jeans

A Denim Expert Reveals Why You Only Need 3 Pairs of Jeans

Max Wong — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:00:06 +0000

I paid for part of my college education and for the down payment on my house with the money I made buying and selling jeans. In my lifetime, I have bought and sold, conservatively, 11,000 pairs of Levis.

When people discover my side business as a denim trader, the first question they always ask is, "How many pairs of jeans do you own?" They are always shocked by my answer.

I own three pairs of jeans.

A poll by ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, revealed that 25% of American women own 10 or more pairs of jeans. The average American woman owns seven pairs of jeans. However, most women only wear four pairs out of their jeans collection on a regular basis. So, even if I weren't an expert on vintage denim, I'd still be considered an outlier, a jeans minimalist.

If you are a coal miner, then yes, you possibly need more than three pairs of jeans, depending on your laundry schedule. But for most office workers, three pairs of jeans are all that is really needed to look tidy and well dressed.

The three pairs of jeans that I own are: the pair I bought this year, the pair I bought last year, and the pair I bought the year before last year. Here are my actual jeans. (Not a denim re-enactment!)

Let's learn a little more about each pair.

This Year's Jeans

The jeans I bought this year are my dressy jeans. I wear This Year's Jeans to business meetings in creative environments where the dress code is suitably casual. These are also the jeans I wear to dinner or to nighttime events, paired with a nice blouse and dress shoes. These jeans are not play clothes. Just like my suit, these jeans are part of my work wardrobe, so I do everything I can to preserve the pristine quality of these jeans for as long as possible.

After a year of office and dinner wear and tear, This Year's Jeans are usually too worn to wear to business meetings, even on Casual Fridays. At this point, This Year's Jeans become Last Year's Jeans.

Last Year's Jeans

Last Year's Jeans are my play clothes. They are the jeans I change into when I come home from work and change out of my dressy jeans. Last Year's Jeans are the pants I wear to school, to brunch with friends, and to run errands.

After another year of wearing, Last Year's Jeans become The Year Before Last Year's Jeans.

The Year Before Last Year's Jeans

The Year Before Last Year's Jeans are my grubby jeans. These are the jeans I wear while beekeeping, painting, or cleaning the house. While the fading, tool marks, and repairs on these jeans might make them more charming to fashionistas, I generally don't wear these jeans out of the house. Why? Because even if they are my gardening pants, I need these jeans to hold on for another full year of wear before they are sold to a denim collector on eBay or repurposed as a craft supply.

By rotating my jeans on this three-year schedule, I ensure that I always have a pair of jeans that are Like New looking for work, but at the same time have a rugged pair of pants that I can hike in. This jeans-buying schedule also means that I can reduce my wardrobe budget, as I only have to purchase one new pair of jeans per year. Additionally, I only have to have enough room in my closet for three pairs of jeans.

How to Buy a Pair of Jeans

Now, the reason that most women own so many pairs of rarely-worn jeans is that it's much harder to find flattering pants than to buy a flattering skirt. Holding out for perfect fitting jeans does not make you shallow. Even the most anti-fashion guy will spend hours looking for that pair of jeans that make him look thinner and taller. Once you find a pair of jeans that fit, stick with that style. No one will notice if you aren't wearing up-to-date jeans or luxury denim if your butt looks amazing. If you notice, all three pairs of my jeans are the exact same size and style. By keeping my jeans' style consistent, I save time and money, because I don't have to go on a denim safari every year. Instead, I can buy my jeans online when they go on sale.

Are you a wardrobe minimalist or maximalist? How many jeans do you own and how many pairs do you actually wear? What's your best wardrobe hack?

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This article is from Max Wong of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Buy Jeans on the Cheap

Mikey Rox — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:24:31 +0000

There was a time — mostly when I was in high school and college — that I would drop serious coin on new jeans (ironic, because I had no money in those days). The average cost of my jeans back then was about $70 a pair, but I’ve spent upwards of $120 on premium denim in the past. As I’ve gotten older, however, my affinity for the trendiest clothing has waned. Now I try to shop smarter, buying long-lasting, classic pieces that neither go out of style so quickly nor cost an arm and a leg. (See also: 10 Steps to Update Your Look on a Budget)

The jeans I buy now are more function than fashion (although the latter is still important to me). With that in mind, I have to scour every sale, clearance rack, and bargain bin to find jeans that suit my budget and my taste. Cheap jeans are out there, for sure — you just have to know where to look. Thus, here are eight places that I frequent when I’m on the hunt for new jeans.

