Denim & Jeans Questions 101 – Ask The Experts

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Here at The Jeans Blog, we are a team of denim experts with a combined knowledge of the denim industry adding up to more than 30 years of experience, for both men’s and women’s denim. We are here to offer our expert advice, giving you tips on fit, cuts to suit your body, inseam lengths, styling, washes, sizing, caring for jeans, fabric blends and more! So if you have a question for either of us, myself (Lorna), Jonathan or Adam, then just leave it in the comment section below and one of us will get back to you! We will also be featuring the most popular and important questions within this post, updating it on a regular basis to include them. Don’t forget to check out some of our popular advice sections below too!

Denim Reviews | Raw Denim | Jeans Advice | Denim Roundups | Denim Stories | Denim Interviews

Denim Questions

1 – What’s the difference between a skinny jean, a jegging and a ankle peg jean?

Lorna – A skinny jean is simply that, a jean that’s skinny all the way down from the hips to the ankle, but often made of a slight stretch blend like 98% cotton and 2% elastane, or sometimes rigid. It comes with a variety of rises and inseam lengths, often with a 10-12 inch leg opening.

A jegging is a cross between a skinny jean and a legging, it features a really super stretchy denim blend, resulting in very comfortable, lightweight jeans which you can move freely in. These often cling to your legs as they are super skinny.

An ankle peg jean is a skinny jean with a shorter inseam, often skimming the ankles. These can be worn as regular jeans on petite ladies or cropped on taller ladies. Again these have varying rises, but are often very flattering with a 10 inch leg opening.

2 – How do you wear boyfriend jeans in a flattering way?

Lorna – This is a good question and it depends purely on your body type. If you are quite tall with a boyish figure, you are lucky enough to get away with any boyfriend jean, whether it’s baggy, cropped or skinny, they work perfectly with tees and sneakers or you can dress them up with blazers and heels, they are very versatile.

For those of us who are more on the petite side, I recommend choosing a skinny boyfriend jean, these are slouchy in the crotch and thighs and tapered at the ankles. This creates a much more flattering silhouette and looks great with tees!

If you do want to wear boyfriend jeans in winter as well, I recommend only going with fitted slouchy pairs, like a slim boyfriend skinny. Since you will be wearing layers from coats and jackets, the excess material on a baggy boyfriend jean can really overwhelm your figure and give you a larger and sloppy appearance.

3 – What is raw denim?

Lorna – I actually have lots of posts on raw denim in the raw denim section above, but you can actually find a whole detailed post with pictures and interviews explaining everything there is to know about raw denim. You can read my raw denim post here. But, in a nutshell, raw denim is denim that hasn’t been washed. It’s left in its original state for you to break in yourself.

4 – What are the must have skinny jeans for every occasion?

Lorna – Another good question since skinny jeans can be worn day in day out the whole year round. I actually put a post together outlining the washes that every girl needs in this post, featuring 24 classic skinny jeans. But, I would recommend that you have a dark indigo blue skinny which is plain and unbranded, think J Brand or Frame, then a mid blue with some whiskering, a classic black skinny and a light blue with distressing. You will have every occasion for all of these jeans!

5 – I’ve heard a lot about them, but what are Jogg Jeans?

Adam – Jogg Jeans are a mixed fabric blend of sweat pant jersey and denim, creating a hybrid fabric which is soft and comfortable. Diesel originally came out with their Jogg Jeans a few years ago but have one of the largest selections for both men and women. I own about 7 pairs of Jogg Jeans, the Thavar and Krooley cuts being two of my favourites and I can vouch for their comfort and ease of wearing. If you find regular denim too restricting and uncomfortable, I recommend seeking out a pair of Joggs.

6 – What are the most flattering jeans for a pear shaped woman?

Lorna – With a curvy bottomed figure like this, most recommend a bootcut or a slim flare as the extra material around the calves helps to balance out the proportions of the hips. This sort of draws attention away from your hip area, however I find that you can also get away with skinny jeans or straight jeans, the key is tucking them into some mid calf or knee high boots, to add a bit of extra depth below and then layering on a blazer with shoulder pads, this will help keep your figure in proportion.

7 – I see a lot of people out in double denim, but I’m still under the impression that it’s a no go. What’s your opinion on it?

Lorna – Well I personally adore double denim, I wear it often actually. There was a point in the 90s and early 2000’s where people would say no to double denim in fear of looking like a throwback to the 80’s, however the key to making it look fashionable is in the styling. Keeping the denim pieces in different shades, like a dark indigo jean and a light blue chambray shirt or denim jacket, or even going with black jeans and a mid blue denim shirt. It’s important to make sure the washes are varied enough to not look like a one piece suit. You can see my post on how to wear double denim as well. There’s lots of photos and styling options!

8 – How do you wash premium denim?

Lorna – I usually try to avoid washing my jeans for as long as I can, I prefer to rotate them with other pairs and not wear one pair all the time (unless raw), so I avoid washing them for as long as possible. The only reason is because they tend to lose their colour and can also lose their shape as heat can damage the elasticity of the fabric. The best advice is to follow the care label which will usually tell you to wash them on cold and inside out as well. The cool wash minimises any fading and heat damage, while the inside out makes sure the parts that touch your skin are clean and the actual outside wash isn’t getting too damaged. If you aren’t too worried about preserving their colour and details, then you can wash them a little more often!

9 – Is there really a difference between premium denim and high street jeans?

Lorna – Absolutely! I used to wear cheap jeans all the time, I wasn’t really into spending much on them as I didn’t have the budget for that, but I always ended up with the same issues of them getting baggy and stretched out and not really being that flattering. I was thinking to myself how do the celebs manage to look so good in jeans and this is when I first got into premium denim, I realised it was about the fit and details.

Most premium denim brands, like Paige Denim, Citizens of Humanity, J Brand, Frame Denim, James Jeans, AG Jeans etc have amazing fits. This is why they cost so much money, they are made in Los Angeles in their factories and are tried and tested lots of times to ensure that they fit perfectly. This includes the back pockets being the right size and positioned correctly to enhance the butt, it includes the stitching being perfectly symmetrical all around, the little details like the rivets and buttons are made to last and then the fabric itself being of a premium quality. Meaning that it wont get too baggy, it wont break anywhere near as fast as cheaper denim, the inside seams should be selvedge (which means sewn/rounded off) and of course the washes look authentic. Making them look like worn in jeans or vintage pairs with natural looking whiskering and fading.

You can’t really find this with non premium denim, it’s not an elitism thing, but if you really want perfect fitting jeans which enhance you and look beautiful while keeping their shape then you should look at going premium. This doesn’t just mean designer as a lot of designers can do denim, like Chanel or Louis Vuitton etc and not be that great (trust me, I know!), but you need to look at premium denim brands who mainly focus on jeans and not a lot more. Since premium denim can be expensive though, if I were to recommend some lower priced jeans which I think are flattering then I would say American Eagle and Mavi, but they will stretch out quite a lot. So to answer your question in short, there definitely is a difference and it’s sort of like that saying, but different, once you go premium denim, you can’t go back.

261 Comments

  1. Jen
    September 21, 2014 / 6:11 pm

    How are you able to determine which size you are amongst different premium brands? Do all the brands have the same sizing, or do some fit smaller. I know from experience that some 100% cotton jeans can fit as much as 1 to 2 sizes smaller. How do you determine size when ordering online?

    • Lorna
      Author
      September 21, 2014 / 6:25 pm

      This is definitely a tough one. That is true that 100% cotton jeans can run a lot smaller, purely because they don’t stretch over your legs like the stretch jeans do, so you might want to consider ordering a size up for those. A lot of denim brands do run similar, so I generally take a 26 in most, but I am a 27 in some, it’s very hard online so I definitely understand your pain. Your best bet is to order jeans you are familiar with or have tried in the store, it definitely can be so unpredictable. You will learn your body shape and to go by measurements on the websites and other reviews online though!

  2. Micheal
    February 24, 2015 / 7:45 pm

    Hi I was wondering if you guys could give me some pointers on shopping Jeans online? I wear 30×30 on CK but I am trying to explore different brand of jeans and price range to feel the different. But, I am don’t have the time to go shopping in person.

    Let me know.

    Micheal

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 25, 2015 / 12:20 am

      Hi Michael, sure! What type of jeans do you like the look of the most? Do you like dark or light washes and what kind of fit do you prefer? Slim, skinny, bootcut? If you do have a shorter leg and like the 30 inseam, I would definitely recommend trying Diesel. They come in different leg lengths and they do a 30 as an option, plus they have some amazing washes, fits and the denim quality is great! Have a look through these and let me know what type of help you would like http://www.asos.com/search/diesel-jeans?q=diesel+jeans&refine=floor:floor_1001&currentpricerange=40-250&pgesize=36

  3. Chauncey
    April 3, 2015 / 12:08 am

    Hi, I just bought an Ebay pair of vintage denim bib/ work overalls from the 50’s , that appear to have been washed once. Still very Dark.
    They’re a little too tight – can you suggest anyways to stretch them ? I

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 3, 2015 / 11:50 am

      Hi, my suggestion is to wear them when they are damp, move around a lot in them and it should make the denim stretch out a bit! Good luck!

  4. Chauncey
    April 3, 2015 / 6:13 pm

    thank you.

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 3, 2015 / 6:34 pm

      You’re Welcome!

      • James
        June 13, 2017 / 10:30 pm

        My raw denim is very tight in the ankle and I can barely get them off! What should I do?!

        • Lorna
          Author
          June 13, 2017 / 10:49 pm

          Are they rigid or do they have some stretch?

  5. karthik
    April 7, 2015 / 5:30 pm

    Can you clarify this for me

    I bought this Mufti Jeans a long time ago. I’ve been using it for a long time and i really like it. But i don’t know what is the name of this material, I want to buy more of this. Its really soft But whenever go to to purchase it they say these kind of jeans are not made any more. Is it possible to say from photos what kind of material is this? if so can you tell me where can i get these now online or anywhere in India.??

    http://oi62.tinypic.com/29d9wxs.jpg http://oi59.tinypic.com/kb9n38.jpg http://oi60.tinypic.com/6hmcl3.jpg http://oi58.tinypic.com/2afwrbc.jpg

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 8, 2015 / 2:31 am

      Hi, these just look like regular denim to me from the photos. Perhaps you could read me the label inside and tell me what they are made of? It just looks like 98% cotton and 2% elastane in the photo of the fabric. Thanks!

  6. mohammad azharuddin
    April 15, 2015 / 6:26 pm

    Thanks a lot for wonderful informations.

  7. mohammad azharuddin
    April 15, 2015 / 7:43 pm

    Hi, can you please suggest me some tricks to identify polyester blend jeans if the label is missing.

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 15, 2015 / 8:01 pm

      Hi, this is a tougher one as it depends entirely on what polyester has been used, how much of it and how it’s integrated into the denim, but the most common way to tell is because the denim itself feels quite scratchy. It has a rougher feeling and it can feel more scratchy and itchy on the skin. I hope that helps!

      • John Yingling
        June 17, 2017 / 8:09 pm

        You can do a burn test. Cotton burns and smells like burned paper and leaves a light ash. Polyester melts and leaves a hard plastic bead.

  8. Aly
    April 30, 2015 / 4:28 am

    Why do my jeans pinch my inner lower left butt cheek? It feels like it is being pushed down. It does this in all my jeans (boyfriend, skinny, straight). The jeans fit right, I went to a specialty store and the sized me and I don’t wear cheap jeans (Hudson, Paige, kut from the kloth).

