There is somewhat of a cult following that revolves around dark wash jeans; true denim fans can spend a lifetime looking for the ultimate rinse-wash. These jeans have a softer touch (not to be confused with raw, selvedge denim), since they have been washed using little water in order to remove the excess indigo dyes. Whether or not you’re a denim enthusiast and looking into the nitty-gritty details of the production process, something we can all agree on is that dark wash denim adds an elevated flair to any look. Whereas light to medium wash can make an outfit feel a bit more casual, the best dark wash jeans give off a pulled together vibe.
Thanks to the deeper indigo tone, dark wash jeans can be just as appropriate for the workplace as they can for a night out. It’s no wonder that designers often incorporate dark-rinse denim into their runway offerings. There are always a few brands you can count on that have dark rinse in their regular repertoire—for instance, Cinq à Sept’s structured flares and Cos’ relaxed fits are generally always available.
Another appealing aspect of dark rinse jeans is their longevity—they transcend denim trends without losing their fashionable edge—and nowadays you can find anyone of your go-to silhouettes in the wash, from baggy, boyfriend styles to vintage-inspired straight-leg jeans. Below, we round up the best jeans in every cut and fit imaginable, all with a crisp and clean dark wash to give your denim drawer polished edge.