The difference in jeans?

[Ceezer]

I tried searching, both here and at Google, but couldn't find what I was looking for so please forgive me if it's been brought up before.

I like to look good but, being a 'function over fasion' and 'bang for the buck' kind of guy, have a hard time spending loads of money on clothes. In particular, jeans. For some reason I don't mind spending a little more on shirts that I know will last me a while (the shirt I'm wearing at this moment is a Columbia button-down that I've been wearing, regularly, for 14 years), but with jeans I find myself always trying to skimp. Even the few pair of shorts I have were more expensive because I had to buy Columbias (the only ones I could find that didn't have bulky cargo pockets).

For the last 2 years I've been wearing $16 Wranglers from Walmart. Not the old classic Wranglers referred to as 'nut-huggers', but in various washes and cuts. I've noticed that they wear out quickly, especially in the crotch and around the back pockets, but I don't know if it's the jeans themselves or if I'm just hard on them. I can't remember how much wear I got out of previous buys/brands to compare. I've also tried the $20-25 Levis from Walmart & Target and found they also wore quickly in those areas.

So I'm wondering if there is a difference between the Walmart/Target jeans and those found in fashion/designer stores. Anyone have experience with the two that could offer some insight?

[philamac]

So I'm wondering if there is a difference between the Walmart/Target jeans and those found in fashion/designer stores. Anyone have experience with the two that could offer some insight?

Depends what you mean by fashion/designer stores. For some this might mean Gap, for others Diesel, Hilfiger, Gant, and then there are even more expensive ones that I don't even know the name of:lol:

I like to wear corduroys in the winter, currently have them from Gant, Hackett and Brooks brothers.

I like jeans from Gap and Levi and Wrangler, and think they are as good as I need.

Here in the UK Wrangler has launched an upmarket (ie more expensive line) to try and repostion its brand in the market. They look like the Wranglers I saw in the US when I was there, but at about four times the price!!

[thunderball]

I just got a pair of Kirkland jeans from Costco and they are excellent.

[Confuzius]

My Walmart brand "725 Originals" have outlasted 2 pairs of Levi's (the actual Levi's, not the cheaper Levi's Signature that you get at Walmart)

I'll also second the Costco jeans, very comfortable, I've had them about 2 years, no sign of wear or tear yet.

[Ceezer]

I don't know that I've seen '725 Originals' at our Walmart, but I'll look. Aside from the Levi Signatures, Wranglers (and I think Lees), all I'm aware of is their 'Faded Glory' brand.

I've never seen a Costco, unfortunately.

Is there a difference in quality between regular Levis and the Levi Signatures?

Philamac, I'm referring to all of them. Those that you mentioned, plus Lucky and others. Is there an upside to spending $40+ (let alone $80-200, which I would never do) for jeans?

[ProphetNoir]

I have worn Lee Jeans almost exclusively for roughly 40 years. The exception being several pairs of Jordache Jeans back in the "Members Only" days of the 70's. Recently I went from a size 40 to a size 36 and needed to get a couple of new pairs for a trip I was planning. I wandered into Loehmann's and saw a variety of so-called designer jeans that I had never heard of and they were horrifically expensive, easily costing as much as I have spent on dress pants. I had to call my son and ask him about these jeans and the prices that they commanded. I bought one pair of Joe's Jeans and one pair of 7 Jeans. They fit fantastically and the quality is apparent. I still had to to pick up a pair of Lee's though, because I can't see roughing the "good" jeans up as I normally would. I don't know if they are worth the money or not, but I do like them.

[Bertilak]

I just got a pair of Kirkland jeans from Costco and they are excellent.

These are my favorite and are better than Levis in at least one respect -- seven belt loops instead of five. With Levis my belts tended to get a kink at the very back from that isolated belt loop.

[gone down south]

With men's jeans you get what you pay for, the quality does increase noticeably at every price point up to about $300. After that, you're just paying for the designer's name.

[Gruder]

Is there a difference in quality between regular Levis and the Levi Signatures?

Yes there is, by Levi's own admission. This is a very common practice with discount retailers. They want to sell name brands at low prices, so less expensive materials are used. That's not to say there aren't poorly-made jeans elsewhere, as well.

[Ceezer]

$300 is the breaking point?!?!

So where is the ideal performance/dollar range for someone like me? Can I get good, comfortable, long-lasting jeans at/under $40?

[tsmba]

I've always preferred Levi's but detest the way they have cheapened good 'ole 501's. Cutting out belt loops is one thing, but I'm certain the current fabrics aren't up to par with what used to be used.

[philamac]

Philamac, I'm referring to all of them. Those that you mentioned, plus Lucky and others. Is there an upside to spending $40+ (let alone $80-200, which I would never do) for jeans?

I don't like the cheap jeans we get in the UK because they are either too full of fashion (rips, embroidery, colouring etc) or they are for ermmmm, fat blokes with no style. I'm in fair shape for 39 and can get away with 501s and slim cut jeans/khakis so the cheap fat bloke jeans at Tesco/Asda I steer clear of. Not sure if that is the sort of stuff you get at Costco.

You have the benefit of Levi's, Wranglers, Gap, Dockers etc all being a lot cheaper in the US than they are in UK:biggrin:

The currency fluctuations have reduced this a bit, but a part of my visits to Canada always included a visit to buy Levis for myself and some to bring back for friends cos they cost half in Canada of what they cost in the UK.

And I am not suggesting that only fat badly dressed blokes wear cheap jeans!!!! I will spend about £50 but feel unhappy spending much more.

[gone down south]

$300 is the breaking point?!?!

So where is the ideal performance/dollar range for someone like me? Can I get good, comfortable, long-lasting jeans at/under $40?


Depends, do you want to look fashionable, or just have a comfortable pair of jeans? Are you going out clubbing, or just knocking around the house? You can hit that price point and get a decent pair, but you wouldn't want to wear them out on a Saturday night in NYC.

[KarthVader]

Jeez, when did buying a pair of jeans become so complicated? Personally, I like Old Navy/Gap jeans. They fit me properly and are relatively inexpensive ($19-30). They come in different cuts but I've noticed recently that the men's section of the store has been severely reduced in the quantity of items being offered. It seems like the women's and kids section are taking over the store!

I guess men my age (20s') shop at Abercrombie, Express and other "higher end" places. :confused:

[DS/B MCS]

I've found that jeans from Carhartt and Eddie Bauer last much longer than Levi's.

[mmack66]

I've found that jeans from Carhartt and Eddie Bauer last much longer than Levi's.

+1. Add L.L. Bean to the list as well. :lol: on paying more than $50 for a pair of jeans.

[ogopogo]

$300 is the breaking point?!?!

So where is the ideal performance/dollar range for someone like me? Can I get good, comfortable, long-lasting jeans at/under $40?

When it comes to jeans, $40.00 is my breaking point.

I like Quicksilver, Izod and Geoffrey Been. Usually get them at outlets for under $25.00. I also have Wrangler's from Target for about $16-$18. But as pointed out earlier, they don't seem to last very long.

[Commander Quan]

I like some of the Old Navy jeans. I prefer more of a straight leg or boot cut and theirs seam to fit me well. The normal prices are around $40 but if you catch them on sale they can be had for $30 or even $25

[Mr. Clean]

Ceezer, I've found that the Wrangler 13MWZ original fit rigid wear better than any other jean. I think they are around $18-$20.

