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How jeans conquered the world (2012)

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131–140 of 155 posts

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#131
post #78

It's surprisingly difficult to find a pair of jeans that I really like, and I've taken to altering my own to make up for the shortcomings. Nearly all have reduced the number of belt loops to 5, so I always add 2 more in the back on either side. I've started seeing really short zippers, which is unfixable and best to avoid. I've noticed a lot of ill fitting jeans bunch around the crotch or suffer from being a "cheap h…

I wear duluth trading jeans. The model I buy [0] is made in the usa, although there is also a less-expensive model. It's nice especially because I'm pretty short, and it's nice to find 30" inseam pants without having to dig and dig. They even have 28" in some models. I also typically buy about three pairs of shorts from them every so often, since I know they fit and that way I don't have to decide about which shorts…

I'll second the recommendation for Duluth Trading Co. I've been wearing these [1] for a while and they're great. Every pair of jeans I owned before that wore through at the knees and the crotch within a couple of years; these are still going strong with no signs of thinning or fraying. They're also super comfy, not confining or restricting at all, and they come with giant pockets.

Can't comment on the fashion, but I've gotten compliments about them before. That may just be because the heavy-cargo-pants form factor works well for my frame, however.

[1] http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-pants/work-pant...

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#132
post #78

It's surprisingly difficult to find a pair of jeans that I really like, and I've taken to altering my own to make up for the shortcomings. Nearly all have reduced the number of belt loops to 5, so I always add 2 more in the back on either side. I've started seeing really short zippers, which is unfixable and best to avoid. I've noticed a lot of ill fitting jeans bunch around the crotch or suffer from being a "cheap h…

I wear duluth trading jeans. The model I buy [0] is made in the usa, although there is also a less-expensive model. It's nice especially because I'm pretty short, and it's nice to find 30" inseam pants without having to dig and dig. They even have 28" in some models. I also typically buy about three pairs of shorts from them every so often, since I know they fit and that way I don't have to decide about which shorts…

I can't vouch for, but I've heard (and read) decent things about Brave Star Selvedge Jeans --however I think they only do button-flies. I dunno about the next person, but I'd rather not fumble around trying to get the thing buttoned. I don't think I know of anyone having zipper accidents.

By-the-by, they recommend not washing too often, as little as once per year... just don't mix them with your regular washing.

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please. Virtue signalling is a useful topic, but it gets really tiresome to see people who just discovered the concept run around and excitedly apply it to everything, like a child with a new toy. The downside of higher quality clothing (money) is obvious: it's the upside that needs explaining. Fashion is the prototypical example of signaling, and quality as held separate from fashion has a couple minor advantages…

I think there are other reasons to dress well other than just signaling. I personally find psychological benefits to dressing nicely -- I feel much more industrious and "ready-to-work" when I wear a nice outfit to work compared to tshirt/jeans/sneakers, plus I get a nice "switch" effect when I get home and can take it all off. Similarly, I feel more prepared to exercise when I switch into my exercise clothes, even th…

Sure I agree with you on this, and I didn't intend for my comment to sound like there's no case for dressing nicely beyond signaling. When I said that the side requiring justification is that of dressing nicely, personal explanations like yours are exactly the kind of thing I was thinking of.

What I was arguing against is the maximizing impulse on the _other_ end: the notion that it's so self-evidently universally valuable that the primary reason to not dress well would be Virtue signaling.

That comment you linked to is just flat bullshit. People who desperately try to justify strict old-fashioned dress codes somehow conflate "you can literally lose your job if you don't dress this way" with "I feel awkward being the only person dressed this way, even in the absence of anyone else's reaction". It's insane to me that so many people uncritically parrot this utter nonsense.

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please. Virtue signalling is a useful topic, but it gets really tiresome to see people who just discovered the concept run around and excitedly apply it to everything, like a child with a new toy. The downside of higher quality clothing (money) is obvious: it's the upside that needs explaining. Fashion is the prototypical example of signaling, and quality as held separate from fashion has a couple minor advantages…

> really tiresome to see people who just discovered the concept Curious, were you wearing your higher quality clothing when you made this comment ? For some, more expensive clothes increases their sense of superiority. I, for example, am less polite and less patient when I have to dress well. It isn't so much of a problem now that I am aware of it.

Nope :) I'm home sick so I was in my pajamas.

