For months I've been shopping for a pair of jeans to fall in love with. But not just any jeans; I want a pair of 100% cotton denim jeans. Ones without elastane or lycra or whatever else is in jeans that make them s-t-r-e-t-c-h out ten minutes after you put them on.
I was willing to pay any amount, if only I could find some cotton denim jeans. So the search continued and what I learned is that jeans for women not only stretch, but, they also have names. GAP jeans have names like "Perfect," "Sexy," and "Always Skinny" (ah, don't I wish). Even my old faithful Levis were no longer available in cotton, and are sporting the names "Demi," "Bold," and "Supreme"(is it me, or do those names remind you of coffee?)
Then yesterday, I found myself in the men's department buying jeans for my son and found what I was looking for: 100% percent cotton denim jeans. Regular jeans. The waist fits, the length is good , and the price was affordable. I'll be the first to admit they look like guys jeans--a little roomy in the thigh, a little wide at the bottom; they're not perfect. But they're straight without being skinny and the right shade of blue and most important, they won't fall down minutes after I put them on.
In the meantime, if you are also mourning the death of denim as we knew it, can you let me know where you get your jeans?
I'd love to know too. My jeans are either too small for me or way too big. The one pair that seems to fit me perfectly is 100% cotton Lee jeans. I've never thought about the stretch thing but it makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteFiona, does Lee still make 100% cotton jeans?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I just spent an entire day (4 hrs at the mall, another 2 online) and cannot find 100% cotton denims anywhere that fit a short person.
DeleteI hate how jeans stretch out. It's very hard to find the right size in the store because you don't know how much bigger they will get after wearing them for only a short time. I only have one pair and they are trouser jeans, since they are meant to be more loose the stretch doesn't bother or affect the shape that much. I have yet to find a great fitted pair.
ReplyDeleteI have a single pair of Levi's 501 buttonflys, just like what I wore in high school, when dinosaurs still ruled the earth. All cotton, and I had the length taken in by my tailor. I loathe shopping for jeans with the white-hot fury of a thousand suns. Why must this task be so difficult for so many women?? Crazy, no?
ReplyDeleteI actually used to search hard for ones that were all cotton....until I realized the stretch work for me, but only if it's only something such as 1%. I just shop how I was taught....the jeans have to be somewhat tight when you first put them on, and then after 10-20 minutes they fit perfectly and stay that way for quite a while. I just hang them to air out and wear them several times.
ReplyDeleteBut what I would kill for some thicker denim. So many companies use the kind that is so thin it just wears out too easily....even the designer jeans!
I think we've talked about it before (but maybe I'm not remembering correctly), but I only buy J Brand jeans now. They have stretch--and quite a bit of it--but the jeans are lasting. I get maybe 3/4 days out of each, depending on the activity, and they wash *and even dry* (in the dryer!!!) perfectly. Expensive, but these keep taking a beating and don't fail. So, for me: J Brand Bailey cut. I buy them super tight, because they loosen up after a half hour.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have this jean to go to, I would be very upset. Buying jeans is horrific. I'm not a big person, but I end up upset most of the time (or running red lights in my angst). Who wears these jeans? Stick people?
AA, we did have the conversation, but I haven't found a pair of J Brand that works for me. Truth be told, my Nordstrom didn't have much of selection, but I will continue to look.
ReplyDeletebtw, don't forget to email me your mailing info so I can send your book!
I hate to admit it, but one day I accidentally put my husband's jeans (Levi's) in my dresser. When I got dressed I was convinced I never wore such an awesome pair of jeans. Too bad for my dear husband, because they never found their way back to his dresser!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you -- I want simple cut straight but not skinny. I have had luck with levis. I can't find my favorite pair on their website though right now, so I'll head to their huge mall of america store. I can no longer wear true 501s, they make me look like a man. : (
ReplyDeleteWell I like Christopher Blues- I think they may have a bit of stretch in them... I got mine on ebay. Lately, I've been in a skinny jean mood, and found a pair of Guess jeans at a local thrift store which I took to a good tailor. I have hips and thighs and jeans weren't naturally made for my figure- but the tailor can make them look like they were. I think that's really key- get something with a shape you like, and let the tailor do the rest. I was amazed at the difference the tailor made.
ReplyDeleteummm, I like gap and J crew. I don't mind the stretch (and often need it). I like J crew best but won't pay for them until I "lose the weight" (yeah right).
ReplyDeleteI know this comment is way after the fact, but thank you for the post! I thought I was the only one out there looking for 100% cotton jeans!
ReplyDeleteLike someone commented earlier, the 99% cotton, 1% spandex jeans seem to work okay, but for me, they still do not fit like my old 501s with 100% cotton.
I never thought about looking in the boys section, so maybe I could look there! I've been looking online for forever and have found nothing.
And for all those designer jeans that are supposed to make you look hot, hot, hot... um, no they don't. In fact, people are looking pretty sad in the jean department these days. At least to me anyway. Of course, I like clothes that leave a little to the imagination, so I must be out of style! I miss my old jeans...