Let's talk jeans. Love them or hate them?

[ryner1988]

My wife and I were at Target today and they had a sale on Target brand men's chinos so I bought myself a pair since cooler weather is coming.

This got me to thinking...when was the last time I bought a pair of jeans? I honestly can't remember. And that led me to...I really just must not like jeans very well anymore. There was a time when jeans were the staple of my casual wardrobe. Up until a few years ago, it was jeans while out in public, dress pants for really formal occasions, and sweats or flannel lounge pants at home if not going anywhere.

When COVID came in 2020 and I hardly went anywhere, the sweats and lounge pants were pretty much my go-to every day. When I started venturing out into the world again, I realized I needed to buy some new pants because I (ahem) couldn't fit my pre-quarantine pants any longer. I bought several pairs of chinos (khakis? dockers?), as well as track/athletic pants and although I didn't mean this to happen that's pretty much been my wardrobe since.

These days I have more athletic pants and t-shirts than anything and I wear those when I'm at home. It's a bit nicer than sweatpants where if someone pops in or I need to run a quick errand I'm not completely in pajamas, but it's not quite as restrictive as jeans. I also tend to wear this when I go places like the store, library, fast food, etc. If I'm going out to a nice dinner or to a movie, family gathering, museum, etc, I'll put on a pair of chinos and a polo. In my opinion these options are so much more comfortable and less restrictive than jeans. I have a body structure where jeans are big around the waiste but dig into my thighs and backside, so I just don't find them very comfortable like I used to. There are much better pants options in my opinion that don't constrict movement the way jeans do and in my opinion chinos are more versitle when it comes to formal/informal than jeans.

So, what do you guys think as we head into the cooler fall where we'll have to give up our summer shorts and start wearing long pants again? Are you a fan of the classic jeans, or not so much?

Ryne

 

[maytag85]

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve worn jeans. Last time I remember wearing jeans when I was at the appliance junkyard back in January since there were weeds etc. Not common to wear jeans since it’s always warm here in the southwest, maybe if it’s raining here in the wintertime.

 

[ea56]

Since I retired the only kind of pants I wear are jeans, usually with a colored short sleeve tee shirt. During the colder months I wear a long sleeve crew next sweatshirt in order to stay warm. Since I have very short legs I have to shorten every new pair of jeans before I can wear them.

The shortest inseam available anymore is 29”. When I was younger and before I had both hips replaced I could wear a 29” inseam, sometimes a 30” inseam. But after the second hip replacement in 2016 I now have to shorten my pants to a 26” inseam.

As one ages you tend to shrink, at 19 yr old I was 5’7.5” tall, when I went for a Bone Density Scan last month and they measured my height I was surprised to see that I’m now 5’5” tall, I’ve lost 2” of height in 53 years. But at least I don’t have osteoporosis.

Eddie

 

[mattl]

I'm a Levis guy, got a number of them.  I have the opposite problem from Eddie, i can get by with a 34" inseam but prefer 36". my problem is too many clothes. I buy stuff but don't get rid of stuff. I'm the same size I was 20-30 years ago, so stuff still fits and I don't get rid of them.

 

[justjunque]

Jeans are practically the only long pants I wear.
My job, before I lost it, was very blue collar. Cool weather, and all winter, it was jeans. Warm weather, it was cargo shorts.
Now that I'm unemployed, and home 99% of the time, I'm always in shorts and a t-shirt. The same type of material as sweats, but short. When it's cold; sweats or lounge pants and a t-shirt.
If I have to go out for some reason, I resort back to basically what I used to wear to work. Jeans if it's cool enough, cargo shorts if it's warm.
My preferred brand is Wrangler.
If I'm feeling like shaking things up a bit, I do have a few sets of denim overalls. I don't know. I just like them.

 

[ryner1988]

Figured I'd be the odd man out so these replies aren't shocking. Guess most people still love there jeans and I imagine I could find some I liked if I really looked but I'm just not that fussed about it. I guess it's just one of the changes that kinda stuck around after COVID and I really just noticed it today.

 

[superocd]

I actually loathe jeans

I have yet to find a comfortable pair of jeans. I actually own maybe three pairs, I've donated the rest and haven't bothered to buy any new ones. If I'm not at work where I wear Dickies pants/shorts, I'm wearing Adidas track pants or shorts, which are awesomely comfortable.

 

[foraloysius]

Jeans boy here. My preferred model is a Replay Anbass in mid blue.

 

[qsd-dan]

Haven't worn jeans in over 30 years. Read a couple of years ago that most jeans today fall apart rather quickly.

 

[angus]

For a long time I never wore jeans. Then COVID hit and I was working from home every day. So I began wearing them in the cooler weather. From the waist up, I wore a nice shirt and sweater, but jeans made sense, since I hate sweatpants and corduroys seemed too dressy for sitting at my home desk for 18 hours per day. Now that I retired, I do still wear them in cooler weather, still with a nice shirt/sweater combo, but never to go "someplace".

