# How much do you pay for a pair of jeans? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 19, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166 "2012-09-19T13:48:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/61 "2012-09-20T04:44:55Z")
In Australia even plain brand name stuff like Levis are $80 - 100 retail most places. For at least 10 years I have bought all mine at a Rivers Clearance Store for $20 - 25. They are all their brand and it is potluck what styles they will have but they have always had something I like. Still I’m not very fussy. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/62 "2012-09-20T05:05:19Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Those who pay $100-200 or even more for a pair of jeans, a serious question: Do they really fit that much better? Even if they did, I would look like a doofus at my age in some of these fashion-design jeans, but even if I didn’t, would I really find they fit better? The one time in my life someone openly complimented me on my ass was when I was wearing a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. I paid more for those jeans than I ever have before or since and they really flattered me. I don’t like wearing jeans in general, so I haven’t bought a new pair of jeans in ages, but I do think the expensive ones can be worth it - if you want your ass to look good. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/63 "2012-09-20T05:09:24Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > I think I paid $4-$6 for the last couple pair. The second hand stores around here are great. Yeah, I found a near brand-new pair of jeans at Goodwill for just $5. I try to grab pants there when I can. $40 for jeans at the store just seems insane to me. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/64 "2012-09-20T05:36:09Z")
Jeans are the staple of my wardrobe. If I spend the most money on any item of clothing, it’s definitely jeans. I’ve paid ~$150 for an awesome pair that I can’t part with, as if it was forged by elves, just for me. Or $40-$60 for an average pair in a style/cut I like. They can last forever though, so I only buy a new pair or two every year, or two, and have jeans I’ve been wearing regularly for over 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/65 "2012-09-20T05:46:21Z")
I have paid over $200 for jeans before, but doubt I ever will again because of a few reasons: [ol] [li]The ones I’ve purchased for that much weren’t a trendy style and still fit and are in great shape so I can still wear them.[/li][li]I’m short and jeans off the rack don’t fit me all that great so I’m far more likely to wear a skirt or a dress than pants.[/li][li]If I _do_ buy jeans now I do it from [this website](http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/) where I can design them myself and give my exact measurements for the right fit. I’ve made six purchases with them and each one fits great. No need for any more![/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/66 "2012-09-20T07:55:26Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Just the drugs. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. > [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > The one time in my life someone openly complimented me on my ass was when I was wearing a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans. The one time ever or the only time while you were wearing clothes? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/67 "2012-09-20T10:49:02Z")
I exclusively wear 501s. [Xe.com](http://Xe.com) tells me that they go for around 120 USD here (Sweden). ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/68 "2012-09-20T13:08:10Z")
I got two pairs[1] of [these](http://www.mandco.com/regular-leg/high-waist-jean-regular/invt/1142003black/&bklist=icat,5,10,10010,10010480,10010480030)for £20 each (about $32?) at the start of the summer, and hope they’ll last me a year or two. All the other jeans I’d tried on did the stupid hipster thing, so they either gave me muffin top, or slid down needed hauled up every time I sat down/stood up. These ones are really high waisted, but that seems to be the comfiest and most flattering thing for my post baby tum. And apparently they’re on trend this year, so my friends tell me, so that’s a bonus 🙂 My only complaint is that they’re not black enough - they’re a kind of streaky-denim black rather than jet black, and showing the white fabric under the dye through the weave. I’d be tempted to stick them in the machine with a home wash-in dye if they weren’t my main pair of wearable jeans at the moment 🙂 [1] One in the size I thought I was, and one in the size I apparently actually am ☹ I’ll get into the first pair soon, I swear! ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/69 "2012-09-20T14:03:55Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The one time ever or the only time while you were wearing clothes? 😉 Well, the one time a complete stranger did, I should clarify. Boyfriend doesn’t count. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![qualityleashdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/9f8e36/32.png) [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/70 "2012-09-20T15:01:56Z")