[BrianL]

If you are in the Wal-Mart go over to the work clothes section and try the Dickie's jeans. They are a lot tougher than the rest of the jeans there.

[thebikingengineer]

I've got a couple of pairs of Levi's 501 STF that are holding up very well. I think they were $30 a pair. If you don't mind a little DIY try a pair or raw (or dry, or rigid, all the same) denim. They're a little stiff at first, but conform to your body/use better. As a bonus, because they're not already broken in when you get them they take a very long time to wear out.

From what I hear, some of the best quality/price/style jeans are the APC jeans. They're ~$150 and made from japanese selvedge denim and stitched together very sturdily. I'll probably spring for a pair of these in the next year or so.

[sir_towel_rack]

Almost all of my clothes have come from Wal-Mart and almost all of my clothing is several years old and still looks good and is comfortable. Jeans costing more than 40 bucks are for suckers. (Granted this is from a guy never having bought them). Shirts costing more than a typical wal-mart shirt, same deal, unless it's something formal. (In which case I'd still never, ever go over a few hundred for a whole suit) In my admittedly non-researched opinion, cheap clothes are of nearly the same quality as expensive clothes and last many years. My entire wardrobe is from department stores. Unlikely I'll be seen in a fancy shopping-mall clothing place unless I've been dragged there by a member of the fairer sex:wink:

/ cheapskate

[Biffo]

I've worn Levi's 501's for over 40 years (not the same pair I hasten to add) I am finding it more difficult to obtain the original style 501's, when it becomes impossible then I shall stop wearing jeans and wear something else instead (chinos anyone? :rolleyes:)

[RazorDingo]

Finding the right jeans can be tough.

First off - stay away from the Levis Signature they sell at Wal-Mart. Levis had to cut so many corners to meet Wallyworld's price point, they simply aren't worth it. I bought a pair that went through at the knees in less than six months of wear. Never again.

Also, I may be the only one to notice this, but does anyone else see the somewhat sad irony in Wal-Mart selling a brand of jeans called "Faded Glory." What they think is some sort of appeal to Patriotism, really ends up sounding like a bitter commentary on the collapse of the US middle class consumer.

A good place for gentlemen to find superior value on well-made jeans here in the USA is Kohls Department Stores. I'm not generally a huge fan of this store (I find the huge displays of oversized female underwear to be a little offputting..) But Kohls a) has very good sales, where you can buy a good brand pair of jeans for ~ $40 or so; and b) they carry sufficient variety in terms of brand, cut, and size, that most every man will be able to find a perfect pair.

When it comes to fit and cut - you start moving into dangerous territory. A lot of gentlemen, once they get on the north side of ~ 35 or so, are tempted to start wearing stretch-fit prefade jeans. And its not generally a very good look.

[cthip]

there are two factors at work (well three actually) in the wear and tear of your jeans. first, the quality of the original denim itself. second, the amount of pre-distressing done by the manufacturer to simulate a worn/vintage look. third, the actual wear and tear that happens as you wear the jeans depending on what you do while you are wearing them.

before i get into a discussion of those factors, let me offer up my opinion on spending $$$ on clothes. in my opinion, there is little if any difference in terms of actual quality/durability of jeans whether they are bought at walmart, target, or from a designer label at a department store. i would argue that the bulk of the extra money is spent on marketing and special branding like logos and labels. some extra money is spent on designers who might cut their jeans to look a little better, and some is spent on extra steps to wash or distress their jeans. i doubt that much money is spent on higher quality denim and materials that would increase the longevity of the item. i know that this does not hold true 100% of the time, but in general i would not expect a $250-$300 pair of designer jeans to last longer than a $30 pair of target jeans. i would just expect them to look "cooler" (subjective of course).


issue #1--denim quality. there are a ton of variables that go into this--higher quality exotic cottons, classic/artisinal methods of winding threads, yarns, and weaving into cloth, sophisticated dyeing strategies--way more than can be discussed here. suffice it to say that most fashion-oriented, mass-market brands are not built for quality/longevity. they are a disposable item that is meant to look good for a year, or maybe just a season, and be discarded. there are small/niche-market manufacturers (mainly from japan, but an increasing number in the us) that craft denim using older construction methods that result in a more durable jean that more closely approximates the classic levis/lee/wrangler jeans (which were originally designed as workwear) in terms of quality and durability. features of these jeans usually include higher quality denim (sometimes but not always identified by a red/white "selvage" line on the outseam of the jeans that can be found by turning the cuff/hem inside-out), heavy-duty stitching, button-fly (generally more durable than zippers), and functional rivets on front and back pockets (and sometimes the crotch seam!). however, these can be prohibitively expensive at $150-$350 per pair. for a good selection of some of these you can check out www.selfedge.com. recently, gap has re-introduced their 1969 line of jeans using "authentic japanese denim." i hate the marketing scheme, but these are widely available at prices ranging from $60-$90. i have a pair and love them. the denim is a little on the thinner/lighter side, but it's proven to be extremely durable in my experience and a significant step up from any other jeans i've seen in a mall regardless of price.

issue #2--predistressing. any softening of the fabric or fading of the indigo dye done by the manufacturer is done through some combination of rinsing, stonewash, bleach, resin, sanding, heat, and who knows what else and accelerates the wear and tear on your jeans. it's not just expensive designers who are doing this--most of the jeans at walmart have received some of this treatment too! if you want them to last longer, buy the unwashed ("raw") rigid deep-blue indigo denim. the original 13MWZ rigid wranglers (although not other wrangler jeans, which have been distressed) referenced by mr. clean are a good deal, as are levi's original 501 shrink-to-fit (pre-washed and pre-shrunk levis have received some distressing at the factory) at around $30-$60 and the gap 1969 japanese denim that i just mentioned. "workwear" brands like carhartt and dickies may also make some tough, rigid jeans at a lower price-point but i don't have personal experience with them. truly raw denim will be stiff/rigid the first time that you wear it due to the starch used in the cut and sewing process. you can rinse out the starch if you want when you get home. be advised that the shrink-to-fit levis are unsanforized and will shrink significantly the first time that you expose them to water so buy a size larger than you normally would. as they shrink they should mold to your body for a "custom" fit.

issue #3--wear-and-tear caused by you. if your jeans are wearing out rapidly, you're probably a pretty active guy. most manufacturers can get away with selling lower quality jeans because the average sedentary american will get bored with their jeans and buy new ones long before the jeans themselves actually wear out. if your jeans wear quickly, it's probably more important for you to buy a higher quality denim with less distressing done at the factory. i hope that i've given examples of how you can accomplish this at a variety of price points. also note that washing (water/soap) and drying (heat) your jeans also accelerates their wear slightly. there are denim fanatics that will go months, if not years without washing their jeans in attempts to have them last longer and accomplish those high-contrast fades that the designers simulate with their factory distressing. i am not an advocate of this, but i would say that if you are trying to maximize the life of your jeans line-dry them instead of using the dryer, and wash them just before they start to get dirty/smelly/itchy instead of every single time you wear them.

[Mr. Clean]

...(I find the huge displays of oversized female underwear to be a little offputting..) ...
A custom title in waiting if I ever saw one. :biggrin:

But I'll offer a suggestion, spend a little less time in the women's lingerie department. :w00t:

[Beast]

I buy the same cheapo Wranglers at my local Wal-Mart. They definitely DO wear quickly. Fraying.... Small nicks turning into big holes... Still, I am pretty rough on my jeans, as I wear them to work AND often wear the same jeans while washing my car, going to the shooting range/cleaning guns, general farting-around-ness, etc.

