Rampant materialism--This is what we are talking about

[Horse with no Name]

I mean seriously? Jeans under $100 is considered a "good deal"?
I think jeans under $20 is a "good deal".
Is this the mindset that gets people into financial trouble?

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/65/10-best-jeans-under-100
>>>snip
You don't have to pay big bucks when buying a great pair of blue jeans. Some labels offer styles as affordable as they are chic - here are our picks for the top 10 jeans under $100.

[TwilightGardener]

1. My favorite jeans come from ShopKo (midwest discount chain)--

20 bucks for store-brand Northcrest boot-cut mid-rise stetch denim. They come in my size (very short), and have held up well and are flattering. Why would anyone pay more than 40 bucks for jeans, anyway? They're "everyday" clothes.

[Fierce]

2. None made in the USA, I'm betting.

ETA: But that's OK, because outsourcing to other countries will make the goods more affordable, right? Right? Oh wait.

[Warpy]

3. People living in urban areas on both coasts

generally make enough of a salary that jeans under $100 do look like a decent deal. The style police are active in large metropolitan areas, and wearing WalMart jeans causes one to be judged negatively when it comes to work and pay. Dressing in prole clothing assures one of staying in the prole pay class. Filene's Basement in Boston helped, but not much.

I've come to bite the bullet and pay $30 for jeans online, the only way to get the straight leg variety that doesn't make my arse look as huge as those Walmart momjeans do.

I think an extra $10 for vanity after wearing thrift shop rags for 15 years is tolerable. My KIVA portfolio assuages my guilty conscience for my $10 indulgence as I replace momjeans gone to rags.

However, I can't imagine paying $100 for anything denim. Some things are just plain nuts, I don't care whose name is stitched across the pocket.

[NashVegas]

13. If I Were Making Enough That $90 Jeans Looked Life a Good Deal

I'd never been seen in jeans :)

[madokie]

15. what do you wear

I do remember way back when in some circles where women wearing jeans was frowned upon but some did it anyway and hell now all do or it seems to me they do.

[NashVegas]

19. Skirts, Other Pants, and Jeans

When I do buy jeans, they're used Levis at Goodwill & Unclaimed Baggage. It's less of a status thing, more of a "woman of a certain age," thing.

[knitter4democracy]

28. Psst--Steve and Barry's. I was just in there.

Nice pants for cheap (like $15-20 cheap). Nice tennis shoes for $15. Crazy prices, and very fashionable.

[Warpy]

34. "No stores near you"

If they ever do an online business, maybe.

[knitter4democracy]

38. Oh man. We just got one near me, and I was shocked at how nice it was.

They really should get an on-line store up and running. I like my shoes I got there today for $15.

[pansypoo53219]

4. i have a hard time

paying over $10. i got 2 ok pairs of levis at walgreens. ok, the legs ain't even, but i paid under $10. but even better is the resale shop i go to. hmm, wranglers are pretty good. and 75¢. and the pair of beige gloria vanderbilts were was $1.50.
course, i never get rid of old ones. i might have to not where the pair i got on now in winter anymore. as they split a few inches below my ass on both sides. TOOOO cold. i have pairs from the 80's.

[napi21]

5. I agree with that! It's not only jeans either! Some expensive clothes

really are made better and fit better than cheap ones, but anyone who pays full price for them has a lot more money than brains! For YEARS I've been shopping the higher end department stores "after season sales". THEIR after season sales are always well before the real season ends and if you check the stores you get to know whoch ones have the great deals and when then have them. One I shop often has 60%-80% off and certain days when you get an additional 30% off the sale price! I haven't paid full price for a piece of clothing in over 40 years!

[knitter4democracy]

29. Nordstrom Rack rocks, too.

Their sales there are fabulous. I got $200 jeans (I looked them up later) for $18 once, and they fit really well. You have to dig, but it's worth it.

[Johonny]

45. I agree

The same 100 can come in for 50-70 % in the outlet stores. If you're into that stuff.

[nightrider767]

6. Deteriorating Quality of Levi's

Has anyone else experienced this? Nearly half of my Levi's die an early death from poor quality fabric. The fabric just tears and self destructs well before the jeans get the old faded look...

