17 February 2005

It's all in your jeans...

My current pair of jeans is wearing out.

Last time I bought a pair of jeans, it was astoundingly easy… I went into the store, found some jeans that were the same style number as last time, tried on the same size and they fitted! Better still, they had some jeans that were not only my size, but my length, which saved me from having to get the jeans altered to fit my shorter-than-average legs. “Fantastic!” I thought! They are now making shorter length jeans, and next time I buy jeans, I can go and buy this exact style and I’ll be able to practically walk out of the shop with them on. I was thrilled, having never had this happen to me before. I have spent the past 2 or so years content in the knowledge that jeans-shopping would never be hard ever again.

But I was sadly wrong…I recently went to jeans store and sought out “my” correct jeans style. First worry - they looked different. After a check with the shop assistant, this particular style of jeans had:
- changed style (despite keeping the same number) to be much higher-waisted
- no longer came in shorter length
- no longer came with button fly option

The first feelings of panic set in. I pushed aside memories of teenage clothes shopping traumas, and decided to try them on anyway, ignoring stick thin shop assistants’ suggestion that I might like to try the larger size. The jeans that had so easily covered my curves 2 years ago now pushed things in where they shouldn’t be and were dreadfully uncomfortable (and no, I haven’t put on weight). Looking at other jeans shops for next couple of hours was fruitless – could not find jeans that flattered me and were a nice colour and style (let alone length). It seems the style of jeans that suits me is no longer in style. Where does that leave me for the next fashion cycle, I wonder?

Most probably jean-less. I think I’m going to explore other options for my casual lower-half outer wear. But my search does raise a few (I think) pertinent questions:

Why would a common brand of jeans give a style of jeans an easily remembered number, only to change that style every couple of years anyway, removing the usefulness of the number? Why not make it clear you are bringing out an entirely new range of styles?

Why do clothing chains uses the word “Jean” in their title as if they are a one-stop-jean-shop, yet mostly sell tops, shorts and skirts, and not cater for the full range of body shapes and leg lengths in their jean range?

How does anyone sit down comfortably wearing high-waisted jeans?

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