I wish they'd last longer, but for the money I don't have too much of a problem.

Plus, I don't like wearing jeans toooo long because most of them fade. I prefer mostly-blue or the new somewhat-stylin' off-blues.

[airplanedoc]

Levi Strauss originally designed his jeans for miners. I am sure they lasted much longer than most clothes at the time, but still wore out pretty quickly. Today few people in America participate in work that is close to the torture that those jeans were designed for, so they last much much longer. Leading to declining sales. To compensate and continue to maintain or grow sales of blue jeans, materials have been degraded over time, to keep up with the movement from mines and fields to offices.

Cotton material is graded by weight - oz/yard


broadcloth for shirts is generallly around 3 oz/yd
denim 9-10oz/yd
Canvas/Duck 11-26oz/yd

the heavier the weight, the stiffer and more durable the material. the lower the weight, the more flexible and less durable the material.

Today as margins and sales decline, manufacturers are moving to lighter weight materials to prop sales and margins, Hence jeans that do not last as long.

[mgarbell]

I'm a big fan of Lucky Brand Jeans. Their prices have gotten up there a bit, at or around $100, but they are some of the most comfortable, long wearing jeans I've ever had. They usually have a decent selection of last years jeans in the back on sale for 50% off, so at that price, they are a really good deal.

Of course, they have some styles that are a little thinner denim, but the classic jeans are still nice and heavy denim.

I also check out Marshall's or TJ Max for jeans. You can get really good jeans for reasonable prices, but you have to be willing to look through the racks.

Another brand that I've had some good luck with are Mossimo from Target. I find they are more durable than the Levi signature and Wrangler, although they might be a little more expensive.

I hate spending a lot of money on jeans too, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. A $100 pair of jeans that lasts more than 2 years of frequent wear that are comfortable seems well worth it to me. Anything longer than that is a very welcome bonus.

[cthip]

Levi Strauss originally designed his jeans for miners. I am sure they lasted much longer than most clothes at the time, but still wore out pretty quickly. Today few people in America participate in work that is close to the torture that those jeans were designed for, so they last much much longer. Leading to declining sales. To compensate and continue to maintain or grow sales of blue jeans, materials have been degraded over time, to keep up with the movement from mines and fields to offices.

Cotton material is graded by weight - oz/yard


broadcloth for shirts is generallly around 3 oz/yd
denim 9-10oz/yd
Canvas/Duck 11-26oz/yd

the heavier the weight, the stiffer and more durable the material. the lower the weight, the more flexible and less durable the material.

Today as margins and sales decline, manufacturers are moving to lighter weight materials to prop sales and margins, Hence jeans that do not last as long.

i'm glad you brought this up. the 1969 gap jeans that i referred to earlier as "a little thin" are estimated to be an 11-12oz denim. easily heavier and more durable that the common 9-10oz stuff you'd find in a mall or walmart. there are manufacturers making denim today that would have been good enough for the old miners, and maybe even better--they just don't always come cheaply. as an extreme example see this (the 21/23oz jeans) http://www.selfedge.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=468&zenid=434929bec26c95fcf3234a6066bc50c9

[Deltaboy]

Dickies Jeans are tough and will work well. I have noticed Jeans getting holes a lot faster and easier than in the past. And I am not doing Construction work any more! :frown:

[Ceezer]

Thanks for all the help, folks!

I'm an old hillbilly from the hills of Appalachia. Try as hard as I might, I doubt I could ever look 'fashionable'. Though I am recently separated and will eventually need/want to get back out there, the club isn't exactly my scene. I don't want to look like a slob, but I'm not relying on my clothes/jeans to impress anyone.

Dickies don't fit me right. Like I said, I grew up running the mountains so I've got some pretty thick legs Dickies are pretty unforgiving in my experience.

We have TJ Maxx & Kohl's locally, so I'll take the time one of these days to go check out what they have in stock. I've looked for slacks there before but have a hard time finding anything in my size.

I've also seen the Mossimos at Target but they seem pretty skinny/straight-legged. See the above comment regarding Dickies.

I might be interested in trying out a pair of rigid/raw jeans. The '13MWZ rigid Wranglers', are those available at Walmart? If I got a pair of these, how big do I want to go to ensure they don't shrink too much?

I really do appreciate all the input. Thank you, again!

[mmack66]

i'm glad you brought this up. the 1969 gap jeans that i referred to earlier as "a little thin" are estimated to be an 11-12oz denim. easily heavier and more durable that the common 9-10oz stuff you'd find in a mall or walmart. there are manufacturers making denim today that would have been good enough for the old miners, and maybe even better--they just don't always come cheaply. as an extreme example see this (the 21/23oz jeans) http://www.selfedge.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=468&zenid=434929bec26c95fcf3234a6066bc50c9

I don't think 1 pair of $450 jeans would outlast 15 pairs of $30 jeans. Of course, no one that is buying $450 jeans is out digging ditches or working construction in them. Most of the jeans I buy are 13.5oz-15oz denim.

[airplanedoc]

Dickies don't fit me right. Like I said, I grew up running the mountains so I've got some pretty thick legs Dickies are pretty unforgiving in my experience.


You might want to try a pair of "Keys" They are a favorite of elextricians around here, A buddy of mine has a similiar build to you and (it sounds) he is a electrician, and that is all he wears (bibs at work, pants outside) because they fit him well for the same reasons.

I also have to wear relaxed fit jeans, as I have a 28" diameter thigh, I have had good luck with Wrangler carpenter pants, and Levi Relaxed fit jeans

[cthip]

I don't think 1 pair of $450 jeans would outlast 15 pairs of $30 jeans. Of course, no one that is buying $450 jeans is out digging ditches or working construction in them. Most of the jeans I buy are 13.5oz-15oz denim.

agreed. i didn't mean to imply that it's really a cost-savings thing to buy better jeans. as with most goods, the law of diminishing returns applies.

however, it seems that the OP is willing to spend a little money on some quality items should he see a corresponding increase in quality (he mentioned some columbia shirts/shorts in his first post), he just hasn't seen an increase in quality when looking at more expensive jeans previously. i think there have been a lot of suggestions throughout this thread of higher quality items at a variety of price points. my posting of the 21/23oz jeans was more just for fun to demonstrate what's available if someone were to really get obsessive/fanatical about their denim the way that we get crazy about razors or brushes (why do i need a silvertip when a boar brush gets the job done?). i won't be spending $450 on my jeans anytime soon either.

[mmack66]

agreed. i didn't mean to imply that it's really a cost-savings thing to buy better jeans. as with most goods, the law of diminishing returns applies.

however, it seems that the OP is willing to spend a little money on some quality items should he see a corresponding increase in quality (he mentioned some columbia shirts/shorts in his first post), he just hasn't seen an increase in quality when looking at more expensive jeans previously. i think there have been a lot of suggestions throughout this thread of higher quality items at a variety of price points. my posting of the 21/23oz jeans was more just for fun to demonstrate what's available if someone were to really get obsessive/fanatical about their denim the way that we get crazy about razors or brushes (why do i need a silvertip when a boar brush gets the job done?). i won't be spending $450 on my jeans anytime soon either.

