When denim is spoken of in menswear circles, it’s usually in the context of the heavy, unwashed indigo stuff that weighs a ton and leaves stains on cream upholstery. And while we’re all for a good bit of raw denim in the autumn and winter, it’s not exactly the comfiest material to cover your legs in when the temperature begins to rise. But don’t write denim off entirely this spring and summer – it’s really just as simple as opting for a slightly different wash.

Light blue jeans are a much more suitable choice in warmer weather. Not only does the washing process that removes the dye make them softer and more breathable, it also reduces the intensity of the indigo colour, making the fabric lighter and better suited to handling the heat. We also love the easy-going versatility of light blue jeans, and when you go for a nice relaxed cut they can easily become the most laid-back, easy-to-style pants in your wardrobe.

Ready to leave the dark denim behind for the summer and embrace a lighter shade of legwear? Below you’ll find a handpicked selection of our favourite brands for light blue jeans, including the key model to shop from each. 

Billy Reid

Key model: Billy Reid x Citizens of Humanity Adler Jeans

Bond favourite Billy Reid is a historic American menswear label with a proven track record for crafting phenomenal clothing. These jeans are made in collaboration with LA denim specialist Citizens of Humanity, and the results are as great as you might expect.

Handmade in the States, they come in a vintage-effect wash with authentic-looking fading and whiskering in high-wear areas. The fit has a high rise with a slight taper from below the knee.

Shop now at Billy Reid

Closed

Key model: Springdale Relaxed

German label Closed has been making jeans for decades and has gotten pretty good at it in the process. There are all sorts of cuts and washes to choose from, but these loose-fitting light-wash jeans tick all the boxes when it comes to being seasonally appropriate and bang on trend.

They’re super relaxed with a low crotch and straight leg, and cut and sewn with quality 12oz denim in Italy. There’s also a branded tab to the fly and some subtle distressing to the pockets and hems.

Shop now at Closed

Velasca

Key model: Millesimo

Italy is famed for its sartorial craftsmanship, with thousands of local makers creating some of the best clothes in the world.

Velasca’s mission is to bring these garments to the masses by working with the best factories in Italy and using a direct-to-consumer model to keep costs as low as possible (don’t confuse this with ‘cheap’, however).

Take the brand’s Millesimo jeans, for example. They’re handmade in Salerno with a relaxed yet classic cut that’ll go with anything and everything.

Shop now at Velasca

ASKET

Key model: The Washed Denim Jeans

Swedish label ASKET is arguably the ultimate basics brand. Unaffected by trends or fleeting fads, the label’s output has been consistent for many years, serving up a tightly curated selection of only the most versatile and timeless staple pieces.

Naturally, this includes a pair of light-wash jeans featuring a regular tapered cut, mid-rise and beautifully soft Italian denim fabric.

Shop now at ASKET

Pini Parma

Key model: Light Blue Bleached Jeans

Pini Parma specialises in high-quality Italian-made clothes, focusing on classic designs that eschew trends in favour of timelessness and simplicity. Think elegant tailoring and upscale casualwear with an unmistakably Italian flavour.

These bleached jeans are made in Italy from luxurious Candiani cotton and cut with a slim fit and a mid-rise. Are they the cheapest jeans on the market? No, but when you consider the quality and craftsmanship involved, the price tag is actually pretty reasonable.

Shop now at Pini Parma 

Wax London

Key model: Loose Fit Jeans

Wax London’s relaxed take on casualwear is great for dealing with the day-to-day in style, whether it’s a chunky woven overshirt or a nice pair of relaxed-fit jeans like these.

They’re nice and wide all the way down with a slightly cropped leg, and made with 100% organic cotton, too.

Shop now at Wax London

A.P.C.

Key model: Petit New Standard

If it’s sophisticated yet simple you seek, then look no further than Parisian label A.P.C.. The brand has long been one of the best places to grab high-quality selvedge denim at not wholly unreasonable prices, and its Petit New Standard model is firmly established as the slim-fit jean for style-savvy gents.

It is a great choice for shorter, slimmer guys who want to create the appearance of longer legs. They also go great with anything from boots to sneakers.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Levi’s

Key model: 501

San Fran denim brand Levi’s is a name that should need no introduction. Jeans as we know and love them today would not exist without them, and the 501 is the model that started it all.

It’s a classic shape with a straight leg, mid-rise and a Goldilocks fit that has kept it relevant for over 100 years.

Shop now at Levi’s

orSlow

Key model: 105

Looking for an elevated take on the Levi’s classic? Japanese label orSlow’s 105 takes the same time-honoured silhouette and reimagines it in high-end Japanese selvedge denim and several stunning pre-faded washes.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Acne Studios

Key model: 2003 Jeans

Sweden’s Acne Studios has a long history of making great jeans and experimenting with proportions and silhouettes. When these two specialities come together, the results can be unusual but in the best possible way. Exhibit A: these 2003 jeans, which draw on 2000s style, referencing the loose-fitting denim popularised by the era’s skateboard culture.

They’re baggy with a low waist and a button fly, while the cotton they’re cut from is organically grown.

Shop now at END.

Uniqlo

Key model: Slim Fit Jeans

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a solid pair of light-wash jeans to see you through the spring, summer and beyond. Uniqlo is always a safe bet for wardrobe essentials at wallet-friendly prices, and its jeans are some of the best on the high street for under £50.

This pair has a slim fit with some light fading around the thighs, and they’ll only set you back £39.90.

Shop now at Uniqlo