https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:27:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73043 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:30:48 +0000 Laura 73043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya - Yeah, I'm with you on the marketing. Too bad they don't have free shipping. I'd definitely give it go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73042 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:24:03 +0000 Maya 73042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I posted a link to that store a long time ago, and I think the consensus was a lot of skepticism. When you look at the "comparisons," a lot of the "bad" jeans just don't fit well, are too short, and are cheap with ugly distressing or fading (and the comments are just annoying). I mean, it's quite possible that they will be very flattering and well made, but I wouldn't pit them against all other denim in the universe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73040 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:22:56 +0000 Michelle 73040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For what it's worth, here's Angie's post on this very subject: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2007/07/09/are-expensive-jeans-worth-the-price/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2007/07/.....the-price/</a></p> <p>I don't have a pair of true premium jeans yet, but I have noticed a correlation between price and quality. I recently bought a pair of Lauren by Ralph Lauren jeans, around $90, that fit better than any jeans I've ever owned. I'm beyond psyched to try David Kahns, which experts tell me will likely suit my body best. Sounds to me like you should at least try some premium denim on and see what you think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73037 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:20:25 +0000 Anonymous 73037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had good luck finding some premium denim jeans at consignment and thrift stores since I'm not sure where my weight will finally bottom out and don't want to pay much yet. This past Saturday I saw 2 pair of boot leg (dark indigo and black black) Paige Premium denim jeans still with tags at a thrift store for $3 a pair! Unfortunately they were a size 31 and I wear a 26 or 27, but bargains can be found if you are looking. I found them just by running my hand over the denim. The quality is obvious.<br /> BTW, I couldn't resist buying them at that price, hoping that a friend can use them. If not, I may consign them or put them up for swap here if anyone is interested. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73031 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:50:33 +0000 shiny 73031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, premium is worth it. I can't tell you how many $ I sunk on non-premium denim over the years, and then never wore them because the fit was horrible. Lots and lots of wasted money. Now I own a handful of premiums and they fit so great - and are comfortable - I wear them all the time and the cost per wear has become dollars - and I anticipate will become pennies. </p> <p>I do agree with whomever suggested if you can find non-premium that fit great, you don't need to plunk the $ down for premium. Fit is THE most important thing. I am pretty tricky to fit, seeing as how I'm only 5'0 and a 0.8 hip/waist ratio, and not quite a petite rise. </p> <p>Otherwise, Maya lists all the other benefits of premium: the denim is softer and not so stiff. It ages better. It doesn't bag out terribly within an hour of wear. Second to fit, I am picky about the tactile qualities of clothing. For example I prefer - generally - leather to pleather, because leather has a nicer feeling against the skin. Of course, there are always exceptions. Pleather is getting better and better. And I am sure there are probably exceptions with non-premium denim as well. </p> <p>The two non-premium jeans I own are the Inc clams, and UO skinnies. I fear that both of these will simply not last as long as the premiums, BUT, for the price I paid, I suppose that's okay. These two fit great and feel good on the skin, so they are winners too - and proof you don't have to *only* go premium. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73026 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:40:30 +0000 Laura 73026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Speaking of premium jeans has anyone tried the "skinny jeans" brand?</p> <p><a href="http://www.skinnyjeans.com/html/shop.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.skinnyjeans.com/html/shop.html</a></p> <p>They LOOK good...but I don't know anyone who has bought them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73020 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:22:00 +0000 April 73020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have found it so hard to find well-fitting jeans that for me, it's less whether "premium" is worth it than that I would now consider any price (within reason) fair if they fit beautifully and I could get a ton of wear out of them. </p> <p>I used to buy all my jeans at Gap, but somehow their petites have gotten too short, while the smallest regular size is too big in the rise and seat. Considering that a straight-leg pair of dark wash Gap jeans now runs around $80, I would definitely consider it worthwhile to get a flattering fit for a bit more. I can't wear even the finest jeans to work, so for me these are play clothes and one or two pair would be sufficient.</p> <p>There is a certain eek factor in the price ranges here -- this is, after all, more than I would pay for a pair of dress pants. There's just something special about amazing jeans, so my quest continues. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-73011 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:01:04 +0000 bella 73011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't own a pair of premium denim, so I cannot say that it is not worth it. But I have purchased a super well-fitting, great quality jeans at NY&#38;Co this winter for less than $20. Even Angie told me that I should duplicate. I guess my point is, if you don't have very specific fit needs and can't afford the premium jeans, then it is not the end of the world, there are many many alternatives available. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72995 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:17:17 +0000 Laura 72995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've always wondered this myself. My favorite pair of jeans cost $15 at Target. I want to try it out though when its in my budget. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72937 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:05:50 +0000 Maya 72937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hannah, did you size down in the Sohos? I loved them to bits when I first bought them, but they grew about a full size too big and became unwearable. I couldn't even go down a size because they ran very big and I ended up having to wear the smallest size.