I equate $450 jeans with the $1200 shaving brush at AOS. YMMV :biggrin:

[philamac]

I shall stop wearing jeans and wear something else instead (chinos anyone? :rolleyes:)

Corduroy in the winter,man:thumbup1:

Khakis/Chinos in the summer months

[letterk]

Fasion aside, I believe higher priced jeans are made better. I just bought my first pair of Nudie Jeans and they're deffinetely better made than Levi, Lucky, etc... Got a great deal on gilt.com. Not as fasionable, but almost as expensive, my Agave and AG jeans are holding up very well. I go through knees quickly having little kids.

[letterk]

I'm a big fan of Lucky Brand Jeans. Their prices have gotten up there a bit, at or around $100, but they are some of the most comfortable, long wearing jeans I've ever had. They usually have a decent selection of last years jeans in the back on sale for 50% off, so at that price, they are a really good deal.

Of course, they have some styles that are a little thinner denim, but the classic jeans are still nice and heavy denim.

I also check out Marshall's or TJ Max for jeans. You can get really good jeans for reasonable prices, but you have to be willing to look through the racks.

Another brand that I've had some good luck with are Mossimo from Target. I find they are more durable than the Levi signature and Wrangler, although they might be a little more expensive.

I hate spending a lot of money on jeans too, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. A $100 pair of jeans that lasts more than 2 years of frequent wear that are comfortable seems well worth it to me. Anything longer than that is a very welcome bonus.

Lucky used to be my go-to jeans, but the quality has gone down hill over the last year. I get half the life out of them than I did a few years ago.

[letterk]

I might be interested in trying out a pair of rigid/raw jeans. The '13MWZ rigid Wranglers', are those available at Walmart? If I got a pair of these, how big do I want to go to ensure they don't shrink too much?

You should be thinking the opposite. Jeans stretch when you wear them. They may tighten up a bit after a wash, but they'll stretch back out quickly. I buy on the tight side and they stretch to be comfortable.

[tam.audio]

I guess men my age (20s') shop at Abercrombie, Express and other "higher end" places. :confused:


A good place for gentlemen to find superior value on well-made jeans here in the USA is Kohls Department Stores. I'm not generally a huge fan of this store (I find the huge displays of oversized female underwear to be a little offputting..) But Kohls a) has very good sales, where you can buy a good brand pair of jeans for ~ $40 or so; and b) they carry sufficient variety in terms of brand, cut, and size, that most every man will be able to find a perfect pair.


I've never stepped foot in an Abercrombie or like store. I second the Kohl's shopping. Best place to go for jeans, I buy Levi's boot cut. Typically the ones that are the least distressed possible, which is hard these days. I found a pair of jeans a year ago, went back and bought two more pairs.

[Mr. Clean]

Thanks for all the help, folks!

I'm an old hillbilly from the hills of Appalachia. Try as hard as I might, I doubt I could ever look 'fashionable'. Though I am recently separated and will eventually need/want to get back out there, the club isn't exactly my scene. I don't want to look like a slob, but I'm not relying on my clothes/jeans to impress anyone.

Dickies don't fit me right. Like I said, I grew up running the mountains so I've got some pretty thick legs Dickies are pretty unforgiving in my experience.

We have TJ Maxx & Kohl's locally, so I'll take the time one of these days to go check out what they have in stock. I've looked for slacks there before but have a hard time finding anything in my size.

I've also seen the Mossimos at Target but they seem pretty skinny/straight-legged. See the above comment regarding Dickies.

I might be interested in trying out a pair of rigid/raw jeans. The '13MWZ rigid Wranglers', are those available at Walmart? If I got a pair of these, how big do I want to go to ensure they don't shrink too much?
I really do appreciate all the input. Thank you, again!
I don't think they are available at WM. I buy from one of the several local western wear stores. I don't recall them shrinking that much. I buy what fits in store and that seems to work out fine for me.

[gone down south]

H+M have quality 'fashion' jeans in the $50-75 range, that's where I usually end up drooling over the full price Lucky and Diesel stock.

[tsmba]

Don't know if they've been mentioned, but Carharrt makes good jeans. I've also had good results with Lands' End....and they'll hem them to order, too.

[SpyvSpy]

Most comfortable jeans I got are lucky brand from marshalls and FCUK jeans.

[Doc4]

I've worn Levi's 501's for over 40 years (not the same pair I hasten to add) I am finding it more difficult to obtain the original style 501's, when it becomes impossible then I shall stop wearing jeans and wear something else instead (chinos anyone? :rolleyes:)

Could you elaborate? I see 501s for sale fairly regularly, and have bought a few pair in the last few years ... I'm wondering how they have changed style in the past 40 years or so?

Thanks!

[airplanedoc]

I was in Farm and Fleet today. Carharrt jeans say on the tag they are premium 15oz Denim. They were noticably thicker and heavier than most of the other brands of jeans for sale in the store.

[GarageBoy]

Shrink to fit means, get bigger and let them shrink down correctly
I wear regular STF 501s and Wranglers
I'd be drooling over Levi's Vintage Collection, R by 45rpm, Sugarcane Denim, etc if I wasn't a 40 waist.

Oh, a VERY cool blog
repeattofade.blogspot.com

[Kirenaaz]

Dakota HYPER-DRI® HD1 Relaxed Fit Stretch Jeans (http://www2.marks.com/productdetails.asp?categoryID=494&start=1&href=%2Fctwnew%2Fmarkprod%2Ensf%2FProductListByID% 2F3AD9A890FF2A1CD3802574CF00085EDE%3FOpenDocument) are the most expensive Jeans I own, but they wear well and in the Fraser valley the water-repellant property is extremely welcome. The only problem is the smallest I can get them is a 34 waist.

For daily wear, I use Dakota Relaxed Fit Denim (http://www2.marks.com/productdetails.asp?categoryID=494&start=1&href=%2Fctwnew%2Fmarkprod%2Ensf%2FProductListByID% 2FD139F8767A9ABC3D87256DE8007333E8%3FOpenDocument) because I can get them in 33W/34L, otherwise I'm stuck buying Jeans that are either too tight or too loose.

[Not A Nice Person]

Currently, I'm liking my Levis, Nautica, and Roundtree & Yorke (Dillard's house brand) jeans. Ralph Lauren 'Chaps' were great, but I don't know if they make them anymore, or if they come in what I euphemistically refer to as "grown up sizes."

Levis 501s used to blow out in the crotch much too early for me, because I used to bike/run pretty seriously and have 29" thighs. Moving to a relaxed fit (550s) solved the problem.

Lees are cut too narrow through the hips for me. Wrangler 20X are great jeans, but don't come in my current size.

Academy Sports sells an "Austin" line of denim that's well made and dirt cheap. I have one of their jackets, and it's very well made. Of what I'm wearing now, the Nauticas are the best. Great cut, great fit, look good on me.

NANP™

[Biffo]

Could you elaborate? I see 501s for sale fairly regularly, and have bought a few pair in the last few years ... I'm wondering how they have changed style in the past 40 years or so?

Thanks!