But back on topic.

AMerican materialism will end when the dollar drops to it's real value. That won't be pretty.

[Clark2008]

7. That's because they're not made in the USA anymore.

We had two Levi's plants shut down, locally, about two-three years ago. Lots of people out of work and no one has any money to buy jeans anymore.

[Lance_Boyle]

8. My last 2 pairs of Levis have lost belt loops.

And not frequently-tugged-at belt loops like the first one counterclockwise from the buckle - they lost loops over the (unused) left back pocket. I thought maybe I had ass-gremlins sneaking out and tearing at them. Poor workmanship seems more likely, I guess.

[NeedleCast]

16. Same Here

My last pair of Levi's had both belt loops break over the back pockets. Not cool for a pair of jeans I wore maybe 25 times. I still have some old jeans from college (can't fit in them anymore) that are in great shape that probably saw 200+ wearings with only minor damage.

[Marrah_G]

9. Unfortunately the cheap jeans (under 20 bucks)are from places like wal-mart

They are crappy and you get what you pay for. My teenage boys wear the cheap ones because they are still growing quickly.

[Fierce]

11. Shoot, I was trying to respond to you...

...check my response below this one.

[Horse with no Name]

12. Sears has a decent store brand

Canyon River Blues--they hold up very well to washing and you can catch them on sale for under $20 many times.
For kids, The Children's Place runs their jeans for $9.99 several times a year.
Penny's also has their Arizona Jeans for under $20 several times a year.

I generally buy used from resale shops/thrift stores, so most of the time, I am wearing $100 jeans that I gave a couple of bucks for.

I also resell our clothing. There have been years that I didn't spend a cent on clothing, I just used the money that last years clothes brought.

What I don't resell, I donate.

[Marrah_G]

20. Thank you!

[Arugula Latte]

24. Target has decent pants for boys, often under $12 or so.

I just got my son three pairs; they were less than $8 each.

[SyntaxError]

32. I like target, and they have good quality(unlike walmar), but are they really cheaper?

I don't see much of a difference in prices between target and Kolhs..

[Fierce]

10. Here are some USA-made jeans...

With pretty reasonable prices: www.pointerbrand.com

And Union House is having a sale, three pair of union-made jeans and a free white t-shirt for $100: http://www.unionlabel.com/mens-pants.html

[Marrah_G]

21. Thank you SO much

I love supporting the unions.

They are going to get some Christmas spending from me!

It's hard to find things not made in china these days.

[slackmaster]

14. I buy my jeans at Costco - Usually around $20-22

$100 pants are a ripoff unless they are of very high quality.

[madokie]

17. I damned near typed I would never buy 100 buck jeans

but then again I realized I prolly made that statement about 20 buck jeans a few years back. One thing about getting old I don't wear my clothes out like I used to and there never was a problem with growing out of them since I was in hs.

[EFerrari]

18. I think the deck is stacked very much against homeowners right now.

They are being set up like bowling pins.

And being a second hander, the price of new stuff curls my hair!

[Horse with no Name]

23. Me too!

I can't stand the high prices on material goods.
I am on the hunt for a new dining room set.
Almost caught one on craigslist, but was too late.
It was a nice wooden table and 4 chairs for $75.
To me, the hunt and the catch are the funnest part of shopping.
When I go to the thrift stores, it's always a do or die--because assuredly if you don't get what you want when you see it, it won't be there when you get back!

[EFerrari]

25. Oh, definitely! Shopping in thrift shops is fun and even interesting

because all kinds of stuff shows up. I have an old typewriter that was made in 1922. Now, you can't just pick that up at the GAP. :)

Going to a mall is like going to McDonalds only without the fine cuisine. lol

[Kansas Wyatt]

22. Wrangler 13MWZ

The only thing I ever buy. The rigid ones used to be pretty reliable to buy without worrying about how they would fit after washing. I now buy the pre-washed ones and try every one on, since there is just too big of a variance of the same size, and it's all because they are made overseas now. Everything is made overseas now, including American icons, and is not nearly as good as it used to be.