My jeans aren't fancy, just the LL Bean traditional cut in the pre washed finish. Don't like them too dark or too faded. And they do seem to fit my build well - but then I'm not wearing them to accentuate anything so I don't consider them a fashion statement. They seem to hold up well wash after wash (yes, I believe in washing jeans) and aren't too pricey - considering what jeans sell for these days.

And since I occasionally like to live in the past, I still will refer to them as "dungarees"... Very few people appreciate that reference.

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #6

Yep I went through the same thing a few months ago where a lot of clothes were donated and jeans were a large chunk of the good-bye pile.

I now own two pairs, one dark and one light. I don't remember the last time I wore them though.

A lot of people like the ADIDAS track pants like you have so I may have to buy a pair. Most of mine are the All in Motion Target brand and I have a couple from Old Navy.

Ryne

 

[seedub]

Reply #7

Louis, your reply intrigued me. I had read somewhere that Europeans rarely wear jeans these days. Was I misinformed? Does that vary from nation to nation?

--Chris

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Overrated fashion statement, okay in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, then by the ‘70’s when designers came out and the ‘80’s when it was uncool to wear non-designers and the ‘90’s when Tommy hilfinger came out and all the newbies that I despised which went from what my generation they were made for to becoming too juvenile looking in that I became too old for or if they were anything I woulda bought woulda quickly outgrew!

Then 2000-onward the trend had gone too far, to an eternal point of no return of which other than Lucky, I stay with old school Levi’s and Lee’s but only on my two off days of the week or preferring dress slacks on at least one of them…

— Dave

 

[ea56]

My preferred jeans of recent are Levi’s Denizen 216 Slim Fit sold exclusively by Target. Except for needing to shorten the legs the 34” x30” size fits me like they were tailor made for me. The denim has a slight stretch to it making them exceedingly comfortable to wear all the time. I have a black pair and 2 pairs of dark blue.

I get my solid colored tee shirts from LL Bean, size medium fits me perfectly, they are durable, wash up nicely and I have over 10 of them in various colors. I only own 1 pair of sweat pants that I bought to wear after my double hernia repair surgery 2 years ago. I never wear them, I like to be dressed in pants with a belt that are form fitting, but not too tight to remind me not to over eat. Wearing loose fitting pants is an invitation for weight gain for me, no bueno!

We never really go anywhere now that requires dressing formally, jeans are perfect for both my husband David and I.

And we wash our jeans regularly, none of that wearing them for weeks on end without washing them. If they fade they’re still OK to wear. When they wear out we just get new jeans to replace them.

Eddie

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #13

Eddie, I've heard good things about the Denizen jeans from Target. People have told me I might like them better than other jeans as they have more stretch to them. Do you find this to be true?

I am a full-time caregiver for Stacye which requires helping her transfer to and from her wheelchair several times per day, as well as tending to all cooking, cleaning, and other household responsibilities. As such, I am quite active throughout the day and need to be able to move around comfortably.

Ryne

 

[ea56]

Ryne,
Yes, the stretch denim that is used for the Levi’s Denizen jeans is VERY comfortable! I have a small backside and my thighs aren’t really large so the 216 Slim fits are a perfect fit for me. From what you posted in you OP on this thread it sounds like you may have a larger backside and thighs. For you the Levi Denizen 285 Relaxed Fit would probably be very well fitting and comfortable. I have a pair of these too and I like them very much.

HTH,
Eddie

 

[petek]

I'm in shorts from spring till mid-late September with only rare exceptions. The rest of the year it's jeans. Traditionally I always wore 501's but a few years ago I tried some Urban Star stretchy jeans from Costco and they're great. THey fit well, don't look like stretchy jeans, they're inexpensive I think about $20, and they really seem to last.

 

[petek]

One more thing, Once you're in your 40s it's time to ditch the faded or light colored jeans and stick to the dark blue.

 

[mrboilwash]

I`m 53 and I refuse to ditch my skinny jeans or my light colored bleached ones, I even got a pair of "destroyed" jeans which I really enjoy to wear. LOL

Why? Because I can! I watch my diet and go to the gym on a regular basis.
As a gay man I`m proud to age differently from the rest and I don`t think fashionable clothes look too out of place on me.

But remember whatever you decide to wear it`s most important to feel comfortable yourself with.

 

[justjunque]

Oh yeah. I had neglected to mention that the Wranglers that I get have a bit of stretch to them as well. I don't think they look like "stretchy" jeans, in my opinion.
We do most of our shopping at Walmart, and decided to try these for my "work pants", since they were pretty inexpensive. They seem to hold up pretty well, and I liked how they looked and felt. So, we just kept buying them.
And, I'm definitely not looking to show off any part of my physique.
My midsection has gotten a bit larger in my advancing age.