Mine are what I call original "shrink to fit" 501's, the red tab the button fly the rivets on the watch pocket the dark blue that took 2 years of washing to fade to the nice ice blue colour :smile:. This was in the UK standard until sometime in the 90's (not sure of exact date) when 501's "unstructured" jeans came out that looked like a bag of sh*te and fitted like one I can't even begin to describe them. I see from adverts that new "improved take on the 1947 501's" are out now, with a lower back line and fitting on the hips rather than the waist, pre faded pre worn and pre torn LOL

If I can find any more of "my" style of 501's I'll buy 4 pairs instead of my usual 2 pairs and that will be the end of my jeans wearing life :frown:

[philamac]

If I can find any more of "my" style of 501's I'll buy 4 pairs instead of my usual 2 pairs and that will be the end of my jeans wearing life :frown:

A while ago plain simple 501's without shredding, ripping or dying were on sale in the local affordable jeans shop at two pairs for £50. I remember my first pair cost about £40, in 1989. Everybody at my university wore them. Students are head to toe Diesel and G-Star now:lol: Shows what trends do to a product.

[ARW1971]

It's weird this thread has just come up. I have been searching for a good value pair of jeans for the past six months or so and after extensive research I went for a pair of Edwins (ED39 Raw denim) these are made from Japanese heavyweight denim and I have to say I love them, when i got them they were labelled 33W but were massive, now I have washed them they are perfect. I also bought a pair of Nudie jeans which I have yet to wear.

For your denim fix check here www.mynudies.com. This will have enough info and links to keep you going for a long time.

[Bertilak]

For your denim fix check here www.mynudies.com. This will have enough info and links to keep you going for a long time.

Yikes! An entire board dedicated to one brand of jeans! With *hundreds of thousands* of pictures and posts.

Most users ever online was 729, 2nd July 2007 at 17:33.
Threads: 5,692, Posts: 210,679, Members: 11,723

Hard to believe! There is definitely a strange culture out there. Even stranger than B&B!

[ARW1971]

It is indeed strange. I think the people on that site are a lot younger than the people on this site. Maybe they will end up here one day when they are old enough to shave.

[ogopogo]

I looked at the mynudies website and those jeans just don't look right. I don't know if it's because of the way they're cut or because of the way some of the kids are wearing them.
They look all bunched up in places and too tight in others and the back pockets are placed too low... just doesn't look right.

And I hate that skinny jeans are making a comeback.... maybe I'm just getting old:blushing:

[Confuzius]

I don't like the cheap jeans we get in the UK because they are either too full of fashion (rips, embroidery, colouring etc) or they are for ermmmm, fat blokes with no style. I'm in fair shape for 39 and can get away with 501s and slim cut jeans/khakis so the cheap fat bloke jeans at Tesco/Asda I steer clear of. Not sure if that is the sort of stuff you get at Costco.

You have the benefit of Levi's, Wranglers, Gap, Dockers etc all being a lot cheaper in the US than they are in UK:biggrin:

The currency fluctuations have reduced this a bit, but a part of my visits to Canada always included a visit to buy Levis for myself and some to bring back for friends cos they cost half in Canada of what they cost in the UK.

And I am not suggesting that only fat badly dressed blokes wear cheap jeans!!!! I will spend about £50 but feel unhappy spending much more.

When I was in London last summer on the tail end of a two week trip in Italy living out of carry-on (with no laundry service to be found) I decided that I was in need of some new clothes, if anything as a service to whoever would be sitting next to me on the 6 hour flight home.

I was directed by the concierge in my hotel to a specific street for cheap clothes. I ended up picking up a pair of Kangol button fly jeans (I thought they only made hats) for £10 a year later they've held up pretty well, but they are a strange cut, not bad, just odd.

When I got back wearing these new jeans and an Umbro polo shirt (£5 and my best quality polo fwiw) and my sister told me that I "looked British". I'm thinking it's because of the non-north american cut of the jeans.

[cthip]

Mine are what I call original "shrink to fit" 501's, the red tab the button fly the rivets on the watch pocket the dark blue that took 2 years of washing to fade to the nice ice blue colour :smile:. This was in the UK standard until sometime in the 90's (not sure of exact date) when 501's "unstructured" jeans came out that looked like a bag of sh*te and fitted like one I can't even begin to describe them. I see from adverts that new "improved take on the 1947 501's" are out now, with a lower back line and fitting on the hips rather than the waist, pre faded pre worn and pre torn LOL

If I can find any more of "my" style of 501's I'll buy 4 pairs instead of my usual 2 pairs and that will be the end of my jeans wearing life :frown:

the "original" 501s is really a marketing myth. levi's has repeatedly made slight alterations to the cut according to fashion trends. as you've noticed, the current shrink-to-fit model has a little lower rise and maybe a little slimmer through the leg. if you're a purist and really love a specific 501 style, the LVC (levi's vintage collection) is probably your best bet. they've more-or-less accurately reproduced a number of notable 501 styles. one of them must be close to the 501s that you know and love.

they're difficult to find, and not cheap, but here's one source
http://www.cultizm.com/index.php?currency=GBP&cat=c14_LEVI-S--VINTAGE-CLOTHING--8482-.html&cPath=14

[M Guthner]

I've always been a big Carhartt fan as their stuff last a while. I'm a weightlifter with big legs and butt and I wear stuff out fast. I like my clothes loose and comfortable and have found gussetted jeans the "only" way to go. My absolute favorite clothing brand is http://www.arborwear.com/. Spendier than most, but well worth it as the stuff lasts a long time.

[Bill Smith]

there are two factors at work (well three actually) in the wear and tear of your jeans. first, the quality of the original denim itself. second, the amount of pre-distressing done by the manufacturer to simulate a worn/vintage look. third, the actual wear and tear that happens as you wear the jeans depending on what you do while you are wearing them.

before i get into a discussion of those factors, let me offer up my opinion on spending $$$ on clothes. in my opinion, there is little if any difference in terms of actual quality/durability of jeans whether they are bought at walmart, target, or from a designer label at a department store. i would argue that the bulk of the extra money is spent on marketing and special branding like logos and labels. some extra money is spent on designers who might cut their jeans to look a little better, and some is spent on extra steps to wash or distress their jeans. i doubt that much money is spent on higher quality denim and materials that would increase the longevity of the item. i know that this does not hold true 100% of the time, but in general i would not expect a $250-$300 pair of designer jeans to last longer than a $30 pair of target jeans. i would just expect them to look "cooler" (subjective of course).


issue #1--denim quality. there are a ton of variables that go into this--higher quality exotic cottons, classic/artisinal methods of winding threads, yarns, and weaving into cloth, sophisticated dyeing strategies--way more than can be discussed here. suffice it to say that most fashion-oriented, mass-market brands are not built for quality/longevity. they are a disposable item that is meant to look good for a year, or maybe just a season, and be discarded. there are small/niche-market manufacturers (mainly from japan, but an increasing number in the us) that craft denim using older construction methods that result in a more durable jean that more closely approximates the classic levis/lee/wrangler jeans (which were originally designed as workwear) in terms of quality and durability. features of these jeans usually include higher quality denim (sometimes but not always identified by a red/white "selvage" line on the outseam of the jeans that can be found by turning the cuff/hem inside-out), heavy-duty stitching, button-fly (generally more durable than zippers), and functional rivets on front and back pockets (and sometimes the crotch seam!). however, these can be prohibitively expensive at $150-$350 per pair. for a good selection of some of these you can check out www.selfedge.com. recently, gap has re-introduced their 1969 line of jeans using "authentic japanese denim." i hate the marketing scheme, but these are widely available at prices ranging from $60-$90. i have a pair and love them. the denim is a little on the thinner/lighter side, but it's proven to be extremely durable in my experience and a significant step up from any other jeans i've seen in a mall regardless of price.

