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Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Shopping for Jeans Saga

I'm still not doing much sewing right now, but I HAD to go hunt - and I mean HUNT some jeans. With a 29" or so waist and 41" hips, and legs a bit on the heavy side, this shouldn't have been THAT much of a challenge - but, alas - after trying on at least 30 pairs of jeans on Sunday - I have some conclusions.....

* Where to shop:
I looked at T.J. Maxxx and a college type resale store - though I must admit, since I was with my daughter (22 - a new Mom) - I might have gone to a department store to really look if I"d been by myself. ESPECIALLY if you want jeans that come at least 1" below your bely button - and THAT would be considered "Hi Waisted" and "Old Lady" - I think you would need to look in more conventional stores - and in the Ladies' sections... When I have some time, I'm gonna go investigate this further...

But - I really did want to try to get an acceptable pair or 2 of jeans that were more 'in currrent style' - thus the excursion...

Besides - my favorite pair that were denim/lycra - the lycra had poppped, given out all around the crotch - not acceptable to wear any longer (or so I was told!)....

*Rack Selection Process
Hummmm I looked for ones whose zipper looked at least at least the width of my four fingers... :)
I also like the 'give' of Lycra so I watched for that
If the thigh looked too super skinny - well, I went on...

* Fitting Process
I found it only took putting in one leg to see if it was going to work...so many didn't make it any further than that.
If I could get one leg in - I had some hope...
It was a quick conclusion that my undies were not 'in fashion' - as they showed over the top of absolutely EVERY pair I got all the way on! That will be yet another shopping trip now I suppose...

*What I bought -
Finally finding 2 pair that didn't leave enough room at the center back 'waist' to put my entire fist into - (I do have a slim, somewhat sway back), I felt that I had achieved victory. $10 for the ones at the resale store - and $16 at T J Maxxx.
Observation: the 'new' ones didn't appear any 'newer' than those at the resale store! In fact - some at the resale store looked newer!

Crotch length: 24 3/4" on one pair - 10.5" in front, 14.25" in back - wore them yesterday and felt they were 'falling down' all day long...
25 3/4" on the other pair 9.75" in front, 16" in back - sitting here in them, at least I don't feel like I'm 'exposed' on my back side... Another subtle observation - they seem to come up higher at the side seams, and dip subtly in the center front - I almost like that... Perhaps something to incorporate in the next pair of SoHo pants I make...

My daughter has already informed me that I MUST go get some new undies - that no one needs to know that mine are pink today! :)

Well ---- any others of you have some experience to share???

Hope I've enlightened/entertained you for a bit today...
Back to playing with oodles of new fabrics that have arrived.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shopping for jeans! That's an experience that will cause me to shutter. It doesn't help that the size indicators on them do not relate to anything. "Size 10" is just a meaningless phrase, IMHO. There is little or no consistency even in a single brand and style in the same season.

I look for boot cut or straight legs. Over the years I have learned to carry a tape measure so I can take a quick "read" of the width of the backside and thigh width. I prefer 100% cotton as the lycra is just too hot to wear here in the summer (6 to 9 months of the year here in Tampa). I do not care for dark or heavy denim, again just too hot. Out of dozens and dozens of trips I might find one or two pairs to try on. When I am very lucky (or very good?) I find just what I am seeking.

As I wear my jeans to work in, inside or outside, and for very casual wear, I do not want to pay much for them. Otherwise I would just run to Anthropologie, Nordstroms, or some similar place and throw money at them to get what I wanted.

I have thought once or twice about making the Betzina jeans. Anyone try them yet?

I have also thought about tearing apart a pair of Blass jeans I like very much. Those have the front cut on the bias, boot leg, and the waist is at my waist. . .but not old lady. But, I like them too much and they are still too good to sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

Try, too, the new Aura line by Wrangler -- they're designed by the ladies who work at the factory. You can get short, med, and long in rise, as well as in leg length, and in any combination. They 97% cotton 3% lycra. LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. Another plus -- usually, a size smaller than normal is the one that fits.