# Black jeans -- yea or nay? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783 "2005-02-01T15:50:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/1 "2005-02-01T15:50:30Z")
I have one female friend who used to rave about a pair of black jeans that I owned. She just couldn’t stop herself from gushing over how good they looked. However, I also have a female friend who insists that black jeans are absolutely hideous and should never see the light of day. Opinions? I’d very much like to use more black in my wardrobe, but I don’t want to be sartorially clueless either. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/2 "2005-02-01T15:53:52Z")
Too dated. Black jeans are a very “80s” thing, I think. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/3 "2005-02-01T15:55:23Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > I have one female friend who **used to** rave about a pair of black jeans that I owned. _Used to_ is the important phrase here. When did she gush over 'em? 1989? 'Cause that’s about the last time they were in fashion. There are rumblings on the fashion scene that colored jeans are making a come-back but that hasn’t filtered down to the masses yet. Right now, black jeans only call to mind mullets and Iron Maiden t-shirts… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/4 "2005-02-01T15:58:25Z")
Who knew? I wear 'em – of course, I’m not exactly known for my fashion forwardness. Plus I’m 50. So yeah, I’d take that as a “bad idea.” ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/5 "2005-02-01T16:09:07Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > Too dated. Black jeans are a very “80s” thing, I think. Which is exactly why they’re coming back into style (yes, it’s true). I say wear them if you like them and feel comfortable in them. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/6 "2005-02-01T16:11:33Z")
No, they’re not dated. I went shopping for some new pants recently and saw black jeans in all the stores. If they are dated, then why are all the stores carrying them now? I got a really nice pair at the Gap. They basically just look like black pants. They are kind of like this (they’re the same color, but a different style): [http://www.gap.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=201099&wpid=200502](http://www.gap.com/asp/Product.asp?wdid=201099&wpid=200502) Now those don’t bring to mind “mullets and Iron Maiden t-shirts…,” now do they??! ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/7 "2005-02-01T16:12:48Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Opinions? I’d very much like to use more black in my wardrobe, but I don’t want to be sartorially clueless either. Are you a guy or girl? That might change things a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/8 "2005-02-01T16:21:12Z")
I usually wear black jeans. Black goes with everything, and I think I look smashing in them. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/9 "2005-02-01T16:34:38Z")
I’m clueless when it comes to this stuff, but I found this on the net. > [@](#): > > **Don’t** > ]Tuck sweaters, T-shirts or polos into your jeans > Create a wide cuff when folding your jeans (making them look practically cropped) > Put your jeans in the dryer (this can cause major shrinkage) > Wear black or white jeans [http://askmen.com/fashion/trends\_100/120b\_fashion\_men.html](http://askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/120b_fashion_men.html) ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/10 "2005-02-01T16:36:45Z")
I am more or less forced into buying black jeans. A 36" inseam means I can only shop from catalogs. When I find jeans in my size, I get 3 choices of color; black, light stonewashed, and dark stonewashed. Stonewashed pants are washed for hours with pumice. They are halfway worn out when you buy them. :smack: There are exceptions, and I buy blue ones when I can. About half my jeans are black, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/11 "2005-02-01T16:37:27Z")
Yay. I have a couple pairs…no, wait, one developed a hole, so I’m down to one. Pity, they were nice jeans. But unless they’re ugly black jeans, I don’t see any reason not to wear them. ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/12 "2005-02-01T16:38:02Z")
Don’t put your jeans in the dryer? What? How else would one dry them? I don’t have time to be waiting around all day; plus I’ve never suffered any type of jean shrinkage, or at least to a noticable degree. ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/13 "2005-02-01T16:49:32Z")
I love my black jeans; I wear them more than my blue jeans. I think they’re rather stylish, actually. They’re certainly not hard to find, so they’re hardly an aberration and I don’t expect to be getting any citations from the fashion police. I also have gray ones, and I’ll allow that they might be out of style, since they’re almost impossible to find any more. The only place I’ve been able to get them within the last several years is a western wear shop in Las Vegas. Anyway, I like 'em. On a sort-of related note, my SO says you shouldn’t wear white sneakers with blue jeans. I think he’s out of his mind. What else would you wear? To me, black shoes don’t look right with blue jeans, while white ones look perfectly fine. Any opinions? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/14 "2005-02-01T16:53:20Z")
