Lighten Up: The Best Light Wash Jeans For Spring/Summer 2025
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 off denim 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 easygoing versatility of light blue jeans. When you choose 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.
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.
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.
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.
Luca Faloni
Key model: Light Blue Jeans
Italian label Luca Faloni doesn’t dabble in trends — it deals in classics. These jeans are handmade in Northern Italy using brushed cotton denim, which gives them a ridiculously soft, almost broken-in feel straight off the hanger.
The slim-straight fit is sharp without being clingy, and the pale wash nails that Riviera vibe without looking try-hard.
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.
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.
Levi’s
Key model: 501
San Fran denim brand Levi’s is a name that needs 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.
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.
Nudie Jeans
Key model: Gritty Jackson
Nudie has carved out a niche as the go-to for ethical denim with attitude. Made from 100% organic cotton, these Gritty Jacksons feature a regular straight fit and a soft, pre-washed finish that gives them a sun-faded, vintage character.
Expect top-tier construction, proper comfort and a conscience-friendly backstory.
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.
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.
Everlane
Key model: Selvedge Straight Fit Jean
Everlane’s Selvedge Straight Fit Jean offers a relaxed yet refined silhouette. Crafted from premium Japanese selvedge denim, these jeans feature a wider leg and more room at the waist and hips, making them ideal for warmer months.
The Clear Sky wash provides a light, versatile hue that will combine effortlessly with your summer wardrobe.
Buck Mason
Key model: Japanese Denim Full Saddle Jean
Buck Mason’s Full Saddle Jean is a nod to classic Americana. Made using 12.8 oz. Japanese denim from Kaihara Mills, these jeans feature a high-rise and classic straight fit through the thigh and leg.
The denim is garment rinsed for a lived-in feel, and the copper rivets and metal tack button fly add authentic touches.
