Jeans: $100 and up???

[Laurajean1014]

Since when did jeans become so expensive?

I'm not big on jeans (as you can tell by my surprise that jeans are so expensive).

I was looking at Nordstroms and their jeans are $52-168. Other jeans are in that ball park. Even Abercrombie jeans are $60 and up.

It's not an expensive fabric, nor are the styles hard to manufacture. So why the high cost?

 

[MosMom]

Designer jeans have always been expensive. In Jr. High/High for me it was Guess, then Lucky, Abercrombie.

These days I stick with Old Navy and usually on sale I can get them for 19.99 and under.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

DD wears Abercrombie and Hollister jeans. We're talking atleast $60 +

 

[MzDiz]

I can't imagine paying that much. Especially since they're made by three fingered 11 year olds in third world countries for about $2.50 a pair. 100 bucks for jeans is shameful.

 

[lulugirl]

I just spent $98 on a pair of LUCKY jeans. I love the way they fit so I consider it money well spent.

 

[lyzziesmom]

My very favorite pair of jeans I have ever had are a pair I got on clearance at Target for $4.98. I think it is ridiculous to pay more for one pair of jeans than I pay to feed my family for 2 weeks.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

You're paying for the brand.

Although sometimes, with the more high-end brands, you actually are paying for better quality and craftmanship. For example, Earnest Sewn will custom make your jeans. Once I saw how great my behind looked in 7 for all Mankind and how well True Religion jeans fit me, I was sold! The 200+ price tag became a moot point.

However, as a recent graduate, I prefer my more budget-friendly, trusty Levis for day-to-day wear. On sale I'll pay around 29.99. Although Levis are getting harder and harder to find...

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I spend about $20 or so on my jeans. I refuse to spend that kind of money on clothes and I think it's ridiculous to do so.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Levi's - aren't they still less than $50 for a pair?

 

[vettechick99]

You are paying for good quality and a superior cut (it's all about the cut!!). I have 3 or 4 pairs of jeans that cost $100+ and they are far better than anything I have by Old Navy, Gap or even American Eagle (which I like a lot).

Try on several brands (I like Juicy and Chip & Pepper) and you'll be eating ramen noodles just so you can afford them!!

Oh, I also bought several of mine from ebay for less than $50!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I LOVE jeans and wear them quite a bit during the winter months. I do tend to spend $100 + on mine. Usually I buy them from Bananna Republic or I have some "7" jeans that I really love. I do occasionally buy some from the Gap and those are usually under $100. If I could find less expensive jeans I liked the looks of and the way they fit, I would not hesitate to buy them!

 

[pamlet]

DH and I were walking through Nordstroms' the other day too.... just checking out a new store...

We were in the women's department... he looked at a pair of (IMHO) UGLY jeans... washed out... grey ... not attractive cut either... 199.00 .. I couldn't believe it .. and I'm not naive about clothing and prices... but these truly had the quality of Kmart stuff...

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Levi's - aren't they still less than $50 for a pair?

Yup! For the most part. There is a higher-end line that costs more. I love Levi's. I've literally worn them since I was a toddler. The fit and quality can't be beat! They also still make jeans that are 100% cotton which is important to me because I don't always want to wear stretch denim.

Levi's is doing a "vintage reissue" thing right now and they just came out with these trouser jeans that have the best back pockets ever! It has a button flap pocket and is really flattering. The style number is 504.

I can usually find Levi's on sale at Mervyns or JC Penny for less than $30. Sometimes less than $20 if there is a huge sale going on. I occasionally find them at TJ Maxx for about $12!

 

[luvwinnie]

I'd pay just about anything for GOOD fitting jeans...Last ones I bought were Caslon at Nordstrom for about $62.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

You are paying for good quality and a superior cut (it's all about the cut!!). I have 3 or 4 pairs of jeans that cost $100+ and they are far better than anything I have by Old Navy, Gap or even American Eagle (which I like a lot).

Try on several brands (I like Juicy and Chip & Pepper) and you'll be eating ramen noodles just so you can afford them!!

Oh, I also bought several of mine from ebay for less than $50!

Ohh, I like Juicy Jeans too! Tsubi is another great brand for an amazing cut.

Be careful about buying jeans on ebay-- there are a lot of counterfit items out there. My roommate bought a pair of fake 7's on ebay and the jeans literally fell apart. They were a very poor imitation. Ebay eventually sided with her but it was a hassle!

 

[rigs32]

I think it depends on your body. If the cheaper jeans are cut in such a way that they work on your body shape you're in luck.

I used to be able to fit into Old Navy jeans. Now they make them for people without hips, I think. Or they think someone with my belly should have saddlebags.

After months of looking, I finally found a pair of jeans at Gap that fit and were long enough (another hassle with overly long lengs - often longs aren't long enough to wear with heels). I gasped at the $58 price tag, but I just could not find another pair that fit well.

 

[Anthony1971]

To all who like expensive Jeans I thank you as I work for Fashion House, However our jeans are way over the 100 a pair price tag -- for the most part they are over 200.
Names i will not mention to protect the inocent but I will tell you the truth is a 200+ pair of jeans costs maybe 20 to make most of th costs that are passed on are shipping expensese after we add our markup of about 100% the maker adds his mark up and the store adds thier 130% - 140% markup (true number). we use the same fabric --yes they spend more time on the fit --if you are a perfect size-- and the color may be a little nicer craftsmanship ha I have 300 jeans that can not be washed as they will fall apart and have -- I got them at our sample sales for what I would spend at old navy and the gap. of course you look better in them
Hurry the end of the year sale at BMW is ending soon!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I knew the expensive ones didn't cost that much to make. I can't break my family's budget for jeans. As I have said before, if my DDs want designer duds they know we need to look at the resale shop. We have purchased Tommy, Abercrombie, AE and Aeropostale jeans there for $10-12.
I will never see what is "cool" about spending tons of money. It will be cooler to retire and have money so you don't have to eat dog food!
Robin M.

 

[Briarmom]

I don't think it is that big of a deal.
I can't remember the last time I tried on a pair of jeans that cost less than $60.
Dh and I wear Lucky now mostly and we don't have to eat dogfood, so we will continue to do so.

 

[SillyMe]

I can see paying high prices for yourself if you maintain a pretty steady weight, but it's crazy to pay those prices for teens who are still growing. I will not pay $75-$100 for a pair of jeans for my dd, considering she'll only end up wearing them a few months. We have to go school shopping this weekend and I'm dreading it.