I loved this whole series from beginning to end, and I learned a LOT. I'm thin (and I better understand the privilege of that every single week thanks to you, Virginia), and I too hate jeans with the fire of a thousand suns.
(My current strategy is to repair the ones I already own, many of which I've had for a decade, which I realize is not only not feasible for many people because of changing bodies and/or lack of mending skills, but also isn't a long, long-term plan for me, either, because eventually, even the best denim breaks down. I've taken to buying all my jeans at Goodwill, which has a surprising range of brands and sizes and washes and cuts and what have you. The return policy at Goodwill is usually seven days so I have to be organized about bringing home my armload of jeans, trying them on, keeping one pair if I'm really lucky, and then getting myself back to the story before the return window closes, but so far, so good. And if I end up hating the jeans a little while later, I've spent pocket change on them compared to buying them new, I've lessened the environmental impact by saving those jeans from a landfill and not having had them shipped... it's not a perfect system, and at least some of it depends on my being thin, but it's working for me, for the moment.)
Ha ha I just had dinner with my group of 40-year old friends and we all agreed that fashion would have to pry our skinny jeans and leggings out of our cold, dead hands. However, we all also remembered hating skinny jeans when they first came out, having grown up in the era of flared jeans (which are...back??). I loved this series but I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that you wore jeans AT HOME when you could have been wearing leggings/PJ pants/nothing. For me jeans are for going out and they are ripped off with relief the second I get home.
Thank you for making me laugh out loud many times a week. Between your IG stories, the podcast (“Vogue…always on the right side of history🤣”) and Jeans Science - I feel lighter in mind and spirit. Much appreciated.
This is so helpful because I tend to blame my body when jeans don't work...there's some peace in knowing it's not necessarily my fault. About those leggings you've been wearing - can you recommend any good brands? The ones I've tended to buy stretch out so quickly!
I have big-for-a-woman-according-to-fashion feet (size 11 and wide) and like to wear either Dansko clogs or sneakers, because they are FEET and need support. No dainty shoes. I like longer and wider legged pants because ...apparently I am self conscious about my feet looking too big. Cropped and skinny legs makes me feel like a clown. Pick your poison I guess!
Thanks, Virginia. It hasn’t been any better on the guy side of the store and now because of your report, I’m not even going to try looking for a better pair.
I have worn Lucky Brand jeans for years. I am size 12-14 with NO HIPS, just belly and some butt, and I’m only 5’3”. But no, they aren’t perfect either. The best ones in my closet are a straight leg dark wash, in a size 12 that is pretty tight at first wear but stretches out nicely, called Sweet (Mid-rise, straight). I also like NYDJ’s Marilyn jean. Unfortunately I’m not sure either of these brands go above a 24-26.
I just bought a pair of the Gap jeans you recommended. I've been devoted to skinny jeans for ages, I just love how they look...but over the last couple of years they've become less and less comfortable. We'll see what happens!
just want to say how much I have appreciated this whole series. I thought I had unpacked a lot of my issues around jeans (and other clothes) already, but I still have more work to do.
fwiw, I have a pair of lane Bryant "signature fit straight jean everyday dark wash" jeans in sz 18 that I like pretty well. I bought them in the fall and I have no idea how consistent they are as a brand, as this is only 1 of 2 pair I've tried from them (the other was skinny, which was fine, but I like the US seines better). I'm at a point now where I'm wearing enough other pants and skirts and dresses that a pair or two last me a while and I can wait for good sales, which helps
Just need to come back with an update! I bought a pair of the Gap slim high rise jeans and they almost fit like skinnies—they’re tighter than I expected, but the calves are looser. I I’m going to give them a wear out in the world and see, since you said they stretch out and if I’m being honest, I like how they look. I also bought a pair of Universal Standard high rise straight leg jeans, which are much wider-leg than I was expecting, but they fit great through the waist and butt…and are exceptionally comfortable. (I will admit to being a 12/31, so benefitting from straight-size privilege here!) Thank you for doing all of the work on this!
“All the jeans are bad” was 100% my vote post-kids, but then I discovered democracy jeans or rather one particular fit of their jeans and I find myself living in them (size 16), and loving them over pretty much any other option. It’s bootcut, so not a perfect Jean for your criteria but ahhhh the PEACE that comes with finding an article of clothing that you love that also works with your life and body!? 😍
It is oddly comforting to see my lifelong loathing of jeans justified like this.
I loved this whole series from beginning to end, and I learned a LOT. I'm thin (and I better understand the privilege of that every single week thanks to you, Virginia), and I too hate jeans with the fire of a thousand suns.
(My current strategy is to repair the ones I already own, many of which I've had for a decade, which I realize is not only not feasible for many people because of changing bodies and/or lack of mending skills, but also isn't a long, long-term plan for me, either, because eventually, even the best denim breaks down. I've taken to buying all my jeans at Goodwill, which has a surprising range of brands and sizes and washes and cuts and what have you. The return policy at Goodwill is usually seven days so I have to be organized about bringing home my armload of jeans, trying them on, keeping one pair if I'm really lucky, and then getting myself back to the story before the return window closes, but so far, so good. And if I end up hating the jeans a little while later, I've spent pocket change on them compared to buying them new, I've lessened the environmental impact by saving those jeans from a landfill and not having had them shipped... it's not a perfect system, and at least some of it depends on my being thin, but it's working for me, for the moment.)
Ha ha I just had dinner with my group of 40-year old friends and we all agreed that fashion would have to pry our skinny jeans and leggings out of our cold, dead hands. However, we all also remembered hating skinny jeans when they first came out, having grown up in the era of flared jeans (which are...back??). I loved this series but I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that you wore jeans AT HOME when you could have been wearing leggings/PJ pants/nothing. For me jeans are for going out and they are ripped off with relief the second I get home.
Thank you for making me laugh out loud many times a week. Between your IG stories, the podcast (“Vogue…always on the right side of history🤣”) and Jeans Science - I feel lighter in mind and spirit. Much appreciated.
First, thanks for sharing the Pantaboots link. I could never have dreamed of the existence of such a (garment? Footwear?). A full mindboggle.
Second, the phrase "the social currency of skinny ankles" lives in my head now.
This is so helpful because I tend to blame my body when jeans don't work...there's some peace in knowing it's not necessarily my fault. About those leggings you've been wearing - can you recommend any good brands? The ones I've tended to buy stretch out so quickly!
I have big-for-a-woman-according-to-fashion feet (size 11 and wide) and like to wear either Dansko clogs or sneakers, because they are FEET and need support. No dainty shoes. I like longer and wider legged pants because ...apparently I am self conscious about my feet looking too big. Cropped and skinny legs makes me feel like a clown. Pick your poison I guess!
Thanks, Virginia. It hasn’t been any better on the guy side of the store and now because of your report, I’m not even going to try looking for a better pair.
I have worn Lucky Brand jeans for years. I am size 12-14 with NO HIPS, just belly and some butt, and I’m only 5’3”. But no, they aren’t perfect either. The best ones in my closet are a straight leg dark wash, in a size 12 that is pretty tight at first wear but stretches out nicely, called Sweet (Mid-rise, straight). I also like NYDJ’s Marilyn jean. Unfortunately I’m not sure either of these brands go above a 24-26.
I just bought a pair of the Gap jeans you recommended. I've been devoted to skinny jeans for ages, I just love how they look...but over the last couple of years they've become less and less comfortable. We'll see what happens!
just want to say how much I have appreciated this whole series. I thought I had unpacked a lot of my issues around jeans (and other clothes) already, but I still have more work to do.
fwiw, I have a pair of lane Bryant "signature fit straight jean everyday dark wash" jeans in sz 18 that I like pretty well. I bought them in the fall and I have no idea how consistent they are as a brand, as this is only 1 of 2 pair I've tried from them (the other was skinny, which was fine, but I like the US seines better). I'm at a point now where I'm wearing enough other pants and skirts and dresses that a pair or two last me a while and I can wait for good sales, which helps
Just need to come back with an update! I bought a pair of the Gap slim high rise jeans and they almost fit like skinnies—they’re tighter than I expected, but the calves are looser. I I’m going to give them a wear out in the world and see, since you said they stretch out and if I’m being honest, I like how they look. I also bought a pair of Universal Standard high rise straight leg jeans, which are much wider-leg than I was expecting, but they fit great through the waist and butt…and are exceptionally comfortable. (I will admit to being a 12/31, so benefitting from straight-size privilege here!) Thank you for doing all of the work on this!
“All the jeans are bad” was 100% my vote post-kids, but then I discovered democracy jeans or rather one particular fit of their jeans and I find myself living in them (size 16), and loving them over pretty much any other option. It’s bootcut, so not a perfect Jean for your criteria but ahhhh the PEACE that comes with finding an article of clothing that you love that also works with your life and body!? 😍