When Is It Time for New Jeans?

You can get really attached to a pair of jeans. This is especially true when you find some that fit perfectly. I think we’ve all got that favorite pair that we hope never wears out. However, there comes a time in the lifespan of any pair of jeans when it reaches the point of no return—not to mention when that pair of dark denim fades to where it can’t really be dressed up any more. Finding a new “favorite pair” can be an extremely daunting task, because let’s face it, nothing feels quite like a the pair that have been broken in and lived in over time—years, in some cases. So what do you do when it’s time for a new pair of jeans?

| WEARING | Vintage Yves Saint Laurent waistcoat, J.Crew shirt, Jeans c/o Lands’ End, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Belt and bracelet c/o Coach, To Boot New York suede boots
| PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Before the menswear terminology police commandeer the comments, let me mention that ‘jeans’ is a term for a style, not a fabric. It’s often used interchangeably with ‘denim’—when I was in grade school we called it a jean jacket, not a denim jacket. Jeans can be made with many different fabrics and blends of fabrics, and don’t have to be made with denim. But for the sake of this post, I’m going to using the term to mean denim jeans.

Obviously, there are two choices when looking for a new pair of jeans: stick with a known quantity, buying the same exact brand/cut and starting the break-in process or venture into the unknown to test the waters and try something new on for size. (A third choice would be to not wear jeans any more, but I don’t think that’s an option most would want to consider.) While there’s safety in the former, choosing the latter and making it an adventure has its merits, and could yield some surprising and well-fitting results.

As a serious creature of habit, when I find something that works I don’t like to switch things up. Especially when you’re talking about a staple item like jeans that get a lot of wear. However, I recently had that chance to try on a pair from Lands’ End’s relaunched denim collection and was pleasantly surprised with both the fit and quality. I’m a slim fit guy, but if you aren’t, there are a variety of fits available. And priced at $59, they are very affordable.

Share your stories about your all-time favorite pair of jeans in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian
He Spoke Style

Disclosure: Compensation for this post was provided by Lands’ End. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Lands’ End.