Grey Jeans: A Cheat Code To Effortless Style

The best part about grey jeans is that there are very few ways to wear them wrong, especially for men. However, I’m here to help you optimize them.

Believe it or not, I think grey jeans are way more useful denim pants for guys than blue or black jeans. They sort of sit in between them aesthetically. 

Blue jeans can look pretty hardcore Americana, while black jeans are definitely more urban cool. Of course, that all depends on how you style them.

Grey jeans, on the other hand, look more like a menswear neutral.

Unfortunately, they aren’t always the first denim pants that come to mind for most guys. Let me help you unlock a whole level of effortless style with this often-overlooked garment.

Grey Jeans: Why You Need a Pair and How to Style It

Obviously, grey denim pants can be worn with very literally any color and they’re just so easy to style. That’s why you need a pair. 

However, as neutral as they are, they can also be the solution to many possible aesthetic conundrums.

Using Grey Jeans Practically

Here are some ways you can use grey jeans.

First, they can break up super dark colors without looking out of place or too statement. Imagine you’re wearing a black henley, black boots, and a black jacket. This is an extreme example of effect — more realistically, the jacket might be a midnight blue or dark jungle green.

Bright pants would then become the statement piece of the outfit, as would light-wash jeans and even blue jeans to an extent. Black jeans would make the entire outfit a statement, perhaps a gothic one. However, charcoal jeans can bring dimension while also blending in naturally.

Second, they fit in with any personal style. They’re cool without being too edgy, so classic dressers and preps can wear them. And they’re neutral without being too boring, so trendy guys can wear them too.
Third, they give you a safe foundation.

With them, you can experiment with colors or pieces you’re curious about but find intimidating for whatever reason. I often recommend pairing grey jeans with pastels to guys who are pastel-hesitant.

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And fourth, they’re the perfect pants for a smart casual dress code or even a business casual situation. Think about it. Smart and business casual dress codes range widely and may even differ from one situation to another. That’s why they’re challenging.

The worst-case scenario is that you end up in a context where jeans aren’t actually all that appropriate. However, a pair of grey pants wouldn’t look as obviously denim as blue jeans and wouldn’t stick out as much as black ones.

Styling Dark Grey Jeans for Guys

Dark grey pants actually come in a wide range. Take a look at the Slim Stone Jeans from Mott & Bow. They’re the perfect example.

They can be so dark, they’re almost black, and can even be styled like black jeans. And what brands categorize as medium, for all intents and purposes, is basically just dark.

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Either medium-dark or super-dark grey pants can be worn in a smart casual situation. They’ll give you a nice, neutral foundation to have fun with other components of your outfit. Go for a blue, not navy, suit jacket, and a light blue shirt, for example. 

A true blue suit jacket is too bright in certain professional situations but not in smart casual and business casual situations. However, you don’t want to be loud, so grey jeans can temper that color.

You can also pair it with a cashmere or merino pullover in your favorite color.

In casual situations, grey jeans can add a streetwear flare without being over the top. It can be worn with a Harrington jacket for a classic casual look or a leather jacket for something a bit edgier.

Because of their cool tone, dark grey jeans also go well in a cold-weather bundled-up look, say with a beanie and a flannel.