I usually have to pay $40-50 for a pair. I really won’t go over the $50 mark. I know people that think $50 is way too much, but would be happy to pay $26. I think the lower end of the poll should have been broken into smaller increments, due to the bitching I hear over the $25 vs $50, but most would probably agree $151 is as outrageous as $200. My particular brand and style is becoming harder to find, and I know the quality is going down. They don’t last as long as they used to, and Levi’s no longer honors their guarantees like they used to. $25 gets me a pair that fits funny in the hips, and has short pockets that have no room and everything falls out of. I’m not happy, but I’m also afraid of change. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/71 "2012-09-20T16:28:16Z")
Damn - I know Levi’s is an American brand, but it galls me to hear new Levi’s jeans going for 50 or 60 bucks over there, when a pair of Levi’s 512 Bootcut jeans (the only jeans I’ve found that fit me well and look good) set me back some 110 euros or 140 USD over here. A major investment on a decidedly non-boutique product. ---
**Author:** ![smokey78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@smokey78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smokey78)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/72 "2012-09-20T17:17:50Z")
I have currently 9 pairs of jeans I have bought from Ross or Marshall’s. ten to 12 dollars a pair but I have to alter the hems at 8 bucks so roughly 20 dollars a pair. The cheapest I have is from a sale at JC Penney, 11 bucks, and didn’t need to get them altered. I tried a pair of Cookie Johnson jeans at 120 per pair and they were the most uncomfortable jeans I ever tried on. I think there was a fashionista guru online who admitted that designer jeans aren’t often the best and you are better off getting discount jeans. ---
**Author:** ![OneOfOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@OneOfOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneOfOne)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/73 "2012-09-21T00:58:00Z")
I buy Levi’s 501s at the local outlet store for about $40. It’s nice to have the button fly, rather than the zipper. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/74 "2012-09-21T02:26:58Z")
Since I can wear jeans to work most days, I’m in the $100 or so price range. I have some $50 or so Abercrombie jeans, but also some Diesel jeans which are closer to $150. I like the designer look much better than the utilitarian look. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/75 "2012-09-21T03:54:37Z")
I won’t pay more than $20 for jeans. I get them at the thrift store most of the time for $3-$6. Somtimes I get Mossimo jeans at Target for $6 on clearance. I was talking to a friend a few months ago and she said she fell and ripped her $150 jeans. I told her that her first mistake was paying $150 for a pair of jeans. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/76 "2012-09-21T04:46:07Z")
Am I the only one who just cuffs her jeans if they’re too long? I have several pairs of non-jeans with finished seams on the inside that are made to be cuffed, and I look around at what the “kids” are wearing and still haven’t seen some modicum of cuffed jeans go out of style, just how deep it is. The current lengths of jeans seems to adjust for how deep the current style of cuffs go, too. No? Maybe I just don’t hang around with anyone who cares. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/77 "2012-09-21T06:46:34Z")
I buy name brands, but I’m sneaky; I try them on in the store, narrow it down to a style that works on me, and then I stalk ebay until I find the exact same pair for less than $30. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/78 "2012-09-21T16:04:58Z")
50-65. I’m a big girl and there’s pretty much only 1 store that carries jeans in my size that don’t look horrible. Having had WLS, I’m very much looking forward to the day I can get a pair of jeans for $5 in a thrift store. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/79 "2012-09-21T16:19:37Z")
I have an unfair advantage. Near me is a Goodwill-like thrift store that gets “New-Old Stock” from several different sources. Not being one to demand the latest and greatest in fashion I am still able to get Dockers and Levis with the tags still in place for basically 5 bucks a pair or less. ---
**Author:** ![akeimi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@akeimi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akeimi)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166/80 "2012-10-15T14:15:36Z")
As long as your weight is stable, buying high-end jeans is totally worth it, especially if you’re on a budget. You look infinitely more pulled together in $200 jeans and a $10 t-shirt than you do if you wear mid-range jeans and spend your money on tops. I really can’t emphasize this enough - Barney’s for jeans, thrift stores and the H&M $5 rack for tops. It’s not worth spending more, because you can only wear a sweater or shirt so many times in a month. Even once a week, and you’re “the girl who always wears x”. Jeans? There should be an upper limit, but there’s not. Just get two pairs. Do laundry weekly. (BTW I’m just using the price as a shorthand for being well-constructed, well-tailored, quality, etc… I realize the high price doesn’t cause an item to be quality, and quality doesn’t always mean high prices - but there’s some correlation there. You’re not going to find these magic pants of which I speak at Target.) And yes, this is how I dressed myself from ages 19-25. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-you-pay-for-a-pair-of-jeans/635166.md?page=5)