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 30, 2015 / 11:16 am

      Hi Aly, what type of denim do you wear? I know you said Paige, Hudson etc, but do you like the more thicker material denim? If you have a rounded butt, that can happen with the thicker material. It used to happen to me, where your butt cheeks meet the top of your thigh, the denim can sometimes place itself in the crease. It could be to do with the shape and material. Have you tried out a thin denim like a jegging? I find when I wear thin and stretchy denim it doesn’t happen. Hopefully that’s the answer for you!

  9. Garrett
    June 28, 2015 / 5:29 am

    Need help! I’m a very muscular male that has had a terrible time finding “designer” jeans that fit. I have an almost equal ratio of thigh to waist size and huge calves. I live in a location that does not allow me to experience a wide variety of jeans. I have settled on the Seven For All Mankind brand in their relaxed/ boot cut style though they are far from comfortable in all areas except the waist. I would prefer a made in the USA product and usually wear boots when I dress with jeans. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

  10. July 5, 2015 / 2:04 am

    Hi Lorna! I was looking for jeans expert advice actually I’m bit confused with buying jeans.. The vanity sizing.. is a big problem my actual waist is 38 which size will fit me? As you see when we order online we get many options to choose denim fed and all and about retail store we can only buy which is available there.so I don’t like retail shops.. Hope you understand my question.. Waiting for your reply. Thanks Lorna!

    • Lorna
      Author
      July 6, 2015 / 12:48 pm

      Hi Vinay, do you measure your waist at the belly button? On the smallest part? Or where did you measure for the 38 inches? It also depends on the brands, someone who is a 32 measurement on the waist can be anything from size 30-33 depending on the brand. Diesel definitely run bigger, Levi’s run quite true to size etc. It’s very very difficult to say. Do you know what size you wear in any jeans?

  11. Kim
    August 21, 2015 / 9:02 pm

    I had this perfect pair of jeans from AG but I don’t know the style/fit. They ripped a while back so I threw them out. I have been trying to find the right replacement but no luck. My perfect pair of jeans had little to no stretch in them, but they fit fantastically and comfortably (meaning they just hung well to my curves) because the jeans were thin lightweight denim. I have not been able to find denim that has this quality. Do you know of any brands/styles I should try?

    • Lorna
      Author
      August 23, 2015 / 4:29 pm

      Hi, I would need to know what kind of rise they had, the type of leg opening, how long they were, what fit they were, in order to know what jeans they might have been. AG make amazing jeans still though, but let me know what type of fit they were as I would need to know if it was skinny, cropped, boyfriend, straight, bootcut, flare etc.

  12. Aditi
    November 18, 2015 / 8:17 am

    Hello Lorna, I recently bought a distressed jeans from Levi’s (it’s a 501 ct) ripped on the knees… I wore it only twice but the white strands at the knees have already started loosening and as the jeans has a baggy fit (tapered boyfriend fit) it looks really awkward because it tends to gather on my knees (I mostly fold the jeans till my ankle, or maybe a lil above it)… Please suggest me how to fix it and prevent that from happening again…

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 18, 2015 / 12:01 pm

      Hi, when you say loosening, do you mean they are snapping and leaving a hole in the middle? Or just stretching? The knee is always a tricky area because if you bend or squat down, you will put pressure on the weakened spot and it can split it or stretch it, so the only way to avoid this happening at all costs is to not bend your knees or squat down, otherwise it’s just really part of natural wear and tear. Holes in knees are designed to expand and grow over time to get a more natural feel, they are very weak areas so they can’t stay perfect all the time unless you don’t move much. Good luck!

      • Aditi
        November 18, 2015 / 8:14 pm

        By loosening I mean, the white strands have become so loose that the region above the ripped part overlaps the white strands, and the strands are not visible, the strands have sort of stretched…
        http://m.levi.com/US/en_US/products/178040003
        This is the one that I bought (precita colour)… In the first image, the strands at her knees are failing out, in my case, they have become so loose that they sink into the jeans… How can I fix it? Is there a way to tighten the strands?

        • Lorna
          Author
          November 19, 2015 / 12:21 am

          Unfortunately not, these strands are what would have been woven into the blue threads to create the denim and now they are out on their own, there’s nothing you can do with them as they are very easily breakable and due to the hole there being huge, there’s not much support for them. Ideally white threads like that on holes should only be on small holes, the large ones will always blow out and get ruined. Given a little more time the threads will snap and you will be left with the big hole. This is just what happens on holes like that, sorry! Maybe you might like the look once they snap?

  13. Aditi
    November 19, 2015 / 3:33 am

    Ohkie… Thank you Lorna…!!

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 19, 2015 / 12:24 pm

      You’re welcome! Sorry it’s not better news!

  14. December 17, 2015 / 6:59 pm

    Hi Lorna,

    Are you still taking questions because I have one that I was surprised wasn’t covered here already. What is the average lifespan of a good pair of jeans? I buy premium denim (AG, Paige, Joe’s). I love the fit, the quality, the feel. But, I upgraded to premium denim because I was having a constant problem with the the cheap jeans ripping between my legs where my thighs rub together (no thigh gap here)! It takes longer for it to happen with my premium jeans (6 months, maybe), but it still happens: the the inseam comes apart and the fabric gets shredded. Should I be replacing jeans so often? Do you think raw denim is a better option for women with chub rub? Thanks!

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 20, 2015 / 12:55 pm

      Hi Lauren, I think it might depend on the fabric. You might need a heavier weight denim actually, but as with most things, if there’s a constant friction and rubbing together, it will come apart, no matter how well it’s made. For this issue, I’m not sure on how long the average life span of jeans is as I’ve not encountered the issue. I’ve had some of my premium jeans since I was 17 (10 years) and they are still going strong, but I’m not 100% sure how long they would last if they had a lot of friction on them. If your thighs do rub together, I’m kind of thinking that raw denim would not be comfortable. There’s little to no stretch in them and the denim/stitching is quite thick so you may end up with some chafing which is horrible. Is there any place you could try a thicker denim on? It would last longer but I can’t say it would be really comfortable so you would need to try I think before you buy! Good luck!

  15. Lauren
    December 20, 2015 / 5:38 pm

    Thanks Lorna! This is really helpful. When you say “heavier denim” do you just mean a higher percentage of denim? Or do you mean thicker threads? Thanks for the follow up, I really appreciate it. I just want to make sure I know exactly what you mean.

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 20, 2015 / 7:00 pm

      Heavier weight denim it means, like you can get 8oz, 10oz etc, you might be good with a 10-12oz denim, which is a lot thicker but I’m not sure how comfortable that would be. It’s much more durable, but comfort wise it’s not a patch on the stretchy types of AG, 7FAM, PAIGE etc that we wear unfortunately. Useless isn’t it? We can’t have it both ways lol.

  16. Dan Reedy
    January 1, 2016 / 3:49 am

    I wore levis in my 20’s and 30’s, wranglers in my 40’s and 50’s – and then I gained some weight and quite wearing jeans. Fast forward 5 years and I lost some weight. I went back and bought some Wranglers and my legs are becoming incredibly itchy where the skin comes most in contact with my jeans. The front of my thighs and the back of my knees are the worst.

    during this time, I got a pair of no-name jeans and I experienced the same discomfort.

    I see two potential reasons for this new experience: I developed an allergy pretty late in life, or, they are making/dying denim different in the last 5 years than they did in the previous 55.

    Any ideas?

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 2, 2016 / 5:07 pm

      Hi Dan, could you read the label for me and tell me what the fabric content is on the pairs that irritate you? And also, what kind of wash/colour are they? It could be to do with the make up of the denim, so if I could know what they are made of, I might be able to help! Polyester or elastrall is usually a big culprit as an irritant.

  17. Kelsie
    January 11, 2016 / 6:35 am

    Is it safe to wash stretchy jeans like Paige Denim’s Transcend line? You said you washed your denim as little as possible, and I know you are a fan of Paige Denim, so I was wondering how their stretchy jeans recover if you follow the care instructions (wash cold, gentle cycle, inside out, hang to dry).Do you find that they hold their shape after washing?

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 11, 2016 / 6:25 pm

      I haven’t washed the TRANSCEND Jeans before, so I can’t comment on that one unfortunately! With my other Paige jeans though I found they hold up ok, but I can’t comment on the TRANSCEND fabric. It doesn’t stretch out when you wear them lots though, so I’m thinking it should be ok! Just don’t use heat as that can damage the elasticity on the jeans, so keep the water cold, no tumble drying as that’s hot too. So just be really gentle with them and you should be ok!

      • Jen
        June 10, 2018 / 7:20 pm

        I have purchase three transcend jeans as they are my favorite. Unfortunately with each wash, the two black pairs get a weird cottage cheese-like damage to the fabric, especially near the lower butt, and the material stretches (sadly even on cold wash air dry). I’ve taken them to get tailored to tighten the legs and ankles again but they’re not the same. I’m not sure if that’s also because black jeans are different than blue jeans (my blue jeans are fine).

        • Lorna
          Author
          June 11, 2018 / 11:33 am

          Gosh! That doesn’t sound good. How many times have you washed them? It’s best to not wash your jeans for as long as possible and to only ever wash on cold, no heat, no strong detergent etc. Were yours ever washed with heat at all?

  18. Robyn
    January 24, 2016 / 4:48 am

    I have 3 boys and am shopping jeans for them online. I see that some say they are made from 12 oz denim and others say 100% cotton denim. Is there a difference between these and if there is, what is it?

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 24, 2016 / 5:36 pm

      Hi, yes there’s a difference. 12oz means the weight/thickness of the denim. 100% cotton means the blend of the denim. So 100% cotton is just that, it has no stretch in it what so ever, but it comes in numerous weights as 100% cotton. 12oz is a standard, more sturdier weight for denim. Should be quite durable. Thanks.

  19. Alex
    February 17, 2016 / 12:10 am

    Hi Lorna
    I bought a pair of Diesel Thavar Jogg jeans 4 months ago and I love the softness but recently they started to get very saggy specially in the upper leg part.
    I havent washed them yet because I read its better to do it the least often and just wash in the dirt spots directly.
    Considering how expensive they are I want them to last as long as possible! But it really bugs me that they are all baggy now, what do you recpommend to get them back to shape?
    I read that it works if you wash and then dry them in the hottest set but Im afraid that long term this will make the denim rip.
    Hope to hear from you
    Cheers!

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 17, 2016 / 3:13 am

      Hi Alex,

      You aren’t the first to complain about that actually, many guys who have Jogg Jeans always say they stretch out and get baggy (Adam, one of our writers included). Since the fabric of Jogg Jeans is a hybrid of sweat pant and denim, I don’t think it counts as regular denim in terms of washing/removing stains. I’m sure you would be ok turning them inside out, washing them on a cooler setting and then leaving them to dry, that should be fine.

      Using high heat will shrink regular denim, I’ve never tried it on Jogg material, however I know from speaking to experts who make jeans etc that it damages the elasticity of the fabric. The higher the heat or more heat you use, it will temporarily shrink the fibers, but it damages them in the process, making the stretch loosen up over time. So they might feel tighter, but when you wear them for a bit they will stretch right back out again.

      Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s anything you can do in terms of shrinking them back and keeping them that way. Everything always seems to stretch out over time, however, Adam did try out the Paige Transcend Croft jeans, if you have heard of those, and wears them constantly now. The Transcend denim is actually softer and just as stretchy as the Jogg denim, so they are like a jeans version of Jogg Jeans. The Transcend fabric is supposed to retain its shape and not stretch out or get baggy. So far after about 8 wears they have stayed true to that promise and still fit exactly the same, so you might want to look into those as an alternative! They fit pretty similar to Thavar and you can read Adam’s review on them here https://thejeansblog.com/denim-reviews/denim-review-paige-croft-transcend-skinny-jeans-in-hopper/

      Please just message back if you have anymore questions or need anymore advice! Glad you like the site!

      Lorna.

  20. Paul
    February 25, 2016 / 5:40 pm

    Hi! This is more of a fashion question. I own several pairs of jeans and most of them have the ‘whiskering effect’ (mentioned and shown in this article under Step #2 Condition: http://apparelillustrated.com/shoes-to-wear-with-jeans/). Reading that article has made me a bit conscious about this: are jeans that have the whiskering effect considered a no-no? One of my pairs of jeans has one or two patches on one leg as well; again, is this a no-no? I haven’t paid too much attention to whether other people wear jeans that have the whiskering effect (though I know that jeans with patches are rarely worn…). Would be grateful for your insight and advice please. Thanks!

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 25, 2016 / 5:53 pm

      Hi Paul, do you mean you’re wearing your whiskered jeans with smart shoes? That’s what the article is referring to, about keeping jeans clean and smart with smart shoes, as the distressed or whiskered ones are usually suited to sneakers. Otherwise whiskered jeans are definitely not a no no for everyday wear, they just don’t add much of a smart look to smart shoes as it contradicts the look you’re going for. I couldn’t see anything in your comment about wearing your jeans with shoes, so I’m guessing you meant are they a no no in general?

      • Paul
        February 25, 2016 / 6:09 pm

        Thanks, Lorna. Yes, it was a question about them in general. It’s hard to avoid jeans that don’t have the whiskering look, but that article made me wonder. Thanks for your help, and can I ask what your opinion is of a pair of dark blue jeans that has one ‘thread patch’ on the knee level on one leg – is that a no no?

        • Lorna
          Author
          February 25, 2016 / 7:00 pm

          Do you have an example? And yeah don’t worry about the article as it was for jeans with shoes, whiskered and distressed jeans in general are amazing! I wear them all the time if you check the denim reviews section 🙂 They make the best jeans as they have lots of depth and detail. Plain jeans can be extremely boring as they are just smart jeans 🙂

          • Paul
            February 26, 2016 / 1:25 pm

            Thanks. Regarding the patches, I do a have a photo to show but I can’t attach it to this message, unfortunately. The best way to describe it would be to say that in the knee area, there were holes which have evidently been stitched up with white denim thread. I think these patches are not especially noticeable when standing up but can’t be missed when I’m sitting down. It’s not something you see every day, but I guess if the distressed look is popular then this shouldn’t be thought of as strange.

            • Lorna
              Author
              February 26, 2016 / 8:13 pm

              Oh that’s just distressing, you mean the white threads go through the holes in lines to each side? That happens as the denim is made up of white and blue thread woven into each other, when they create a distressed hole they pull out the blue threads. Those are completely normal! The article just means don’t wear these jeans with smart shoes, but wearing them normally with sneakers, high tops etc is 100% fine! Distressing is cool and adds a uniqueness to the jeans!

  21. Paul
    March 3, 2016 / 11:20 am

    Hi, another quick question which sort of relates to my question about whiskering… I don’t know how common it is for a pair of jeans (in this case, one from River Island), to have one or two long crease lines down the back of each leg. They’re probably not that noticeable from further away but I just wondered what your thoughts are on this. Maybe this sounds fine since distressing is also ok?

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 3, 2016 / 12:38 pm

      I think you’re worrying too much, the way jeans come when they are pre-distressed is a matter of personal preference so if you like them, that’s what matters. Everyone’s style is unique and different, so jeans should be different. Jeans will often have creases below the knee area, in areas that would show folds etc. Try not to worry about what’s considered acceptable as there’s isn’t any such thing when it comes to jeans, as long as they look good and natural then it’s fine. You will know what I mean by unnatural as it will be like dark blue then white bleach fading which is so contrasted it doesn’t even look like it could have worn naturally that way.

  22. Patrick
    March 23, 2016 / 11:01 pm

    Hi Lorna. I just bought a pair of used Diesel jeans from eBay. One of the things I found particularly interesting about these jeans is that they were made with oversized seams: the seams around the pockets, up the legs and across the back are all 5/8″ wide from stitch to stitch- more than double the usual 1/4″. Have you ever seen this before? Is there a name for it?

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 23, 2016 / 11:22 pm

      Hi Patrick! Do you have a photo of what you mean? Or perhaps a link to the eBay listing of the jeans so I can check it out? I’m not quite certain what you are describing. Thanks!

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 5, 2016 / 1:11 pm

      Those are super, super old. Talking maybe over 10 years old for that style really, they stopped making Diesel jeans like that ages ago as they re-branded. They got rid of the little D on the right back pocket and the thicker seaming. I can’t tell if they are real or not though because I can’t see the tag properly, it’s hard to tell from the washes on old jeans like that.

  23. Carla
    April 7, 2016 / 8:05 pm

    I was wondering if any editors or readers here know what happened to the Worn Jeans company? It was one of my favorite jeans brands, and I used to buy it at places like Amazon.com, Macy’s, or Nordstrom. I guess the last time I saw / purchased jeans by this company was maybe in 2013 or 2014. Thanks to any responders!

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 7, 2016 / 11:46 pm

      Unfortunately not sorry! I’m guessing they must have gone out of business though if they are no longer sold, that’s what usually happens. They end up going bankrupt or closing down. eBay might be your best bet to find some!

      • Carla
        April 8, 2016 / 1:31 am

        Thanks. I thought maybe they had been bought by another company.

        • Lorna
          Author
          April 8, 2016 / 3:11 pm

          If they have, I haven’t had any news about it, but I will let you know if I hear anything!

          • Carla
            June 26, 2016 / 8:31 pm

            I finally found out what happened. I’m leaving the info here in case anyone else on the WWW is searching as I was.

            fyi: “Worn Jeans” brand was very similar in style, quality, and price range to “Kut from the Kloth”.

            I was preparing to discard a mini corduroy skirt by Worn Jeans yesterday, because it’s been too large for a while and I’ve finally accepted that fact that I’ll never wear it again. I was checking it for extra buttons etc. when I discovered there was something written on the underside of the label sewn into the waist band. It was a complete mailing address:
            SimplyBlue
            1725 Westlake Ave.
            Suite 220
            Seattle, WA 98109

            I’m not sure how “Simply Blue” relates to the brand name on the front side of the label (Worn Jeans). However, based on a Google search, it appears the address was once the location of a clothing company named “HMX”, aka “Hart Schaffner & Marx”, founded in 1887.

            HMX once managed several dedicated clothing brands such as Burberry, Liz Claiborne, Pierre Cardin, Christian Dior, Perry Ellis, and Tommy Hilfiger as well as short term lines for celebrities such as Johnny Carson, Bobby Jones, Austin Reed, and Jack Nicklaus.

            “In 2012, Authentic Brands Group, an intellectual property corporation with a mandate to acquire, manage and build long-term value in prominent consumer brands, purchased Hart Schaffner Marx along with HMX’s other properties.”
            -Wikipedia

            Worn Jeans disappeared from Amazon.com and everywhere else around 2012. Unfortunately it appears that the brand was discontinued after the 2012 acquisition.

            • Lorna
              Author
              June 28, 2016 / 12:51 pm

              Thank you for sharing that information with everyone, Carla! That’s really helpful!

  24. Amy Lenae
    April 30, 2016 / 3:56 am

    Hi . I was just wondering if there is anything i can do about this one problem I have. Normally I can wear my blue jeans (whether light or dark) just fine. But sometimes I just want to wear my black jeans (as they usually go with a lot of my clothes). But for some reason, whenever I go to try and wear my black jeans my legs are always very itchy. This might not happen right at the start of wearing them, but after walking a little the itching begins, and I end up taking them off and wearing something else. Is there anything I can do about this itching problem?? I just want to wear my black jeans again!! Please help!

    Amy Lenae

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 30, 2016 / 1:27 pm

      Hi Amy, this could purely be to do with the fabric content. I get the same thing whenever I wear cheaper made jeans which have polyester in them, I feel the lining and they are scratchy. This really itches me, so you might want to look for a pair which are cotton/elastane only. I find this also happens with the itching with really dark blue pairs in the same scratchy blend of denim. What sort of budget do you have for jeans as I know some that are really soft and don’t itch me in the slightest!

      • Amy Lenae
        April 30, 2016 / 3:27 pm

        Hi Lorna,

        Thank you for your response. Um well I don’t really have any kind of budget, but being a university student, I try to not spend too much…

        • Lorna
          Author
          May 1, 2016 / 1:03 am

          Generally I find the more expensive denim is less itchy, the cheaper ones are often high in polyester unfortunately, but see if you can find a softer feeling pair which don’t have it and see if that works out! These might be a bit expensive, but they are so soft on my skin and cause me no trouble (below) and I know they have poly in, but it’s a more expensive one and as the jeans have been ‘silked’ up and made with extra stretch and soft cotton, they don’t irritate me. If you have a store anywhere near you that sells these and make sure they are the TRANSCEND version like I show below, maybe try them on and see if they itch you, if they don’t, it might be because of the cheaper fabric and poly content in your past jeans and if they do itch, there might be some allergy somewhere to black dye perhaps? I hope that helps!

          https://www.shopbop.com/verdugo-ultra-skinny-jean-paige/vp/v=1/1511994104.htm?fm=search-viewall-shopbysize&os=false

          https://www.shopbop.com/verdugo-skinny-cropped-jeans-paige/vp/v=1/1519151823.htm?fm=search-viewall-shopbysize&os=false

          https://www.shopbop.com/margot-ultra-skinny-jeans-paige/vp/v=1/1501438546.htm?fm=search-viewall-shopbysize&os=false

          • Amy Lenae
            May 2, 2016 / 3:26 am

            Hi Lorna,

            Sorry it has taken me a day or two to get back to you. Thanks for giving me the links to those sites. Do you know if they deliver to Australia? As I am an Australian university student. I did locate two pairs of black jeans that I have. One pair i used to wear all the time, but then stopped because of the itching. And it has 19.25% polyester, 79% cotton and 1.75% viscose. The other pair I hadn’t worn in a long time, as I had no idea where they were. They are made of 99% cotton, and 1% elastane… these might be the pair that didn’t itch, as the last time i remember wearing them I didn’t have any problems…

            • Lorna
              Author
              May 2, 2016 / 8:20 pm

              Hi Amy,
              Try out those ones with the cotton/elastane blend and see if they give you any problems, if they don’t, you will know it’s the polyester in the other blend of the jeans that’s itchy. Hope that helps! They will ship to Australia yeah, but I know Paige is stocked in Australia in various boutiques, so that might be more worth trying out in a shop that sells designer pieces? They might have some there!

  25. Sara
    May 3, 2016 / 8:55 pm

    I think we have the same style/body type! This excites me so much! I have a pair of AG legging ankle jeans, but they run a little too low for me. Can you suggest a jean (AG or not) that is similar, but the rise is higher? I have a pair of Madewell skinny skinny crop jeans that I love, but i should have sized down as the are too big 🙁

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 4, 2016 / 11:02 am

      Hi Sara, absolutely! I have lots of AG Legging Ankle Jeans and I know a lot that are similar. Are you looking for a much higher rise or a mid rise? I’ve got a few suggestions. Which country are you located in and I can find you some links 😀

  26. Tom
    May 8, 2016 / 12:49 am

    I need help identifying a pair of men’s RL Polo jeans. The jeans have “POLO JEANS CO.stitched in red across the bottom of the right rear pocket. I have not been able to field any like this anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.
    Tom

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 8, 2016 / 2:06 pm

      Hi, I’m not hugely familiar with RL jeans, but they sound older. Do you have photos?

