The Tapered Jeans to Wear For Fall
- Published on Friday, 19 October 2012 11:07
- Matt Bell

You might call tapered jeans the mullets of denim. It’s fair to translate the whole “business in the front, party in the back” thing of the mullet here with a chill, relaxed fit at the thigh, and a tight, serious style at the ankle. And through time, they’ve been alternately ridiculed as destroyer of all things tasteful (late 90′s, and most of the 00′s) and praised as the cutting edge of all things fashion forward (late 80′s/early 90′s). And now. Riding in on the resurgent wind of high waisted and pleated pants seen on the runway, tapered denim has been doing a good job at moving in on the old skinny-only territory. And this season looks to be a pinnacle year—there are more fits and washes than ever, giving you ways to style them for business or pleasure, high waisted or low rise, slim or baggy. But trends aside, tapered jeans are the way to go for guys with bulkier thighs who want to get the skinny look and, alternately, for slender guys who want a more relaxed fit that won’t swallow them whole. Some of our favorites after the jump.
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1) Paul Smith
Dark Wash Tapered Jeans; $300 at ssense.com
Slightly tapered, navy dyed and creased denim made in Morocco. Great for tonal or color blocking.
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2) Earnest Sewn
Kyrre 440 Joel; $220 at ernestsewn.com
A classic and casual look among classic and casual looks with the denim has been hand sanded and stone washed and crafted with button fly, white satin locker loop. Perfect for vintage T-shirt and sneaker bumming around.
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3) J Brand
Slouch Tapered Brent; $269 at jbrandjeans.com
Cut low rise and 9-ounce indigo cross hatch japanese selvedge make give it a modern fit, vintage inspired distressing adds depth. Wear it with anything from a blazer, vest or hoodie.
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4) Naked and Famous
Weird Guy Dirty Fade; $158 at needsupply.com
The use of rope dying on this pair of low cut japanese selvedge will age in the most handsome of ways over time. Just don't wear with white.
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5) Tellason
Ladbroke Tapered Jean; $198 at amrag.com
A starter pair with an almost a completely straight cut and contrast gold stitching. Style as you would your skinny.
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6) Edwin
Ed-55 Tapered Leg Washed Denim Selvedge Jeans; $220 at mrporter.com
Japan's denim gods present a perfect pair of worn in, loose fit selvedge tapered denim with black and gold stitching. Your perfect flannel is waiting.
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7) Levis Vintage Clothing
1954 501Z Jeans; $260 at shopwittmore.com
High waisted, loose fit and made from 14oz red selvedge denim, here's how to dress forwardly archival (that's a thing, because we say so). Baggy, cable knit sweater on top.
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8) PRPS
Fury tapered summer wash jeans; $675 at matchesfashion.com
Perfectly distressed, cool features like the buttoned waist epaulet and a fury summer wash make this a great pair for warm weather winter goers. Match with your favorite band T-shirt.
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9) 3Sixteen
Slim Tapered in Indigo/Black Selvedge; $230 at revolveclothing.com
The low rise and perfectly crisp indigo/black selvedge look slick and modern. Balance the look with a contrast patterned and/or textured top.
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10) G-star
5620 3D Dimension Tapered; $250 at g-star.com
From the brand who has stuck with the tapered though it all is the Elwood cut designed by Pierre Morisette featuring extra large pockets, angular seams at the knee and saddle pad and angular belt loops on the hip. That's a lot, so pair it with something simple and loose fit.
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11) Lee for J.Crew
101 Slim Rider Jean in Rinse Wash; $160 at jcrew.com
Designed in collaboration with J.Crew, this pair of classic Lee 101's (they launched back in '24) is constructed in an archival, soft 13 3/4-ounce Japanese selvedge denim. The unique-to-J.Crew labeling features the laurel leaf motif first used by Lee when founded in 1889 as a dry goods brand. So, denim aficiandos get on it. and pick up something else at J.Crew to wear with it.
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12) Burberry
Swaine Vintage Wash Denim; $225 at burberry.com
Button fly, mid rise and artfully faded, you'll get noticed in these for your absolute lack of trying. We'll agree with Burburry's styling team and say, give these puppies some stripes, though also, add a blazer for good measure.
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13) Unbranded
Indigo Tapered Selvedge Denim Jean; $78 at urbanoutfitters.com
Heavy denim, higher waisted and low cost. Graphic T's and hoodies.