1. Warehouse Sales

I’ve been to two warehouse sales — one at the legendarily expensive Barney’s New York, the other at Housing Works, which is essentially a high-end thrift shop.

Barney’s annual warehouse sale runs for about 10 days and begins with already steep discounts on designer clothes, but if you wait until the tail end of the sale (this goes for any warehouse sale, by the way) you can score normally expensive duds for up to 90% off. The pickings will be slim at that point, but there’s still a little something left for everyone who doesn’t mind digging through a chaotic mess of clothing. Personally I enjoy it, and my passion and dedication awarded me a pair of $400 jeans for $40.

The Housing Works sale wasn’t focused on designer clothing — although there are lots of great items in the mix — but rather a hodgepodge of second-hand items. This sale provides customers with big brown paper bags that they can fill to the brim for $25. I got mine for $10 with a Groupon, however, making my takeaway even better. I found an amazing pair of jeans at that sale that I looked up online afterward that originally retailed for $150. Not bad for an hour’s worth of work. If you’ve ever been to a warehouse sale, you know what I’m talking about.

2. Discount E-Tailers

As someone who likes shopping but also saving money, I’m always looking for new ways to save. I frequent discount e-tailers like JackThreads and Gilt Man because of their diverse selection of items, but I’ve recently discovered 20Jeans, another discount site (primarily for men, mind you) that sells designer jeans (and shorts, too) for $20. I recently copped a pair of dark denim that I fell in love with upon first wear. An amazing fit at the right price is the recipe for making me a return customer.

3. Thrift Shops

I’ve been a fan of thrift shops since my early teens, visiting my local shop almost weekly with my friends to nab newly added items. What I love most about thrift shops is that there are a wide range of sizes and styles from which to choose, which is not always the case if you’re shopping new clothing. I can’t say that I’ve purchased jeans from a thrift shop (I may have — just can’t remember for sure), but I have purchased pants including corduroy, camouflage, and snow pants at thrift shops. I didn’t spend more than $7 on any of them.

4. Outlets

Outlets are already discounted fairly steeply compared to their full-price retail counterparts, but there are two tricks that I like to employ to land even better deals. The first is visiting the customer service center and picking up a coupon book — most outlet malls have these — and the second is timing my shopping trip to coincide with a holiday or end-of-season sale. I see this tactic as three times the savings, which means that I stock up on three times as many new jeans.

5. Clearance Racks

I don’t mean to be biased against other retailers, but I think the Gap always has a good selection of jeans in its clearance rack. So I can personally recommend that store. Otherwise, any store I go into, I head straight for the back where I rummage through the clearance racks to find a new pair of pants, the price of which has been dramatically slashed.

6. Yard Sales

It’s a bit harder to find the perfect pair of jeans at a yard sale because of the limited selection, but if you do stumble upon a pair that you have to have, you can be sure that this will probably be the cheapest pair you’ll buy. I’m talking $5 or less. Depending on your area (city folk drive harder bargains), you may even be able to walk away with a new pair of old jeans for less than $1. Schedule a ride around in your town on a Saturday and Sunday and see what you can find.

7. Friends & Family

Did somebody say free jeans? That’s right — if you have a nice friend or family member getting rid of clothes, you can score new jeans at absolutely no cost.

I clean out my closet twice a year, and before I send my clothes to charity I always give my friends and family the first look. Usually they take my whole stash, which I prefer. Not only am I giving the items to those I love, but the process saves me a trip to the thrift shop to drop off my donation. You can also consider a clothes swap with your friends or family where you each clean out your closet and offer up the unwanted items to each other. Everybody wins in that situation — as long as you like each other’s style and wear similar sizes, of course.