</p> <p>That sort of illustrates the difference between "regular" and premium denim. I don't really find the "fit" of premium denim to be any better than any other kind of denim, but the longevity of the fit is better, if that makes sense. All of my premium denim fits the same way as it did the day I bought it. I don't have to worry about bagging and stretching over time. The denim relaxes slightly as I wear it, and "shrinks" back a little after a wash, but it really only stretches enough for comfort. I also find premium denim much softer and less stiff--they get softer with each wash. The color and wash of premium denim is also superior and doesn't fade or bleed. </p> <p>It is hard for me to say if I would spend the full price even if I had money. There is just something morally objectionable about it to me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but if I did, it would smell bad. Anyway, most of my premium denim comes from places like Bluefly and Smartbargains. I had one freebie for winning a contest, and a pair from ebay (but you have to be very careful on ebay because so much of it is fake). I think the most expensive pair I own was $80 for my Rich and Skinny skinnies, but it was worth it because it was so hard for me to find high rise skinnies at my price point and Rich and Skinny fits me well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72909 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:15:06 +0000 Ariadne 72909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Kristen, I will buy my first pairs of premium denim when I get to goal. Currently, the pairs I own all cost between $20-$80 (some are from consignment stores). YLF has convinced me that premium is worth it, assuming I won't size myself down out of them within a year. I will probably go for a straight leg and a bootcut pair first, then skinny, then trouser or wide leg. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72858 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:34:46 +0000 Sarah 72858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am willing to pay more for a classic bootcut or straight leg jean. I haven't paid much for skinnies, wide leg, or trouser jeans just because they are more "temporary" to me, as in, a current trend (for me) vs. a staple.<br /> I have been fortunate enough to find premium denim at places like Buffalo Exchange or local boutique clearance racks for under $100. It takes time, but if you're on a budget, it's a good way to go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72839 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:18:46 +0000 garmenta 72839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One way to find premium denim at a reduced price is to look for a gently-used secondhand pair. If you have a high-quality consignment shop nearby, you can see the quality and condition and try them on. </p> <p>Also, if you know exactly what brands and cuts work for you, you can also check on eBay. Ask the seller for accurate measurements and information about condition. Be sure to buy from someone who's reputable. Premium denim does get faked, and those fakes show up online. You have to be careful, but you can get premium denim at a discount. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72832 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:29:02 +0000 crwilson 72832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nordstrom Rack tends to have pretty good prices on premium denim. They still aren't $30 or even $60, but most things are substantially cheaper than full price. In my experience, it's worth it because of the fit. I don't wear jeans a lot, so I only have one nice pair, but it was definitely worth the investment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72828 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:03:47 +0000 Kristen 72828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first pair of premium jeans will be purchased when I get to goal, and after reading this thread, I cannot wait! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72826 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:13:14 +0000 Ele 72826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my, yes. I bought my first pair of premium denim (boot-cut 7's) the summer before I went to university, and have never looked back. I felt SO fab on my first day of classes in them, and I'm afraid I've become a bit of a premium denim obsessee. My favourite brands are 7FAM, COH and Earnest Sewn, but I've also had success with Habitual, PD&#38;C, Paige and James. </p> <p>The fit, quality of the denim and beauty of the washes you find in premium denim is really hard to find elsewhere. I'm not saying it can't be done, but to have all those factors right- well, you get what you pay for. Also, because of the quality of the denim, premium denim lasts much longer without thinning, tearing or fading. </p> <p>Yes, it does make me slightly ill to think of how much money I've spent on jeans in the last 8 years or so. But then again, I wear jeans pretty much exclusively and rarely spend a lot of money on anything else for my wardrobe. </p> <p>Also, like Maya says, there are deals to be found, and I've found lots of things on sale in the past. If I were you, I'd go to a dept. store or denim boutique and try a range of brands and styles on. Once you've found one that works for you, it might be worth seeing if you can find the same jean for cheaper online. I've done that before and had success. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72823 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:24:03 +0000 rute 72823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My personal experience tells me that it worth the cost not because of the denin but because of the cut!<br /> When you buy a good pair of jeans the fit is totally different and a good pair of dark jeans suits every ocasion, you can dress it up with a silk top to have dinner with your husband, a nice jacket for work or dress it down.. you will wear it time and time again and pay off your investment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72813 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:30:33 +0000 HannahC 72813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am wondering about the same question myself. Like Taylor, I am hard to fit, but there is a brand of non-premium denim that fits me perfectly: DKNY Soho (I believe Tarzy is also a fan of them). So fit-wise, I don't need anything better. I will be really interested to hear a comparison quality-wise about premium denim and regular jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72751 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:19:39 +0000 Maya 72751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have lots of premium denim in my closet that I have never paid full price for, so the question of whether it's worth it has never come up. It's still more expensive than "regular" denim, but no matter how marvelous premium denim is, I am just not able to afford it full price. So, if paying $150+ makes you a bit nauseous, just be aware that it doesn't have to be that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72741 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:42:55 +0000 taylor 72741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Georgia,</p> <p>This is my take on premium denim.</p> <p>Yes, you are going to pay anywhere from 150 to 350 dollars .<br /> but for me I LOVE my denim. </p> <p>I am also hard to fit, and for me clothing is ALL about the *FIT.*..and there lies my preference for premium denim. Once you find the perfect fitting denim....you get hooked.</p> <p>Fortunately, I and lots of others have found our fav. I would spend 30 dollars if they fit the same as a 260 dollar pair ...but it just hasn't happend:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-premium-denim-worth-the-cost#post-72739 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:25:53 +0000 Georgia 72739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been reading a lot of posts about COH and other premium denim. I'm starting from scratch with my wardrobe and I'm wondering if I should spring for an expensive pair of jeans. I've never paid more than $50 for jeans. </p>