Frame Le Garcon jeans | size 29, 25% off at Saks
Madewell White button-front top | size small
Rag & Bone Quinn sandals | true to size, 25% off at Saks & the Dreslyn right now!
Dannijo necklace | old, n/a
3.1 Phillip Lim large ryder satchel | embossed version 25% off at Azalea with code GRECHEN25
Back when premium denim first came out in the late 90’s, early 2000’s I was ambivalent. Mostly because I didn’t fit into any of the brands like 7 for all mankind, CoH, Frankies, etc., because they were ABSOLUTELY not meant for my small waist in proportion to my larger hips/thighs/calves. I did have some AG legends (the flares, remember?) and the Angel jeans, but they were just over $100 (still, a lot to pay for jeans back then). I didn’t hit the $200 mark until I tried on a pair of Goldsign jeans at a local denim bar that were nearly $300 at the time, and just about DIED over them. And the rest, as they say, is history.
No, not really, although in the case of denim, I do believe that once you’ve tried “the perfect” pair, it’s hard to go back to not-so-perfect. Which is not to say that you have to spend more than $200 for a great (or perfect) pair of jeans, you just have to know where and when to shop for them.
I actually rarely pay more than $200 for jeans, I think this pair of Frame Le Garcon jeans is the first in quite some time – maybe since my Goldsigns in 2005. I tried these on at Steven Alan and literally gasped: everything worked, and I especially loved the lighter wash. For me an amazing pair of jeans is like a safety net, or my favorite cashmere blanket: I can put them on and know I’ll look great and feel good, and I can’t put too high a price on that. Well, yes, I can, but it’s not $200…
Here’s why I DO spend more than $200:
Fit
It is SO HARD for me to find jeans that fit. I know, it’s hard for all of us, but I think I have the largest calves on the planet, so it’s rare for me to find jeans that fit them, and look good. When I do, I buy. For me, good jeans have to have the perfect combination of fitting around my small waist, and also in the hips/thighs/calves. And lately, the style that works the best is the new “girlfriend” style, or the slim boyfriend. Every time I look for a new pair of jeans I try the Gap and Old Navy, even Zara and H&M, but always leave empty-handed unless I’m looking for a quick fix. I’ve owned lots of Gap jeans over the years, and have always been disappointed with the way they stretch out, and loose their fit over time. And I’ve never been able to find jeans anywhere else that even fit my calves. Yeah, they’re THAT BIG.
Style
I still have quite a few pairs of jeans, including that first pair of Goldsign “Desire” jeans I bought nearly 10 years ago (I just can’t part with them). But I guess I get a new pair once a year so stay “current” with the styles. Most of my jeans are pretty dated, and feel old, in terms of both style and wash, so I don’t wear them anymore. Now that designers are making denim more uniform (dark washes, not so much fading on the thighs/butt), the styles will have more longevity, but remember all the crazy fading and washes 10 years ago?? Yeah…some weren’t so great…
Material
There’s definitely a difference in the feel of higher-end denim than jeans from Target, Gap or Old Navy. I wouldn’t say that super-soft or perfectly stretchy denim is ever THE MAIN reason I purchase a pair of jeans, but it definitely helps. Still, the softest pair of jeans I ever owned was a pair of Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans that I got via Gilt or Rue La La for less than $100. They got too big on me so I sold them, but it was insane how soft they were. And my Frame jeans are no joke either…
Premium denim companies work very hard to get just the right amount of stretch in their jeans and you can tell. I generally prefer more cotton – at least 90%, if not 98%, and less spandex (more polyester) – but if you like jeans that really form to your body and don’t loose their shape, premium denim is a must. And they don’t have to me more than $200, either, or even more than $100 – my !iT collective jeans they sent me for review are wonderful; they fit nicely and retail for less than $100. I just don’t wear skinny styles very often, so they’re not in heavy rotation.
