If I were ever to buy a pair of regular priced 7s (at around $179), that would be a BIG DEAL for me. But, now when I hear tales of denim woe, because a pair shrank in the wash or lost its fit, I am not surprised. I have my own little, private moment of smugness thanksgiving that I have come across this amazing secret to utter jeans satisfaction!
Why Buy Designer Jeans
A pair of well-made jeans might have a steep upfront cost, but if they last for decades and return an excellent cost per wear ratio. their expense is justified. Conversely, if you buy low-quality jeans at a very low price but have to replace those genes every few months, you might end up wasting a lot of time and resources.
For cheaper jeans, manufacturers employ low-quality cotton and often cut it with synthetic fabrics. Not only are synthetics cheaper than 100% cotton, they help ameliorate some of the problems produced by low-quality cotton-like, rougher texture, reduced elasticity, and stiffness.
Of course, synthetics bring their own host of problems like appearing too shiny, stretching out, and reducing breathability. Cheaper jeans fabrics are also more likely to be cheaply dyed with synthetic dyes that hold color unevenly, fade quickly, or have a slick and somewhat sticky finish. It sounds like cheap fabrics for jeans are both cheap and of rather poor value.
Among expensive jeans, the full potential of high-quality cotton jeans becomes apparent. Expensive jeans are often made from cotton that is softer and more pliable or will become so after several wears after you break them in. They also tend to have a more natural, more flattering drape, and some examples can even partially mold to your body shape. Expensive denim is also recognizable by its beautiful hues as quality dyeing processes allow for the transfer of rich, lustrous, and vibrant color.
Cheap jeans are usually sold with the understanding that consumers want minimal muss and fuss. These jeans are listed as machine-washable, often even at high temperatures, to remove dirt and grime. However, because of the cheap quality of the jeans fabric, cheap jeans can fade in the wash. They can collapse and become baggy.
Cheap jean fabrics are usually finished to give them a more pleasing drape and hold, but even one washing can strip those finishing agents, leaving the jeans puddling and lank. Cheap jeans are more likely to shrink excessively or develop a slick, unfinished texture, and cheap jeans can even come loose or tear along the seams, especially when knocked around in a dryer.
Expensive jeans can also require a longer breaking-in period, requiring multiple wears before becoming soft and pliable. Although like a good pair of shoes, breaking in jeans like these will produce a superior fit, comfort, and feel.
These proliferations of rules regarding expensive denim can be confusing. But, the fact of the matter is such steps are necessary to maintain the quality that makes denim jeans such a valued item. And while expensive jeans can be difficult to care for, that investment of care will allow you to enjoy the superlative qualities of your jeans for much longer.
Cheap jeans will usually have low-quality stitching with low stitch densities and cheap thread that easily breaks and looks ragged. It can sometimes compromise the seams of the jeans themselves. In addition to skimping on fabric and labor, cheap jean manufacturers will also cut corners on other materials like metal rivets.
Rivets were originally designed to reinforce stress points on jeans, increasing their longevity. On cheap jeans, these rivets are mostly cosmetic, serving no structural purpose, often appearing dull, tarnished, and cheap-looking.
Construction also plays a major role in functional and aesthetic features. For jeans, one of the most important features is pockets. On cheap jeans, there will usually be a minimum of three to four pockets, usually two in the front and one or two in the back.
On expensive jeans, greater attention will be paid to the overall design. Patterns will be cut to ensure a comfortable, sculpted, and movable fit, and jeans will be assembled with a greater emphasis on quality control.
In addition to how construction affects how the jeans lay on your body, jeans are also cut to fit certain styles. To ensure general appeal, cheaper jeans are usually only available in mid or low-rise. The popular perception is that these rises are more comfortable and appealing. Even though, when properly sized and fitted, high-waisted jeans, like higher-waisted trousers in general, are ideal for most men.
When dealing with razor-thin margins, we suspect that the manufacturers of cheap jeans also prefer lower-rise jeans because they are easier to make and require less material. Lower costs also make cheaper jeans more responsive to trends.
Because of higher upfront costs, most expensive jeans are designed to follow more middle-of-the-road, timeless styles, so they can be sold at any time, regardless of trends. Of course, a big exception to this rule will be designer jeans.
Expensive jeans, on the other hand, offer a unique and exceptional wearing experience that really highlights the sartorial potential of jeans, but at an increased cost of not only money, but also time and attention for adequate care and maintenance.
If you want your jeans to be a regular feature in your wardrobe, especially when styled as a centerpiece and a classic ensemble, the rich colors and unique textures of expensive jeans might be worth the extra effort to care for them.
Ultimately, good denim is whatever denim is good for you and is diametric between cheap and expensive jeans. We left a sizable mid-range of between $30 and $200, which might be a sweet spot for you as well.
Have to agree with you Bill. I wore Wranglers for years working in and out of the saddle. The fit and construction quality have definitely changed. I have never bought a pair of fashion jeans, but I have a pair of riders that are cleaned and pressed for some occasions.
I still think of jeans as work cloths, and I always try to buy moderately priced well made jeans that are all cotton. Cheap jeans are just not going to hold up under the strains I put on them. I generally will wear a pair for about five years before they wear out. Unfortunately the brand I have bought for years recently became popular, and the quality has gone down as more hipsters have bought them. Which is a shame as I know need to find a new manufacturer to buy from. And yes, I knew that pocket was for a watch, and I use it that way.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, graduating Cum Laude from CUNY, I founded Cassell Inc. while still a student. This has been the harbor for all of my creative endeavors; photography, writing, designing, as well as filmmaking, where I produced a unique series of silent art films. Capturing images of public figures at their most unassuming and unguarded, producing a colorful range of work, I have worked with the likes of many, including, music producer Pharrell Williams, musician Ed Sheeran, radio personalities Peter Rosenberg and DJ Cipha Sounds, artist, like, Ron Bass and Mokshini, eyewear designers Coco and Breezy, fine artist Roy Nachum, popular brand names, like, Samsung, Google and LG, and former Attorney General of the United States for President Barack Obama, Eric Holder. I am also the Founder and Editor In Chief of Reverie: PAGE magazine which focuses on sustainable fashion and inclusive ideas. Previously working in media and fashion apparel companies, I have noticed the lack of representation, not just of groups, but of the ideas that shape us in our everyday decisions. You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @Cassellinc.
The best way to determine your jeans size is by measuring a pair of jeans you already have (here's our step-by-step for that). Laying the jeans on a flat surface, you'll want to measure the inseam, the waist, the width of the thigh, and the rise. You can then use those measurements to shop for a new pair."}},"@type": "Question","name": "What does "regular length" on jeans mean?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Sometimes, jeans will come with a letter after the size number. "R"
stands for a regular fit, while "L" is a long fit (for those who are taller) and "S" is a shorter, or more petite size.
","@type": "Question","name": "How often should you wash jeans?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Jeans can typically withstand several wears without washing, but as a general rule of thumb, wash them every three weeks (more if you're active) if you wear them on a consistent basis. If they're specialty jeans (i.e. very high-quality or made-to-measure), you can even go as much as six months without a wash."]}]}] CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND JOY
The best way to determine your jeans size is by measuring a pair of jeans you already have (here's our step-by-step for that). Laying the jeans on a flat surface, you'll want to measure the inseam, the waist, the width of the thigh, and the rise. You can then use those measurements to shop for a new pair.
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