It’s time to get back to basics this season in winter menswear, with a trusted pair of designer jeans.

There’s no doubt that the simple staple of any wardrobe is our beloved jeans and finding the right pair can be as important as securing the right job and procuring the right home, with most jeans outlasting the other two life choices. Whether smart or casual in the realms of men’s designer fashion, the style of your jeans can tell an instant visual story of your personal penchants such as your taste in music or simply your level of verve for life. It’s a fashion marvel that links all genders and genres, but in the sheer variety of styles on offer, can also divide opinion.

More conventional modes in men’s fashion look to the straight leg to compliment most wardrobes. The Swedish stylings of Our Legacy bring their attention to detail and contemporary/classic blend to denim with their Authentic Mid-Wash jeans, French Connection get lean and mean with their Dark Raw jeans, Dolce & Gabbana go back to black, while Italian denim kings Diesel, show off their vast collection of straight legs including Fraceex with deep pocket detail, distressed panels of the Larkee and the fitted Braddom’s.

Muscular physiques should make a bee line for bootcut shapes. The Billy by True Religion give pockets an edge with a hem stitch around the circumference; Gap are slightly more snug with their Indigo collection; Paul Smith however go back in time with the Antique, and Wrangler’s tough Miles range are built to last.

Those blessed with long and lean bodies can get away with straight hip designs. Brands to keep your eyes peeled for include Nudie Jeans’ Thin Finn or Grim Tim; Edwin or the Selvedge collection by YMC; the Slim Series by Won Hundred; the avant garde tailoring of the Three Raw Denim by Nordic fashion gurus, Norse Projects. Skinny jeans taper from hip to the ankle, and also work well on those with trim figures. They’ve been in fashion for a while now, but are making a bit of a statement this season, especially when coordinated with pumps, or ankle boots, or chunky winter knitwear. Some great examples of how this trend is taking off can be seen at Cheap Monday, All Saints, Levi’s Vintage and J. Lindberg.

Slightly more unusual shaped jeans come from Humor, Replay and DND who all plump for the dropped crotch. At Gio Goi, Energie, and Fly 53 you’ll discover the wonders of the twisted style, and the more avant garde among you will adore Vivienne Westwood’s ‘carrot’ cut. If the unusual styles don’t float your boat, panic not, because you can always vary your colour choice. Understated hues come from the duo-toned distressed offerings from DSquared2, PRPS, Lee and G Star – but bold and bright shines from the yellows of Acne’s Snake Slims. Red or dead is found at Monkey Genes’ skinny jeans, Purple is at Paul Smith and People’s Market, but you can be sure to find every colour of the rainbow at KSUBI Kolors.

Penfield shirts might be a bit nippy at this time of year without a jumper, but your jeans will always be a steadfast and warm part of your men’s designer fashion.