Made in the US
Style and fit are definitely most important to me when choosing denim, but very close is where they’re made. Nearly all the premium denim companies make their jeans in the US, because, hello, I’m pretty sure we INVENTED jeans. But it does make them a little more expensive than jeans from the Gap, etc. It is important to me to buy things produced as close to home as possible, so when I have a choice, I will definitely choose to buy made in the US.
After all this, I do not think that everyone needs to spend more than $200 on jeans. If you can afford it, and you will wear them often, then, yes, spend that much, but it’s not necessary. With all the friends & family events going on now, it’s impossible not to find a great pair of premium denim for less than $200, and I’ve gotten a lot of great jeans from sample sale sites, specifically Gilt and Rue La La, for way under $100.
Right now though, the Outnet is my favorite place to look for denim under $100. You have the best chance of finding your size when they’re “just in” though, so check daily. But they have a great selection of premium denim and it’s usually at around or under $100 (I featured some of my favorites at the Outnet below…)
The key to buying denim online is to try on in a store first. TRY EVERYTHING ON. I’m not joking. If you haven’t tried on new premium denim before, you need to go to a large department store and try on as many styles and brands that you can to determine which ones fit YOUR body the best. It’ll take all day, but it will be worth it. Once you know what brands and styles you like, you can look for them on sale, wait for them to show up on Gilt, or stalk them on eBay. Do yourself a favor though, go in the morning after some SERIOUS butt-kicking exercise and a very light breakfast so you feel good and empowered, because shopping for jeans can be VERY deflating on even the best day. So at least start in a good mood, because it can go downhill fast!! I promise you’ll find something wonderful though, if I can, you can…
So…what are your thoughts on premium denim? What’s the most you’ve spent on jeans? What’s your favorite brand? style? How long have you had your oldest pair? Did I convince you to try anything new?
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Thank you, my dear!!! Your pertinent post exceeded my wildest denim expectations. “You convinced me.” Now, I have a much better sense of why premium jeans cost more, and also why they’re worth it. So please excuse me, while I do some online browsing. I’ll let you all know if I find the perfect pair. Maybe I’ll even send a pic, but only if my tush looks amazing;).
ah. my work here is done š
i would love to see pictures!!
and i’m not trying to convince you that you have to pay a lot of money for jeans – maybe just try some on and find a brand/style you like at full price, then wait for sale, or ebay…they all go on sale eventually. i am just into instant gratification more often than not. especially with jeans. i get into a mode where i MUST HAVE A NEW PAIR.
I hear ya about the “instant gratification.” I wanted to thank you too, for your expertise and time in writing the post. I really appreciate it! When we finally meet someday, maybe at the birthday beach bash, I’ll buy you a latte to say “thanks!”
My first premium denim was a pair of bootcut 7FAM jeans that I got in college, and I’m only slightly exaggerating when I say they were life-changing. Like you, over the years I’ve tried and bought jeans from Gap and others in an attempt to be more thrifty, but I consistently find myself disappointed after a few wears and washes. The jeans I pick usually end up in the $175 range, and they’re worth every penny.
I don’t think I ever hit the over $200 mark with jeans but I’m sure I’ve come close, maybe around $180. I have no idea what brand it was that I bought at that price but it might have been Joe’s Jeans because they seem to fit me well. I also like J Brand and managed to score a pair for $15 and I loved those jeans so much. I sadly gave them away to a consignment shop last year after maybe 8 years since they got a bit too baggy. I still love them and miss them often lol. Good denim is hard to find!
Interestingly enough I’ve found that over the years, I just can’t fathom spending a lot on jeans. I balk at the thought of spending anything over $100. I think it has something to do with finding lots of good deals on Ebay and at Nordstrom Rack but I also feel like denim has become similar to fast fashion with so many designs/styles/washes coming and going out of style that it feels hard to keep up.
Anyway, I’m not opposed to spending on something that looks and makes you feel fabulous!
Jessica, I appreciate your input. I’m sold on buying a premium pair. I’m excited about trying some on, maybe not at our Maine mall, but at the local Nordstrom Rack. It’ll be a retail “rite of passage.”