      • Tom
        May 8, 2016 / 5:16 pm

        Thank you for getting back to me, Yes I do have photos. How would I get the photos to you?

          • Tom
            May 9, 2016 / 11:49 pm

            I hope you received the photos I send?
            Thanks
            Tom

            • Lorna
              Author
              May 10, 2016 / 11:45 am

              Yes! Will reply very soon! Thanks.

            • Tom
              May 10, 2016 / 1:26 pm

              Great, I hope you can solve the mystery!

  27. Clare
    May 12, 2016 / 6:13 am

    I washed my Diesel Jogg Jeans and it pilled. May I know how do I get rid of the pillings? I tried shaving but it doesn’t work.

  28. Clare
    May 12, 2016 / 8:52 am

    Hi, how do you get rid of the pilling on Diesel’s Jogg Jeans after washing? I tried shaving but they didn’t come off.

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 12, 2016 / 3:29 pm

      That’s an interesting question actually, I’ve not come across that one before. How many times did you wash them? I think it’s because of the sweat pant material, those pile after washing a few times. I’m not sure there is a way to remove it though as it’s the bobbling of the fabric itself, it might cause some damage. I think the best thing to do is email Diesel customer service or ask in a Diesel store, they might have a specific idea. Or, take a look online for how to remove it from sweat pants and try the same method? I feel bad for you that this happened, you pay so much for the Joggs and then they pile! I’m hoping mine wont.

      • Clare
        May 12, 2016 / 4:29 pm

        First and only time I washed, the material piled. I threw it into the washing machine… it was a blasphemous act. Yes I will email them. Thanks for replying!

  29. Benj
    July 12, 2016 / 9:57 am

    Hi, can you advise which levis to pair with vans classic shoes like old skool? maybe 511?

    • Benj
      July 12, 2016 / 10:00 am

      I like the style that shows the tongue of my shoes. I also like converse all star so i need a pair of jeans that will show the side star patch. thanks

      • Lorna
        Author
        July 12, 2016 / 2:55 pm

        If you want something more skinny around the ankles to show the star logo, maybe try the 510? They are slimmer than the 511 and are good for slimmer legs. Levi’s also make a 519 super skinny, which is very hugging on the legs, which would show off the shoes entirely, but they might be too tight. So 510 might be a good choice! Depends how you like them to fit.

        These are cool: http://www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/mens-jeans/p/055100394

    • Lorna
      Author
      July 12, 2016 / 2:51 pm

      Hi! The Levi’s 511 Skate would probably be a great option!

      • Benj
        July 13, 2016 / 2:51 am

        thanks for the info on levis skateboarding collection! I don’t think skinny will work for me since my legs are not thin. I’ll definitely be looking at 510 and 511. thanks again!

  30. Evangeline
    August 3, 2016 / 11:11 am

    Hi,I need some help with styling. I got two same shades denim and how should I match them? I saw a lot of advises online that says go with different shades or washes when styling double denim but I only got same shades, what should I do? 🙁

    • Lorna
      Author
      August 3, 2016 / 5:58 pm

      Hi, what kind of shades are they? 🙂

      • Evangeline
        August 4, 2016 / 5:28 am

        It’s dark blue.

        • Evangeline
          August 4, 2016 / 5:33 am

          One is jeans and another one is shirt.

        • Lorna
          Author
          August 4, 2016 / 11:57 am

          Dark blue is a bit easier as you can break it up with a coloured top under the shirt, a belt, some accessories etc, but it will be quite uniform in how it looks. It depends how you like it 🙂 There’s always a chance it can look too much, but you could also practice tying the shirt in someway so it doesn’t touch the jeans, or perhaps when you can, get a lighter blue shirt or jeans? 🙂

        • Lorna
          Author
          August 4, 2016 / 11:57 am

          Dark blue is a bit easier as you can break it up with a coloured top under the shirt, a belt, some accessories etc, but it will be quite uniform in how it looks. It depends how you like it 🙂 There’s always a chance it can look too much, but you could also practice tying the shirt in someway so it doesn’t touch the jeans, or perhaps when you can, get a lighter blue shirt or jeans? 🙂

          • Evangeline
            August 4, 2016 / 12:24 pm

            Is there any specific accessories that would match nicely?

            • Lorna
              Author
              August 8, 2016 / 6:31 pm

              Neutral colours like brown, tan, nude etc are great, they work well in the form of a belt and bag!

            • Evangeline
              August 9, 2016 / 4:15 am

              Thanks a lot for your help ^^

  31. Ary
    August 20, 2016 / 9:11 pm

    Hi, I have a big booty, I’m not going to lie. But I also have long legs, bigger thighs and a little waist. Jean shopping is not easy. I was wondering if you have and advice on the right fir for me, preferably something like skinny jeans. Thanks

  32. Rachel
    September 8, 2016 / 2:54 pm

    I love Cigarette jeans. AG has quite a few but the rise is from 7 1/2 to 8 1/2. I worry about muffin top. Most of my jeans are high waist (from 10″ to 11″) I love skinny, but I really want a bigger leg (11″ & up)

  33. wendy
    September 15, 2016 / 2:34 pm

    I have a pair of vintage Levi jeans that I want to sell on Ebay. I cannot figure out what style they are. I think they may be either 502 or 505? I’ve been all over Google trying to get an idea. Any suggestions? Dark denim, leather patch that is pretty much gone, selvedged, big e, zipper fly that has been replaced, double x. any help is appreciated!

    • Lorna
      Author
      September 15, 2016 / 6:48 pm

      Hi, sorry, there are so many cuts, hundreds of them that Levi’s have brought out over the years and the way you tell them is the cut of the jeans. I wouldn’t know from a really old vintage pair, sorry about that!

      • wendy
        September 16, 2016 / 7:13 pm

        Ok. Thank you.

  34. DEbra
    September 17, 2016 / 5:21 pm

    i HATE SKINNY JEANS,BOYFRIEND JEANS AND ANYTHING THAT STRETCH. I WANT THE OLD JEANS BACK. Please tell me where and who sells them. The skinny jeans fall off my butt. HELP!

  35. Robert
    September 29, 2016 / 4:34 pm

    Can you find Levi’s like the 501 that were made in 90s…the new ones all have thin material and look like they have been worn for a while..used to love Levis but they seem to have gotten cheap

    • Lorna
      Author
      September 29, 2016 / 10:36 pm

      Unfortunately I don’t think they still make them, so you’d have to buy vintage ones which are already worn in. Or if you’re interested, we have an article here on raw denim which you might like!

  36. Arnold
    October 6, 2016 / 7:44 am

    Hi. I’ve been looking for the longest time for a certain type of denim jean; hoping you can help. I’m basically looking for ALL the characteristics of the men’s Levi’s 501 Classic Fit White jeans, but a RELAXED version. Everything about those 501’s I like: the look of the material (thick, plain, with no faint vertical lines that you can make out upon close inspection. They sit AT the waist. You can’t see the pocket lining when you put them on. They are the right shade of white, etc. Do any of you guys know where I can find something just like that, but RELAXED? Whenever I find one that looks promising there is always some twist to them (they are slim or skinny or material is stretchable, or they have holes or horizontal creases). I want none of that fancy stuff, just the aforementioned. Button fly preferred, but I’d also take zipper. If you can point me in the direction of a company that makes a pair of jeans just like that I would be so grateful. Thanks a bunch

    • Lorna
      Author
      October 6, 2016 / 11:51 am

      Hi Arnold, that’s a very good question. I can honestly say that I haven’t seen any. White isn’t a hugely common colour in terms of denim anymore, especially not for guys, so the white denim we mostly see is women’s in skinny, stretchy form. I haven’t seen an old vintage inspired white jean in rigid denim like that in many, many years, but if I do, I will let you know! Good luck on your search!

  37. Ella_Patts
    October 29, 2016 / 8:06 pm

    Hi! I need some help! I bought a pair of Aeroportale Jeggings that are incredible itchy on the inner part, do you know how I can fix them? I have soaking them on hot water with softener overnight even with baking soda but it seems that nothing works, any other suggestion?

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 1, 2016 / 6:06 pm

      Hi Ella,
      Unfortunately this will be down to the fabric they are made with and it’s most likely a scratchy polyester. You must have sensitive skin like I do and there’s nothing that can be done. Soaking them and washing them etc doesn’t fix it as it’s a sensitivity to the fabric. You need to avoid certain types of polyester. Can you take them back?

  38. Ella_Patts
    October 29, 2016 / 8:06 pm

    Hi! I need some help! I bought a pair of Aeropostale Jeggings that are incredible itchy on the inner part, do you know how I can fix them? I have soaking them on hot water with softener overnight even with baking soda but it seems that nothing works, any other suggestion?

  39. Jimmy
    November 9, 2016 / 4:22 pm

    Hi. I am of Asian male , 1.72m tall, weighs about 90kg and a bit of belly. Wears jeans daily and rides a small motorcycle.

    Am looking to replace some of my worn out jeans (about 5 years old). Using my current pair of Levi’s, it has a waist of 37″ and a length of about 39″ (top to the bottom of the jeans). From the online stores like Amazon, it says 37W & 29L. Curious, where does the 29L measures from ?

    Are there any Asian size friendly sites that i could buy from ? Looking at wrangler or other recommended brands/

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 10, 2016 / 1:27 am

      Hi Jimmy, leg measurements are measured from the seam at the crotch. Right where the inside leg reaches the top of its join, at the crotch. So you measure from there to the bottom of the hem and that gives you the inseam leg length. We don’t measure from the top of the jeans as the height from the crotch to the waistband often varies and that can increase the measurement even if the leg is the same length. Hope that helps! For your waist size, you would need to look at the size listed on your jeans label and copy that as often the waist measurement that you measure yourself can vary and not be correct in corresponding to the size label. Lorna.

  40. Andrea
    November 14, 2016 / 10:25 pm

    My Paige jeans stretch out a bit when I’m wearing them. I washed them once in hot water and dried them on high heat and they seemed to fit better, but then they stretch out again. Is it really bad if I keep drying them? Will they just stretch out more by drying them? Or if I want them to keep “shrinking” should I keep drying them?

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 15, 2016 / 12:02 am

      Hi Andrea,
      I actually learned from Paige herself many years ago that you should never wash and dry your jeans on high heat, this heat damages the elasticity of the denim and makes them baggy and stretch out a lot over time. It damages it so much that it no longer will retain its shape or shrink properly again, so I definitely don’t recommend it. The thing with jeans is that you should always by your jeans really tight to begin with, so tight that they are restrictive and then they stretch out. If you buy jeans comfortable when you get them, they will only get bigger unfortunately. But definitely don’t keep putting them through a heat cycle.
      Hope that helps!