8. eBay

If you really have a passion for designer jeans — and I know some of you reading this do — eBay may be a good option for you. Selection runs the gamut from top-of-the-line trendy denim to classic faves to vintage finds, but in theory they can all be snagged for the lowest bid. Some of the listing have "Buy It Now" options, which may or may not be a good deal, so I recommend sticking to traditional bidding while minding your budget. There’s no point in going bid-crazy and paying top price for a pair of jeans you could have bought for less at the mall, after all.

Have you scored great deals on jeans? How did you do? What suggestions do you have? Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in October 2012

Dealnews — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:00:42 +0000

October is a strange month for shopping, since we're now within a stone's throw of the biggest shopping event of the year: Black Friday. It's smart to to put off most purchases until the attention-grabbing deals start flowing in next month.(See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)

But there are still notable sales that are unique to this fall month. And in between sipping pumpkin-flavored drinks and carefully planning the perfect costume for an upcoming Halloween party, consumers are likely to do a bit of shopping. So we've mined the extensive dealnews archives of sales, coupons, and individual products from the past few seasons to guide you in your quest for the most savvy purchases in October. Here's what we found.

Modest Costume Deals Before Halloween

Sure, the best time to buy a Halloween costume starts November 1. But you'll still see decent sales on costumes the week before the holiday, with numerous stores also offering stacking coupons to sweeten the deal. For example, BuyCostumes offered a coupon that took an extra 20% off items early in October last year, but mid-month (as well as the week before the holiday), the store increased that discount to an extra 30% off, which applied to a sale that took up to 85% off. Look to The Children's Place, Diapers.com, Hot Topic, and Joann Fabric, among others, for pre-holiday discounts. Of course, don't wait too long, otherwise you'll have to deal with expensive expedited shipping in order to receive your getup in time.

After the holiday, shoppers can go pretty much anywhere and find clearance sales that discount both costumes and decorations. Unless you fear that you'll grow sick of the standard witches and broomsticks, stock up on cheap decorations post-holiday and can store them for next year. Expect discounts of 50% to 90% on themed items.

No Hot Deals on Cold Weather Apparel

Although chilly weather has started to blanket some of the country making winter apparel seems like a savvy investment, the sharpest discounts on cold weather apparel and accessories won't come until January. If you just can't wait until after the New Year, you should at least try holding out until November for the best deals. Around Black Friday a wealth of apparel retailers will offer their best coupon of the year, which may take a full 50% off or more — an excellent discount on current-season items. Expect to see such a coupon from retailers like American Eagle, Aeropostale, Nautica, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Lands' End, Dockers, Ann Taylor, and more.

Deep Discounts on Denim

While September is a good time to find denim deals, so too is October, as retailers continue to try to move the styles they'd hoped to sell during Back to School season. Last year, we saw Editors' Choice worthy discounts from Levi's, Lee Jeans, Target via its Mossimo line, MNRKY, and Armani Exchange. We also saw moderate sales on jeans from retailers like Lucky Brand, Express, New York & Company, American Eagle, and more. Just keep in mind that you could potentially get as good or a better discount on remaining denim styles by waiting for that aforementioned Black Friday coupon.

Hold Off on New Electronics

We're so close to Black Friday that, if you can help it, you should avoid buying electronics and new devices. There's of course no guarantee that wish-listed electronics will see those famed rock-bottom prices during Black Friday weekend, but across many electronics categories, we see the best prices of the year in November and especially around Black Friday weekend.

Most people are aware that this is a trend for TVs and budget laptops, but select digital cameras, media players, and home theater components could also see their best prices of the year in just a few short weeks — before they're replaced by newer models next year. We also recommend holding off on most Apple products too; although the brand doesn't exactly see "fire sale" prices on new items at any point during the year, Black Friday weekend is a chance for resellers to make some of their largest discounts on current-generation Apple products.

No Hot Cookware Deals

In preparation for the biggest cooking holiday of the year, you might want to round out the items missing from your cookware collection. But wait until November and you could see about 25% more cookware and appliance deals overall. Even better, there will be double the number of Editors' Choice offers as well, which of course means some of the best prices of the year. In years past, you could get your mitts on discount cookware, cutlery sets, bakeware, and small appliances from stores like Macy's, Amazon, Sears, Oneida, Williams Sonoma, Kohl's, and more. This uptick in high-caliber deals will continue into December, albeit with a slight drop off.

