OT: Jeans

[rpm]

I'm looking for suggestions on jeans. I've previously liked LL Bean jeans, but their fit seems to have changed. I like the "classic" fit, but now it seems too baggy. I would like to find some other jeans with a fit that's neither super slim or relaxed. I'm looking for casual all-around blue jeans and some dressier ones in black. Suggestions?

[Ken Robb]

Lands End has a good assortment of cuts, material and colors.

[bike22]

levi's 501.

[gearguywb]

Some real good comments about Diamond Gusset jeans. American made and not very expensive.

[beungood]

LEE tough guy, Wrangler . I cycled too much weight off and shrank oput of my 560 Loose fit Levi's and have been searching for something decent so far Lee and Wrngler have some relaxed fit that seem to be decent.

[Idris Icabod]

I liked Banana Republic jeans until the last pair I bought bled yellow dye all over them in the first wash from the tag they insist on putting on them so strangers know what size you wear! Customer service was terrible, they refused to exchange them because they were worn so steer clear of those. I just bought a couple of pairs of Levi's, I used to hate their cut but they have several new modles/numbers/styles or whatever, worth popping in to Kohls and paying $30 instead of the $100 I used to get them from Banana Republic.

[rugbysecondrow]

Are you a thick guy or a thin guy? I have always liked Gap jeans, comfy, wear well and get better looking with age. I am a husky guy though, I need a little extra room in the thigh and arse.

[AngryScientist]

http://www.silverthorne.org/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=1443

[67-59]

levi's 501.

+1

[markie]

Ride a fancy bike?

Why not wear some fancy jeans?

http://shop.g-star.com/Products-cbiwcKAygLoJEAAAEnh_NuI5VM-gstar-us-Site-WFS-en_US-USD

[retrofit]

levi's 501.

+1

After a few years wearing Eddie Bauer and Land's End I went back to wearing the original shrink-to-fit 501's and am glad I did.

[avalonracing]

If you don't like the button fly on 501s (because you aren't a 1880's gold miner) 505s have the same fit with a zip fly.
Be sure to try on about a dozen pair though because every pair fits differently.

[Plum Hill]

A second on Diamond Gusset, and I wear them.

[Ken Robb]

If you don't like the button fly on 501s (because you aren't a 1880's gold miner) 505s have the same fit with a zip fly.
Be sure to try on about a dozen pair though because every pair fits differently.

yep, quality control isn't as good as it used to be and the denim seems to be lighter as well. That's good for breaking them in sooner but they don't offer the same protection and wear as they used to. A bit better as fashionista attire but not as good for work clothes.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Lee and Wrangler because they make some good jeans too.

[echappist]

Uniqlo S002. Can't beat a straight leg selvedge jean for $49/pair. I have two pairs and it's all i wear

[mjmcgee]

+1 on the Lucky Brand jeans. Around $35 at Costco, can't be beat.

Haven't had a new pair of 501s in a while, but with jeans weather from late October to March here in Portland, takes a while to wear out a couple pairs of Luckys.

Mike
http://www.silverthorne.org/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=1443

[that guy]

501s fit great but the quality is rubbish. Won't buy again.

Gap jeans have held up well. Lots of different fits available.

[flydhest]

http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-jeans

I would love to know if anyone has actually tried them and how they are.

$205 ain't cheap, but not the most expensive jeans I have seen.

[pavel]

diesel

[echappist]

http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-jeans

I would love to know if anyone has actually tried them and how they are.

$205 ain't cheap, but not the most expensive jeans I have seen.
http://svpow.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/quit-smoking-burning-money.jpg

[fuzzalow]

Selvedge is the preferred way to go on jeans for me. APC is not bad to start with. Selvedge from japanese makers is very nice, just don't indulge in collecting 10 pairs of jeans.

Most denim enthusiasts would not touch any high priced jean that comes from anywhere in a shopping mall if denim quality is what you seek - paying for fashion & marketing of the brand label. I'd guess Rapha jeans fall into this category also.

