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Challenge from my dad!

I'm always trying to coax my dad into giving up his extremely baggy, ill-fitting carpenter's jeans for something that actually fits well. Today he has challenged me to find him new jeans before he gets back from India in 2 and a half weeks. That will also be around his birthday, so I'm thinking this is his gift.

Dad is going to be 61, 5'8, and says his size is 33 x 30. I'm very unfamiliar with the world of mens' jeans so any tips on where to shop and what kind of cuts, washes, etc would be appropriate for his age and size/body type would be greatly appreciated. Here is a pic (with mom):

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....0_0040.jpg

Thanks!

The latest reply was from Mac . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


30 Replies

Posted 7 months ago

They are so cute together and look oh so in love!
I really do not know much about mens jeans. They seem very basic to me and as long as they are not ultra baggy they are fine. Maybe a darker wash would be good.
Are you going to go for designer jeans? I actually think the Costco jeans, Kirkland brand, are a great buy at aroung $15. I was told that they are made by Levi. That's what I buy for my hubby and I like the look of them.

Posted 7 months ago

Oh, that's so cool that your dad is open to this! Unfortunately, I know very little about picking jeans for men. I can only tell you my dad is in his late 60s and he loves Lands' End jeans. That is all he wears (dark wash, of course!). They look very nice on him, fit well without being too loose/baggy, and are styled classically so they don't go overboard into "too fashionable" zone, if that makes sense?

I'm sure others will have better advice here! I just might make sure he really is a 33 waist... his jeans look huge on him. Guys can get stuck on size numbers too.... except usually they don't want to admit they are smaller than they think they are. :-)

Posted 7 months ago

Shiny--notice I said "he says" he is a 33! I thought the same thing. The thing is, I *know* he is going to complain that the jeans are "too tight" if I size down because he is stubborn and used to wearing his jeans so huge. So I was hoping maybe I could go for a slim-fitting jean in a 33. He has very skinny legs but thicker no top (I mean, he is definitely not fat by any measure and has no gut to speak of...but his legs are quite slim compared to the rest of him).

San, I can't really spend a lot (and he would probably get mad at me if I did), so I have to be careful. Besides, if I don't spend a lot, he can't use money as an excuse anymore!

Posted 7 months ago

I'd say give the Costco jeans a try. Maybe he will love them and they are only $15.

Posted 7 months ago

I buy the Kirkland Costco jeans for my husband for work because they last well, but I don't think they are particularly nice looking. They look very similar to what your dad is wearing in that picture. I found a nice pair of darker wash jeans for my husband at Kmart recently. You could try there, and Target. Kohl's usually has Levi's on sale, or try JC Penny's.

Posted 7 months ago

What about Levi 501s or Banana Republic? love the Costco jeans idea too!

Posted 7 months ago

Your parents are SO CUTE. Love that picture!

BR's basic bootcut and straight leg for sure. Try 501’s too.

Posted 7 months ago

I buy my husband's jeans (about the same age as your dad) and would suggest dark wash and get a classic cut, not "relaxed" or "loose" which is often baggy in the seat and thighs. (DH has no hips.) You might describe your dad to a knowledgable clerk in a department store jeans section to get some advice. We had pretty good luck with Levi 505 regular fit. Straight legs might also be the way to go.

Posted 7 months ago

Banana Republic and Old Navy had some good straight leg jean for men. Hubby is a similar size with no gut, not butt. Some of the men's jeans come in a very stiff fabric which makes it difficult to wear your correct size. Have him try some of the thinner fabrics and maybe he will be more open to sizing down. I love shopping for men!

Posted 7 months ago

Maya, your parents are so adorable!

That's the same size my husband takes. He get's Levi's and it's great, pretty affordable and no hemming. Here are some flattering one's....I usually just get them at Urban Outfitters. I find they get more stylish one's all together in one place and I don't have to wade through the overwhelm of Levi store. And it's three blocks away too :). Here are some:

The 514's in a dark wash: (slim leg, but not skinny...like the 511 or super skinny 510)
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

And of course, 501, the traditional button fly:, medium width leg: this is in a lighter, but uniform wash:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=
Oh these are interesting, and on sale:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

Another sale one: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

here's the whole page:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....#38;popId=

Just make sure he knows...no dryer! Oh, and if he thinks he takes a "33" he might really need a "32". Adding this too: If he is 5'8" then I think he needs a 32 length, not a 30.

