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When I heard about Mugsy jeans and their claim that their jeans feel like sweatpants, I felt like I had to give them a shot.
I picked up three of their most popular washes—two are in the “Mugsy fit” and another in a boot cut fit.
After wearing these for a few weeks, my verdict is in.
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What Is Mugsy?
Mugsy was launched in 2016 and their original mission was to create slim fit jeans that feel more like sweatpants. You get the style of jeans, but the comfort of something you’d wear at home when binging Great British Bake Off.
Sounds ideal.
Mugsy now also offers much more than jeans: denim jackets, chinos, shorts, blazers, t-shirts, joggers, swimwear—you can dress head to toe Mugsy if that’s what you’re after.
Their jeans run from size 28 up to 42. In researching this piece, I saw a lot of guys in the reviews section say they switched to Mugsy for their big and tall options.
Mugsy also has a few green initiatives, mainly around using recycled materials in their packaging. Their fabrics are 80% recycled materials as well and they’ve set a goal to use 100% recycled fibers by 2025.
Things to Consider Before Buying Jeans from Mugsy
The common stretch jean that you’re probably used to is often 98% cotton and 2% spandex.
But there’s a new breed of stretch jeans that’s been hitting the market in the last 5-10 years, and Mugsy is part of the stretchy-pants revolution.
Mugsy jeans are 68% cotton, 2% spandex, and the rest is a blend of rayon and polyester. So overall, the cotton content is extremely low compared to most jeans you’re familiar with (relatively speaking).
This makes Mugsy jeans extremely lightweight and comfortable. It also makes them less durable.
While you’re never going to bend over and explode the seat of your pants with these jeans, I can absolutely see the crotch region wearing out if your thighs tend to rub together.
I’ve also had issues in the past with synthetic fabrics when I accidentally get a snag. Jeans with high cotton content can brush off snags like nothing. But synthetic fabrics can pill badly from the same snag.
Overall, you should know when shopping Mugsy that you’re trading durability for comfort. I see these jeans lasting about a year of regular wear (3-4 times per week).
Mugsy Jeans Review
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Mugsy doesn’t have a ton of different “cuts.” There’s the “Mugsy Fit,” “Relaxed,” and in some washes you can find “Boot Cut.”
The “Mugsy Fit” is similar to what you’d find with a slim-straight fit. You’ll see what I mean in the pictures below.
Fultons
The Fultons immediately grabbed my attention—I’m a sucker for dark wash jeans. I picked them up in the Mugsy Fit, which is basically a slim-straight cut. Check it out:
In my opinion, there are three main jean-cuts that every guy who’s over 25 should know: slim-taper, slim-straight, and straight cut.
What’s the difference?
Slim-taper is a bit similar to skinny jeans, but much more mature looking. They have significant taper below the knee, so the leg opening is more narrow.
This look tends to make tall guys look taller and slimmer. And it’s definitely a good look for shorter gents who are on the slim side, too.
I don’t recommend slim-taper jeans for guys who are stockier as they can make you look heavier.
Slim-straight, which is the same as the Mugsy Fit, has less taper below the knee—it’s still a slim fitted jean, but it’s a more universal style that works with boots, sneakers, and fits a wide variety of body types.
Until recently, this was my ideal fit in jeans, and I’d say it’s the best fit for most guys.
Then there’s straight cut jeans, which have no taper at all. On a lot of guys, straight cut can look baggy and unkempt. I happen to have larger thighs, so the fabric still hugs my legs a bit with straight cut so they still look fitted on me.
All of this is to say that I like the way Mugsy jeans fit, and I think they’re an excellent style for most guys.
And because they’re so stretchy, even if you’re heavier-set, I still think the Mugsy Fit is a good choice. Because there’s less taper below the knee (but still some), you’re not going to look top heavy.
As for the color of the Fultons, I personally prefer a crisp wash with no pre-fading, and I was a bit disappointed to see that Mugsy didn’t offer any option like that. The Fulton was as close as I could get.
They have a classic look to them—and very simple as the thread matches the wash (compared to something like Levi’s, which have a contrasting stitch).
The Fultons immediately grabbed my attention---I’m a sucker for dark wash jeans. I like the way these jeans fit in the "Mugsy Fit", and I think they’re an excellent style for most guys.
Lake Shores
I also picked up the Lake Shores jeans in the Mugsy fit. This is a slightly lighter wash than the Fulton, and is a versatile choice for all four seasons.
One thing I really like about Mugsy jeans that other similar brands don’t do: they add a little strip of fabric on the inside of the inseam so if you like to cuff your jeans, it doesn’t look as sloppy.
It’s not selvedge denim by any means, but it mimics that look and overall I think it helps make the cuffed jean look better.
The fabric for Mugsy jeans feels extremely lightweight. This is fantastic for spring and summer, though I can see it being a bit of an issue if you’re rocking your jeans through the winter.
My legs don’t get cold easily, but I could definitely feel the wind through these jeans. Again, this is ideal for summer when there’s a ton of humidity, but in winter, I think a thicker jean with more natural fibers would be a better choice.
Also, Mugsy jeans are super stretchy and they don’t restrict your movement at all. You can easily do deep squats in these bad-boys and hardly even notice they were there.
Mugsy jeans are super stretchy and the Lake Shores are no exception. They don’t restrict your movement at all. You can easily do deep squats in these bad-boys and hardly even notice they were there.
Grands (Bootcut)
I never thought I’d be into cowboy boots, but here we are. I wanted to check out Mugsy’s Bootcut fit, so I picked up the Grands, which is one of the few washes that has a boot cut option.
