What jeans/denim do you wear?

[VR6ofpain]

I am curious what type of jeans you gents wear? I have always felt I was a sort of Levis man, as I appreciate their story/history and build quality. Obviously I would rather they make all their jeans in the USA (only some of their top end "Capital E" ones still are), but obviously that would push the price up a bit and limit their overall sales and market penetration.

Regardless I have worn Levis for some time now and recently changed style codes. I had been wearing 527's for a while, but started to find them too tight in the crotch area. I had a couple of 559's, which has more of the needed space, but did not have the same wider boot opening I appreciated. Yesterday I picked up a pair of 517's, which fit the bill perfectly. They have similar crotch space to a 501, including the full rise, but have the needed boot opening I look for. I am quite happy with this newly found style code. The odd part was I had avoided it previously thinking the smaller numbers always mean small/tighter fits. I guess that is not always the case.

So what do you wear, Levis or other brand?

[MWS]

Old Navy.

A fraction of the price, but most important...they just seem to fit me the best.

[jsrdrnr]

When times were not so bad I was a levis girl. Now, whatever is on sale at the thrift store!!!

[bluepunk18]

I used to exclusively wear LEVI's, but the quality started to vary. I did buy one pair of "shrink-to-fit" that seemed to be the best I ever had. All of them would wear out quickly in the crotch, then the knees. I have been buying Old Navy jeans after my fiance encouraged me to try a pair. They are cheaper than Levi's and in my experience thus far, more durable. Plus I can still find really dark denim that I prefer, none of the super light acid wash, nearly bleached looking things.
I also own a pair of Rustler's or two, and I wear them to work as they are cheap and durable. Kmart specials, those. I did have a pair of Dickies work brand jeans, the kind you can't buy normally because they are stiffer and more designed as "work uniform only" from a Thrift store. Super dark and durable.

[VR6ofpain]

Funny you mention the dark. What grabbed my attention to the 517's I bought was they were in a super dark blue color. I was surprised as I have noticed too many of these "worn look" jeans going on these days. I plan to wear them in myself, so I never understood buying them in worn in shape.

I also have a pair of Old Navy boot jeans that fit great...but they seem to stretch way too much. After wearing them 3-4 times I need to wash them again, as the waist has gotten really loose. Oddly enough they cost $29, which is barely cheaper than the $32 Levis. I'll keep wearing the one pair of Old Navy jeans I have, but I won't buy more due to the stretching issue.

[Miles]

The super dark Levi's do it for me. I never understood the worn look, as if someone's pretending to have worn their jeans in. I think that displays a lack of initiative...

[red71veloce]

Levi's 514.

[Kouros]

Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit.

[bythbook]

501s

[WhosYerBob]

So what do you wear, Levis or other brand?
Kirkland by CostCo. $12.99 a pair. Heavy fabric, sturdy construction and they fit well. I love Levi's but simply cannot afford them given how tough I am on clothing.

[bamafan64]

Carhartt's.

[flabajaba2213]

No idea! The jeans I used to wear were Axist. Bust since I've recently lost like 27 pounds, I'm wearing whatever jeans I wore at the end of high school/beginning of college.

[jzono1]

I used to go with Levi 509's, but they got discontinued. Then Lee Knox - same story, they're gone now too.

Next time I go shopping I'll try to find a Levi model that fits me, but it ain't easy to find perfect jeans being skinny & long. Especially since the local stores just stock popular models :(

Durability and thickness is somewhat related. Lee tends to be thinner, and wear out way faster. More comfortable in the summer, but useless during the winter. My 509's fit well, and were thick enough to work even in -20C. I kinda miss them...

[Poulin]

I think most of the jeans I own are Wrangler.

[porman]

Swedish made Gul & Blå, on sale 70%!

I always buy last seasons model, so I can get them cheaper.

[Greybeard]

Levi's.


- Peter

[RichGem]

No idea! The jeans I used to wear were Axist. Bust since I've recently lost like 27 pounds, I'm wearing whatever jeans I wore at the end of high school/beginning of college.


Congratulations!

Oh and to answer the OP: Levi's 501s (pre-shrunk) that I had tailored/re-fitted after losing a few pounds myself.