Posted 7 months ago

Maya, my husband will only wear the Levi 505 jeans. He's had good luck with them and sees no reason to change. He's a 33 waist, also, although I suspect he could wear a 32.

Can anyone tell me why European men look so wonderful in their jeans? Is it the styling or do they just have that certain flair? I would love to get him in a more stylish jean but, boy is he stubborn!

Posted 7 months ago

I think it's because Euro boys actually care and aren't so stubborn, Debora...

I know my dad is probably really a 32, but I also know he won't even try them on if he sees a 32 on the label. He is one of those people that thinks he is a certain size and won't accept being a different size than what he believes he is. I bet you if I swapped out the labels on a pair of 32 jeans with a pair of 33's, he would think they fit great...but if he sees the 32, he will insist it is too tight. I have mentioned to him many times that if he just wore the correct size, he wouldn't need to wear a belt with all his jeans (which cause the jeans to bunch up and poof awkwardly and unflatteringly)...but it falls on deaf ears.

He bought a perfectly lovely pair of Cole Haan shoes and instead of exchanging them, he just returned them. Why? The 9's didn't fit, and if the 9's don't fit, something is wrong with the shoes!

It makes absolutely no sense but I have given up on trying to convince him. I have inherited my stubbornness from him, so I know exactly what I am up against. That's why it was issued as a challenge :p

Thanks for the links Judy. i would have never thought of shopping at UO for my old fashioned 61 year old dad but I guess there is no reason why I shouldn't.

Posted 7 months ago

Hee, hee, Maya! Men!

Just wanted to second Khris's suggestion. If money is an object be sure to check out Kohls and JC Penney. They usually have great sales on Levi's. I like the selection at these two stores when shopping for my 14 year old. He wears 29x34 jeans which can be hard to find.

Also, check out JC Penney's Arizona Jean brand. They are very reasonably priced and come in a variety of styles.

Posted 7 months ago

Your Papa looks adorable as is. Let him be! I don't think you really want to change the papa you have always had. He looks great.

Posted 7 months ago

I don't want to change him San. I just want his pants to fit :)

Posted 7 months ago

That's funny, you made me laugh. Yes I can see that you don't want to change him, you just want his pants to fit.
I guess being a part of the older group, the way he wears his pants seem OK to me.
But you are a nice daughter to want to help him with the fit!

Posted 7 months ago

I see many men our age dressed like your dad is in the photo (he's like 6 years older than me). It's a style epidemic here in U.S. it seems. They are still such attractive men, hiding in clothes that are so big they hide their assets :). And then on top of that, they tuck the oversized shirt in!

Current clothes that fit make us women feel fabulous...why not men? For very little money a man can get a few age appropriate items that actually fit his body and might make him feel completely differently about himself.

Today for instance, I saw a fellow walking down the street, 50ish, who had short cropped grey hair, an incredibly well fitting pair of jeans and a button down shirt, not tucked in. Nothing special, nothing fussy, just great fit. It wasn't just what he was wearing him that made him attractive, though. He radiated a confidence, a good energy. I just hear Maya wanting to give her dad some of "that"!

Posted 7 months ago

I guess my eyes are adgusted to men my age wearing the baggy pants and I think they look cute. I'm sure Maya's mom thinks he looks cute too. I like the fact that older men are comfortable in their casualness, but I guess that is just me. I think your dad is a looker no matter what. Can't wait to see the new jeans you find for him. You are a great daughter Maya.

Posted 7 months ago

Well, mom is on my side when it comes to the jeans :) He is pretty good at getting shirts that fit, but bottoms seem to escape him. You wouldn't believe how skinny his legs are under all that fabric.

I'm embarking on this mission only because my dad proposed it. He needs to buy new jeans anyway, and since he knows I "disapprove" of his current selections, he gave me the opportunity to shop for him.

Thank you Judy for the validation! I like a guy who cares as much about how he presents himself as I do! It's just not fair. If I put in the effort, then so can the men in my life. Otherwise, why can't I just laze about in saggy jeans and oversized, ratty t-shirts?

I love going to Europe and seeing men who actually seem to care. It's not hard for them, just as it's not hard for us. They seem to enjoy getting dressed and take pride in their appearance, and that is way more appealing to me. Even if the components aren't my taste or aren't perfect, the effort and the desire is there. It's not that the men are necessarily any more or less attractive, but it sure SEEMS that way. Sorry if I'm harsh sounding, I admit I'm very picky and it's a special bloke who catches my eye :p

Posted 7 months ago

I just want to say that your parents are precious together. I wish all couples looked so happy together!