Would love some suggestions from Grechen et al on which department stores seem to have a good selection of denim? Nordstrom is really the only big/fancy one within 100 miles of me – is that a good place to start? Also – are ANY of these premium brands going to fit a size 10/12 hourglass? I haven’t had great luck with options I’ve tried from Nordstrom Rack and never know if it’s just the odd jeans that end up in my store, or that I’m just not quite the small enough size for premium denim…..Thanks!
I don’t own any premium denim pants, with the exception of Not Your Daughters .. which are nice, fit well, but I don’t consider NYDJ ‘premium’. I am definitely a jeans kinda gal, so will be checking out this links š
Monica
monica, definitely check out !it Collective if your nordstrom has it – they also have it online at nordstrom, but i think it’s a very good fit for pear-shapes. i really like the jeans i have (they sent me a pair to review), but i just don’t do skinny very often…
nordstrom is fine – i just HATE HATE HATE their dressing rooms. no matter which nordstrom i’m in, i feel like the dressing rooms make me look horrible! i know it’s not how i really look LOL – so i usually take things home and try them on, then return if i don’t like. maybe i’m the only one though. carry on š
nordstrom rack is good too, they seem to have good denim. FIRST try AG or goldsign if they have it. although anthropologie seems to have a very good selection of AG. i recommend AG, goldsign, some genetic is good, some rag & bone, and maybe mother? if you have an anthro closer, start there first, and try the AG stevie jeans. when i was a 10/12, that’s what i wore – the AG stevie ankle that i got from anthro…
Great post, Grechen! I agree with everything you wrote. I think it’s crazy how expensive premium denim has become, but I do agree that it’s worth it when you find a perfect pair, and it’s also possible to find deals (particularly if you can be a little patient). I’m tall and slim, but I have a muscular lower half, so have similar problems with my legs and finding jeans that fit well. I have large calves too, and it definitely poses a challenge! My favorite jeans are Goldsign, Mother and Current Elliott. AG fits well, but the styles are always too low-rise on me. I also like the MiH Marrakech style, though I should have sized up in those because they always feel too tight (I bought my regular size thinking they would stretch). I wear denim a lot, so I like to have a variety of styles- skinny, bootcut, ankle length, flared, etc. I have a great pair of Stella McCartney high waisted flares that I love to wear in the summer (found in Yoox for $80!). Shopping for jeans is not easy, and yes, can be deflating. So can just getting dressed in the morning, right?! I suggest to others trying a bunch of jeans on as well, to get to know brands and styles. I should add that James Jeans are a lower price point and some styles are great for curvy figures. My oldest and most favorite jeans are a pair of grey/slate “twiggy” style jeans by James Jeans. They’re pretty shot at this point, mainly from not caring for them well (too much throwing them in the dryer), but I love them. I love the boyfriend style on others, but have had a difficult time finding a pair that work for me because I am narrow through the waist and hips, and then have larger legs…
My daughters introduced me to pricey jeans — and the first time I tried on the right pair, I got it. For a few years, that pair was Citizens of Humanity’s Ingrids. Loved ’em, wore out a couple of pair. . . Lately, JBrand has been working well for me. Cost per wear of a good pair of jeans is pretty convincing, especially if they make you feel good every time you wear them. And you should be feeling good! ’cause you have this look nailed. Absolutely nailed! The perfect styling of white shirt and dark boyfriend jeans — love the bag, the pendant, bracelets, sandals — it all works so well!
Lala, I’ll also check out James Jeans. They might be a good fit for my curvier shape. Thanks for the suggestion!
No problem! Another brand I forgot to mention that I like is DL1961…also more reasonably priced. š
And one more! Yoga jeans. Lame name, but they actually for well and are really comfortable to wear…also, decent price point.
I have some GAP, and some Levis, that I like fine for general existence. But my Citizens of Humanity BF jeans have about 3x more fashion/style quotient, in every detail.