I don’t know what’s wrong with black jeans _or_ Iron Maiden T-shirts. ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/15 "2005-02-01T16:57:11Z")
Black jeans may be coming back for girls, but for men, I think they’re still a no-no. Just like girls have white pants but I don’t see too many guys sporting those. As far as black shoes with jeans, if the jeans are dyed dark enough I think it’s okay. White shoes with jeans? That’s pretty much 80% of the sneaker/jean combo right there. I’d definitely say that’s fine. The 80s may be coming back, but it doesn’t mean we have to help it along any. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/16 "2005-02-01T16:58:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Don’t > ]Tuck sweaters, T-shirts or polos into your jeans > Create a wide cuff when folding your jeans (making them look practically cropped) > Put your jeans in the dryer (this can cause major shrinkage) > Wear black or white jeans Yeah well, they’re the same ones who are currently touting wearing pants which are pretty much the same as bell bottoms too. As well as boxy tops and blocky clunky shoes. That is “fad”. True “fashion” is wearing what looks good on you, and what YOU make look good. Jeans are classics in any color. I don’t get the "don’t tuck shirts into jeans thing. If you don’t, you look sloppy IMHO. How else are you supposed to show of a tiny waist if you don’t? As to white or black jeans? Black jeans are so slimming, and white well they’re just so cute with pink tops, so summery and bright, and if you’ve got the figure, they look awesome. Remember, the ones supposedly “making the rules” are the ones you see on all those makeover shows that think “fashion” is chopping off every woman’s hair because long hair is so “dated”. Phooey on those who think they are the Gods of fashion. After all their ilk are the same ones who used to say no white before labor day, or whatever. Blah blah de blah blah… ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/17 "2005-02-01T17:00:03Z")
**JThunder** , the question is who are you trying to impress? If no one, then wear what you want. That’s my husband’s attitude; he wears black a lot and he rarely ever dresses for anyone but himself. I think he looks sexy in black. Especially in his tight black Levi’s. I have been known to insist that he wear them. 😉 So, if you’re dressing to impress a particular girl, wear what she finds attractive… _sometimes_. I’m too old to advise dressing to impress the masses. Fads generally suck and have resulted in 14-year-old girls wearing skirts way too short with thongs underneath and crop tops way too revealing; and everyone wearing the waistband of their pants around their thighs so it looks like they’re carrying a load. Blech! Keeping up with fashion fads is not for anyone over 25, IMHO. Although, I said I never would, I have, admittedly, purchased a couple pair of flared “boot-cut” jeans\*. I love 'em. Are they still in style? I really don’t care. Like black jeans? Wear 'em! Don’t be a sheep. - However, you will not catch me wearing pumps with said jeans. Trés tackée! ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/18 "2005-02-01T17:07:19Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Yeah well, they’re the same ones who are currently touting wearing pants which are pretty much the same as bell bottoms too. As well as boxy tops and blocky clunky shoes. > > That is “fad”. True “fashion” is wearing what looks good on you, and what YOU make look good. > > Jeans are classics in any color. I don’t get the "don’t tuck shirts into jeans thing. If you don’t, you look sloppy IMHO. How else are you supposed to show of a tiny waist if you don’t? > > As to white or black jeans? Black jeans are so slimming, and white well they’re just so cute with pink tops, so summery and bright, and if you’ve got the figure, they look awesome. > > Remember, the ones supposedly “making the rules” are the ones you see on all those makeover shows that think “fashion” is chopping off every woman’s hair because long hair is so “dated”. Phooey on those who think they are the Gods of fashion. After all their ilk are the same ones who used to say no white before labor day, or whatever. > > Blah blah de blah blah… **CanvasShoes** , I think that is supposed to be directed toward men only. The website tends to address issues regarding men. Otherwise I agree with everything else. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/19 "2005-02-01T17:35:08Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I’m clueless when it comes to this stuff, but I found this on the net. > > > [@](#): > > > > Don’t > > ]Tuck sweaters, T-shirts or polos into your jeans > > Create a wide cuff when folding your jeans (making them look practically cropped) > > Put your jeans in the dryer (this can cause major shrinkage) > > Wear black or white jeans > > [Style - AskMen](http://askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/120b_fashion_men.html) Yeah, but another article on that same website does recommend wearing black jeans. See [Style - AskMen](http://askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/120b_fashion_men.html). Go figger. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783/20 "2005-02-01T17:41:06Z")
If black jeans are wrong, I don’t wanna be right! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-jeans-yea-or-nay/287783.md?page=2)