Posted 7 months ago

You are all so deceived :) My parents bicker endlessly and drive each other crazy! But I know they are best friends and they couldn't have it any other way.

Posted 7 months ago

Maya - I haven't read the rest of the thread. Try Levi's 501's - they work super well for my DH. Love the photo of your parents - thanks so much for sharing!

Posted 7 months ago

Thanks Sihaya. The 501s seem to be a popular choice (and also cost efficient), so I'm going to try those first. I have the challenge figured out before he even got on the plane :)

Posted 7 months ago

I also tend to stick with Lands' End when it comes to men's pants. The beautiful part is, if he wears them for a month and hates them, they can go back, no questions asked.

They have those confusing names for the different cuts: original, traditional, and relaxed. I think what you're after is the "original fit" in a dark wash: http://www.landsend.com/pp/Ori.....igin=index

They also hem them to the exact inseam you specify. (For $34.50, you can't beat that!) Would he let your mom measure his inseam so you can get the perfect length?

Posted 7 months ago

Hi Maya,
I would like add my 2 cents to the discussion.My hubby has slim legs and a small butt.The Gap slim fit looks really good.They even make trousers in a slim fit..ok I am deviating from the topic.It takes some effort to search through the clearance items but they have some good prices on jeans.I have bought a couple of jeans between $15-30 for my hubby.I have looked at the Kirkland Signature jeans but find them too baggy and long.We have tried Banana Republic and Calvin Klein also but none can match Gap's fit and price.
Good luck with your search.

Posted 7 months ago

I just checked the tag on the jeans and it says straight fit.hope that helps..

Posted 7 months ago

Maya, that made me laugh, about how we are deceived about your parents :).

I hear you, San, about guys still being cute to you. My husband is a geeky guy and for years dressed in shorts and t shirts like people do in those work places here in the Northwest. And for those years he was still cute to me. But about six or seven years ago his job changed and he was going to be interviewing people so he felt he should start wearing long pants :)...just jeans, but nice ones, and button downs and even a suit jacket in cooler weather. We got them all at Value Village if you can believe it...Nordstrom's shirts!

Not only was he surprised at how much more positively people responded to him, he also found that he felt more pulled together and capable of doing better work. So much so that he dresses that way still even though he returned to working at the techy place and often even when he is not at work. It really gave him confidence. And it's been sweet to witness his transformation, much the same as we see happen here to us ylfabbers. It's like he was always attractive, but now he knows it too. We know how good that feels.

Maya, maybe that is what you mean about finding a guy that brings his A game style wise. What we wear reflects how we feel about ourselves, and who doesn't want a confident guy? I think also, it is what you are exposed to. The euro guys see well dressed men around them and in the city here, it is the same. Come to think of it, most of those years when my husband dressed sloppier, we lived in the suburbs at that time!

Posted 7 months ago

When I moved into my husband's home several years ago, I asked him if he wouldn't mind if I decorated the house with the understanding that if he hated it, I would change it back and try again. Bryan hates home decor stuff (because it involves shopping) so I did the entire main area of my home in two days' time (with help from my sister). He walked in and loved it and couldn't believe he thought he wouldn't like it.
Now, he has a very open mind when it comes to his clothing (as long as I buy it since he hates shopping) and other things.
Since your dad asked you for help, could you maybe ask him to try 32s even in a fitting room, and if he hates them, you'll get the 33s? He did ask for your input and help after all. So no promises, but just try? Do you think that would work?
Great suggestions on the actual jeans to try. We like Gap, BR, and Fossil the very best over here.

Posted 7 months ago

It's true, they have these little arguments all day long over the silliest things. It's not "fighting," just bickering...and it disappears as quickly as it starts. It's actually rather funny to watch, or maybe I am just a bad daughter :)

Judy, your hubby's style transformation story is sweet. I guess I'm spoiled because I spent so much time in an art school, where the boys were naturally more focused on appearance and visual cues. They weren't walking around campus in tuxedos or anything, but there were definitely lots of unique style perspectives and personalities going around. I have the same standards for others as I do for myself, and as long as I'm putting in the effort, I expect others to as well. I do make guys work for me, which is probably why I do not have a boyfriend :p

Posted 7 months ago

30 Replies