Ooo! And there’s a great little coffee shop just down the road from our place and the beach called “Coffeetauk”! Good Joe AND gelato.
I’m definitely convinced after your post, Grechen, and the outpouring of love for premium denim! I feel like I’ve missed the boat on good jeans (no pun intended????) and that I’ve settled for so-so fit for too long. Does anyone else struggle with their mother’s voice in their head saying, “You spent WHAT on jeans?!?” Which is sadly why I probably won’t go with Mother brand denim, even though they sound like the fit may be right for me. I also had a rather negative experience a number of years ago at the original Shopbop store in Madison, WI, trying on pair after pair, searching for the right fit and striking out while convincing myself that the SA’s were laughing at the chubster trying on premium. I walked out with nothing that day, and I’ve been wary of the good stuff ever since. My issue is that I’m a size 14 with a tummy, but not big hips. Tall, yes, but a 14 nonetheless. My one successful purchase was a pair of Paige Jimmy Jimmy’s that I scored at TJ Maxx for $59 on clearance. But they’re almost done for and I’ve got to find a new pair. Wish me luck! I’ll need it????
I agree. This is pretty much what I could live in for the rest of my life: Simple, classy, and just PERFECT! You DID nail it????
I have a few pairs of AG jeans which I love. They are incredibly comfortable but very expensive in Australia. I now buy online. When I was in Hawaii recently bought some Current Elliot’s that I have yet to wear as it has been a bit too hot here. I buy anything from premium to Target jeans depending on what I am looking for at the time.
Okay, Val. Like I really needed another reason to visit! I’ll treat you too. I laughed about the “mother’s voice…” Actually, I hear my deceased bubbe saying (in a thick Yiddish accent): “Oy! You spent how much on a schmatte?!”
Lala, they’re on the list, thanks!
thank you frances!! i wish j brand fit me better – they’re pretty easy to find on sale, but they do NOT work on my thighs/hips.
*exclamation points, not question marks (How did that happen?)
Thanks! I think there’s a newish Anthro at the same mall with the Nordstrom (can you tell I don’t shop in person much? š
And one more…Level 99. š
Grechen, forgot to add above that I ordered the Rag & Bone sandals in tan from Saks during their F&F sale–love them! They are incredibly comfortable and such a classic style. Thank you for the suggestion! I just decided to return the EF sport sandals because they just didn’t work over the top of my foot (high arches), and these are a great replacement. The black look great on you!
oh yay! i LOVE MY SANDALS!!! i was hesitant when i tried them on at rag & bone because they come up so high on the foot, compared to other thongs, but i really love them now. so comfortable. i’m just trying VERY VERY hard to avoid ordering the tan pair now. maybe they’ll go on sale….ha! soooo glad you like them.
i do like some level99 also…and they’re inexpensive. just not made in the US usually…
I had the same hesitation about the wide strap over the top of the foot….but they’re actually quite flattering, and so comfortable. I’ve often admired sandals like K. Jacques, but found them completely unsupportive and just not worth it. The Rag & Bone sandals are definitely a well made, more substantial sandal– classic and really stylish at the same time. YAY!
I am also a big fan of premium denim, for all the reasons you stated. And one additional. At 5’3″ many jeans are far too long. But if you tailor a too long pair that is not made for the petite lass, you end up with the knee break in the wrong spot (too low). I have tried short lengths in non premium brands, but the materials, fit and longevity cannot compare to my premium versions. My favorite brand for my pear shape is Joe’s and Paige. I used to like Hudson’s too, but got tired of the flap pockets.
YES! i have had this same issue with tailoring too long jeans (I’m about 5’4″), they just never look right. but i’ve also tried petite versions of j brand, etc., and those didn’t look right either…
i like the hudson nico for skinny jeans, and i’ve tried paige and joe’s but never really found a pair i had to have. but then again, i’m short AND have thick legs, so it’s a double whammy for me!!
thanks for your input lisa š