https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 01:33:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-98087 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:52:44 +0000 Dashrashi 98087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing to note is that if it's a certain kind of denim you're after, it's not going to be the same from wash to wash, even within the same brand and style. Shiny's COH Elsons will be made of different denim than at least one wash of COH Elson now available. Paige Premium Denim has a wash guide that details the different denims they use, and how they do/don't stretch with time--the important thing to note is that it varies across washes even within the same style. A pair of Elsons in Pacific will be different in fit, feel, stretchiness, longevity, everything, than a pair of Elsons in a different wash. I've tried on COH Kellys in washes that were thick, stiff, and nonflexible, and Kellys that were light and buttery. It varies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-98081 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:23 +0000 April 98081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After that rave review from Shiny, I found the COH Ambers (Dark Paris wash) at Nordstrom for 30% off, so I will soon find out how amazing they are. Cross your fingers for me that they fit... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97449 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:04:56 +0000 Maya 97449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Judging from the price, Kut and Jag are not premium. Premium denim at full price starts at nearly twice as much (but it's really easy to find it on sale). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97440 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:42:18 +0000 elpgal 97440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion. Are Kut and Jag considered premium denim? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97434 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:16:31 +0000 Angie 97434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well sweet, Tanya – you are the premium denim queen on YLF. More so than me :0) </p> <p>Nice answers from all the gals. You really have to start wearing premium denim to notice the difference and appreciate it. At this stage, I just can’t wear anything else. Also, premium denim lasts so well. Years, and years and years! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97367 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:43:57 +0000 shiny 97367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll give my two cents, having converted to premium over a year ago. </p> <p>While you can find good fit at any price point, and you can find shoddy craftmanship at premium prices, the difference with premium denim is - hands down - the quality of the fabric. Not all premium denim is going to be made of quality fabric- but the chances are lower that you will fine quality fabric at a low price. It's a matter of economics. </p> <p>Think about suiting. Have you experienced suiting that pills, develops "shine," drapes poorly, and just doesn't feel as good between your fingers and on your skin? Have you experienced suiting that does none of these things and lasts and lasts forever? That difference is the quality of the fabric. You get what you pay for, and better fabrics simply cost more. My dad and my husband have suits starting at $800 that they've had for decades and still look great. I have purchased suiting for under $100 which, although they fit impeccably (always the top priority for me), they pill under the arms and develop shine after a few visits to the dry cleaner. </p> <p>If you've ever sewn, you also know through experience that it's easier to work with quality fabrics so starting with better fabric can lead to better craftmanship, in the right hands. </p> <p>So essentially, it's really all about the fabric. </p> <p>My first premium purchase was COH Huttons, which are made of japanese denim. I have no idea what this means, exactly. All I can tell you is that these trouser cut jeans are as soft as wearing sweat pants and yet they look crisp and sharp and continue to do so wash after wash. </p> <p>Whatever denim they use for the COH Elson's is just as fantastic: it gets softer which each wash, while still looking sharp. I could sleep in these jeans, and that is saying a lot. It sounds weird, but I like rubbing my hand along the fabric because the tactile experience is just so nice. Having decades of experience with non-premium denim of numerous brands, when I put on the COH, I sometimes think, "This isn't even denim... it's like a class of its own!"</p> <p>I can't speak to other brands because other than a pair of Earnest Sewns, all my premiums are COH brand. </p> <p>I will add, however, that my Urban Outfitter cigarette jeans are really nice too. They are so comfy. And they were only $56. I doubt they are premium, and I don't know how they will hold up over the years, but I am liking them very much. So yes, you can find decent jeans at non-premium prices. And I do know you can find crappy jeans at a premium price. I think it's more of a matter of your chances of getting better quality are simply higher with premium jeans. </p> <p>I'd recommend, even if you premium is not in the budget, trying on premium brands just to get a sense for the difference in the denim. This will make it easier to discern quality in non-premium brands. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97325 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:30:39 +0000 Maya 97325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you need to wear it for a while before you start noticing the difference. I have tried on non-premium denim in stores before and it is always soft and snug, but as soon as I actually wear it out or put it through a wash, it bags out, shrinks, or tightens in addition to becoming very stiff. Sometimes the dye runs and, if there is any fading or whiskering, it looks much a lot "cheaper" on non-premium. I know many of us don't like fading or whiskering, but I don't mind it if it's very subtle and the jeans fit perfectly in every other way, but non-premium denim is rarely subtle. Even in solid washes, the color just looks richer and deeper. </p> <p>I can't say premium denim inherently fits well. Obviously that depends on the person wearing it and if the brand/style suits them. I think the primary difference is how it ages and the coloring and craftsmanship.</p> <p>I don't lump ALL non-premium denim in the same group, to be clear. I have found plenty of non-premium styles that don't bag out or shrink and tighten, but they are still decline with age as opposed to getting better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97322 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:17:48 +0000 Tanya 97322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So Angie, you are throwing the ball in my court :)</p> <p>I would say that it is the quality of the denim foremost, and than the craftsmanship involved in the jeans sewing. The fit is usually much better as well. Some premium denim ( like you 7's) dos not immediately feel different, but you will certainly notice it with wear. In my book there is no comparison.</p> <p>There are a couple of denim brands that are sort-of in between (e.g. Lucky) but I do not personally consider them premium. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97305 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:55:13 +0000 Angie 97305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll let our Tanya answer this one :0) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-defines-premium-denim#post-97278 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:03:13 +0000 April 97278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am somewhat new to the premium denim phenomenon, but I have a question for those of you who are more experienced...</p> <p>I have one dark and two white pairs of Rich and Skinny jeans. They were the first premium pairs I got -- thanks, Tanya, for those sale alerts! -- and they are clearly different from ordinary denim. The dark ones have a very substantial feel to them (fabric is a mix of cotton/poly along with stretch) that produces a nice shaping effect, and the whites have a silkier feel. Both types are clearly different from run-of-the-mill denim.</p> <p>I also have a 7FAM pair that I got secondhand. They fit me very well and I like them a lot, but the fabric doesn't feel much different from regular denim. </p> <p>So I'm wondering if there is something that defines "premium" jeans? Besides price, that is. </p>