  41. Kristin
    November 18, 2016 / 1:52 am

    Hi Lorna! Great website you’ve got here. 🙂 I’m new to designer jeans and was wondering if you could offer me advice. I just ordered a pair of the following Paige Transcend – Hidden Hills Bootcut Stretch Mona Jeans in Petite. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/paige-transcend-hidden-hills-bootcut-stretch-jeans-mona-petite/3807259?origin=shoppingbag. I love the look and feel of the fabric, but I’m wondering if I need to go up a size. Typically, I’ve gotten 27’s in regular sizing. The 27’s in petite sizing seems to be a lot more snug. Is a 27 not necessarily a 27 if you switch to petite? Also, how much do you think they would stretch? They currently wouldn’t be uncomfortable for daily wear, but I’ve read that this fabric stretches significantly. What do you think? Thanks so much for your help!

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 18, 2016 / 12:24 pm

      Hi Kristin, thank you! So glad you like the website 🙂

      The PAIGE TRANSCEND fabric is amazing isn’t it? Feels so soft! If your 27s are comfortable and you can wear them with no problem, definitely don’t go up a size to a 28, they would be too big. This fabric doesn’t stretch a huge amount, but it does a little bit, and they are designed to be worn snug so I think you have the right size. You can move about and breathe properly in them can’t you?

      With regards to sizing, have you ever tried PAIGE before or are you referring to different brands in a 27? With denim though you can vary between sizes in all different washes and fabric blends. There’s so many different mixes and often darker colours run smaller than lighter colours because they have less treatment on them, so I haven’t found it’s a petite thing, it’s just a thing in general with jeans as they can run different. I range from a 25 (occasionally) up to a 28 (if I’m in an Italian brand) but my general size is 26-27, brand and wash depending! I hope that helps?

      • Kristin
        November 19, 2016 / 3:33 am

        Thanks for the advice! I meant to say that they currently would NOT be comfortable for daily wear, so I think I’ll order the next size up just to compare. If the fabric will only stretch a little bit, I think the 28’s might be better. I’m just a typical girl and hate to order bigger sizes than I want to be, but I’ll just ignore the size on the tag. 🙂

        • Lorna
          Author
          November 19, 2016 / 12:34 pm

          Is that a definite no on the comfort? Mine are really tight but because of the stretch, it’s fine to wear. But if you are happier in a 28, I would order them and try. You just don’t want them loose or comfy to begin with because they will stretch a small bit 🙂 and size labels don’t mean anything, the only reason we would need to go up or down is because of inconsistency with the brand, nothing to do with our own size at all.

  42. Paul
    November 19, 2016 / 10:03 pm

    Hi. I discovered a small stained patch near the bottom of the right back pocket of my jeans. The stain was purple, and the jeans themselves are light blue. I used a bit of Vanish soap on the area affected, and the stain did not go away, instead turning turquoise in colour. I have no idea what caused the stain in the first place. What can I do to get rid of it? Thanks.

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 20, 2016 / 6:50 pm

      Hi Paul,
      I’m not sure what you could use if Vanish isn’t working. Sometimes things can be permanent and if it changed in colour, it looks like the stain might have permanent undertones in it. You could try the dry cleaners or something similar to see if they have anything that could remove it? There might be discoloured denim underneath it now though unfortunately. Good luck!

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 22, 2016 / 3:13 am

      Hi, I haven’t come across this brand before, but it doesn’t look like a premium brand. Perhaps you could post it in the men’s denim section of the forum? Hopefully someone can help!

  43. DD
    November 29, 2016 / 4:43 pm

    Hi Lorna, thanks for your posts! I’ve been enjoying reading them lately.
    Well, I was wondering what are some premium denim brands that run small in size.
    I understand even the same brand could have different sizes/fits, but I am having a hard time finding a perfect-fitting skinny jeans.
    Recently I bought a pair of Citizens if Humanity Rocket Skinny cropped jeans in size 24 and Paige Denim’s Verdugo crop(Janson) in size 23, but both of them are slightly big for me.
    They don’t look/fit skinny on me.
    I want more TIGHT FIT!!! 🙁
    Would you please let me know some lines or brands that run small for a short, skinny person?
    Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 29, 2016 / 5:49 pm

      Hi, that’s a really good question! I know MOTHER runs smaller as I fit a very tight 27 in their jeans when I’m usually a 26. I would say for running even smaller that MET or Diesel (both Italian) are good brands to look into as they are European they don’t have the vanity sizing and I have to size up again in them. Is there anywhere you can try those brands? ALLSAINTS here in the UK run very small as well and go down to a size 24, not a bad price https://www.allsaints.com/women/jeans/style,any/colour,any/size,any/

      Other than that, the only other option I can think of is Levi’s Juniors range, I know they do a range of jeans for teenagers and they might be ok for you since you’re petite too! 🙂

      • DD
        November 29, 2016 / 5:58 pm

        Thanks so much Lorna!
        I will try out those brands you mentioned!
        Thanks again for your help!!!

        • Lorna
          Author
          November 30, 2016 / 1:14 am

          You’re welcome! Let me know!

  44. Miguel Estrada
    December 2, 2016 / 3:01 am

    Hi. My name is Miguel and I need some advice. I want to become a denim designer and don’t know what career to chose. Thanks

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 9, 2016 / 1:48 pm

      I would suggest getting in touch with denim companies like AG or Citizens of Humanity, they might be able to give some advice. Good luck!

  45. Kelly
    December 5, 2016 / 3:09 am

    I have a pair that I like and would like to order another but the style tag is no longer there. Is there information on the other tags that could help me identify it?

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 9, 2016 / 1:50 pm

      Hi, sorry, what other tags do you have on the jeans? What brand are they?

  46. Miss Melanie Sutton
    December 7, 2016 / 2:21 am

    Hello
    I recently bought a pair of J Brand indigo skinny jeans (70% cotton, 28% polyester, 2% spandex). I tend not to wash any of my jeans very often to make them last longer. I noticed after wearing these jeans that they developed a bumpy appearance all over. I threw them into a cold rinse (inside out) to get them back into shape, but in a hurry, stupidly hung them on a very hot radiator and now they seem to be completely ruined! They’re rock hard, very bumpy and totally stretched. Heat has obviously changed them, but are they salvageable at all?
    Many thanks
    Mel

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 9, 2016 / 1:54 pm

      Hi Mel! Oh no! The bumpy appearance would be from the polyester and cotton piling, which could have happened in the machine if they were rubbed around a lot. You see this kind of piling on knitwear, but it’s usually the polyester I believe. The crispy, stiff feeling they have will go away with wear, but it’s going to take some time to get them worn in again and moulded to your body to eliminate the stiffness from the heat. If they are stretched out and saggy though, I don’t think anything can fix that as once a jean is damaged from heat, the stretch can’t be fixed. You could get in touch with J Brand to see what advice they offer? Good luck!

      • Miss Melanie Sutton
        December 9, 2016 / 9:08 pm

        Hi, thanks for your reply. Actually, by ‘bumpy’, I meant large bulges in the shape all over, rather than the pilling you get on wool etc. I’m a cashmere junkie, so I can handle pilling!
        I think I’ll have to accept the stretching and perhaps wear them as a slouchy jean! But thanks anyway.

        • Lorna
          Author
          December 9, 2016 / 9:42 pm

          Oh sorry! I don’t know what you mean by large bulges, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before. Maybe send some photos to the brand and see if they can identify the problem? Sorry this happened to you!

  47. jen d
    December 8, 2016 / 5:06 pm

    PLEASE HELP:
    about a year ago i purchased a pair pf Paige Ultra Skinny Verdugo. i had no choice but to wash them as my year old peed all over them. i turned them inside out and washing on the delicate cycle and hung to dry. For some reason there is an 1 inch spot that shrunk and the fabric around it looks very loose. Both in the crotch and knees.Why did this happen? Can i fix it? I am so upset as i did pay full price for them. I can only wear them about half a day before they stretch out and it becomes noticeable. i do have pictures and i am not sure what to call it and i can’t find any info on the web to help we out. Thank you!!!

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 9, 2016 / 1:55 pm

      Hi Jen, oh wow that doesn’t sound good at all! Did you wash them on hot or cold?

      • Jen d
        December 9, 2016 / 10:06 pm

        Cold on delicate and hung them to dry

        • Lorna
          Author
          December 9, 2016 / 11:31 pm

          That’s so strange, I have no idea what happened there then. I would get in touch with the brand and see if they know?

          • Jen d
            December 10, 2016 / 3:52 pm

            THanks for the insite. I will contact the brand. I’ll let u know what they say incase anyone else runs into this problem.

            • Lorna
              Author
              December 10, 2016 / 11:07 pm

              Thanks! And good luck!

  48. Staci
    December 15, 2016 / 8:02 pm

    Why are jeans so darn SOFT these days? I miss REAL DENIM! I like the new styles of the jeans but I don’t want a pajama jean. Any brands making heavier not so soft jeans with a rise that is no less than 8″?

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 15, 2016 / 8:39 pm

      You could try some of the older Diesel or MET Jeans. GRLFRND do 100% cotton and Citizens do some with 100% cotton as well, and of course there’s rigid Levi’s. There’s some around 🙂 90% of people love the comfort of the super stretch jeans and how easy they are to move in, or wear all day without restriction, so it’s catering to demands 🙂

  49. Katie Waldner
    January 7, 2017 / 4:24 am

    Hi!

    I’ve been searching for the perfect jean for months…big booty and tiny waist (hips are 38.5″ and waist is 28.5″) make it challenging. Discovered that the higher wasted the better, or I’m stuck with a 2″ gap at the waist. I want something I can move in and that I just want to wear and not wait to peel off of me at the end of the day. For a long time I only wore these jeans http://store.americanapparel.net/en/easy-jean_rsams3334?c=Dark%20Wash%20Indigo because they were the only ones that fit ok, but the pockets are at a weird spot and my husband hated the color that they faded into. I tried the brand Yoga Jeans but only wore my pair half an hour before I returned them. Often jeans make my lower back or legs ache and I’ve almost given up on finding something that fits, looks good and feels comfortable. Please help!

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 10, 2017 / 4:52 pm

      Hi Katie,
      When you say they make you ache, what do you mean by that? Is the denim too constricting? I have some ideas on jeans that might be good for you, but are you ok with super stretch denim? They cling and don’t cause constriction.

      • Katie
        January 11, 2017 / 4:09 pm

        Yes! I would love any and all ideas you have on super stretch jeans.
        About the ache, I think it’s caused by constriction. I love yoga pants and leggings as I can move freely without constriction but I don’t like to wear them out and about because they aren’t the mark of a well dressed person. ???? I like the look of skinny jeans vs. others but by the time I get my hips into them and they still fit around my waist…I’m pretty constricted.

  50. sweets
    January 11, 2017 / 7:39 am

    Hi! I was curious if you had any advice for this situation. I am new to this information.

    I wear a waist 26 but have long and slender legs. I find comfort with the length of 34. In most retail stores however, their default happens to be 30 or 32, so I am trying online. I recently tried ASOS because of their sizing and fit which are perfect for me but I am disappointed with most of their material. http://m.asos.com/asos/asos-sculpt-me-premium-jeans-in-sycamore-mid-wash-blue/prd/6445381?iid=6445381 An example, but many were too itchy and did not have a denim look in person at all. I would rather have more cotton in the material.

    Are there any types of denim jeans that are made well, have a skinny fit through the leg, and tend to be made at 32-34 L? Big plus if they are high waisted. I’m looking for the ‘mom jean’ and ‘sculpted’ fits. Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 11, 2017 / 1:00 pm

      Hi, they might be slightly longer, but have you looked at the FRAME x Karlie Kloss collaboration? Their inseams run up to a 36 inches, but you could hem them or just keep them stacked? No brands really do longer skinny jeans anymore as the cropped look is what’s fashionable. Do you not like the cropped ankle look at all? Here’s a look at Karlie’s collection:

      https://www.shopbop.com/actions/viewSearchResultsAction.action?query=frame+karlie&searchSuggestion=false

      • sweets
        January 11, 2017 / 10:08 pm

        I haven’t considered that perspective! I was used to the whole “high water” term. Bell bottoms in middle school took care of that situation. And my ankle is about three inches around, so I am barely treading the ‘now trends’ again after low rise skinny jeans began trending.