End of Season Sales for Garden Plants

While dealnews tends to specialize in the things that make your garden grow, rather than the things that are actually growing in it, our research shows that October is a good month for investing in shrubbery, floral bulbs, and other plants that have a shelf life. According to LifeHacker, "If you have a cellar or other area to store plants over the winter, you can jump in now and get these items very cheaply."

Get Auto Deals on Last Year's Models

Likewise, we certainly don't list cars on our site, but many reliable sources state that October is a good month to get a discount on a new car. New models are released in September, and dealerships begin to get anxious to move cumbersome stock items throughout September and October. According to Forbes, you can save 10% to 20% or more this month on a new-to-you car. The car experts at Edmunds.com also suggest buying a model that's "about to be discontinued or redesigned." They warn though that these cars will depreciate much faster than those that are newly released, so this tactic is best suited to people looking for a long-haul purchase.

No Power Savings on Big Appliances Yet

Conventional wisdom says to buy large appliances in September and October, because this is when manufacturers like LG, Maytag, and Whirlpool debut their new models. However, according to our archives, you'll see at least double the number of Editors' Choice deals on these items in November. Moreover, there will be more than twice as many deals in November that discounting washers, dryers, vacuums, and the like from department and home improvement stores.

HDTV Deals on High and Low End Sets Begin to Ramp Up

Traditionally, Black Friday is the best time to get an HDTV deal, whether you're in the market for a main set for your living room or an additional set for the bedroom. That said, we're still a few weeks away from the main event and if you simply can't wait, there are some deals to be had today.

On the high-end side, we have seen 55" 3D LCD HDTVs hit a rock bottom price of $949. Although it was a one-time deal in August, we wouldn't be surprised to see this price-low again. Overall, for high-end 3D 55" TVs, look for prices between $949 and $999. If 3D is still too expensive for your blood, off-brand 42" sets have been seeing impressive lows as well. All summer we've seen prices on these sets comfortably under $300. This includes sets from manufacturers like Westinghouse, Seiki, and TLC. Rule of thumb — look for deals from $230 to $290.

Prices on Ivy Bridge Systems Continue to Drop; Windows 8 on the Horizon

October promises to a be an interesting month for laptop deals. We predict an abundance of deals on mainstream 15" Core i5 Ivy Bridge systems, which had already hit an astonishingly low price of $400 in September. Though with the release of Windows 8 in late October there's a chance we'll see an uptick in prices as new hybrid laptop/tablet models are released.

As tempting as they may seem, we recommend avoiding these hybrids as they'll demand a premium price. In addition, many of them could potentially suffer from first generation problems as they are a new breed of laptops whose hardware mixes the ultrabook with a tablet. Instead, we recommend looking for deals on Ivy Bridge systems with very-capable 15" Core i5-based system with prices ranging from $400 to about $450.

Set up dealnews email alert now to keep abreast of any and all of these best buys in October. And for more price trend information, check out dealnews' consumer shopping research page.

This is a guest post by Dealnews.

Can't wait for Black Friday? Check out the best and worst things to buy in October!

This article is from Dealnews of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Select the Best Jeans for Your Money

Dealnews — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:24:22 +0000

It's awesome to score a pair of jeans for super cheap, but it's even more satisfying if you know that pair will last you for a long time. But how can you really know what the longevity of your jeans is before they actually get put into regular wardrobe rotation? The folks at Real Simple have some tips on how to choose the most valuable pair of jeans for your buck, and, to get you started, we've pulled some examples that aim for prolonged life while still spending as little as possible. (See also: 25 Things to Do With Old Jeans)

First, the site suggests sticking to darker denim, since "deeper shades are handled less, so they last twice as long." They also happen to be particularly flattering, as darker colors are slimmer and more versatile. For example, dark jeans can be paired with a button-down shirt and blazer more easily than light colors, and they look just as smart with a simple T-shirt and sneakers. These Levi's Men's 514 Slim Straight Atlantic Jeans fit the bill for color, and they feature a small zip compartment on the thigh that looks cool, even if it can't actually hold all that much before it starts to look like there's a growth on your leg. (That is to say, leave it empty.) Or, if you want to go really dark, try these Levi's Men's 501 Original Jeans in black instead.