The thighs and seat fit the same as the Mugsy Fit, so it’s similar to a slim fit. With Bootcut, you get a wider leg opening—even wider than a straight cut jean.
In their product images, Mugsy shows the jeans with a pair of pretty slim dress boots, but I think their regular Mugsy Fit has enough space below the knee to handle most boots.
The only reason I’d ever get a boot cut jean is if you’re wearing a boot with a tall shaft like a cowboy boot or an engineer.
I don’t get the impression that Mugsy owners typically wear cowboy boots or engineer boots, which is why they don’t have the Bootcut available in many washes. But if you’re going with a slimmer boot, I’d stick with the Mugsy Fit.
The Grands is a lightwash jean—about as light as it comes besides just being white.
I recommend lightwash jeans mainly in the spring and summer. I’ll be storing these away for fall and winter when darker washes are called for.
The fabric is the same for all three of the washes I got, so everything I said for the Fultons and the Lake Shores stands true for the Grands as well.
The only reason I’d ever get a boot cut jean is if you’re wearing a boot with a tall shaft like a cowboy boot or an engineer. I don’t get the impression that Mugsy owners typically wear cowboy boots or engineer boots, which is why they don’t have the Bootcut available in many washes. But if you’re going with a slimmer boot, I’d stick with the Mugsy Fit.
What do Other Reviewers Say About Mugsy?
There are plenty of reviews on Mugsy’s site that you can scan through to get a better idea of how these jeans might fit your body type.
I noticed a lot of reviewers were heavier gents and they loved the waistband because it doesn’t dig in or restrict your movement at all.
Some reviewers were disappointed with the lower cut of the jeans, but those reviews were few and far between. These are a mid-rise jean, so certain people who light high-rise jeans might feel like these sit low on the waist.
Mugsy Alternatives
Mott & Bow
I like my Mott & Bow jeans more than I like my Mugsy jeans, but it’s for a specific reason: I personally prefer natural fibers over synthetic.
Mugsy jeans are the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever worn. But I feel like my Mott & Bow jeans are 80% as comfortable, and also far more durable because of the higher cotton content.
Yes, Mugsy’s get that extra boost of comfort, but I still consider my Mott & Bow’s comfortable, too.
Overall, when I’m wearing jeans, I want them to feel like jeans, not sweatpants.
Just like a quality, well-constructed hoodie, standout jeans will also elevate the appearance of a watch. Mott & Bow makes denim with durable stitching, a lasting build, and fitted cuts that he can style down or up depending on the day.
The Perfect Jean
The Perfect Jean is a more direct competitor to Mugsy. I like Mugsy jeans better, but if you’re on a budget and you want to spend under $100, check out The Perfect Jean.
They have some good looking washes and their jeans also follow the same philosophy of having a high percentage of synthetic fabric to make the jeans as comfortable and stretchy as possible.
There are a few aspects about Mugsy jeans that are better (the fit probably being the top reason), but overall, I think The Perfect Jean is also worthy of consideration.
Fabric is what sets The Perfect Jean apart. True denim is 100% cotton. Most jeans on the market today have one or two per cent spandex added for additional stretch and comfort. The Perfect Jean, however, is a nice, lightweight 10.5oz denim with 30% polyester, 3.5% viscose, and 2% spandex added, which makes for a wildly comfortable jean.
My Thoughts Overall On Mugsy Jeans
What I Like
- Mugsy jeans are so comfortable they feel like sweatpants and that’s not an exaggeration.
- The waist has a lot of stretch to it, so if your weight tends to fluctuate, or you just hate that feeling that your pants are too tight, these are very forgiving.
- The lightweight fabric is ideal for hot, humid weather.
- The added strip of cloth along the inside of the inseam is a nice touch for those who like to cuff their jeans.
What I Don’t Like
- With only 68% cotton, I’m concerned about the durability of these jeans.
Who is Mugsy for?
Mugsy jeans are perfect for heavier guys who want all day comfort and need full range of motion.
The Verdict
I’m not a huge fan of super stretchy jeans. I never put on a pair of stretch jeans and thought they were uncomfortable.
Mugsy jeans are the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever worn in my life.
They feel more like sweats than jeans.
And I don’t really like that. I like my jeans to feel like jeans. Especially given how active I am—I’m not confident these jeans will stand the test of time. Over the year, I can see that abrasion is going to wear these down faster than a 99% or 100% cotton jean.
So you’re sacrificing durability for comfort. If you want a stretch jean, I’d pick Mott & Bow.
That said, I think Mugsy jeans (and other high % synthetic jeans like The Perfect Jean) are a major boon for heavier guys. So many reviewers I read on Mugsy said that Mugsy’s were the only jeans they were getting from now on.
Ultimately, the quality of Mugsy jeans is good. And their customer support and return policy are awesome. They’re a fantastic company. I just don’t like the category.
Mugsy jeans are probably the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever worn. However, I think they’re overpriced given the amount of synthetic fabric and I question the durability with their 68% cotton make up. If you want jeans that feel like sweatpants, these are your best option. If you want jeans that feel like jeans, there are better options.
FAQs
How do Mugsy jeans fit?
The “Mugsy Fit” is similar to most brands slim-straight. There’s some taper below the knee, but not as much as a slim-tapered jean. The thigh and seat are more like a slim fit, which is almost universally flattering.
What are Mugsy jeans made out of?
Mugsy jeans are made with 68% cotton and the rest is a blend of spandex, rayon, and polyester. This high percentage of synthetic fabrics is what make the jeans so comfortable and stretchy.
