Ask Angie: What happened to cotton? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie: What happened to cotton?

Lulu

I've been pondering a new (or 2!) pair of premium jeans as we head into fall. I don't know if it's just me, but denim doesn't seem to be crafted from cotton any longer, and instead can be predominately Lyocell, polyurethane, viscose, elastane or a combination thereof. I'm assuming this is intended as an enhancement; they certainly offer more stretch, but i find the stretch goes too far and by the end of the day you have stretched out. Am i missing something?

From what i've read, all recommendations are to size down, but when spending $175+, that seems like a big gamble. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from ironkurtin

diane

I miss cotton. Cotton jeans wore until you got them dirty. Maybe they didn't have the stretch that everybody loves today, but they al least kept their shape until you were ready to wash them, not after one or 2 wearings. Any yes, new jeans are SO EXPENSIVE! I wish you luck, Lulu.

Diana

Veteran

I still only buy cotton jeans, preferably 2% spandex or less. Anything else feels too much like leggings to me - too stretchy and soft and has no structure at all, showing all lumps and bumps. I like my jeans to have a bit of structure and stiffness.

Generally I do not have a problem buying 98% cotton/2% stretch jeans, but I generally buy mid-range to premium brands. I suspect the cheaper brands would tend to have more synthetics. I recently undertook a hunt for jeans with NO stretch, and let me tell you that was hard to find!

Anonymous

I'm a cotton lover too. Any more spandex than 2% is just too much stretch for me (agreeing with Diana above). I guess I'm a purist when it comes to jeans. I want them to have some utility for my life and not have to care for them like an evening gown! Good luck on your search.

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm the same way. I look for jeans with about 2% spandex but the rest has to be cotton. I think that's why I can't get behind jeggings or most leggings. They just don't feel that comfortable. Is there anywhere around you where you can go try the jeans on before you buy them (I'm assuming you're shopping online)?

Lulu

Ladies-- thank you for your comments and for confirming that it isn't just me; there are other members of the "2%" club!

Heading into summer, i realized i was tired of the bermuda look, and pretty much migrated to full length pants, which necessitated adding more to my wardrobe. I now own white jeans by 7FAM, jcrew, hudson, joes and AG. The AG (angel bootcut) has by far become my favorite, as they retain their shape the best. So what's the difference? They have the most cotton content (98/2 ratio). So for fall, i looked to the AG Angel bootcut, which comes in a variety of washes. But i won't be snookered again, so now i pay close attention to the blend, and am surprised to see ratios all across the board, just within this one company, and within this one style! I'm seeing the same trend with other companies as well, but at least i now know what i want, and will be selective in my search!

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Lulu, I have 3 pairs of AGs, and although some have a high percentage of the stretchy stuff, they still retain their shape better than most other jeans.

I have to play devil's advocate here: as a woman with a large butt and thighs, but a small waist, I find that non-stretchy jeans simply do not fit me. As in, if I can get them over my thighs, they are several inches too big around the waist. I also find non-stretchy pants too stiff and confining. My favorite pair of jeans by Paige has 40% lyocel and polyurethane, and they fit and flatter like no other pair.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lulu, the ladies have you sorted. There are pros and cons to spandex, which has been mentioned here.

I have a pair of 9 year old AGs that do not stretch out at all. Neither do my J. Brands or Sevens. I think that their stretch content is 3%.

Anonymous

Like DeclawedJaguar, my denim needs some stretch so my jeans fit my figure. That said, I do think they should have all-cotton jeans available for those who prefer it.

Beth

Veteran

Yes! My biggest frustration is the amount of polyester in jeans. What *is* denim these days? IMHO, 85% cotton, 13% polyester, 2% spandex is not it:(

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wow - I never have owned jeans that are other than cotton (with some spandex most the time). There are some True Religion BF styles out now that are all cotton, not a bit of stretch, if you are looking for that. I remember Levi making some 100% cotton styles not too long ago as well.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gap has an original fit selvage jean in all cotton now, too, for a "sexy boyfriend" look.

Gaylene

Veteran

I just checked-- and all my favorite jeans are either 100% cotton or just 1-2% spandex. My husband abhors the look of stretchy jeans; he thinks they make most women look awful from the rear.

I also think that jeans should not be difficult to care for; I'll hang mine to dry instead of throwing them in the dryer if they are my "good" pair, but anything else is too much work. My jaw dropped when one of my friends told me she always dry-cleaned her jeans.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just had time to check! 2% spandex content - and not 3%.

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's too hot here in Austin to wear anything that's not 100% cotton. Rag and Bone used to make all cotton jeans - check those?