The Jeans Paradox

MagnificatMary

Longtime lurker who just had to set up an account today to tell this story.

First, let me say y'all have given me lots of support material. This is a great forum.

I lost 100 lbs, going from 245 to 145 from the first two weeks to slow the spread to week, eh, 75 of slowing the spread. It was about a year and a half. I've tracked every bite. I'm 5'8".

And I've gone from a size 20 to an 8.

There's immense joy for me in wearing real denim. Not that thin Old Navy denim colored cotton weave they call denim, but real thick denim like I wore as a kid. For my two decades of being overweight, I had to wear junky denim because the real stuff isn't made for bigger girls. All my junky jeans were so thin you could easily pinch it between your fingers and rub it back and forth like a handkerchief cotton. Every pair I had would wear through in the crotch in a month of regular wear. I dreamt of wearing a pair of Thelma and Louise style, real jeans!

And I found a pair of discounted Lucky Brand jeans with zero give in them on a sales rack. I thought they looked like they were for preteens. They'd never fit. But they did. And they looked great. And more than that, they felt great. Like I was wearing pants, and not leggings. Like I could kneel down I the desert to look at the damage to my convertible after a car chase.

Today I went to the Lucky Brand store, thinking I'd get another pair. The salesgirl was very nice. She pulled a few pairs for me to try on, and I did.

But only one pair had that magic real-denim, no give at all, serious feeling. And they looked great on me. The others were oddly baggy and the denim was that handkerchief denim that was baggy around the thighs. Weird.

So I asked the salesgirl. Why do these feel great and these others look so bad and baggy, even though both are an 8?

She came clean. The pair that fit great was old stock. They had found them in the stockroom underneath another box and put them out on the floor. They were a season old.

They were also made from thicker, less forgiving denim. All the new jeans are thinner, with more generous cuts in butt and thigh.

I couldn't believe it.

I lose 100 pounds to make my jean dreams come true, and they're dashed by vanity sizing.

Interestingly enough, while I was in the store, a girl asked about finding XL and size 20 several times. They said they're getting more of those sizes in soon.

The silver lining, though, is that my one good pair of jeans shows no sign of wear at all in the crotch. So it ain't all bad.

MsCzar

Those size labels are meaningless. U.S. jean sizes be crazy! My closet has jeans that run from U.S. size 10-16. If you're not too hinky about thrifting, there is a whole world of thick denim to be found there. I once found a new-ish pair of Lafayette 148 New York jeans for $5 at a Goodwill in a blue collar town. They went straight to eBay!

Montanamom1

I find the real denim at a ranch supply store.

springlering62

Try Driftwood jeans. They’re pricey (by my standards), but if you get on their mailing list they send out sales fairly often.

And I feel ya. I found a pair of gorgeous thick embroidered Lucky Brand jeans on clearance for 80% off. I LOVED them. They were a size 2. I could button and zip them but sitting was going to be a problem. I hopelessly asked the clerk if she could see if any other store had them in a 4, and she asked why? Well, because the 2 didn’t fit?

No no, she said. I meant I just put a pair of 4 back on the rack from a dressing room a minute ago.

I sailed out of that store grinning like the Cheshire Cat, hugging those jeans for dear life.

I am obsessed with embroidered jeans right now, and these are plum.

goal06082021

I managed to score a pair of Real(er) Jeans at Goodwill a few years ago - they're Gloria Vanderbilt, so there is *some* stretch, but not nearly as much as the thin cotton jeggings you describe. When I bought them they barely fit, and within a couple of weeks didn't fit at all; I've gotten to the point now, probably 20-30lb lighter than when I bought them, to where they fit comfortably, and I'll be sad when they're too baggy to wear. Maybe the "boyfriend fit" trend will hang around long enough to get me into straight sizes and I, too, will find me a pair of Real Jeans, LMAO. My problem is that I got short li'l legs and a dumptruck *kitten* (26" inseam, 40-some inch hips last I checked), so I need Short but *not* Petite cut jeans.

mbarkitek

Men have this problem too. Im a solid dude. Rode bikes, played hockey, skated my whole childhood. I have large calfs and thighs as a result.
I will never wear a "straight cut" or "slim" pair of jeans. And I always end up with the cheap stretchy ones that fit my legs, and then the waist is too big and it bags up there.
Its awful.

interstellar14

Vanity sizing crept into mens clothing as well. My jeans size is approximately 2 inches smaller than my actual waist.

cymande1961

I love my NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) - extremely durable denim and high quality construction. Comes in the size gamut from 0 to 28. I previously wore their size 18 women's at 250 pounds and now, 42 pounds lighter, wear a women's 16. I have to wear "skinny jeans" because my midsection is disproportionately big compared to my legs and even my butt (insulin resistance) so I empathize with your search for just the right pair of jeans!

goal06082021

@mbarkitek my husband is built like you - he says it's from marching band in high school, but he's 30, so I think he's just Like That. He's pretty slim from the waist up, just thicc on the bottom. He tried on a pair of slimmer-cut jeans once (once) and called them his "speed metal pants." They covered everything, but only just, and he couldn't quite get them up far enough to button. He said he felt like he needed a Strat and a cocaine habit to complete the look.