I don't think describing a common thought pattern has much to do with an increased sense of superiority. Have you never spoken about a behavior or activity that you think is bad? Were you exhibiting a superiority complex each time? Give me a break.

I don't feel the psychological effects of dressing well particularly strongly, but I acknowledge that others do and I don't think there's anything wrong with those feelings.

That's a very different position from being small minded enough to universalize one's own attitudes towards attire to "explain" the behavior of those who may not feel the same way as you. _That's_ what I was arguing against, the idea that virtue signalling must be the reason for putting less money and time into attire because people couldn't _possibly_ have different preferences.

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please. Virtue signalling is a useful topic, but it gets really tiresome to see people who just discovered the concept run around and excitedly apply it to everything, like a child with a new toy. The downside of higher quality clothing (money) is obvious: it's the upside that needs explaining. Fashion is the prototypical example of signaling, and quality as held separate from fashion has a couple minor advantages…

I got into economics 10 years ago so don't blame me for the current faddishness of the term. You could work a bit harder on your manners, though.

Sorry, I looked back at the comment and realize that some of it was unnecessary to say. I've got a pretty nasty cold and I'm home sick bored put of my mind so my mood probably wasn't the best when I made that comment.

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#136
post #105
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would suggest a modicum of caution. That price point is impressively competitive with Levi's while promising extensive customization. That's a potential warning sign. You might be better served looking at http://companiondenim.com/

$79 USD for a pair of Levi's is far too much. I routinely buy Levi 501s for under $40 in the US at outlet stores. It's still less than $79 CAD at a Canadian outlet store. Any alteration at that site is not included, it's tacked on to the $79 USD base price.

Some brands "knockoff" themselves by selling a lower quality product of the same name at outlet stores.[1] I have no idea if this is true of Levi Strauss.

[1] http://www.businessinsider.com/outlet-stores-arent-a-good-de...

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#137
post #136
post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$79 USD for a pair of Levi's is far too much. I routinely buy Levi 501s for under $40 in the US at outlet stores. It's still less than $79 CAD at a Canadian outlet store. Any alteration at that site is not included, it's tacked on to the $79 USD base price.

Some brands "knockoff" themselves by selling a lower quality product of the same name at outlet stores.[1] I have no idea if this is true of Levi Strauss. [1] http://www.businessinsider.com/outlet-stores-arent-a-good-de...

It very well could be, but I have many pairs and I wear them in hard. I'd find out very quickly if they're knock off (or at least sub par quality).

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#138
post #105
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would suggest a modicum of caution. That price point is impressively competitive with Levi's while promising extensive customization. That's a potential warning sign. You might be better served looking at http://companiondenim.com/

$79 USD for a pair of Levi's is far too much. I routinely buy Levi 501s for under $40 in the US at outlet stores. It's still less than $79 CAD at a Canadian outlet store. Any alteration at that site is not included, it's tacked on to the $79 USD base price.

Levi's seem obscenely cheap in the USA compared to use here in Australia and New Zealand. It's $110 AUD for Levi's bought online from Australia, and even more to buy them here in New Zealand.

American online retailers that have good, affordable shipping to New Zealand won't ship Levi's to NZ (or at least last time I checked, they didn't).

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#139
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

INb4 people talk about $300 jeans. These are jeans you only have one pair of, that you wear EVERY DAY. They are worth it but it's like buying a nice sports car or nice purse. It's the same thing. Invest in what you use all the time.

Do you wash them every night or what? Don't tell me about ridiculous things like not washing them or freezing them or something.

Do you wash ever piece of clothing after wearing it once?

Most pants (in the American sense, not British) should last you at least a couple of days. I'm not going to wash a nice pair of woolen trousers every day.

Re: How jeans conquered the world (2012)

#140
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Blue Owl in Seattle is good too. These denim stores are mostly focused on raw denim, which is generally a much higher quality garment than available normally.

The quality difference would have to be substantial. I bring in a very high income for my area, and the thought of spending $300-$400 on a single pair of jeans is pretty out there. An $80 pair of jeans, which will often be on sale for $40-$50 will last me for 2-3 years and are of average quality. It seems to me like one would have to justify these jeans on the fashion/novelty aspect, and not quality/value as it just…

I don't wear expensive jeans, but I've found that often with expensive things, you don't realise what you're missing out on until you try something better.

Binoculars is a good example. You've probably only ever looked through a $50 pair of binos, and thought that looks good enough. But compare it to a $500 set, and the difference will seem like night and day.

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