Well, I’ve bought jeans for $60 to $80 at Levi’s and they look pretty good but not super great. The jeans I’ve gotten for a couple hundred look great and have lasted longer. It’s a subtle difference, I guess, but to me, it’s important.
I think also there’s a difference between men’s and women’s jeans. Men’s jeans are by their nature looser, so they probably wear less in pressure points. Women’s jeans are tighter, so you get holes in the thighs (if your thighs touch, I mean), seams pulling on the hips, etc. Plus, because women’s jeans are meant to be tighter, once ours finally explode under the weight of our sausage effect ;), no amount of washing and drying will shrink them back down to their original fit- so we’re stuck with lumpy jeans.
My point is: men can probably get away a little easier with cheaper jeans, since they aren’t going to stretch and wear as bad as a woman’s jeans.
I’m a guy, and for most occasions, I wear jeans that cost anywhere from $30-80. I’ve got 3 nicer pairs though. They do feel and look better than just about anything less than $150. I did have a pair of boot cut jeans from Old Navy that looked great, but they were destroyed a little after a year.
One of my nicer pairs is from a company called Sacred Blue that cost me $160. The company keeps changing names, so you won’t find a website for them, but they are 4 and a half years old and still look and fit like they did when they were new. They did come with a hole in the thigh though. I don’t mind it for most things, but sometimes when I want to dress nicer, but still wear jeans, I don’t like the hole being there.
Because of that, about 3 weeks ago I bought a pair of 7’s. They were $198. They fit, look, and feel great. I haven’t worn a blazer with them yet, but I’m sure it will look good. I’ve always liked the pocket design of Rock and Republic, but there never was a local place to buy them, so I never did. Last week, I stumbled across a website with low prices and decided to order them online. I was lucky and they fit. They also look great. I’ll still wear my normal jeans for most days of the week and my 3 nice pairs should look and feel brand new for several years.
This is exactly right (and a bit of a sore spot right now, as I have just recently gone jeans shopping). I’m 38 and have had two kids, and finding jeans that fit and look good is damn near impossible. I have a bit of a belly pooch, so low rise is completely out, but I don’t want to get mom jeans at Eddie Bauer either. I would be more than willing to fork out a lot of money for jeans that fit well and look good, but apparently they are not to be had. Have you ever tried to find jeans skinny jeans that aren’t low rise? I have. They apparently don’t exist. I would love to find a pair that I could wear tucked into boots, but apparently I am relegated to the ranks of Gap bootcut wearers. Le sigh.
GAH, this is so true! I’m not 30 (yet), but I only ever felt like jeans fit me decently the one year I was running 7+ miles/day and was super skinny (for me, which is like the chubby side of normal for most people). Even typing this post makes me depressed. I want to wear jeans, but I carry weight around my middle and definitely, definitely, around the hips, love handles, and butt area. God, I have a huge butt.
Anyways, so even trying on jeans is the most depressing experience ever for me. Anything that fits my lower thighs/legs decently won’t even fucking zip/button, or if it does, it’s depressing muffin-top hell.
I’ve given to just wearing fucking skirts/dresses everywhere, because those are more forgiving at the waist. I don’t understand how anyone with even a little pudge can wear jeans without have spillover.
Okay, I’m done, sorry, needed to rant.
For those having denim issues, may I suggest you try to find something that has a big “VIRTUAL STRETCH” sticker on it. I’ve seen smaller sized versions of these at all sorts of places and for plus size versions, check out Torrid (the plus size “teen” store in the mall). Also, I regularly see jeans with these stickers in all sizes at Burlington Coat Factory, Ross, Marshall’s, etc.
What makes these jeans unique is that they have a really high stretch content. They run smaller and tighter, but you can always size up. As a plus size hour glass, I spent years being utterly miserable in jeans-- Lane Bryant apparently assumes if you have hips, your thighs must be equally as wide as the widest part of your hip :rolleyes:. Or, if you have hips and a small waist, you must have a giant ass :rolleyes::rolleyes:. I had so much trouble finding jeans that fit my hips, didn’t gap at the waist, and didn’t sag under my ass. Then I stumbled upon these jeans. Oh. My. God. I obviously get mine tighter but you can get yours to the fitting you like.