        I did prefer to cover the ankle, guess more personal preference.

        I will check out that brand! I appreciate your help and your information! Thank you.

        • Lorna
          Author
          January 20, 2017 / 12:46 pm

          No problem!

  51. Christine
    February 8, 2017 / 10:32 pm

    Hi, I’m am wanting to sew my own “designer” type jeans for my son’s as I just can’t find what I’m looking for (thinking like a mini Rock Revival/True Religion’ish type) and I’m wondering if you know how they get that really nice white stitching on it. I’m trying to google it and came across your site so thought it couldn’t hurt to ask. And if you have any tips on the whiskering/fading aspect of the jeans also I’d love to hear it. Thanks!!

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 15, 2017 / 12:34 am

      Hi, there’s so much that goes into making designer/premium denim. It requires a premium denim fabric etc. as well, but the stitching you’re referring to I believe is called rope stitching and is very common on True Religion or Rock Revival. You need a special sewing machine to create that effect. Thanks!

  52. Kayleigh
    February 24, 2017 / 2:03 am

    How do I was white jeans?

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 10, 2017 / 12:49 am

      On their own on a cooler wash, inside out in the machine should be fine. Just don’t wash them with anything but white garments so no staining or dying happens.

  53. Tejaswini
    April 24, 2017 / 6:36 am

    I have bought mid rinse washes denim jeans new brand of UCB of cose Rs 3000 … So its havinf bubbles inner side….Is that defected or what…Please tell ne…

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 24, 2017 / 11:57 am

      Sorry, I’m not familiar with the brand and I’m not sure what you mean by bubbles? Thanks.

  54. Jasmine
    May 16, 2017 / 6:31 am

    How do I find the brand of jeans if it’s not located on the tag? I have a pair of old light blue stretch jeans (my fav) and they have started to wear out in places. I wanted to find another pair or similar pair but the brand is no wear on them.

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 16, 2017 / 12:29 pm

      Hi, do they have any specific writing or stitching on the rivets, button, or back pockets?

      • Jasmine
        May 16, 2017 / 5:14 pm

        How do I find the brand of jeans if it’s not located on the tag? I have a pair of old light blue stretch jeans (my fav) and they have started to wear out in places. I wanted to find another pair or similar pair but the brand is no wear on them.

        Theres a dark blue stitching on the back pockets that kinda looks like a 3 laying down or a wave with a single line over it. Other than that the only thing on them is a tag that has #s 0-9 repeatedly on it and the button thing that says 1992*nine*dmbmjeans*usaete When I looked up dmbm jeans i couldn’t find it anywhere

          • Lorna
            Author
            May 16, 2017 / 8:04 pm

            Thank you! The brand is NINE DMBM Jeans but they aren’t being made anymore unfortunately.

  55. Kim Conover
    June 10, 2017 / 7:15 pm

    I’d like to know why women can’t buy a pair of real cotton denim jeans in a solid indigo color in classic or regular fit styles in lower price points like men are able to? I want my jeans to fade the old fashioned way- from wearing and washing. I want my denim to breathe! It doesn’t do that when it’s made with polyester. Should it even be called denim if it’s made with polyester?
    There are many women that work in jobs that were traditionally filled by men. Wearing skin-plastered fabric that tears and almost runs like pantyhose on the job is not safe- nor is skin tight thin fabric the look or message I want to send while on the job. In warm months I am so overheated by the polyester practically painted on my skin, it takes everything I have to not fall over with heat stroke. Now throw some peri- menopauseal hot flashes into the mix and you have a fierce, homicidal woman on your hands- holding a power tool. Not good! My husband buys 5 pair of jeans at a time for work and gets back change from a $100 bill. No one wants to spend a ton of money for work clothes- no one! Flares are out of the question- too much fabric to catch on equipment. Skinny jeans? Please! They won’t stay down over my workboots.
    I am not a solo voice on this subject. My women friends and I rant and rave about this all the time. I’ve read thousands of comments on websites and blogs and denim reviews. I am not alone. Why, oh, why, does it have to be this way?

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 10, 2017 / 9:27 pm

      I think it’s mostly to do with what sells in fashion, so what’s on trend rather than what’s practical? I did do a couple of posts on some. Dickies has some, but I’m not sure if they’re 100% cotton. I know the new brand ONE DENIM has raw selvedge denim, it’s made mostly for guys, but they might fit as unisex jeans, but I know they were doing a lot more rigid and thicker denim styles. Sling & Stones used to make great raw indigo, rigid denim, but I think they went bust. What about G-Star Raw? Or do Levi’s do any selvedge pairs anymore? I know they’re harder to find as the majority of people don’t wear them anymore as they’re not as comfortable as the stretchy jeans, but when it’s for working purposes, I understand your frustration. I would say check out the men’s though, that might just work. I’ve got some raw Nudie Jeans and they’re a unisex cut. Here’s a link to the men’s https://onedenim.com/product-category/men/raw-selvedge-denim1/ but I could have a word with Firas who owns the brand to see if he will be doing any like this for women. What kind of denim weight are you looking for?

      • Lorna
        Author
        June 11, 2017 / 4:32 pm

        I checked with ONE DENIM and they are releasing 100% cotton, indigo Japanese Selvedge jeans for women around August time!

  56. Liz
    June 18, 2017 / 7:01 am

    Hi Lorna! Love your site! My problem is I have a thick waist, small rear, and skinny legs. Don’t know if I should get high rise or not. I have problems with muffin tops! Could you recommend what brand(s) and styles may work best for me? Thank you.

  57. Mim
    June 25, 2017 / 5:08 pm

    Hi Lorna!
    I’ve stumbled across a pair of Damien Hirst x Levi limited edition jeans (spring 2008 collection I believe) and have been having a hard time judging their value – not much info online. Levi’s weren’t able to help me after I contacted them, they suggested trying a denim blog…so here I am! 🙂
    The label says Lot No. 2201, 190/413 & they are a women’s skinny fit featuring Hirst’s spin-style patterned denim.
    If you have any info/suggestions I would be so grateful.
    Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 25, 2017 / 11:43 pm

      Hi Mim! That’s a really good question, it’s not something I have any area of expertise on though unfortunately. I think something like that would require a Levi’s expert. You could possibly try looking into people who date vintage Levi’s and know a lot about the brand? They might be able to help more 🙂 Are they like these ones? https://hypebeast.com/2009/3/damien-hirst-x-levis-the-spin-jeans

  58. Mary
    July 1, 2017 / 6:12 pm

    Do you remember when they Removed the waistband from jeans because it was too tight? How do I finish them?

    • Lorna
      Author
      July 2, 2017 / 10:53 am

      Hi Mary,

      Sorry, I’m not familiar with this. I’ve only known jeans with a waistband, unless it was the frayed waistband of the 90’s for the trend, they literally cut it off and it frayed. Taking the waistband off of jeans entirely would mean you probably wouldn’t be able to button them up though and the zipper would fall down a lot and not stay up. If it’s a button fly, you will have better luck with them staying up, but you can’t really finish it, so it would probably fray.

      Good luck!

  59. Nick
    July 10, 2017 / 6:04 pm

    Hi,

    I have the opposite problem to a lot of men buying jeans. I like slim fit jeans, but my waist/hips fit 34″ waist jeans, but they are always too baggy on the thigh. If I size down jeans are too tight around the calves. Do you know of any mens jeans that fit slim to the thighs but no too tight on the calves, without being bootcut? I’m looking for the type of cut on the long haired guy in the pic- http://kroq.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2016/08/30/band-of-horses-in-the-red-bull-sound-space/

    • Lorna
      Author
      July 10, 2017 / 8:57 pm

      Hi Nick,

      Did you mean the taller long haired guy, in the mid blue pair? They look like a slim straight fit to me. What sort of price range are you looking at?

      • Nick
        July 11, 2017 / 12:56 am

        Hi, yes, the taller one. Slim/straight sounds like what I need. I’m happy to spend £150 (I’m in uk, I think that around $200). Thanks for your help

        • Lorna
          Author
          July 11, 2017 / 11:04 pm

          I am in the UK too, so I will have a look on ASOS and see what I can find. What leg length?

  60. Elsa
    August 30, 2017 / 1:16 am

    Hi! I have two pairs of denim shorts that are the same fabric blend (98% cotton, 2% elastane) and they have different drying instructions. Both say to wash in cold water, but one says to tumble dry low while the other says hang to dry or dry clean. Any idea why this would be?

    • Lorna
      Author
      August 30, 2017 / 1:55 am

      Hi Elsa! Does the one pair that says hang dry have any different details on it? Any extra stitching, design, pocket appliques etc? Are they from the same brand?

      • Elsa
        August 30, 2017 / 9:01 pm

        One pair is Joe’s white cutoffs, the other is Roxy floral print. The color is the only difference – no appliqués or embroidery! I ask because the Roxys have done well in the dryer (low heat for about 20 minutes, then hang to finish drying), and I’d like to do the same with the Joe’s…but that “hang to dry or dry clean” label is scaring me 🙂

        • Lorna
          Author
          August 30, 2017 / 10:30 pm

          I’d like to say it would be fine, and it’s just a difference in the way the brands wish to put the care on the labels, as if you tumble dry it can sometimes stiffen the fabric, or if you tumble dry with heat, it can ruin the elasticity. I would think it should be fine on a cool heat though, but they might have said it due to the white dye 🙂 I’ve pretty much put all of mine in the tumble dryer before, on low, and they’ve been ok, but I wouldn’t want to say to you to go ahead and do that just in case I am wrong as I haven’t seen the shorts in person. If you think there’s not much difference between them and you feel like it will be ok, go with your instinct on this one!

  61. Mitch
    September 10, 2017 / 4:10 pm

    Hello Lorna,
    In July I bought a pair of Levi’s 511 stretch jeans in Europe. The material seems thin for denim but durable and there is clearly some sort of elastic in the material. Made in Turkey, the result is a great, comfortable fit and yielding where needed.

    In August I bought a second pair online from Levi’s USA directly and cannot believe the difference between the two, again allegedly, same model: 511 and size 34 x 34. This thicker pair doesn’t have the slightest amount of elastic give, just hard denim with no stretch, although it says they are. Most important: they do no fit. This pair was made in South Africa.

    Any suggestions as to how I can save this (non-) stretch pair? I really do not want to go through the hassle of sending them back to the States. Thanks in advance!

    • Lorna
      Author
      September 10, 2017 / 5:39 pm

      Hi Mitch,

      Yeah, it’s crazy how different the denim blends run and the washes. Do you have a link to the ones you purchased that are not stretchy? And do you know the fabric content on the label of your original stretchy pair? It sounds like they’re a completely different fabric blend.

      When you say save them, do you mean make them fit or make them more stretchy? How tight are they?

      • Mitch
        September 16, 2017 / 11:40 am

        Hi again Lorna,

        Yes, here’s the item itself:
        511™ Slim Fit Stretch Jeans
        045112146
        Clif

        and the link:
        http://www.levi.com/US/en_US/levi/p/045112146

        RE: the fabric content, the pair from Europe (made in Turkey) are 96% cotton and 4% elastic.
        The pair from levi.com US (made in South Africa) is 99% cotton and 1% elastic. W.T.H?!?
        Hard to believe there’s only a 3% difference but it’s enough to make one pair fit and the other not.

