Jeans are a fundamental part of workwear. Get a good pair, and you’ll be working all day with no problems. Pick up a pair that are uncomfortable, and you won’t think about anything else. Dickies has built a reputation around building quality clothing at a great price. I’ve been wearing the new Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans for several weeks to see if it’s got what it takes to keep me comfortable on long days.
Tom Gaige recently reviewed some of the clothing in Dickies’ new performance line and was pretty impressed. I’ve got high hopes for the X-Series line of jeans following his high praise.
Specifically, I’m looking at Item XD740 and I went with the Heritage Dark Indigo (HDI) color. I have several pairs of jeans to choose from throughout the course of my week and the darker color gains a little more acceptability in casual business settings. Since I move between jobsites, the shop, trade shows, and media events, this offers me the ability to blend in well in every situation. Let’s dig deeper into what you can expect from these jeans.
Dickies X-Series Jean Material
For materials, the Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans are made from 100% cotton denim in a 13-ounce weight. The zipper and rivets are made from brass. These jeans end up being a relatively lightweight design that was immediately noticeable compared to my go-to Carhartt Jeans.
There’s a combination of single and double stitching throughout the jeans. You’ll find double stitching in the most vulnerable areas as you would expect. When I finally rip a pair of jeans, that usually happens at one of the back pockets or the crotch. I don’t see any reason to expect that these will get worn down any differently than the other jeans I’m used to.
Fit
For the longest time, I was a 34W x 34L. But at the age of 37, I’m having to deal with the reality a 34-inch waist no longer fits me. So after looking at the sizing chart and reading what other users had to say, I went with an honest 36-inch waist and 34-inch leg.
The 36-inch waist with the relaxed fit was a good call – it was certainly true to size there. Where things are a little different for me was in the leg length. I’m normally a boot cut jeans kind of guy, so the straight leg was a bit different. It bunches near the shoes in a way that boot cut jeans don’t. However, going a size shorter in inseam would not have fit well. Even though I could stand to have them a little shorter, this is really a matter of style rather than fit.
Overall, I’d say that the Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans fit true to size.
Comfort
Think about your favorite pair of jeans for a moment. How long did it take before they were your favorites? Were they that way right out of the store? Or did it take a while before they were really worn in well?
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans are soft and comfortable right out of the package. That means I have the benefit of a comfortable wear from the time they show up until the time I finally wear them out. With other jeans, I know when they get to the point where they’re really comfortable it’s only a matter of time before I rip that first hole in them.
Another benefit of the out-of-the-package softness and relaxed fit is that I’ve been able to move pretty freely in a brand new pair of jeans. Kneeling and squatting are two positions that make life tough in the wrong pair of pants, but I’ve been able to get up and down with no problem. One of the highest compliments I can pay these jeans is that I can work how and where I need to without having to think about them.
Style
I pretty much danced all around the issue of style and you may have already formed a conclusion on that. Like I said earlier, the darker color gives me the ability to blend in well in a variety of different settings. The relaxed fit and straight leg offer a design that is equally well accepted. At the end of the day, the Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans in the 5-pocket style really are a go anywhere, do anything kind of jeans.
The Bottom Line
So are the Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans my new favorite pair of jeans?
They’re going to have to work a few more months before they can earn that title, but they are in serious contention. I like the lightweight, relaxed design, and true fit. I also love the fact that I can wear these jeans anywhere without feeling out of place. That lightweight comfort also comes with a trade-off – they’ll likely get worn through quicker than my thicker jeans. That’s just the nature of workwear materials.
The price point is what really seals the deal for these jeans from Dickies. They normally retail for $30.99, but right now they’re running $24.99 on their website. With Christmas right around the corner, there’s no reason to not pick up a couple of pairs for each of the Pros you’re buying for.
Dickies X-Series Relaxed Fit Jeans Specifications
- Model: Dickies XD740HDI
- Waist Sizes: 30 – 44
- Inseam Sizes: 30 – 34
- Material: 100% Cotton Demin, 13-Ounce
- Style: Relaxed Fit, Straight Leg, 5-Pocket
- Price: $33.99