issue #2--predistressing. any softening of the fabric or fading of the indigo dye done by the manufacturer is done through some combination of rinsing, stonewash, bleach, resin, sanding, heat, and who knows what else and accelerates the wear and tear on your jeans. it's not just expensive designers who are doing this--most of the jeans at walmart have received some of this treatment too! if you want them to last longer, buy the unwashed ("raw") rigid deep-blue indigo denim. the original 13MWZ rigid wranglers (although not other wrangler jeans, which have been distressed) referenced by mr. clean are a good deal, as are levi's original 501 shrink-to-fit (pre-washed and pre-shrunk levis have received some distressing at the factory) at around $30-$60 and the gap 1969 japanese denim that i just mentioned. "workwear" brands like carhartt and dickies may also make some tough, rigid jeans at a lower price-point but i don't have personal experience with them. truly raw denim will be stiff/rigid the first time that you wear it due to the starch used in the cut and sewing process. you can rinse out the starch if you want when you get home. be advised that the shrink-to-fit levis are unsanforized and will shrink significantly the first time that you expose them to water so buy a size larger than you normally would. as they shrink they should mold to your body for a "custom" fit.

issue #3--wear-and-tear caused by you. if your jeans are wearing out rapidly, you're probably a pretty active guy. most manufacturers can get away with selling lower quality jeans because the average sedentary american will get bored with their jeans and buy new ones long before the jeans themselves actually wear out. if your jeans wear quickly, it's probably more important for you to buy a higher quality denim with less distressing done at the factory. i hope that i've given examples of how you can accomplish this at a variety of price points. also note that washing (water/soap) and drying (heat) your jeans also accelerates their wear slightly. there are denim fanatics that will go months, if not years without washing their jeans in attempts to have them last longer and accomplish those high-contrast fades that the designers simulate with their factory distressing. i am not an advocate of this, but i would say that if you are trying to maximize the life of your jeans line-dry them instead of using the dryer, and wash them just before they start to get dirty/smelly/itchy instead of every single time you wear them.

This is a pretty good primer on Denim. I have good luck for now with Banana Republic's Dark rinse boot cut jeans in terms of fit and I believe in the old adage in you get what you pay for.

[MoJoe]

Funny thing is that different brands of jeans, like different brands of razor blades, are often made in the same factories only in this case the factories are in Latin America or the Far East. With jeans, what you're ultimately paying for is the weight/quality of the fabric, quality of the stitching and the oversight of the label since cut and dye are often done before the piece goods arrive at the factory.

Paying $50 for a pair of jeans does not necessarily translate to better quality or better fit than paying $25 for something similar. Price often times is used to differentate the brands by keeping the label out of discount chains and warehouse stores. The manufacturer can sell there by extending their label or rebranding without taking down the prestige of the premium label.

So, buy what fits you best and wears well. If that means buying a store's private label then fine. If it means shopping at a mall store, so be it. But never, ever buy into the illusion that price = quality because it is not always true.

[FreezerBurns]

....
And I hate that skinny jeans are making a comeback.... maybe I'm just getting old:blushing:

+1, I'll never wear the painted on pants of the 80's again.

I think Gap and Old Navy sell good jeans at a decent price.

[my19]

+1 on Carhartt jeans. Even the pre-washed ones are made from hefty denim with great durability. Online, Sierra Trading Post has some good deals, though some are 2nds, so shop carefully.

And those cowboy-cut Wrangler rigids -- VERY easy to find and very reasonable here in cattle country -- are mighty tough, almost painfully so the first couple of times you wear 'em. They're especially good if you live in a place where you can wear cowboy boots and jeans for any occasion.

[letterk]

Funny thing is that different brands of jeans, like different brands of razor blades, are often made in the same factories only in this case the factories are in Latin America or the Far East. With jeans, what you're ultimately paying for is the weight/quality of the fabric, quality of the stitching and the oversight of the label since cut and dye are often done before the piece goods arrive at the factory.

Paying $50 for a pair of jeans does not necessarily translate to better quality or better fit than paying $25 for something similar. Price often times is used to differentate the brands by keeping the label out of discount chains and warehouse stores. The manufacturer can sell there by extending their label or rebranding without taking down the prestige of the premium label.

So, buy what fits you best and wears well. If that means buying a store's private label then fine. If it means shopping at a mall store, so be it. But never, ever buy into the illusion that price = quality because it is not always true.

Same thing is true for a lot of goods. A friend of mine worked in a mustard factory in high-school. For regular yellow mustard, all the brands were filled from the same vat. He said you'd see different labels come down line depending on the time of day, but they never stopped filling from the same mustard. Name brand, generic, all the same...

[chickpea]

there are two factors at work (well three actually) in the wear and tear of your jeans. first, the quality of the original denim itself. second, the amount of pre-distressing done by the manufacturer to simulate a worn/vintage look. third, the actual wear and tear that happens as you wear the jeans depending on what you do while you are wearing them.

before i get into a discussion of those factors, let me offer up my opinion on spending $$$ on clothes. in my opinion, there is little if any difference in terms of actual quality/durability of jeans whether they are bought at walmart, target, or from a designer label at a department store. i would argue that the bulk of the extra money is spent on marketing and special branding like logos and labels. some extra money is spent on designers who might cut their jeans to look a little better, and some is spent on extra steps to wash or distress their jeans. i doubt that much money is spent on higher quality denim and materials that would increase the longevity of the item. i know that this does not hold true 100% of the time, but in general i would not expect a $250-$300 pair of designer jeans to last longer than a $30 pair of target jeans. i would just expect them to look "cooler" (subjective of course).


issue #1--denim quality. there are a ton of variables that go into this--higher quality exotic cottons, classic/artisinal methods of winding threads, yarns, and weaving into cloth, sophisticated dyeing strategies--way more than can be discussed here. suffice it to say that most fashion-oriented, mass-market brands are not built for quality/longevity. they are a disposable item that is meant to look good for a year, or maybe just a season, and be discarded. there are small/niche-market manufacturers (mainly from japan, but an increasing number in the us) that craft denim using older construction methods that result in a more durable jean that more closely approximates the classic levis/lee/wrangler jeans (which were originally designed as workwear) in terms of quality and durability. features of these jeans usually include higher quality denim (sometimes but not always identified by a red/white "selvage" line on the outseam of the jeans that can be found by turning the cuff/hem inside-out), heavy-duty stitching, button-fly (generally more durable than zippers), and functional rivets on front and back pockets (and sometimes the crotch seam!). however, these can be prohibitively expensive at $150-$350 per pair. for a good selection of some of these you can check out www.selfedge.com. recently, gap has re-introduced their 1969 line of jeans using "authentic japanese denim." i hate the marketing scheme, but these are widely available at prices ranging from $60-$90. i have a pair and love them. the denim is a little on the thinner/lighter side, but it's proven to be extremely durable in my experience and a significant step up from any other jeans i've seen in a mall regardless of price.

issue #2--predistressing. any softening of the fabric or fading of the indigo dye done by the manufacturer is done through some combination of rinsing, stonewash, bleach, resin, sanding, heat, and who knows what else and accelerates the wear and tear on your jeans. it's not just expensive designers who are doing this--most of the jeans at walmart have received some of this treatment too! if you want them to last longer, buy the unwashed ("raw") rigid deep-blue indigo denim. the original 13MWZ rigid wranglers (although not other wrangler jeans, which have been distressed) referenced by mr. clean are a good deal, as are levi's original 501 shrink-to-fit (pre-washed and pre-shrunk levis have received some distressing at the factory) at around $30-$60 and the gap 1969 japanese denim that i just mentioned. "workwear" brands like carhartt and dickies may also make some tough, rigid jeans at a lower price-point but i don't have personal experience with them. truly raw denim will be stiff/rigid the first time that you wear it due to the starch used in the cut and sewing process. you can rinse out the starch if you want when you get home. be advised that the shrink-to-fit levis are unsanforized and will shrink significantly the first time that you expose them to water so buy a size larger than you normally would. as they shrink they should mold to your body for a "custom" fit.

issue #3--wear-and-tear caused by you. if your jeans are wearing out rapidly, you're probably a pretty active guy. most manufacturers can get away with selling lower quality jeans because the average sedentary american will get bored with their jeans and buy new ones long before the jeans themselves actually wear out. if your jeans wear quickly, it's probably more important for you to buy a higher quality denim with less distressing done at the factory. i hope that i've given examples of how you can accomplish this at a variety of price points. also note that washing (water/soap) and drying (heat) your jeans also accelerates their wear slightly. there are denim fanatics that will go months, if not years without washing their jeans in attempts to have them last longer and accomplish those high-contrast fades that the designers simulate with their factory distressing. i am not an advocate of this, but i would say that if you are trying to maximize the life of your jeans line-dry them instead of using the dryer, and wash them just before they start to get dirty/smelly/itchy instead of every single time you wear them.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not advocating that everyone run out and spend $300 on a pair of jeans, but I can tell you from actual real world experience that paying >$150 will get you a markedly better quality pair of jeans than below that price point. I have in the past worn (and quickly worn out) cheaper jeans. I even stopped wearing them for several years because I noticed a marked decline in their value. The jeans that I now use regularly are from Brazil cost anywhere from $100+ (so R$200 pra cima) and last for years while showing little if any wear. They also have the "fashion" criteria as well. Most of you will be perfectly happy with regular wrangler or levi's (the real ones not sold at Wal-Mart). In addition, most higher end jeans ($150+) will have some sort of elastic stretch material added to the denim so that they can be more form fitting and comfortable, this may make them more fashionable that most of you are comfortable using.

However, you do get what you pay for in more expensive jeans, in quality, durability and style. Some brands I recommend that can be found in most major urban areas in the US: 7 For All Mankind, Rock and Republic, Nudie, Diesel, and Citizens of Humanity.

In my opinion, stay away from brands like Abercrombie, American Eagle, Eddie Bauer, and those type of American "midscale" jeans. You are FAR better off going with something like a traditional Levi's purchased at a levi's store. Those brands, in my experience, do not have nearly the quality and workmanship that a true Levi's has (or any truly upscale brands for that matter). I have had numerous pairs of Abercrombie jeans that fell apart in less than 6 months. Total crap.

[philamac]

When I got back wearing these new jeans and an Umbro polo shirt (£5 and my best quality polo fwiw) and my sister told me that I "looked British". I'm thinking it's because of the non-north american cut of the jeans.

Yes! So often it is possible to tell tdifference between an American and a Brit when they are dressed in jeans and Tee/polo:wink2:

Does anyone know if the stuff by Gap/Brooks Brothers/Abercrombie & Fitch etc the same in their UK stores as in their US stores?

Banana Republic recently opened a stor ein London but I have not got there yet.

[Rick Sparks]

With men's jeans you get what you pay for, the quality does increase noticeably at every price point up to about $300. After that, you're just paying for the designer's name.

THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! AND THAT'S JUST THE BREAK-POINT? GIMME A BREAK!

I wear Lee's carpenter jeans. Nice relaxed fit. My two-pen fountain pen holder goes nicely into the long skinny pocket on the right pantleg. Each pair lasts about a year as far as being nice enough for me to wear when seeing clients without my wife going nuts. And another couple of years for kicking around in. I buy four pairs when they come on sale for $28 at Fred Myers (Kroger). I'm kind of hard on my clothes, but the Lee jeans can take it and since moving to them from Levis about ten years ago I've never looked back.

[gone down south]

THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! AND THAT'S JUST THE BREAK-POINT? GIMME A BREAK!

I wear Lee's carpenter jeans. Nice relaxed fit. My two-pen fountain pen holder goes nicely into the long skinny pocket on the right pantleg. Each pair lasts about a year as far as being nice enough for me to wear when seeing clients without my wife going nuts. And another couple of years for kicking around in. I buy four pairs when they come on sale for $28 at Fred Myers (Kroger). I'm kind of hard on my clothes, but the Lee jeans can take it and since moving to them from Levis about ten years ago I've never looked back.

I didn't say I'd actually pay 3 bills, just that I can see and feel the quality differences at that level :wink:

[Ceezer]

The last couple pair of Lees I had fit nicely and were comfortable, but my issue with them is that I can't find good Lees without the carpenter's loop and cargo/side pockets. I don't want that stuff on my pants anymore (or shorts, either, which is even harder).

[toucanlamp]

I remember looking in Holt Renfrew and they had a pair of Dolce and Gabanna jeans for $495. Of course there is a practical limit, once you use top quality denim and get it sewn by a professional, there isn't much you can do to improve the quality of jeans.

I have to believe that once you get past the 70 or 80 mark, you're paying for a designer brand and not for quality.

But when I've gone to the department store and checked out the brands of jeans they have for like $15-25 per pair, they feel like crap, it doesn't even feel like actual denim, it's like some rough cotton with a poor blue dye job.

With any product it usually isn't that hard to find the level where quality and value are best, above that you're paying for something other than quality, and below it you're sacrificing it.

I've always been most satisfied with GAP jeans. Old Navy is ok but they feel kind of cheap in comparison, material is kind of thin. GAP can be kind of expensive on regular price, like 60 or 70, but I just pop in if I'm at a mall or big box centre and when there are sales you can find it for half that. I usually only really own three pairs of jeans at a time, so I just replace them as they get worn out, which is maybe three years.

[thebikingengineer]

I'd actually say that from $35~75 you're paying for branding, and then you get a large jump up in quality (assuming you get selvedge denim) at around $75. You should get an increase in quality up to about $150, at which point you are paying for style. If you don't make the jump to selvedge then you're just paying for branding regardless.

[O.G.]

The difference is material. The more intricate fabric cost most when there blended based on the loom. Rock & Republics put all varieties of material in there jeans, hense that plus the name is the reason for the premium. The difference is also the weight of the denim and where it is from (shipping & handling) that cause the price of select denim to go through the roof. Oh yeah just a side note I used to chill with the one chick and she told me that real women dont care what brand of jeans you have on just that they are neat and clean and fit what you have on. Keep that in mind when you venture for your next purchase.