        Why would there be the such a difference for items named exactly the same?

        RE: saving them, I’d appreciate any suggestions you have that would let me not only keep but wear the US 511’s because as of right now they do not fit. (Multiple) hot water wash(es)? Cold water? I’d prefer trying to save them first because sending them back is a pain (I won’t be back in the States until October 2018, as in 13 months). Any recommendations?

        • Lorna
          Author
          September 16, 2017 / 7:48 pm

          Hi Mitch!

          Often the 3% makes a huge, huge difference! I’ve had pairs with 1% and they’re really stiff and tight, usually coming with a thicker fabric/denim to them too, which makes them fit smaller. The pair with 4% stretch will probably be a thinner denim, and of course that extra stretch makes them fit. It also varies with the colours, some of the darker ones fit tighter as they are washed less, while the lighter colours fit bigger because they’re treated more.

          If you do want to make these work, definitely no hot water. Hot water shrinks denim, so don’t do that. I would recommend making them damp all over with room temperature (or cool if you can handle it) water and then wearing them for a while, doing some light stretching and squats in them etc. This should stretch out the denim about half a size, sometimes a full size (usually if they’re rigid though) but the half a size might make them fit comfortably on you. Depends if you can move about and get them buttoned!

  62. Jen
    November 21, 2017 / 3:35 am

    My figure is right between hourglass and pear and I have very toned thighs and a well defined rear end. This along with a small waist makes jeans impossible to find. All of the current stretch material that’s trending is extremely unflattering. It bunches it places it shouldn’t and slouches horribly because I can never get the jeans up all the way. Instead, the crotch of the pants stops at my thighs/hips and the top of the pants stretches up to my waist, immediately reverting back to its original shape as soon as I let go. It looks like I have on sagging jeans, because I do. And it’s not a size issue, if I go any bigger they’re too big. It’s this stupid stretch material trend. I know bootcut looks great on me in terms of style, but material– it’s impossible to find 100% cotton denim made for all body types, not just the ones on TV.

  63. malin
    November 23, 2017 / 3:49 am

    Hi I have a pair of rigid 100% cotton jeans by frame. they fit great everywhere except the back knee area. when I try to sit down it hurts because its so tight. do you know how I might stretch this area out without hurting myself

  64. Anna
    November 27, 2017 / 9:48 am

    Hi Lorna, I’m looking at ordering online some Paige jeans, either the Jaqueline Straight or Collette crop flare. (Vintage blue)
    In general would you say Paige runs small or large? I’m 30 in Madewell but 29 in Neuw. These are on sale, so have a no exchange policy.

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 27, 2017 / 12:40 pm

      Hi Anna, it varies greatly with the fabric blend. I’ve never personally tried Madewell, but I find PAIGE fits very similar to AG, Citizens of Humanity etc. It’s quite true to size. If it’s a transcend fabric blend, they are super stretchy and comfortable so you can go down to your smaller size, but if it’s their normal denim, it varies. But I would say they’re true to size compared to most brands. Hope that helps! Which one is it out of these? I couldn’t find it http://rstyle.me/n/cu4ip6mype

  65. Richard Rodriguez
    December 21, 2017 / 10:16 am

    Does anyone know anything about Levi Black Sharps 568 jeans?I think they are rare but I can’t find much on them on the internet?

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 22, 2017 / 11:21 pm

      Unfortunately I don’t, but someone might!

  66. Emily
    December 27, 2017 / 5:21 am

    Hi Lorna, My boyfriend bought me a pair of jeans and I have a problem with them because the rise sits very low on me. The rise is 6.25 inches, which I’m not used to. But I know that this rise is unforgiving because I have seen women wearing low rise jeans while having wardrobe malfunctions. What tricks should I use when wearing these jeans? Should I always wear low rise underwear?

    • Lorna
      Author
      December 27, 2017 / 2:58 pm

      Hi Emily, gosh that is low! I’ve not worn a rise that low since I was young. Low rise underwear is tricky because it wont show through, but with the jeans being that low, your butt will show instead. I used to get that issue if I sat down or even bent over slightly. I usually opted to wear long tops, so as long as you wear a long top that covers down to the crotch area, it should not show anything! Hope that helps!

  67. Tina
    January 9, 2018 / 7:08 am

    Hi Lorna, I have the same issue with several pairs of stretch skinny jeans from J Brand, James Jeans, and Citizens of Humanity, They all get the appearance of horizontal stretch marks across the front starting underneath the fly down to the top of the legs. Should I be buying a thicker denim with less elastic? If so, can you recommend any that are high waisted skinnies? Thanks in advance.

    • Lorna
      Author
      January 10, 2018 / 4:25 pm

      Hi Tina, that’s the elastic in the denim, stretchy material stretches over and wrinkles, it’s completely normal. Everyone that wears super stretchy jeans has that, including myself. If you don’t like the appearance, you would need thicker denim and a less stretch combination, almost rigid. Keep in mind those types of jeans are not comfortable though and can cause annoyance when you wear them. They’re a far distance from the comfy stretch skinny jeans. You might want to look at some of the rigid GRLFRND jeans though from Revolve https://rstyle.me/n/cwi9ggmype Just check the material content in the description for the 100% cotton.

  68. Samantha
    February 19, 2018 / 12:20 am

    I currently have three pairs of Paige hoxton transcend jeans and love them, they all are made of (11.25oz TRANSCEND VINTAGE Fabric and 66% Cotton, 22% Polyester, 9% Rayon, 3% Spandex) , im looking at another pair of their jeans that are also hoxton transcend but their material is (9oz TRANSCEND VINTAGE Fabric and 94% Cotton, 5% Polyester, 1% Elastane) my question is should I order my normal size or should I size up do to the higher cotton % ?

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 19, 2018 / 12:15 pm

      Hi, since the fabric is 1.5oz thinner, that usually means it will be as stretchy so they need to change the composition. They sound like one of their summer jeans with a lighter weight denim. They ‘should’ be ok in the same size. My thinner jeans are often more stretchy even if they contain more cotton. Can you order 2 sizes to see?

      • Samantha
        February 24, 2018 / 2:58 am

        Thank you for your reply! I actually ordered up a size and they fit pretty snug, I can say that I like the ones that have lower cotton since they move better with my body. Could you recommend another brand or jeans similar to the Paige hoxton transcend jeans I could try?

  69. Samantha
    February 25, 2018 / 1:48 am

    I’m actually thrilled you recommended these, ive been looking at them for weeks but have been on the fence! Would you say the sizing is pretty accurate to Paige? My paige’s Are a 30” Innsean and hit right above my ankle but I don’t mean mind.

    • Lorna
      Author
      February 25, 2018 / 12:52 pm

      These I found to run a bit tighter, so I’m usually a 27 in PAIGE and these I took in a 28. They’re pretty sculpted and tight fitting all over, like a second skin and they don’t stretch out or get baggy, so depends how you like them to fit! Are 2 sizes an option and return one?

  70. February 28, 2018 / 11:12 pm

    I’m a large not overweight man(6’3″ tall and a solid 245lbs) my jeans are size 38(waist) x 32(inseam) I wear relaxed jeans usually Levi’s or Lee’s. Although I like Lee’s better, no matter what, my jeans keep splitting vertically from the waist to the bottom am I buying cheap jeans made of inferior materials or is it that products aren’t as good as they used to be? Help!!!

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 1, 2018 / 2:58 am

      Hi! I’ve not heard of this before, do you mean on the back? They’re splitting on the seam down the middle of the butt? Are the jeans really tight in this area? Do they have stretch in them?

  71. Vicky
    March 1, 2018 / 5:02 am

    saw a woman wearing a pair of low rise boot cut jeans, they had a very small metal tag on the back that looked like wings…i have searched high and low and cannot find these anywhere….does anyone know anything ???

  72. Erin
    March 5, 2018 / 10:40 pm

    I am looking for jeans that fit me. So far it seems impossible. Where I wear my jeans I measure 31 inches. Looking at charts, it says I should be wearing

  73. Erin
    March 5, 2018 / 10:46 pm

    I am looking for jeans that fit me. So far it seems impossible. Where I wear my jeans I measure 31 inches. I am a female that likes to where men’s jeans. They are more comfortable. Right now I am wearing size 16 boys jeans. They could be a little looser around the waist, butt and thighs but they fit better than all other that I have tried. Any suggestions on what I can try?

  74. DocG
    May 9, 2018 / 3:43 pm

    Just thought I’d leave this here as a quick note for men buying Diesel jeans in 2018.

    I noticed Lorna mentioned somewhere above that they tend to run on the larger side – well damn right they do! – especially in 2018. Vanity sizing really is a thing for men too – and it drives me mad, especially buying online.

    Okay, so I’m quite a slim guy, always have been, and somehow I’ve luckily managed to evade the standard beer belly of many of my peers – mostly late 30’s.

    Back around 5-6 years ago I had a perfect fit with Zatiny bootcut W29 L30 – move forward about 2-3 years and despite me having increased my actual waist size by about an inch, I had to size down to a W28. Move forward to today in 2018 and not having gained or lost any significant weight or changed waist size in the last couple of years and I’ve not gone even further down to a W27 !!

    So, it would appear Diesel have been adding something like half an inch to the waist of their jeans every year.

    Vanity sizing really is a major nightmare – I’ve heard all the dumb reasoning behind it, to make people feel good that they “can still fit into a size 28” or whatever, but jesus.. it drives me mad, especially buying online.

    My question is this:

    Is that the real reason for so-called vanity sizing, or is it just that the manufacturers have analysed the stats and found that they can actually profit more due to the fact some people (I suspect quite a few rich ones) simply can’t be arsed or forget to return badly fitting sizes and just buy another pair instead???

    • DocG
      May 9, 2018 / 3:45 pm

      oops… typo above.. should have said: “Move forward to today in 2018 and not having gained or lost any significant weight or changed waist size in the last couple of years and I’ve gone even further down to a W27”

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 10, 2018 / 1:23 am

      That’s a good question! It genuinely is crazy how much the sizing changes. I always found Diesel to run small for women, but really big for men, which is odd as women often want to be smaller and men often want to be bigger, figure that one out lol!

      Going from a 29 to a 27 though is just madness, it reminds me of women’s jeans from a few years ago. There was a point when I was fitting size 25’s and I was pretty much a 27 usually. I think it is down to a mixture of different materials being extra stretchy and making the original templates for the jeans a bit redundant as even though the fabric is cut to size, they fit bigger bigger in general because of the material. I’ve noticed a large inconsistency between the stretch and non stretch jeans.

      But also because vanity sizing is a thing, nobody wants to be told they’re a bigger size than they are, so they have to go down in sizes all the time as years go on. I remember when people would say Marilyn Monroe was a UK 16, well by today’s standards I imagine she would be a 12. Also vintage Levi’s, my waist size in old Levi’s from the 80’s/90’s is a 32, but in current times it’s a 27/28! Who knows what size I will be in 10 years, a 0? Ha ha.