 

[circlew]

I have several pairs of jeans and jean shorts, but haven't been wearing them recently as the fabric is heavy, and takes a long time to dry on the rack. When I get my dryer hooked up, I'll start back wearing them. I have both Levi's and some Riggs by Wrangler (insulated).

Jeans seem to be popular in this area, with both older and younger guys. Most commonly seen are Levi's or Wrangler, and some Lee. The young guys usually wear boots with them - either construction worker type or occasionally western style. Designer jeans are considered out of place by most.

 

[launderess]

Maybe it's a European thing but see quite a few men > 30 or even 40 wearing jeans. In fact at times it seems more than USA many Europeans have taken fast to jeans. I mean at funerals! *LOL*

See man at 2:12 in clip about an German laundry.



Jeans, hoodie, trainers, crisp white shirt... he pulls it all together.

 

[launderess]

From what one sees jogging pants have stepped up their game recently and that is what many younger men/boys seem to prefer as "casual" wear.

On female side of things jeans seem to have given way to yoga pants. And am here to tell you that trend needs to die a quick death. Obviously some women of all ages do not have mirrors at home, if they did they'd never go out wearing yoga pants in public.

 

[foraloysius]

Chris

A lot of people wear jeans here. Now sweat pants, that’s something different. You don’t see those often in public.

 

[mrboilwash]

But it takes a lot of balls and confidence not to have mirrors at home, doesn`t it?

 

[ea56]

I’ve been wearing jeans all my life and they have always been my favorite choice for pants. Even when I was a toddler I can remember my Dad down squatting down in front of me with a Chesterfield hanging off his lower lip while he was rolling up the cuffs on my tiny new Levi’s. To me Levi’s or jeans are just an essential part of my wardrobe. Thankfully these days they are appropriate wear for just about any occasion.

I can’t imagine anyone not being comfortable wearing jeans. A well fitting pair flatters just about anyone.

Eddie[this post was last edited: 9/15/2023-17:05]

 

[fan-of-fans]

I never stopped working in person during Covid so never stopped wearing regular pants.

I usually wear khaki colored Chinos to the office, they’re comfortable and breathe well.

As far as jeans, there’s several I like. I have some stretchy and non stretchy American Eagle jeans that fit well. As well as some Levi’s.

I never found Lee jeans to fit me well.

Also I really like the Wrangler Retro line. They’re expensive, but I’ve sometimes found them at great prices at Bealls Outlet and I’ve even gotten used ones from Goodwill.

I really like how the Retro line looks like the old fashioned cowboy Wranglers, but modernized, and they have a slight stretch to them and are very comfortable. The Cowboy style Wranglers are great too but fit a little too tight on me and are too hot for summer wear as the fabric, while very durable, is tightly woven and does not let much air though.

For sleepwear, I like pajama type pants and some sweatpants that I’ve found that are a bit too thinner. Those have pockets too, so I suppose if I needed too, they’d be suitable for a quick run out.

I’ve had a few pairs of skinny jeans (mostly light or khaki in color) but I just couldn’t get comfortable in them.

 

[donprohel]

Yves Saint Laurent's quote:

"I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes."

 

[ryner1988]

Things have apparently changed a bit since I wrote this...

After Eddie informed me about the relax fit jeans in the reply above, I bought a pair from Target just to try them. I really liked them, so I bought two more pairs. I now rotate mostly between those three pairs of pants, since I've realized I can get waaay more use out of a pair of jeans than I can my polyester athletic pants. With the polyester pants, I was having to change them basically every day because for some reason they seemed to hold onto BO really majorly and the jeans don't do that at all. I can now get by with wearing two pairs of pants per week, changing them midweek as long as I don't sweat a lot or get anything real gross on them. Yesterday, I bought three pairs of cargo shorts for the summer and plan to treat them much the same way. Those shorts are also cotton, never realized how much you have to wash polyester to keep it smelling pleasant. Without wearing the synthetic clothes much anymore, I can now do two loads of wash every week or so instead of three, so I think it's been a helpful change. I've put the athletic pants up on the shelf in the spare closet and just might donate them someday as, aside from the flannel pajamas/basketball shorts I wear at night and such, I just don't have much need for them. Honestly they were making me feel a bit sloppy and lazy, like not very productive. I thought all those people that say what you wear affects how you act were just crazy, but apparently there's some truth to it.

We'll see if this is just a phase and I'm therefore back in my track pants in a few months, or if I really have found that I enjoy jeans and cargo pants/shorts more.

Ryne

 

[mattl]

Sometimes it's good to change things up.  I'm a Levi's 511/501 guy but most of the winter I enjoyed fleece sweat pants, never found some that were long enough.  I'm  6'4" 165lb and all the sweats I tried years ago were 4" too short.  Came across some reasonable price ones and they were an OK length. Was pretty comfortable all winter, now back to jeans.