Anyway point is, pants is dumb

haaslynn

Lucky Brand used to make their jeans with White Oak denim. When the Cone Mills White Oak plant closed, they had to switch suppliers, and the denim isn't as good. My spouse used to love their jeans, but after the supplier switch, they didn't wear as well or look as nice.

The looms from the White Oak plant are now at Vidalia Mills. Try running a search for Viadalia Mills denim to track down where the good stuff is going.

wunderkindking

I can't be arsed to make a separate thread, but.





The size 9 longs (lighter pair) are rigid, unforgiving, denim and about 20 years old. The other pair is a new pair of walmart jeans (I needed a pair in a rush) are size 6. Not only are they crappy quality that will stretch out, they're TOO BIG. THEY ARE ACTUALLY BIGGER THAN A PAIR OF NINES.

I hate everything about it all.

mjglantz

First off congratulations on your weight loss! Second as you're reading vanity sizing is the thing and we really can't depend on the size...manufacturers and styles are all different. Personally I've had good luck with the jeans from the Gap. haven't checked there recently but love mine. Another brand that runs pretty true to size and isn't expense is Articles of Society. Their size 8 is pretty consistent style to style and year to year.

autumnblade75

wunderkindking wrote: »

I can't be arsed to make a separate thread, but.

The size 9 longs (lighter pair) are rigid, unforgiving, denim and about 20 years old. The other pair is a new pair of walmart jeans (I needed a pair in a rush) are size 6. Not only are they crappy quality that will stretch out, they're TOO BIG. THEY ARE ACTUALLY BIGGER THAN A PAIR OF NINES.

I hate everything about it all.

Ok, so this is a separate thing entirely - Even numbers are WOMENS jeans, while Odd numbers are JUNIORS or MISSES or something. They're 2 different sizing systems, and they don't play well together. So, if you're too big for that 8, but not so big you need the 10, you definitely can't just grab a 9. Try maybe an 11 or 13.

I just bought a Medium (7-9) shirt that has sleeves I can't fit my arms into. Silly me, I have Small shirts in the same brand that fit beautifully, but that Small is 6-8, indicating that it's in the OTHER sizing system! Ugh. It's not just PANTS!

wunderkindking

Oh what the hell even. This crap was already hard, I am never going to keep that one straight.

MsCzar

Gotta jump in and defend Time and Tru jeans a bit. Yes they are crazy vanity sized - but they are a super cheap Walmart brand. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
Anyway, T&T jeans were my salvation during the combination of Covid lock-down and weight loss. I couldn't go thrifting and didn't want to spend money on jeans that I would shrink out of in 60 days. Plus, I needed something forgiving that would span several sizes.
For $13 delivered - T&T was the perfect solution. While I knew it wasn't real, I liked slipping on their US size 12 - even though in reality I was still a US size 16. I still have a pair in my closet - in a dubious size 8 - for that quick Sunday morning walk or run to the grocer. And yeah, I still love them.

CodeMauler

mjglantz wrote: »

Personally I've had good luck with the jeans from the Gap. haven't checked there recently but love mine.

Me, too, except that my legs are long and the tall styles are not usually in stock. I go to the store to try on for the hips-butt-waist, then order the tall version of that size off the website. Still has a good fit, wears well and make me feel good.

justanotherloser007

In Texas, real jeans are for the 1-2 months of "winter" aka fall or a gentle spring anywhere else. They are too hot for the summer, not to mention second summer, or third summer. So I often think the thin "jeggings" are really for the super hot and muggy southern states aka Texas, Florida. Sorry the rest of the places that you need real jeans. Do you want the sweaters and coats back that they always start selling in September when it is still 90 degrees outside? You can have them

wunderkindking

In absolute fairness, I clearly do not hate time and tru or cheap jeans. I guess clearly anyway? Because I own them. I actually own mostly them, in an enormous variety of sizes.

Une_Poire

cymande1961 wrote: »

I love my NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans) - extremely durable denim and high quality construction. Comes in the size gamut from 0 to 28. I previously wore their size 18 women's at 250 pounds and now, 42 pounds lighter, wear a women's 16. I have to wear "skinny jeans" because my midsection is disproportionately big compared to my legs and even my butt (insulin resistance) so I empathize with your search for just the right pair of jeans!

I have a pair of these I found at Goodwill, but I never knew what the NYDJ meant

Ginharbe

I gree with all of you, it is hard to fit in a good pair of jeans, and every other brand has different sizing, but stretch jeans have come a long way.

