likes Lucky jeans that you can find for under $50 at Nordstrom Rack. They are stylish and a little roomier. I've actually seen them at Costco too but not sure if they have them right now.

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M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

My hubby loves his Arizonza loose/relaxed fit jeans. They sit on his waist where they are supposed to and have a longer 'drop' for lack of a better word. His boys (and..TMI...he hangs LOW!) never get squished and there is no tell tale bulge when he sits.

1 mom found this helpful

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

My honey is also well-endowed. He wears Old Navy jeans...but I'm not sure what the fit is. They're definitely a loose/relaxed fit.

I think you need to just tell him to go get his own jeans or quit complaining. The only way he's going to find the right ones is to go and try them on.

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A.F.

answers from Houston on

My husband has a similar problem. He always wears out a specific area near the crotch in nearly any pant or jean he wears on a regular basis. He doesn't complain that they're "crotch biters" as your husband put it, but typically the only reason we buy new jeans is because he's developed a thin spot or hole in the front crotch area.

I was going to suggest that the length difference was related to lower-waisted jeans, but it appears you've already discovered that.

I'm not a fan of Wranglers on my husband - I think the Levis are much more appealing, but we have the thinning problem with the Levis and not the Wranglers.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

I'm laughing in my office right now because my husband and I had this discussion years ago when we were dating and I started "dressing him". He has a similar issue as your husband and is supposed to wear jeans for work.

I bought him a pair of Calvin Klein jeans and he wore them because I bought them, but HATED them! He "picked" at himself constantly because as he described them "these things are nut crunchers". Lovely. Needless to say, they were a Goodwill donation within months.

His employer recently started providing them with jeans (yay, less laundry for us) and he wears the traditional cut Levi's for work without complaint. We also have very good luck with Nautica as a brand. I literally made him take an entire Saturday to try on jeans. When we found ones that didn't "crunch him", I bought multiple pairs. When I find them on sale now, I buy more.

Try Nautica and Levi.

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