      • Lara Selden
        October 25, 2021 / 6:13 am

        Marilyn Monroe had a 22” waist for much of her career. She would definitely NOT be a modern size 12! The photos of her looking bigger were when she was 6 months pregnant ? she was tiny! Sadly her size no longer exists – I also have a 22” waist and thanks to vanity sizing it is a nightmare

      • Lara Selden
        October 25, 2021 / 6:14 am

        Marilyn Monroe had a 22” waist for much of her career. She would definitely NOT be a modern size 12! It is a total myth. The photos of her looking bigger were when she was 6 months pregnant!! ? she was bloody tiny! Sadly her size no longer exists – I also have a 22” waist and thanks to vanity sizing it is a nightmare shopping for clothes.

  75. karina
    May 21, 2018 / 3:23 am

    Hi I’m a girl with thick thighs which usually means I get thigh holes. I generally look for heavier denim and go based off feel. However, I saw some jeans on Fashion Nova that are 95% denim, which was a good sign to me, but I’m just not sure of how thick they are. Do you have any tips for ordering jeans online or finding out how thick they are?

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 29, 2018 / 3:13 pm

      Hi, I’m not sure what 95% denim means exactly, as denim isn’t an actual singular fabric. Usually it’s best to look for 100% cotton or see if the denim has any wrinkles on the models legs, if it does, the denim will be thin and stretchy. I don’t know much about Fashion Nova but I believe their jeans are quite thin.

  76. Gina
    May 27, 2018 / 10:21 pm

    Hi there,
    Could someone please tell me the year, cut , style , and basically all I need to get these exact jeans?
    I can’t figure out how to post a pic/pics on here. But basically the Levi’s jeans Madonna wore in the
    “ Borderline “ video as well as the couple of Levi’s she wore bt 1988-1992. It’s a simple online search. I can’t post it here though! So sorry! Aside- i believe these (Madonna’s) were the original “boyfriend” jeans. 🙂

  77. Chris
    November 17, 2018 / 2:46 am

    I have had several pairs of jeans with stretch in them bunch up/pucker up just below the zipper leaving me with what looks like stretched out cat whiskers running from my fly across my thighs.
    I can only assume that these jeans got too hot in the dryer and it caused this puckering, but why is it always happening in the same spot? I have ruined two pairs of Paige jeans now and I can’t figure out what is causing this. Help!

    • Lorna
      Author
      November 18, 2018 / 1:55 pm

      Do you have a photo of what you mean?

  78. Luis Velazquez
    March 5, 2019 / 4:23 am

    Hi, i got a pair of Levis that have the numbers 26505-0214 instead of just having 505 and the waist is W24 and L 33 on the patch. Also the patch says made in the USA. Can somebody tell me what those numbers mean and also are these men or women jeans because the waist seems kind of small for a man. Also the only tag inside is the wash tag. When were these made?

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 7, 2019 / 2:44 am

      Hi, I have no idea when they were made, but waist size 24 will be women’s. Men’s are never made smaller than a size 28 if you can find them. Thanks!

    • Lara Selden
      October 25, 2021 / 6:15 am

      Did you ever find out? I’ve got a pair too and I adore them!

  79. Aaron Turner
    March 30, 2019 / 4:29 pm

    I bought a pair of Levi’s Premium 511 jeans. The factory sewed the leather label between the belt loops upside down and didn’t mark them as “irregular”. Does this make them worth more as an anomaly, or are they work less.

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 31, 2019 / 3:07 pm

      Hi Aaron, where did you buy them from?

  80. Anne
    March 31, 2019 / 9:12 am

    Hi there! I found a pair of boyfriend jeans that fit me perfectly in size 8 but I noticed they are 99% cotton and 1% spandex so I am worried about them shrinking. I’m wondering if I should go up to a size 10 to allow for shrinkage, then they will fit more like the 8 after putting them in the dryer.

    I really like the 8 but don’t want them to shrink.
    Would you go a size up and throw them in the dryer, or would you go with a size 8 and hang dry them?
    I’m not excited about air drying my jeans because they get crinkly and stiff from what I remember so that’s another reason I thought I should go a size up so I can always put them in the dryer.

    This is very confusing to me and hard to figure out any tips are appreciated! Thanks so much for your help!

    • Lorna
      Author
      March 31, 2019 / 3:10 pm

      Hi Anne,
      As a rule, you should never wash denim with heat or put them in the dryer in heat, it damages the elasticity of the denim. So I would stick with your smaller size, the shrinkage you experience from the dryer is what damages the stretch and they become saggy after that. I know they can feel stiff from air drying, but that goes away once you wear them for a bit. The best rule would be not to wash them much at all, as long as you’re clean when you’re wearing your jeans, they don’t need washing for a while.
      Hope that helps!

  81. Ricardo
    April 30, 2019 / 8:30 pm

    Is there any impact on the quality of jeans in the use of different technical standards (ISO, ASTM)?
    For example, in determination of width and length, can be used ISO 22198 or ASTM D3774. What is the difference that each standard generates in the final product, if any?

    • Lorna
      Author
      May 1, 2019 / 4:32 pm

      I don’t make or product jeans, so I can’t answer any technical questions on the making of denim. Sorry!

  82. Allison Preiss
    May 22, 2019 / 1:55 pm

    I usually hitch my pant legs up several inches before sitting down. This adds more fabric at the thigh area and it lifts the knee area of the pant legs up so when I sit, it doesn’t stretch the knees out as the fabric moves over my knees. It is also way more comfortable to sit down.

  83. Joye
    June 4, 2019 / 7:23 pm

    Hi: I had some DKNY soho regular jeans that I loved, but are wearing out. I can no longer find them. I ordered a couple pair on poshmark, but I couldn’t even get them on and also the material was a lot heavier, so not sure why they were so different. I am wondering if there’s anyplace that repairs jeans? Also, I have a pair of Joes Jeans Easy Crop Lucia that I can no longer find. I love the material, not clingy or stretchy. it’s 98% cotton, 2% elastin. Do you know of a jean similar to those? Thank you.

    • Joye
      September 15, 2019 / 9:58 pm

      How do I get a reply? I asked a question in June. I have some old DKNY straight leg SOHO jeans that I can no longer find. The material is thin, and doesn’t cling. I also have a pair of Joes Jeans Lucia Boyfriend that are nice and thin and don’t cling 98% cotton 2% elastin, and they no longer make those. Can you recommend a jean that is light weight that drapes and doesn’t cling? I prefer a mid to higher rise.

      • Lorna
        Author
        September 17, 2019 / 1:31 am

        Unfortunately not, there are thousands of jeans out there all with different material blends and fits and based on the description of your jeans, I don’t know enough about them to be able to recommend anything else. Sorry!

  84. Jennifer Ubeda
    November 21, 2019 / 6:51 am

    I used to have a pair of jeans and they were my favvvvvorite, but I can’t remember who made them! I only have a picture of the back pocket, can you or anyone else help me figure this out?!

  85. Marian
    January 7, 2020 / 5:22 am

    I got a pair of jeans :Takeshy Kurosawa gold limited series . I cant find the price I need help I can share pictures with them .

  86. Daisy
    April 14, 2020 / 6:36 pm

    I know exactly what I want from jeans (skinny, mi- or high-waisted, jet black and STAYS jet black – these are all musts – and a belly-flattening panel and other elements like rear-shaping/lifting etc. are always good) but I just don’t know where to find the perfect jeans! I’d be happy to pay hundreds for the right pair, but i definitely don’t want to pay hundreds for the WRONG pair (eg if they become saggy or fade after washing). How do I find these elusive perfect jeans, and how do I KNOW that I’ve found them?

  87. BB
    June 4, 2020 / 3:56 pm

    I need a pair of Mens Jeans with
    70% Cotton
    28% Polyester and
    2% Spandex
    Does anyone know of a brand that has this exact material.
    Thank You

  88. Xochithl Ortega
    August 23, 2020 / 4:11 am

    Not sure if this discussion is still open, but I need help with a pair of Levi’s Premium Mile High Skinny Jeans I got 2 years ago that have started to have this puckering or weird horizontal thread pulling in my thigh area. Not sure what to do and how to fix it and haven’t worn them to avoid them getting worse they are my favorite jeans!

  89. Aisha
    August 23, 2020 / 12:33 pm

    Hi, I’ve ruined a pair of my Rag & Bone capris by accident and so, I was looking at some pre-owned Rag and Bone capri’s online (for a replacement pair) and I noticed that even though they are all Heritage wash size 25 capris, they have different Cut numbers. Do you know what the Cut numbers mean?

    These 3 are all Heritage Capris size 25, but the Cut numbers are all different, so I’m wondering if the Cut numbers mean anything.

    https://poshmark.com/listing/rag-bone-JEAN-denim-heritage-capri-size-25-5dab97379ed36d9f45716f0d

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rag-Bone-JEAN-Capri-Skinny-Jeans-Heritage-Wash-Women-s-25-/254411525233

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rag-And-Bone-Capri-Womans-Jeans-Made-in-USA-W1526K520-/193586012319

    Thanks.

  90. December 4, 2020 / 11:08 am

    Nice blog. Thank you so much and I really appreciate a great mind like yours. I have a related site please visit at amaworldzone.com

  91. Brent
    January 18, 2021 / 7:13 pm

    I’m cross-eyed from reading the huge wealth of comments and your replies. So good of you to share your extensive jean knowledge.

    In the 1970s one could walk into a store and basically find two kinds of Levis jeans. A button fly (501?) and a slimmer version with a zip fly and medium wash. That’s it… not 5000 different kinds of Levis. I’m so freaking confused. Could you take a guess at what would be today’s equivalent Levi to that zipper fly Levis ubiquitous in the 70s? Thank you!

  92. Tim Little
    April 14, 2021 / 8:51 am

    Hello Lorna, I have a couple questions but first I would like to comment on a question by Alex which is what brought me to this sight. Alex asked about getting his loosening jeans to fit tighter again without shrinking them with heat And because they are jogg which is a different kind of denim nothing may work but I use the Levi shrink to fit method even with pre-wash and other brands and not only when they are new and it still works well for me. Next time you wash the jeans wear them wet until they dry. As far as my questions first I mostly wear Levi 501’s and I have tried many other brands of button fly jeans and none of them fit the same or are as comfortable except Lucky You. Do you know of any brands that may compair? And do you remember who made the female jeans in the 70’s that had the zipper from the bellybutton to the middle of the back that separated them into two pieces? If so do they still make them? Thank you, Tim

    • Lorna
      Author
      April 30, 2021 / 10:47 pm

      Thank you for the tips, Tim! Unfortunately I don’t know who made those jeans as I was born in the late 80’s, I’m not familiar with them!

  93. Charles
    August 26, 2021 / 4:32 am

    Hey Lorna, I have a question for you,

    Do you think skinny jeans will be going away soon? Because here in the U.S we already have people younger than me going for the baggy trend. I have seen posts saying that skinny jeans are dead and that they are considered to be old/outdated which is too bad because I like them even though I fit in the catagory as a generation Z individual.

    Thanks for producing this post on the differences between the types of jeans.

    • Lorna
      Author
      August 30, 2021 / 3:14 pm

      Hi Charles!
      I don’t think they will, Skinny has become a classic cut now that’s always offered from any brand, but other options are trending, like the looser fits, but they will be back on trend, I’m sure!

  94. Julie
    September 4, 2021 / 6:25 pm

    I’m having a tuff time finding jeans. One, ignorance. Two fitting room hatred… I am 5’8 and usually wear a 10/12 jean. But, I have no azz and no hips…My other issue is I have too much stomach. Help!!! Do I use a belt, yes, does it help, no…they still sag because I have nothing to hold them up, in the back but need the space for the front. I just want to know what I should be buying. High waist seems best but they usually just roll down

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