[54ny77]

http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/userpix/1864_400marcopantani0_1.jpg

[Ken Robb]

Consumer Reports just did a comparison of clothing including jeans that are sold in "regular" stores and discount stores/outlets. In many cases they are not the same. Sometimes there are real differences in quality.

One specific that I remember: discount store Lucky jeans have "Lucky You" on the outward facing fly but not "Lucky You" facing inward as the ones sold in regular stores have. The good news for customers is that there was not much difference in quality.

[ckamp]

Levi's 511

[rice rocket]

Levi's 511

The 511s are very slim. I can't get them past my calves. 514s are a good middleground between the 511s and the 501s (slimmer up top, more roomy at the lower leg).

[AngryScientist]

Consumer Reports just did a comparison of clothing including jeans that are sold in "regular" stores and discount stores/outlets. In many cases they are not the same. Sometimes there are real differences in quality.

One specific that I remember: discount store Lucky jeans have "Lucky You" on the outward facing fly but not "Lucky You" facing inward as the ones sold in regular stores have. The good news for customers is that there was not much difference in quality.

i believe there is certainly a difference in quality, at least in my experience. i'm a long time lucky buyer, from lucky stores, the jeans run a little over $100 generally. not bad IMO, considering how long they last in the usual rotation. i tried a pair of $40 jeans from a big department store, and the quality was not even close, literally. i'll stick to the real deal.

[verticaldoug]

AG 'The Geffen' are what you want.

If you want to really be different, try and find some natural indigo Edwin Jeans from Japan.

[rwsaunders]

C'mon Ron....let your inner Scot out and ditch the jeans for the kilt...

http://www.utilikilts.com

[CNY rider]

I recently got my first pair of Orvis jeans.
Nice fabric, fit well, can't comment on durability yet.
I also have been partial to Bean's and will be bummed if they effed up the fit.

[rpm]

Bob--

C'mon Ron....let your inner Scot out and ditch the jeans for the kilt...

http://www.utilikilts.com

Bob--
I will if you go first. Just post your picture here!

Thanks, everybody. I kind of like the idea of the diamond gusset jeans. I think I'll give them a try.

[johnnymossville]

If you have a nordstrom rack anywhere nearby go there. you can get great jeans for cheap. The $200+ jeans that were selling a few years ago are now there and there are deals to be had.

I like Paper Denim & Cloth myself. most are USA made and comfy.

[Plum Hill]

Why on earth would anyone pay $100 or $200 for a damned pair of jeans?

[xeladragon]

Selvedge is the preferred way to go on jeans for me. APC is not bad to start with. Selvedge from japanese makers is very nice, just don't indulge in collecting 10 pairs of jeans.

Most denim enthusiasts would not touch any high priced jean that comes from anywhere in a shopping mall if denim quality is what you seek - paying for fashion & marketing of the brand label. I'd guess Rapha jeans fall into this category also.
Selvedge is nice but pricey and definitely not for everyone. I highly doubt the OP is gonna jump from LL Bean to Japanese selvedge... two different worlds. Lucky Brand seems to be pretty popular... price is decent when there's a sale... I don't own a pair however.

[xeladragon]

Why on earth would anyone pay $100 or $200 for a damned pair of jeans?
Denim quality, hand-made vs. machine-made, style, comfort, etc.

Why would anyone pay more for their bike than they would their car? :) We all have our reasons...

[echappist]

Denim quality, hand-made vs. machine-made, style, comfort, etc.

Why would anyone pay more for their bike than they would their car? :) We all can have more money than sense at times...
fify

[mas0328]

The Gap makes decent reasonably priced selvage jeans (under $100).

For anything else, I recommend Lucky Brand. They have sales quite often (like 40% off).

[6mt]

RRL is good.

ain't cheap though.

[vjp]

The equivalent of a NAHB steel bike.

http://www.selfedge.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=88

[Steve in SLO]

Calvin Klein make some mid-fitting jeans. Their slimmer fitting styles fit just a bit fuller in the thighs than 501s and fabrics are lighter, so they are pretty comfy.