Another way to choose denim that'll last is to pay attention to the materials. You likely wear jeans more than any other item of clothing, which means your denim is also taking a beating. According to Real Simple, opting for jeans that feature at least 2% spandex allows your trusted blues to stretch with you, instead of ripping after months of wear. Unfortunately, this appears to be a less popular material for men's jeans than it is for women's, but this of course makes sense; the tighter the jeans, the more likely they'll need the stretch. That said, we found these Gap Men's 1969 Super Skinny Fit Jeans with 2% spandex for the dudes, and the Express Women's Eva Boot Cut Curvy Fit Jeans for the ladies who want some stretch.

Obviously, we're no stranger to Real Simple's final tip, which is to look for deals and coupons online, then buy multiple pairs of a style that fits the above criteria. This is generally easier to do when you're already sure of the exact style that works for your body. For example, if the Levi's 514 is a perfect fit, you can set up a personalized email alert for Levi's coupons, and stock up whenever a discount comes around. Seeing as its the most-worn item in many people's wardrobe, you'll likely never regret having multiple pairs on hand.

Readers, what tips do you have for buying the best pair of jeans? Is there a particular brand or store that you've found to consistently offer high quality at inexpensive prices? Do you think spending more on denim translates into a longer life for your jeans? Sound off in the comment section below!

This is a guest post by Dealnews.

Scoring jeans for super cheap is great — but it's even better when they're long lasting. Here's how to score the most valuable pair of jeans for your buck.

This article is from Dealnews of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Clean Jeans Right Without Going to the Dry Cleaner

Sonja Stewart — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:36:46 +0000

I am a jean addict. Correction: I am a frugal jean addict; therefore, I own very few nice pairs of jeans. My first pair of brand-new designer jeans were bought by my husband through an exchange where he DJ'ed a party and I scored a fantastic pair of Joe jeans that made my booty look like I'd done squats every day all summer. The woman who handed the jeans over to me, noticing my excitement, told me "don't ever wash them." Gross. Whatever, I thought. Just give me my jeans, please.

Well, she was right. If you want to extend the life your favorite butt-hugging denim (and who doesn't in this economy), you've got to play by the rules. And although they may seem excessive, time consuming, and strange, these jean tricks have been tried and tested by the professionals. Bonus: No dry cleaners are used in the execution of these tricks. I just can't commit to spending that much every week. (See also: Dry Cleaning: Hazard to Your Wallet, and Maybe Your Health)

Keep your jeans away from the washing machine as long as possible.

Spot clean, Febreeze, hang them in a closet surrounded by lavender and cedar, do whatever it takes until you just can't stand it anymore.

When it's time to wash...

You can hand wash them in something gentle like Woolite.
You can wash them in the machine, inside out and on cold.
You can throw them in a plastic bag and place it in a freezer for one week. Supposedly, this kills any odors, and that's pretty important.

Hang them to dry.

You can tumble dry on low, take them out before they're fully dry, and hang them by the belt loops to maintain the shape. Or you can skip the dryer altogether and hang dry.

Patch them as soon as you feel a hole coming on.

If you're handy with a sewing machine, there's a tutorial you can use to learn to patch yourself. But really, after watching tutorials, I was just motivated to take my jeans in to the specialist. (You know you have a problem when your jeans require more maintenance than your car.)

Re-dye your jeans.

I know this one may not always be an option. If your jeans are super trendy and acid-washed, for example, you don't want to try this. But if you're like me and just go for the dark, lovely, shade of midnight blue for your jeans, re-dying a fading pair may be an option. I definitely recommend it for the cheap pair that's become the “around the house jeans.” Who knows, it may be the breath of life that transforms those pants into your favorite pair.

I know it seems like a lot of effort, but if you're throwing a lot of money at these jeans, you want them to last. In fact, stretching the life of our wardrobes is one of the easier ways to save money. So, grab those True Religion jeans (if they're on sale), and know that you can stretch their life beyond the borders of your booty.

This article is from Sonja Stewart of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: