Comments on: Blue Jeans: An Introduction to Denim

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:27:42 +0000

I used to wear Levi’s all the time, but they started changing the styles and I don’t care for them anymore. Lately, I’ve been wearing L.L. Bean Jeans, and I think their great! I want to try Wranglers too.

By: beastwork

beastwork — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 04:01:02 +0000

I can’t wear 501′s. My legs are too big for my waist size apparently. 33 waist but 501/505 jeans fit like spandex on my thighs. And I’m not even a really big guy. 6’1″ 180. I can’t understand who these jeans are for. 559s for me.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:09:29 +0000

I grew up wearing Levis 505s and 501s, but haven’t been able to find a decent “plain old pair of jeans” for more than a decade. I’ve switched solely to Carhart work pants or similar. I like the khaki and green colors and the fabric is bombproof.

By: justindisgustin

justindisgustin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:10:09 +0000

@PeteKadish: I found the same thing you did. Most jeans these days (even from heritage brands like Levi’s and Lee and Wrangler) are made to be comfy rather than rugged. If you are looking for something tougher you will likely need to check out something like they mentioned in the section on raw/selvage denim. These companies are making tougher stuff:
A.P.C. and Naked and Famous for not completely outrageous price point
Iron Heart, Dry Bones, Samurai (available from selfedge.com or blueingreensoho.com) are what most people would consider to be prohibitively expensive but if you look at the weight, they are sometimes more than twice the weight of what you will normally find in the mall.
I’m wearing a pair of Dry Bones and they are ~25 ounces per square yard and will last me a long time. I wear them literally every day and fall off my bike, work food service, etc. and they can be beat to hell like god intended :P
For the most part they are pricier but the quality of construction is without parallel

By: CdM

CdM — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:36:04 +0000

During my 20′s I relied on either store-brand jeans or Levis, and had no particular complaints about them, other than I tended to need to take them to Mom or a tailor to have them hemmed since the standard lengths were too short or too long.

However, six or so years ago I began going through blue jeans much more quickly than before. Belt loops would snag and tear more frequently, the crotch would wear out in a matter of a few months (one pair lasted only a month), and of course when I didn’t get around to having them hemmed the extra length in them would translate into ragged beat-up cuffs near my heels. The snagging and quick wearing, even of previously solid Levis, was an abrupt change but consistent across about two years of purchases. My personal activities hadn’t changed so I knew it had to be something which had changed in the denim quality.

After commenting upon this to family, I received a pair of Eddie Bauers as a Christmas gift. I immediately recognized a much higher quality denim, and the test of time certainly bore that out. These days I replace jeans more due to accidents with paint, sharp implements, or bonfires than material wear. While slightly more expensive than Levis, the longevity of the blue jeans certainly makes the Eddie Bauer jeans more cost-effective. Furthermore, I found that unlike the denim in Levis, the Eddie Bauer blue jeans do not seem to stick to my skin as much as when I’m working hard and perspiring.

I discovered an additional benefit when I ordered my first pair online. One can specify the inseam to the nearest 1/4-inch, which has entirely eliminated all the heel-inflicted damage and additional tailoring expense while maintaining a perfectly styled hem.

I’m one very happy customer, and will stick with these as long as they keep making them.

By: JC

JC — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:08:59 +0000

@ Steve and Nick – I have to wear relaxed fit jeans(depending on the brand) because I literally cannot fit my thunder thighs into regular fit jeans if I get the proper waist size. Too many squats I guess.

By: Kiel

Kiel — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:02:02 +0000

I also tried and failed with the 501 shrink-to-fits.

One thing this post doesn’t mention is that quality control has gone completely down the tubes for most manufacturers. I have been wearing 501′s for about 10 years and the consistency in fit is totally nebulous. One can try on 10 pairs of the same size 502′s and they will all fit differently. It’s a pain in the ass.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:00:24 +0000

I bought a pair of the 501 STF’s last May and i followed the instructions and ordered a size up (I usually wear 36 so I bought 38), if i had to do it over again I would have stayed with 36. They are really baggy in the crotch and it looks like i have a dump in my pants (although sometimes I do). Also… button fly’s suck.

By: K.

K. — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:10:32 +0000

I’ll soon be 54 and I wear jeans pretty much everyday. Grew up with Wranglers and Levis. I’m cheap and now buy Key jeans at a farm supply store. Around $12 and last for several years. Splurged and got some Carhart jeans, really tough, bet I’ll get double the years on them. My rule is never over $30 for a pair. Key jeans used to be manufactured in Ft. Scott, KS, now pretty sure they’re from Mexico. Still hold up well.

By: david

david — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 07:18:28 +0000

am 18 years old lad i ove wearing wearing tight jeans