The Basics
You have to start with the basics – the shape, size, style and colour. Different jeans suit different body shapes. For example, skinny jeans are ideal if you want to accent your hips and elongate your legs; straight jeans compliment hourglass or athletic body types; while flares are great for making your chest and shoulders look smaller.
Check the sizing and understand the measurements to ensure your chosen design will fit where you want it to fit, and decide whether you want dark denim, light or white denim, pink or green denim, or simply classic blue or black.
Quality Of The Fabric
Although synthetic might be more affordable, it's better to stick to natural fabric types – they’re more durable and more likely to stay in shape as you wash them. Always make sure you check the label to see the materials, and at the same time, check the seams on the inside and outside of the jeans. If the stitching is not tight, you can pretty much guarantee the jeans won’t last the distance.
Comfort – The Fit
Buying a pair of jeans without first trying them on is like marrying someone you’ve never met before (thanks MAFS). They might look okay from the outset, but once you are merged together it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
You want jeans that don’t cling, that give you room to breathe, and that are just as comfortable when you’re sitting as they are when standing. Trying them on will also ensure they aren’t too short or too long, or it will give you the chance to determine if you can fold the hem, so they do fit better. If you can’t try them on, at least do your full measurements and check those against the description.
Price
Finally, you want to check the price – keeping in mind that the cost of your denim will generally reflect the quality. When it comes to denim, you get what you pay for. Many people ask – how much is too much to pay? It really depends on your budget, but if you love to wear jeans often, it’s recommended that you splurge on at least one pair of high-quality jeans that will last. If you can afford to pay $300 for an amazing looking pair, do it. If your budget is under $100, that’s fine too.
Sustainability
Sure, you want your jeans to look great, but you don’t want them to look great at the risk of the environment. Buying jeans that have been developed sustainably is critical, particularly if you want to do your part to protect the planet for future generations. What are sustainable jeans, though? There are a few factors that go into it.
To start with, the materials. Jeans are traditionally made from cotton which is a very water intensive crop. Now fibres like hemp, which grows quicker, uses less water and requires less pesticides are being used. Although not the first brand to use hemp in clothing, Levi’s® have found a way to “cottonise” it, allowing it to be woven like cotton into their denim products –same great feel, a lot less water. Levis® are also using materials like Tencel™ and Ecovero™ - produced from wood pulp in certified sustainable forests.
Next, you want jeans that have been made using sustainable practices – such as Levi’s® Water<Less technologies, which uses 96% less water in the finishing process. This is essential given the fashion industry accounts for 20% of all the world’s water wastage. And finally, you want jeans that have been made with human health and safety in mind, taking into account worker financial security and gender equality.
Buying jeans doesn’t have to be stressful. Just follow the above tips and we can’t say this enough – try before you buy (where possible).