[Explorerkid]

I have been wearing Levi 527s lately as they are less expensive than the Cinch brand that I prefer. But the 527s are good for the money though.

[century]

Gap Jeans.
New line of 1969 are very comfortable.

[Mr_Amazing]

I wore Hilfiger Red Label jeans. My last pair has seen their last day unfortunately and they are no longer made. Now, I just wear $20 old navy carpenters.

[nemo]

Levi 501, sometimes 505

[Ceezer]

I find that series Levis (501, 505, etc) fight too slim/tight. I grew up running the mountains so I've got thick legs and... glutes... and just trying to slip a pair of 501s on cuts off the circulation. The Levi Signature stuff that is available at Walmart fit me ok but I've found that, for a few dollars less, the Wranglers at Walmart fit even better.

I was at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago and came across a pair of Lucky Brand in my size. Having heard so much praise for them, I tried them on. They did fit nicely and were comfortable, but I found them too be 'stretchy'. I was concerned about their durability so I hung them back up...

Surprisingly, my favorite jeans (which I'm currently wearing) are a pair that came from Steve & Barry's in a pinch (stopped for breakfast on the way to a car show last March and my daughter dumped an entire glass of chocolate milk in my lap) for around $9. Unfortunately, by time I realized how well they fit me and how much I liked them, the store had closed down...

So to answer your question, at the moment, I guess Wrangler.

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

Levi's 550's. I have the same problem as Ceezer. I literally cannot fit a leg into 501's. I have to buy them four sizes up just to find a pair that fit's my tree trunks. The 550's are the relaxed fit kind so they fit the waist but still allow my legs room to move without crushing my huevos everytime I take a step.

[flabajaba2213]

I also have a thick leg problem. I've been studying martial arts since I was 5, and my original style focused on the belief that upper body strength stemmed from the lower body, so I've always worked my legs something fierce. As such, I have very muscular calves and thighs. Looking at the jeans (which I just took off), I remember that I have always had to buy jeans that were 2 inches too big in the waist to fit my legs, and have the waist tailored in a bit. I (now) wear Levi's 559.

[moonshine44]

Wrangler Pro Rodeo. I used to wear Levi's, but I don't care for their stance on hunting...

I won't comment further in the interest of not hijacking this thread...

[Left Coast DJ]

Used to be Levi's 501s when they were U.S. made. Now I only wear Lucky Brand denim jeans. I usually pick up a pair during the 50% off sale about once a year.

[RILEY]

American Eagle are the best fit for me in terms of cost & comfort. Low rise, boot cut.

I will mention this for consideration, in all honesty, the best pair of jeans I have ever owned, is hands down by Diesel. Before you balk, consider, yes, very pricey, but worth every penny. Its the equivalent rationale to spending alot of money on the best high end shave soap. But if you ever have the opportunity slip a pair on ... if just once, I highly recommend it, and you will know what I am talking about.
Just dont look at the price tag :ohmy:
But Diesel jeans will deliver on all levels for cut, comfort, style & quality..

[NurseMedic]

For high durability, Carhartt. In-between, Wrangler. For style/comfort, Concepts by Claiborne (one pair I SWEAR is as comfortable as my sweats).

Mike in Michigan

[thunderball]

Several kinds...Calvin Klein, Levis, Underworld....but at the moment it's Kirkland! Probably my favorite at the moment (and the cheapest).

[Gene22]

For my blue dungarees I wear A.P.C. New Standards. For my white jeans, I've only been able to find them in Levi's 501.

[SRock]

Banana Republic, A&F, Lucky, Seven for all mankind, AE, Gap...

I don't really stick to one particular brand. I tend to buy what looks/fits well.

[Bertilak]

Kirkland by CostCo. $12.99 a pair. Heavy fabric, sturdy construction and they fit well. I love Levi's but simply cannot afford them given how tough I am on clothing.

Exactly. Great jeans at a super price. Just goes to show how much advertising for the big names costs!

We had this whole conversation not to long ago! http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=112650

[blade08]

501's for me all the time.

[leighton]

2nd Kirkland brand. At $13 a pant....cannot argue with the price.

Also wear some older Calvin Klein jeans, but they're dying a slow death right now. Still have a pair of 501s from my teenage years. Amazingly they still fit. Have two 505s, but find the fit to be kind of iffy. One fits well, the other...not so much.

Just bought a 501 STF. Best fit from new jeans I've had so far. Quite pleased with them, think I'm going to buy another pair. Wondering if I should get black or another dark indigo.

[pauls51]

I have always been a fan of politix jeans. I have had one pair for 8 years now and are still going strong...

Lately i have just gone to the ones that fit me well; Levi's, G-star, diesel etc

[kwk285]

Kirkland Brand for me. I don't see the need to pay more for a pair of jeans when the Costco brands does the job.

[Bertilak]

Kirkland Brand for me. I don't see the need to pay more for a pair of jeans when the Costco brands does the job.

And it's not like you are "settling" for something that is just adequate "at the price" -- they are at least as good (I think better) than the Levis. They are worth *more* but cost less.

[kwk285]

And it's not like you are "settling" for something that is just adequate "at the price" -- they are at least as good (I think better) than the Levis. They are worth *more* but cost less.

Yup.

[VR6ofpain]

It is interesting to hear other men have had that "big thigh problem" with 501 and 505's. I have never been able to wear those jeans. I found if I went up an inch or two in waist I could, but the thigh area was still tight and I had too big of a waist. I never could figure out why people liked them and how some guys could pull them off really well.

I always thought it was because I was heavy (up through high school), but I lost a lot of weight in my college years, getting down to a point where people called me skinny. Even at that time I still could not pull them off. The same problem of tight thighs plagued me. I just figured I must have "thick thighs" or something. This had me purchasing first 569's, then later 559's (moving away for 'loose' jeans), then eventually 527's (low rise boot cut). I liked them for years, but something happened while on vacation for a couple weeks about a month ago. Maybe I put on a couple pounds, but all of a sudden they were just too uncomfortable. The 517's seem to have the great boot opening, more slender fit, but still plenty of thigh and crotch space for comfort. This combined with the super dark unfaded blue was a winner combo.

For the record I also have a few pairs of Lucky (the USA-made Boot Cut 181 jean), and a part of Bananna Republic jeans. I find them all nice, but there is something about the thickness and fit I have always liked about Levis. The Lucky brand jeans are super soft and comfy, since they have a very small amount of spandex (4% I think) in them, but it makes you worry they could tear (hasn't happened yet, knock on wood).

[bluefoxicy]

I am curious what type of jeans you gents wear? I have always felt I was a sort of Levis man, as I appreciate their story/history and build quality. Obviously I would rather they make all their jeans in the USA (only some of their top end "Capital E" ones still are), but obviously that would push the price up a bit and limit their overall sales and market penetration.

Levis made the original riveted jeans IIRC, and they're armor. They protect you from sharp objects, jagged metal, power tools, etc. These things were produced for coal miners, because a coal mine is a hazardous wasteland filled with jagged rocks, falls onto jagged rocks, pick axes, saws, bent up rusty metal crap that sticks out of places, other discarded junk, and support beams with nails poking out.

I've been a Land's End fan for a while for khakis though and have been investigating their denim offerings.... I do prefer Levis though, in general.

[thebikingengineer]

Levi's 501 STF, Levi's 514, APC New Standards currently. All of them as un-messed with (wash-wise) as possible when new.

I'll be picking up a pair of Jean Shop Rockers in Indigo once I can make my way to NYC. Those should be a nice step up.

[Protocol]

I think most of the jeans I own are Wrangler.

+1.

I have two pairs of jeans. One is significantly more worn in than the other. Both are Wranglers.

Another rule on jeans (and all clothes really): if they are not presentable enough to be seen in public in, they should be tossed. "Knocking around" clothes, as a rule, don't get "knocked around in".

Be brave and toss them in the donation bin. The same goes double for clothes that don't fit.

[Aevum]

the coin pocket just ripped on my 512 and my 507´s shrunk in the wash, cant wear them, all i can say is that levis arent worth jack after they moved production from the states...

[ia_james]

I wear these, since Carhartt and Levi insist on making their stuff in 3rd world countries.

http://www.allamericanclothing.com/

[Townyj]

Mossimo and Levi's are my primary jeans brands.

[Petar Milas]

Mustang and Lee, here in Croatia, Levi's is way overpriced, so are the Replay's, diesel, and most of the other "bigger" brands, so with Mustang, Lee's and maybe Wrangler's, you get good quality for a fair price. Mustang jeans usually cost about a 100 $, but you can get them much cheaper on sale...

[Montecristo #2]

Diesel Jeans.

Retail for ridiculous prices >$150, but you can find them at Filene's/TJ Max for $40-50, they are the best!

[Jasonian]

Gap Jeans.
New line of 1969 are very comfortable.

I have two pair of those. "Indigo" died, and one khaki colored.

I tend to find my jeans on sale, or not at all.

I have some Perry Ellis, Claiborne, Guess, Gap, and I think the most I ever paid for a single pair was $30, and usually less.

I find them at places like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc.. (except for Gap.. that's always in their clearance section, and I've had fantastic luck over the past few years to the point that I have a hard time even considering paying full price for anything, no matter how much I like it)

[BruceK]

Wrangler. Never liked the way Levi's fit me.

[King of Kailua]

Levi's 501...
Button fly baby! :thumbup1:

Dickies...
Good utility for the farm.

Looking for...
A good pair of overalls. If I could find a pair of Oshkosh B'gosh overalls in my size I'd really want to buy em.

[Ceezer]

I wear these, since Carhartt and Levi insist on making their stuff in 3rd world countries.

http://www.allamericanclothing.com/

I like the leather patches available for IBEW, UAW, UBC, etc. What's the quality of these jeans like? $35 isn't too bad, especially for American made.

[ia_james]

I like the leather patches available for IBEW, UAW, UBC, etc. What's the quality of these jeans like? $35 isn't too bad, especially for American made.

Quality is excellent, for ordering they fit pretty nearly identical to the Carhartt blue jeans, both the carpenter cut and regular jeans. They are the same weight denim also, nice heavy jeans. I've got 3 or 4 pairs of work pants and 2 or 3 pairs of regular from them the last 4 years, finally made a pair of cutoffs out of one pair because they looked so bad, the rest are still all serviceable. I recommend them 100%.

[praetorian2000]

i used to wear levis until a few years ago went jeans shopping and couldn't find my size. got a pair of sears brand (canyon river) for over half the price of levis. when i lost weight and had to buy jeans, went back looking for levis. they now had my old size but not the new size. canyon river was on sale again. got some. now, it's the only pair i buy. the lowest i've paid is about 9.99 and 14.99 was the most i've paid.

don't have a membership to costcos but i have one to sams. i might check out their jeans. and canyon river hold up well. i might consider wrangler depending on the price.

[Joker]

Key's made in America and last forever! :thumbup1:

[FlatFork]

I'm a smaller framed guy only about 5' 6" and 150 pounds, and the only jeans that have ever fit me right have been Levi's and Strangler I mean Wrangler. I cain't pull off the loose or baggy fit look.

[stroppy]

Wrangler Slim Fit. The only brand I can find with a 30 inch waist and 36 inch inseam. Worn 'em since I was a kid and don't plan on switching any time soon.

[ArcticShaver]

I wear Wild Ass Jeans (http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=100WA+3230&catID=10389). I've worn a smattering of jeans from Levi's, Rustler, and Kirkland Signatures; but the Wild Ass Jeans are my favorite. I have some that are over 6 years old and still great work pants with just a bit of fraying along the cuffs and fading from being washed so many times. :thumbup:

[jlanger]

Carhartt's.
+1

I also like Wrangler Riggs carpenter jeans/slacks

[StylinLA]

Lucky Jeans are my workhorse. Also like Diesel.

[adamant]

I picked up a couple of pairs of Rt. 66 jeans for $5 each when a K-mart was closing up near me. This was last year, and they are still in good shape. We will see again in a few years from now.

I find that my jeans go out catastrophically in the crotch after a few years. Not sure why. I would have to agree with the kirkland brand at costco. I have a pair from there that I like.

[Swampfox]

wrangler. Never liked the way levi's fit me.

+1000

[GarageBoy]

Now, I'm not a skinny dude by any chance, but for the same size and both being STF, Wranglers feel looser. Also, can't get past the weird blue dye they use. Levi's STF 501s fade cooler (okay, it doesn't fade like a real vintage pair does) but don't last as long. They do feel nice after you break them in