Beautyofdreams

If you want the non stretch jeans then try Levi 501s and some wranglers. JC Penney bootcut junior Arizona jeans do not stretch either and are reasonably priced. Also, Penney’s St. Johns Bay straight leg jeans fit like Levis but are much less expensive. Manufacturers are making more stretch denim and baggy jeans in response to people liking their comfortable sweat pants to sit in while working from home plus the Covid induced weight gain.

CurvyEmmy

I definitely prefer jeggings over traditional jeans. They feel so much more comfy! I have a big tummy so traditional jeans feel too tight when I sit down because the waistband digs into my tummy fat. The jeggings just stretch out more when I sit instead of digging into me. Such a relief! I love how super tight they are, it’s very slimming. I love to show my curves, it gives me a big confidence boost. They make my butt look so hot!! 😃

smcgrath45

I have found the opposite. I am tall so I always bought jeans from Express. I have ordered literally the same jeans in the same size and not been able to get them on at all. This could be a marketing technique where some companies are not trying to appeal to me but to much younger women with teeny bodies.

littleswissarmyhouse

This! I've been hunting for REAL denim jeans for years! Once in a while I'll walk with hope to the door of a Wilco or Coastal Farm and Feed or Tractor Supply yet feel the rage building up before I even get inside. Never never never do they have real jeans. For females. This world is still a selfish patriarchy.

CurvyEmmy

littleswissarmyhouse wrote: »

This! I've been hunting for REAL denim jeans for years! Once in a while I'll walk with hope to the door of a Wilco or Coastal Farm and Feed or Tractor Supply yet feel the rage building up before I even get inside. Never never never do they have real jeans. For females. This world is still a selfish patriarchy.

I live in the city so I’ve never even heard of those stores lol. But around here you never see girls wearing jeans. Leggings are way more popular. It’s not the patriarchy lol. It’s because leggings are more comfortable and also more practical. They are soft on your skin. They stretch so they always fit comfortably even if you gain weight. They hug your figure as give you a full range of motion. They are practical for both lounging around and for doing exercise / physical work. I don’t really understand why someone would want jeans when leggings are an option.

Ginharbe

Well, fashion is like that. I say there is a crave for stretch jeans for comfort, they adapt to curvy shapes much better, and also they are an alternative to just denim. However I think manufacturers cater to a wider range of ages now a day when is about Jeans and is very competitive now, so us of all sizes and shapes, have more options. There was a time that buying jeans was a chore, nothing will fit right , I had to altered them, It didn't matter my size, to me it was always about that universal shape jeans just to have, but since the use stretch denim I think is easier to fit on anything, and they can be more fashionable, to wear with booties, or tall boots, long sweaters, blouses. In other words not so casual looking any more

ythannah

I own one pair of NYDJ and they are definitely the sturdiest, realest denim of all my jeans. I got them on deep clearance, they're normally a pricey brand.

Levis used to be decent denim but I can't speak to their current quality since they're a terrible fit on me and I've learned to avoid them.

American Eagle has the most consistent sizing, for me. I'd feel confident grabbing my size and getting a good fit without needing to try on. Sadly our local store never stocks long or xlong and their regular inseam is way too short for me.

cmsienk

I have several pairs of NYDJ jeans that I bought at the outlet store here - usually waiting for a holiday sale. I agree that they're the most real denim pants I own.

I also just recently bought some Bandolino jeans from Sam's Club, of all places. Those have a little stretch in them, but for about $12/pair, they're more than worth it.

Elphaba1313

CurvyEmmy wrote: »

littleswissarmyhouse wrote: »

This! I've been hunting for REAL denim jeans for years! Once in a while I'll walk with hope to the door of a Wilco or Coastal Farm and Feed or Tractor Supply yet feel the rage building up before I even get inside. Never never never do they have real jeans. For females. This world is still a selfish patriarchy.

I live in the city so I’ve never even heard of those stores lol. But around here you never see girls wearing jeans. Leggings are way more popular. It’s not the patriarchy lol. It’s because leggings are more comfortable and also more practical. They are soft on your skin. They stretch so they always fit comfortably even if you gain weight. They hug your figure as give you a full range of motion. They are practical for both lounging around and for doing exercise / physical work. I don’t really understand why someone would want jeans when leggings are an option.

I'm in the "leggings are not pants" camp. Wear them at home, wear them to the gym, wear them under a skirt or dress, but don't wear them in public on their own.

MsCzar

Agree! And with tunic tops being out of style at the moment, it's tough to get good coverage over leggings. The newest crop of leggings resemble stirrup pants in thickness and fit. I wore a thick pair to work last week with boots, boyfriend button-front shirt and oversized fleece - covering my derriere. I am of the opinion that even the most perfect hard body gym rat should wear some sort of legging bottom cover beyond the gym or home.

wunderkindking

I will go in public in whatever the heck I want, as long as I am physically covered by opaque fabric and that includes leggings with shirts that don't cover my butt and enormously oversized animal onesie pjs.

I am definitely in the 'wear what you want and feel good in' camp. People aren't on earth to be decorative.