Damn you denim!
You dark washed devil!
I’ve previously mentioned my love and sadness over my old jeans and the endless searching for new ones. I had no idea before beginning this epic search that everyone’s preference for blue jeans is personal and often oddly specific. And I don’t know anybody who enjoys shopping for jeans. I mean?! That’s worse than shopping for new bras…no thanks! This is all, of course, because I’m the proud owner of a fat body who refuses to diminish/shape shift to fit into, well, anything not me. Fuck that! But jeans? I mean, in the fashion-first world sense of it all, aren’t jeans like a basic thing? Not for fatties, apparently.
I’ll admit that my focus on the hunt hasn’t always been there, but scratching the surface again just now and it all comes back to me. The hope, the disappointment, the anger and frustration! It’s an emotional roller coaster. And this isn’t even attempting to find some in a brick and mortar store. I’m fortunate to be local to many plus size clothing retailers as well as many large department stores, but I haven’t visited a single one. Oh! Wait, no…that’s not true! I did try on all of the 26W’s at Walmart recently. I bought zero pairs. And I have looked in several thrift stores now. Mostly it’s because I’m been so beyond broke that I can’t afford to even look in such places, but now that I’m working again and most folks there seem to wear jeans, the hunt continues.
I do realize that being on the larger end of the plus size spectrum isn’t helping my quest. I wear a 28 in Avenue jeans (62 inch hips), but fuck if I know what that translates to in any other brand. I like a straight or classic leg. I like soft, thin, supple, not-too-much-stretch-but-some-stretch fabric. Dark wash for sure. I don’t need sparkles or spikes. No fancy crap on the ankles. To be honest, the Avenue Denim Lite jeans that I loved so much, I never unbuttoned them. They just slid right over my hips and then hugged them. They were so comfortable! No pinching or weird rubbing or chafing. No waistband marks or too-tight thighs. They were always somehow just right. Except that they weren’t infallible. :*(
The last time I found the perfect jeans was for my Rosie the Riveter costume many many years ago. I’d never worn dark washed jeans or stretchy-thin ones. I went with the average length so I could do a short but crisp cuff. They were so comfortable as part of my costume that I kept wearing them and soon bought more and more. I have one pair left that I wear so rarely now in fear of them wearing out completely. It breaks my heart.
I cannot stand really thick denim, you know how it’s stiff and coarse against your skin. I’ve never tried jeggings or skinny or stiletto jeans. I would ideally wear them to work often, so they can’t be distressed or whatever. I want them to look sharp but not crispy. Does that even make sense? Ha-ha! Just simple, comfortable and cute. Ha! Why is this a  laughable if not lofty desire to have? *Sigh* I’m super glad I never got rid of all my old office wear. I hated trying to find slacks. Blegh!
Are you feeling me on this one? Where should I start? What should I avoid? How much should I expect to spend? Secrets to making denim last longer (specifically thigh rubbing area)? Â Should I give up hope?
<3
S
I have just ordered my first pair of jeans of ASOS, they should be here by Monday, I have no idea how they will fit and dreading it lol. I have not worn jeans in like 20 odd years 🙂
Jackie: Oh how I feel for you at this moment! I sort of relish in that expectant feeling before a possibly promising clothing shipment arrives. *Hugs* Right now those jeans are Schrodinger’s cat. You can’t know until you pull them on, one leg at a time. It is like having everything you’ve wanted just outside your grasp. Oh…is it just me?! Ha-ha! Sorry. Ahem. So let me know how they work out! I have never tried ASOS before but have heard many good things from Nicole of AWellRoundedVenture.com. 🙂
I love jeans, wear them virtually every day. I like the classic jeans, what is now usually called skinny, five pockets, tapered legs, because I used to be an hourglass & am now very much an apple. I have had decent luck with Levi’s, have had some from Lane Bryant I liked, have a couple old Avenue pairs I like, some Torrid, & these days am mostly buying jeans from Simply Be. I buy all my clothes by mail order & it can be fun figuring out size, since, depending on style, cut, color at times, who makes them, where I get them, I may end up with anything between size 20 & 24. I even have a pair of Lane Bryant ‘genius fit’ which are a 26 & I am only about 225 pounds at 5’5″. I am not sure if I wear my jeans looser than most people, or there is that much difference in bodies, but, judging from what I read online, I am often wearing the same size jeans as women who say they weigh 50 or more pounds than I do. Sizing in women’s clothing, especially jeans, is very weird, unpredictable, & frustrating. I wish you luck in your search.
Patsy: You are a denim adventurer!!! Oh how I envy your bravery! But you’re right about sizing but also how weight can be carried on different bodies. It’s fascinating stuff! I wear a 28 in that one style, but I know women much heavier in weight than I am who wear a 24…you just never know! And really, we all know the numbers don’t matter. They are literally made up at this point. I want to try some jeans on, maybe this week in the evening I’ll go into an LB or Avenue. Why does that make me nervous? Are there certain things you check for when you first try on new jeans?
I also forgot to mention that I love jeggings. I would go completely to jeggings but for one small detail. I don’t carry a purse, so I need good, secure, fairly deep pockets for keys, money, wallet, grocery lists, etc. If someone could get the point & make jeggings which are basically well-designed skinny jeans with an elastic waist, comfortable stretch, the ability to look but not feel tight, & good, functional pockets, INCLUDING front pockets because I use front pockets much more than back ones, I would probably be that person’s jeans slave for life.
Patsy: Thank you for mentioning jeggings/pockets! Okay, tonight I think I’ll hit up at least one brick and mortar plus size store to try on some jeans. You’ve truly inspired me! Thank you so much!
Good luck! I hope you find some jeans you love!