Jeans are one of my exceptions when it comes to spending money on clothes.  I think a high quality pair of jeans is worth it's weight in gold and therefore, I spend more on them.  I have found that investing in a few good pairs of jeans ends up saving me money in the long run.  I used to spend $20-$40 dollars a pair, wear them for a while and then after being washed a few times they just don't fit the same and they would go into the jean graveyard.  The brand that I wear now I spend about $80 for a pair, but I wear them for about three years.  Two pairs of boot cut and one pair of skinny jeans is what I usually keep on hand.  So that ends up being about $80 a year that I am spending on my jeans.  Twenty-two cents a day isn't that much to pay for a piece of clothing that you wear almost daily.  Previously, when I was buying a new pair  every other month, that put me around $180 year.  The point I'm trying to make is that since jeans are such a staple in our closets, it makes sense to spend more money on ones that fit you really well, are high quality and will last you for a long time.  Just to drive the point home,  I recently sold four pairs of my preferred brand on ebay.  After wearing them for about three years, I still got around $20 a pair for them-- on top of that, they still looked brand new! 

Now, on to some of my own personal rules for jean wearing:

1. Wear the right size!! 

I think this is so important.  Please don't suck it in and squeeze into a pair of jeans just because you don't want to move on to the bigger size.  You aren't fooling anyone.  Everyone can tell.  Ever hear of muffintop?  Just don't do it- be realistic with yourself.  It actually makes you look thinner to wear a pair of jeans that flatter your body shape and are the right size for you. 

2. Wear styles that flatter your body shape, size, and hide problem areas. 
 My personal problem area is my tummy.  After three kids, my abdominal wall has taken a permanent vacation.  For that reason, I choose mid-rise jeans that help to contour and flatten my tummy.  I am also a little on the short side.  To create length in my legs, I choose a small boot cut and wear them just a little long and with a small heel.  Not sure what your body shape is, or what styles of jeans look best on you? I really like this article:  Click Here

3. Wash is so important!
I don't own a single pair of jeans that aren't a darker wash.  The darker washes are so incredibly flattering on everyone and can hide a multitude of problems.   Plus, with dark washes, you can dress them up or down and they look great either way.  It's nice to have some variety, but in general I avoid anything that isn't at least a middle of the line wash- not too dark or too light. 

4. Just say NO!  (to mom jeans that is)
You know the ones.  They fit in the waist, but no where else.  They are so baggy you can't tell where the hip ends and leg begins and they make your crotch look like it is half way down to your knees.  Then, even more horrifying, they taper in all the way down the leg and cuff at the ankle.  And the worst part of all, they are usually a really light wash.  They make everyone look wider in the hips than they really are.  If you have any in your closet right now, run-don't walk, run- and throw them away!  Goodwill doesn't even want them. 

 Just Say No!

My personal preference for jean brands is BKE, which is the Buckle brand.  You can find a Buckle store in just about any decent sized mall.  I love them because you can walk in and tell them what kind of jean you like (mid-rize boot cut with a dark wash) and before you know it, there are three pairs waiting for you to try on.  Get one on and come out and say, "I just don't like how it does ______ (fill in the blank)" and again, there are three more pairs.  This goes on until you get that pair on that feels like it was literally constructed for you.  It's like when a woman is wedding dress shopping and when she tries it on, she just knows.  This is the one.  I promise, once you do that, you will never be able to go back. 

BKE Tenley

 

 

Always Fabulous,