Because they stretch, they hug your curves without constricting and causing lumps. They are stretchy but they don’t get all distorted throughout the day. Oh, and they are SO comfy-- it’s seriously like wearing a pair of sweats all day. And the plus size ones, at least, have a pretty decent and comfy rise-- not under your bra, but not at pube level either. They’ve got all kinds of different colors, washes, and styles, too!
The only down side is that the jeans will not last you years, because this isn’t thick denim. But, if you can find a reasonable price, I love 'em. For whatever reason, the Torrid website insists on modeling them on models who are too big for the size in question, but I swear I don’t have any muffin top issues in these. Personally, I can vouch for this pair, this pair, and my new, trendy pair.
Speaking of rise, I may be a middle aged guy but at my build and size I have to buy the absolute lowest rise I can find, or else they come up to my ribs. Lately I’ve been buying Lucky, and while I still do have one pair that I bought in their store for $130, but my other four pairs were bought on eBay for anywhere from $18 to $50. I know how Lucky’s sizes run (quite large) and I know their cuts, so it’s easy. The one from the shop is two years old, and I don’t know how old the other pairs are, but none of them shows the least sign of wear; and I wear them practically every day.
I don’t think I’ve ever worn jeans in public. I don’t have anything against it and I certainly approve of women wearing tight jeans in public.
Just please don’t wear jeans and a blazer.
Hey kathmandu,
Try mavi and lucky. There are a couple of cuts from lucky (or at least their used to be, anyway) that were higher than low rise, but lower than mom jean. Also, the Mavi Molly cut (similar to the dawn trouser cut) is also not low cut, but not mom jeans, and may fit your needs pretty well.
Too late, I’ve gotten too many compliments to stop now! 
Does this apply to men? It’s my normal evening look in the winter.
With flip flops.
What’s wrong with jeans and a blazer on a woman either? I see many women doing it and looking good.
It’s incredibly trendy right now too, thanks mostly to Kim Kardashian.
I’m gonna agree with whoever said that this topic seems dated. Jeans have been popular for quite some time now, and I don’t see why not. Denim is durable and washes easily. Dress slacks, on the other hand, often come with that goddamned “dry-clean only” tag. Also, denim can be dressed up or down; it all depends on the wash and fit. I wouldn’t bat an eye at someone wearing these or these at the office. I will say that I’m not a fan of light or acid washes–for me, it’s gotta be dark.
And I, too, wonder what the heck is wrong with wearing a blazer with jeans.
Well, it’s supposed to be low key and low maintenance, which fits the style of the stereotypical American, don’t you think? So yeah, it does seem weird when you have to start dry cleaning it or babying it like you would silk or cashmere, but I suppose when it starts nearing the price tag of your cashmere pieces…
Here in Tokyo, it’s definitely a minority. The day-to-day wear of young women is much dressier; they do the whole layering thing with skirts, dresses, tights, coats, blazers, fancy shoes, boots, etc. Here are examples of outfits that I commonly see when I’m out and about.
Taipei is less dressy than Tokyo, but still influenced a lot by it. In all the trendy shopping places, you’d find mostly clothing that imitate Tokyo fashion. Denim would more likely be found in the street markets for like $10 USD.
Such blasphemy! :eek:
Jeans and a cute blazer is my go-to casual night/weekend look (except in summer of course, when I go to the trusty sundress).
I just wanted to point out that anybody who is anti-denim is apparently in agreement with George Will. Take that as you will.
As for me, I like wearing my jeans mainly for their no showing dirt as much and non-wrinkle qualities. Comfort? I don’t feel they are any more or less comfortable than my cotton casual slacks. Definitely more comfortable than dress slacks.
It’s Florida. Normal clothing rules don’t apply.
He even contends that people who play video games shouldn’t be allowed to vote. What an obsolete old fool. He really needs to be taken out back and shot. Editorially.
…but with a real gun.