The wide leg jean has spent a long time being misunderstood by the men who would actually wear it best. This is not a trouser for lounging around in. Done right, it has a considered, almost tailored quality that a straight leg cannot match. The problem is the fit around the seat and thigh, which is where most wide leg options go wrong by cutting too generously and losing all shape above the knee. What works is a closer cut through the top block that opens out properly below it. That proportion is what gives the silhouette its intention rather than its accident. We’ve been looking specifically at options that pair well with a clean leather shoe or a low profile trainer, because the footwear relationship matters more here than with any other jean cut. Wash matters too. Mid to dark indigo earns its keep across more outfits. These are the ones that actually repay the attention.