Guys, here are 6 things to keep in mind when you're shopping for new jeans

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Mott & BowYou probably wear your jeans more than you wear most of the other items in your closet, so it's only natural to want them to fit perfectly and look sharp — which brings us to the topic at hand. 

There are many factors to take into consideration when you're shopping for and trying on new denim — the fit has to be flattering, the fabric comfortable and durable, and the wash stylish.

What’s “right” will differ from person to person, so finding the perfect pair of jeans usually involves some trial and error. Denim designers I've spoken with in the past encourage shoppers to try on many different fits, washes, and brands before finalizing their purchase.

You'll be amazed at how much sizing varies from designer to designer; how one label's "skinny" fit can be another's "straight" fit; and how drastically different stretch and non-stretch denims feel on your body. The key takeaway is that you don't have to settle for mediocre jeans. There's something out there for everyone.

To help guide your selection, I asked Mott & Bow founder and CEO Alejandro Chahin to share his 6 best jean-shopping tips with Insider Picks' readers. Hopefully these prove useful the next time you find yourself in a dressing room.

1. Consider buying jeans with some slight stretch to them
"The biggest movement in men's denim is the transition from rigid fabrics (think 100% cotton, non-stretch) to comfort fabrics (denim compositions that have a bit of elastane in them). These fabrics give guys more flexibility and comfort."

2. Don't instantly go up a size if they feel a bit snug at first
"In terms of sizing, new jeans should always feel a bit snug at the beginning. Jeans tend to stretch out about half a size during use."

3. Look for these tell-tale signs of quality craftsmanship
A higher price isn't the only indicator of higher quality. "These three main things prove a pair of jeans is well-crafted: Handcrafted distressing (which makes the jean look naturally worn in), chain stitching on the waistband, and branded rivets and accessories (think leather patches, buttons, care tags)."

4. Make sure the hem of your jeans hits here
"Usually it should hit 0.25” above the bottom of the heel. This length will allow for a bit of stacking at the bottom of leg and a small natural honeycomb effect will ensue. If you want to cuff your jeans, you'll need it to be longer — and length will depend on cuff size."

5. When in doubt, keep the look of your jeans simple and classic
"Stay away from jeans that have too much on them. Go for the more subtle and versatile pairs." A few dark-wash pairs in your preferred fit should serve your closet well — a black pair is another versatile option to consider. 

6. Don't wash your jeans too often, if you can help it
"Wash them the fewest amount of times possible. The fewer number of times you wash your jeans, the better it is for color retention and for natural fading purposes (your jeans will look cooler over time). But if you’re not a denim aficionado, then don’t give it too much thought and wash them after a few wears. When you do wash them, make sure to turn them inside out, wash in cold water, and hang dry (although it is preferable to hang dry, you can also tumble dry low if it is not a raw jean)."

If you're not sure where to begin your jean search, check out our previous writeup of Mott & Bow's jeans. The guys of the Insider Picks team wore them for a week and recorded their thoughts on them, so you can better decide whether or not it's worth it to buy a pair yourself. There are tons of brands to check out, a few others I'd recommend include both perennial favorites and lesser-known, indie brands: Levi's, DL1961, Joe's, Citizens of Humanity, AG, 3x1, J Brand, and 7 For All Mankind.

If there are other shopping questions you have that you'd like Insider Picks to tackle — about jeans or otherwise — shoot us an email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.