[Kratos]

I'm in the "$300 for jeans is ridiculous" camp. What you think you are paying for isn't worth it in my opine. I am more concerned with fit than brand. I can never find the lengths that I want(34+), at the waist sizes I need. I wear a 30-31, but I usually can't get my thighs n buddicks anywhere near fitting into those. 32-33 is usually what I wear, even though 33 will tend to bunch. I also have to take into consideration my in-the-waistband holsters. Need a bit of extra room there.

[rjv71]

[QUOTE=Kratos;1485716]I'm in the "$300 for jeans is ridiculous" camp./QUOTE]

Me too. $300 buys me about 8 - 10 Old Navy / Levi's jeans. Even if they last only 6 months that will be enough jeans for about 3 years if one has 3 pairs of jeans at a time. No guarantee that ONE $300 pair of jeans will last 3 years...

[blantyre]

$300 is the breaking point?!?!

So where is the ideal performance/dollar range for someone like me? Can I get good, comfortable, long-lasting jeans at/under $40?

Sounds like shaving brushes:smile:

[Bill Smith]

I think $250 is my limit on a pair of really nice jeans, for the most party I have been really happy with Banana Republic's denim offerings at around $100 Cdn.

The other pricing variable is duties on textiles and clothing will influence the price a lot depending where you live. I know Canada has an average tariff of 20% on clothing which causes no end to frustration of Canadians comparison shopping across the border.

[Samouraï]

i've found a happy medium in jean pricing with the $150 A.P.C. raw denim jeans. They are stiff as a board at first, but after a few months of continuous wear, the begin to fade and mold to your body. you don't wash them, and they are built like iron. i have a pair of nicer raw denim jeans that have lasted me a year and a half, and I still haven't washed them. they smell fine, too. don't worry. though i think they are ready for their first wash. these are utilitarian jeans imo. no-nonsense. always there when you need them. i would highly recommend a pair of APC New Standards. the APCs should last 3 months before a wash (some say 6, but they begin to smell by then)

[thebikingengineer]

i've found a happy medium in jean pricing with the $150 A.P.C. raw denim jeans. They are stiff as a board at first, but after a few months of continuous wear, the begin to fade and mold to your body. you don't wash them, and they are built like iron. i have a pair of nicer raw denim jeans that have lasted me a year and a half, and I still haven't washed them. they smell fine, too. don't worry. though i think they are ready for their first wash. these are utilitarian jeans imo. no-nonsense. always there when you need them. i would highly recommend a pair of APC New Standards. the APCs should last 3 months before a wash (some say 6, but they begin to smell by then)

+1, and if the jeans start to smell/itch just throw them in a breathable bag and put them in the freezer for a day or so. They come out as fresh as the day you got them.

[internet13444]

Personally i don't like jeans, because it irritates lot, you can't live comfortably with it.

[Ceezer]

i have a pair of nicer raw denim jeans that have lasted me a year and a half, and I still haven't washed them. they smell fine, too.

Just curious, because I've heard others make similar statements, but how does one wear a pair of jeans for a year and a half and not wash them? How do they not stink/itch?

I've gone a couple days between washes, like if I was just coming home from work and changing into them to lounge around for a few hours before bed, but I could definitely tell they needed washing after 3-4 days.

[Monkeydad]

+1, and if the jeans start to smell/itch just throw them in a breathable bag and put them in the freezer for a day or so. They come out as fresh as the day you got them.

Breathable bag? So the food absorbs the odors? :eek:

[thebikingengineer]

Breathable bag? So the food absorbs the odors? :eek:

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty OCD about packaging food in the freezer. No off-tastes to speak of, though I keep an open box of fresh-ish baking soda in there at all times.

Also, if you're working/sweating a lot then you'll want to wash more frequently than every couple of months. My raw denim (AKA nice stuff) is reserved for going out or to dinner or sitting around the office all day (student job). I've got 5-6 pairs of beat-around jeans for working on the car or the dirt track I maintain for the Baja SAE team. To be on your feet 8 hours a day and not wash your jeans would quickly become a problem.

[Samouraï]

Just curious, because I've heard others make similar statements, but how does one wear a pair of jeans for a year and a half and not wash them? How do they not stink/itch?

I've gone a couple days between washes, like if I was just coming home from work and changing into them to lounge around for a few hours before bed, but I could definitely tell they needed washing after 3-4 days.

well, for a few months i wore them often. recently, I have only worn them once every one to two weeks. that said, the reason they don't really smell or itch is because they are a super tough pair of Nom de Guerre raw denim jeans. they hardly have any fading yet and are still relatively stiff. as i said, they are like armor. of course, it is time to wash them for the first time (with woolite black) and hang dry them. we'll see if they turn out.

on my regular jeans, i like them to be washed after a couple of wears, really.

[mmack66]

You know a thread is good when someone advocates putting their jeans in the freezer for a couple of days in order to refresh them.

[royalcrown]

I've worn Levi's 501's for over 40 years (not the same pair I hasten to add) I am finding it more difficult to obtain the original style 501's, when it becomes impossible then I shall stop wearing jeans and wear something else instead (chinos anyone? :rolleyes:)

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one with this problem. I vastly prefer the cut and the button fly. I can still find them on base fairly reliably but out in town is it getting near imposable.

[GarageBoy]

Switch to sugarcane demin 1947 replicas, the classic 501 fit

[bigred90gt]

Thanks for all the help, folks!

I'm an old hillbilly from the hills of Appalachia. Try as hard as I might, I doubt I could ever look 'fashionable'. Though I am recently separated and will eventually need/want to get back out there, the club isn't exactly my scene. I don't want to look like a slob, but I'm not relying on my clothes/jeans to impress anyone.

Dickies don't fit me right. Like I said, I grew up running the mountains so I've got some pretty thick legs Dickies are pretty unforgiving in my experience.

We have TJ Maxx & Kohl's locally, so I'll take the time one of these days to go check out what they have in stock. I've looked for slacks there before but have a hard time finding anything in my size.

I've also seen the Mossimos at Target but they seem pretty skinny/straight-legged. See the above comment regarding Dickies.

I might be interested in trying out a pair of rigid/raw jeans. The '13MWZ rigid Wranglers', are those available at Walmart? If I got a pair of these, how big do I want to go to ensure they don't shrink too much?

I really do appreciate all the input. Thank you, again!

I have the same problem with big legs. The only jeans I have found that actually fit are from Old Navy. I think I paid $19 for each pair. I have had several pairs over the years, and they last a couple of years for me. I wear them to work (I work in a manufacturing environment) and I wear them out. They probably get worn 2 or 3 times per week, and washed just as often. I will admit though that I hang dry instead of drying in the dryer. I do this with all of my clothes (excluding underwear, socks, and t-shirts) to prevent shrinking and fading. I have shirts that are several years old that still look like they did when I bought them.

[Kouros]

My favorite jeans are by Perry Ellis. I have big hips but these seem to fit perfectly where Levis are either too loose or too baggy. I also own two $300 pairs by Giorgio Armani which are awesome as they both have lycra so they stretch for comfort.

[Mateo]

The older I get, the less I care about being in style, and the more I care about comfort and value. That said, I have been wearing Carhartt loose fit or dungaree fit jeans. Most of my Carhartt jeans cost roughly $40/pair, and I usually get 3-4 years wear out of them. As far as getting the most from a pair of denim jeans, I usually wear mine for 3-5 days (unless they get stained or dirty), wash them in the gentle cycle, and hang dry them. Frequent washing and tumble drying with heat are hell on clothing.