[Ignis]

26. Materialism is a philosophy. You're talking about consumerism. (nt)

[EnviroBat]

27. My jeans were made in China...

They burst into flames unexpectedly, which is actually somewhat of a blessing with the cold spell we are experiencing up here. I just smile and enjoy the warmth...

[sentelle]

47. yes but

Are you aware of the Carcinogens being released by those chinese jeans? the lead getting inside your body?

I am figuring that this is the way the Chinese have decided to comply with Kyoto.... ship out their pollution in consumer goods, not only to they get rid of it, but they make money doing it.

[EnviroBat]

49. Not the lead or carcinogens so much, but the burning is what concerns me...

[SyntaxError]

30. hah! I would never pay anything over $40 for a pair of jeans...

even that is pushing it... But ehnn, I can't go naked.

[Breeze54]

31. Who buys jeans anymore?

:rofl:

I haven't bought any jeans in at least 2 yrs. but even if I did, I wouldn't spend $100.00!!

But then again, I'm a

[SyntaxError]

33. You pirate them off peer to peer networks too?

[Breeze54]

35. LOL!

Naw... I just haven't found any that fit comfortably in my old age. :P

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. Remember back in the 70s when Calvin Klein jeans were THE THING to own? I think they were $65-70

bucks at the time and EVERYONE owned a pair. I REFUSED to buy them. Maybe you don't know that...I'm OLD.:7

1. I hate looking like everyone else.

2. I would never pay that for a pair of jeans.

3. I don't buy clothes just because they're the "in" thing at the time. (Never watched M.A.S.H or Hill Street Blues either ;))


I would never pay $100 for a pair of jeans either!

[Breeze54]

37. Nothing EVER came between me and my Calvin Kleins!

Yeah...right!! :rofl:

Hey, I bought them and I looked hotter than hot! :P

But I didn't pay that much. I think they were @ $30.00

[Horse with no Name]

46. I bought a pair of Calvin Kleins at Gemco

remember THAT place? I think I paid $25.

[taught_me_patience]

39. A good pair of jeans is essential for a nice wardrobe

$100 is cheap for a nice pair. High quality denim is versatile. I can be worn w/ a t-shirt and dressed down, or it can be worn out with a dress shirt and shoes. A nice pair of jeans will last 4+ years of heavy use and IMHO is one of the best clothing investments you can make. Nice premium brands can be had at Nordstrom Rack for about $75. Always go to a store for premium denim because fit critically important. Premium denim will make you look better.

[Breeze54]

40. Thanks for the tips, taught_me_patience

Are you working in the fashion industry?

What tips do you have for older women (Moms) concerning jeans?

I can't find a brand that is comfortable.

I like those stretch jeans though. They are comfortable.

What's a good brand for those?

[taught_me_patience]

44. Seven for All Mankind

They are the brand that pretty much started the premium denim trend. They have some fits that are a bit looser and their denim has a bit of lycra in them to give a bit of stretch. They really enhance the "bottom shape" (I've got big male booty and they certainly help lift :-) ). They can easily be found at nordstrom rack or macys for $70-$90 on sale. Darker washes are more popular right now, but may be a little harder to find on sale. Buy them a bit long and have them tailored w/"original hem" for the perfect length ($10-$12).


I just live in Los Angeles, which is the home of the premium denim trend. My mother is a fashion designer, but me and my guy friends are just interested in fashion and style, while not spending outrageous money on clothes. There is no sense in cheaping out on jeans and shoes that last 5 years (shoes for men anyway). I can find shirts at guess outlet (button down) or target (printed tees) that look almost as good as $120 shirts at Nordstrom.

[Breeze54]

48. Thanks but what about Womankind?

:P

I'll check it out. ;)

[SyntaxError]

41. How come jeans that look worn down and have holes in them cost more than some in good shape? :P

[Breeze54]

42. Gullability, suckers and marketing!

:P

There's one born every minute. ;)

[Stinky The Clown]

43. It struck me the other day .... the $100 bill is the new $20 bill.

[EnviroBat]

50. I've decided not to wear jeans anymore.

Hell, I may go off pants altogether.