The Jeans That Fit My Hockey Butt
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Welcome to Jeans Month on the Strategist, where we’re obsessively vetting denim — from trying on every pair at the Gap to asking dozens of stylish people about their favorite fits. For more, head to ourJeans Month hub.
Historically, shopping for jeans has been as onerous to me as visiting the dentist. My butt has always been disproportionate to my waist — likely owing to years of power lifting and cycling — leaving me with a condition known by some as “hockey butt.” Any time I went looking for a pair of jeans, I’d have to measure my waist — 32 inches at the moment — then go up a size or two to accommodate my posterior and try on pairs until I found something that worked well enough with a belt. But even when they worked, they never fit well enough to be anything other than fine, especially considering my 30-inch inseam (my height is all torso).
When I harbored more insecurities — years of my butt being the butt of jokes at school will do that — I was fine with loose-fitting jeans that didn’t draw attention to my rear. I still don’t want it to be the center of attention, but I’ve come to like my body and want to find clothes that highlight my features a little more. That has meant ditching pairs that felt loose and looked sloppy around my butt and thighs in favor of something a bit tighter that doesn’t hide everything so drastically. So, I’ve been looking for jeans with a relaxed cut that would fit my waist while accentuating my butt without feeling like I’m wearing oversize tubes around my legs.
When I started my search, several Reddit threads pointed me to the brand Gongshow, which used to makejeansdesigned specifically for hockey players and other men with a larger lower half. Unfortunately, they seem to be discontinued. But I’m happy to report that in trying some more pairs from a variety of brands recently, I’ve found several that come close to, and a few that are, what I’m looking for.
The Runners-up
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These jeans hug my glutes nicely without feeling suffocating and have a nice taper that rests somewhere between a relaxed fit and a skinny jean. I do wish, though, that like the 501 Originals, these jeans were just a bit tighter around my thighs, as they tend to drape over my hamstrings too loosely.
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These jeans feel very similar to the 541’s but without the taper. They’re slightly too loose around my thighs and calves for my taste.
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When a friend suggested these throwback jeans from Gap, I had my doubts; baggy jeans aren’t typically my style. After wearing them out a couple of times, I’ve become a fan. They fit snugly around my waist and butt while giving the rest of my legs plenty of room to breathe, and they’re extremely cozy to wear for a day of running errands. The loose fit makes these jeans comfortable, but I do wish there was a tad more form-fitting around the thighs and butt to not conceal them so much.
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These jeans are nearly the perfect fit. They’re a relatively straightforward, straight-legged pair of jeans with a relaxed cut and a hockey-player-friendly twist: They have more support around the butt than most jeans I’ve tried, and it’s been a surprisingly good confidence boost. I do wish, though, that these jeans had a zipper instead of buttons, as that style tends to be more forgiving in my experience.
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Of every Levi’s pair I’ve tried, none have impressed me as much as the company’s 501 Original jeans. They have a slight taper that adds some nice definition around the glutes and thighs without hugging them too closely, and they aren’t too tight around the quads or calves either. I do wish the 100-percent cotton denim Levi’s used was a bit softer, as I only find these comfortable enough to wear for a couple hours at a time as the material is quite stiff around my knees. That said, I haven’t found a more affordable pair of jeans that fits this well.
The Winner
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While I was waiting for some jeans to arrive in the mail, I took a trip down toPiece Unique Clothing Co.in Boise, Idaho, where I live, and asked for some recommendations. The salesperson said that her boyfriend — who shares my predicament — swears by these jeans. Now they’re my go-to pair. They’re tighter than the Gap 90’s Loose Jeans and the Alex Mill Straight 5 Pocket, but they’re just as comfortable thanks to the one percent polyurethane in the denim. Whilestretchy jeans may not last as longas the 100 percent cotton pairs I tried, the fact that they’re comfortable enough to wear all day (or night) is more important to me.
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
