Pages

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Can you relate to this?

I am not at all sure which sounds more fun, my annual Pap exam, a root canal, or jean shopping. It's a toss up.

For me, jean shopping is such a traumatic experience that I put it off as long as humanly possible. Currently, my favorite jeans are down to the thread-bare-out-of-shape-and-very-nearly-out-of-style stage, and have been in this state since last spring. I was able to ignore the situation through summer, because..well, it was summer and I was able to wear skirts, sundresses, and shorts. Now, that Autumn is here (on the calendar at least...thankfully we are still enjoying temps in the mid 80's here...) I have to face the fact that sometime soon I need to brave the mall and go jean shopping. I just need to try and get in the right mind set to be able to do it.

Maybe you can answer some of the questions my inquiring mind has regarding jean shopping...or not. I'm just thinking you can relate....

First off...who was the guy that came up with skinny jeans? I want his name and number. Seriously, nothing screams look-how-big-my-bootie-is louder than skinny jeans.

And, when did we decide having the rear pockets half way down our patooties was a look we could all pull off? It feels weird, having my pockets down that low. I feel like they slid off my rear end. It may work for the Olsen twins, but I won't be rockin' that look, no matter what the folks at Buckle want me to believe.

Could there be a more expansive product group than jeans? I think not. Every designer makes them, and some of them even attempt to lure us in with cheesy names (Not My Daughter's Jeans? Oh, pul-eease. I can't quite bring myself to even try those on.) Let me say here, loud and clear, I would pay any price to find a pair of jeans that would make me look aaaah-mazing. I've tried all the brands...from affordable, to you-might-need-to-take-out-a-loan-and-make-payments and I haven't found a brand that works that kind of magic on my body...yet.

While we're at it, who designs fitting rooms these days? What happened to the old school hinged three piece mirrors so you could catch every angle of yourself? How are we supposed to see how the low slung pockets look on our patooties when there is only one mirror in the fitting room? (Hmmmm....come to think of it, maybe that is exactly why there is only one mirror..maybe their hope is that what we don't know won't hurt us?) I stand there trying to glance over my shoulder to see my rear and kind of end up chasing my self in a slow circle like a puppy chasing his tail...I once even resorted to holding up a compact mirror from my eyeshadow to see if I catch a view of how I look as I walk out of a room...without much luck.

Whether I am successful or not at making a purchase, my jean shopping trips historically end with me feeling so fat and frumpy that all I want to do is find a Dairy Queen and console myself with a Peanut Buster Parfait.

But, maybe that's just me...?


37 comments:

  1. One time when I went jean shopping I was sooo discouraged because if they fit my thighs a booty, then the gaped open at the back waist band... So maddening, then there is the little issue with I don't WANT to buy THAT size... It ended with me NOT buying any jeans, but instead bought a large bag of M and M's to drown my sorrows... hahaha Last year I went to Goodwill it took hours but I came away with 2 pairs that fit me well, one had the tag cut out, so I am happy to NOT know what size they really are!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm totaly over the fit and feel of denim jeans.
    I recently bought a pair of Ellen Tracy "Linda/slim ankle" in black at Macy's. They are a beautiful, and incredibly comfortable, pair of classic slacks with a bit of stretch, a side zipper and NO pockets (what would I put in a pocket anyways?). They are as comfortable as pajama bottoms ... and I will now admit that I took a pair of "Pajama Jeans" out of the package to get a closer look. "jeggings for Grandmas? No thanks fashion industry. At 54, it's slacks and a blouse for me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lordy, lordy you are not alone. I hate, hate jean shopping!!!!!!!! I'm seriously down to one decent pair and one ratty pair. Believe it or not my last pair of jeans my daughter bought me for I refused to go shopping. So let me know how successful your trip is and I'll send my daughter out for a pair, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I hear you Tracey. The low slung jeans that my middle age tummy, ahem, rolls over when I sit down, the feeling they are falling off, Why can't someone make jeans for women who's bodies aren't perfect? Thankfully the waists have come up a bit higher but I still have a hard time with fit. I'm with you, I put it off as long as humanly possible and then end up with jeans that never quite fit. Jeans shopping is right up there with buying a swimsuit! Ugh!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OH BOY, did you hit the mark on this one, I love jeans, but hate shopping for them. I need to go too. I have 3 pair that aren't comfortable one pair that I love that was from a Jones of NY collection, you know they only make it once. They are getting too grubby to wear except at home. I really hate shopping for jeans. I want a waist line high enough to cover my over 55 tummy. So if anyone finds jeans like this, please let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I always wonder about those people who have tons of jeans in their possession. "How does one do that?" I often wonder. I have about 6 pair that are all on the long side (to make your legs look longer which is great except for when I just want to put on some flats and be done with it, so I don't wear them as often as I'd like). I have come across some good pairs though.
    Trouser: Ann Taylor (Marissa is the style, I think) and J. Jill (which I found at the Goodwill of all places in the perfect size, length and wash in perfect condition...I felt lucky as that's not a regular place I shop and they were only $6!!).
    Longer (mild) bootcut: DKNY Soho and Kut from the Kloth have a nice fit. And the back pockets seem to be in the correct place. :) Also they have a nice slimming effect throughout the leg.
    Regular length: Levi's 515 Bootcut (Fred Meyer) are nice and just yesterday I got a pair of Denizen by Levi's at Target. Mid rise bootcut that are great with flatter shoes. They're soft too. :)
    As far as skinny jeans go, they aren't my favorite, but I have snagged a great pair of Calvin Klein's at Nordstrom Rack (saw the same ones at TJ Maxx yesterday, but wrong size. I'd totally buy them again. They're cute with a long cardigan or trench coat with flats or heels. And they have enough length to cuff, which I like to do sometimes. I also got two pair of Gloria Vanderbilt skinny jeans at TJ's. They're a little snugger than I might normally pick, but they're ankle length and look cute with cardi's and such.
    I wouldn't recommend Not Your Daughter's Jeans! They fit like a diaper...a lot of denim up around the mid section and it feels weird. They're awful. At least that's my opinion and I've heard it from others, too.
    I had to laugh about the mirror situation, too! I take a compact with me and it helps, but not the way a life sized mirror would and half the time there's the communal three way mirror which I never use because it feels embarrassing to strut out there and look at my butt.
    Sorry this comment got long....oops. :/
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, my...You did hit the mark on this one! lol! The last time I went shopping for jeans was about a year ago. I tottered into the dressing room with a stack of jeans so high I could barely see. Managed to come away with one pair and a major hot flash triggered by the stress of it all! Perhaps we need a nice sympathetic personal shopper (not a size 2) to take our measurements without a single tut-tut. She can go out and find the perfect jeans to fit body, style and budget needs. That would be soooo loverly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I LOVE jeans!!! I have tried all the different brands and my all time fav's are Citizen of Humanity. You have to get the regular denim and not the newer stretch kind. I think my favorite ones are called, Ingrid. Get the 98% cotton, 2%poly. I swear they are so worth the price...

    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not normally a big fan of Chico's but I do like their jeans. They are proportioned for a more "mature" figure and they have a new version that has "jiggle" control built in but does not feel like you are wearing Spanx (or worse). I recommend you give them a try.

    ReplyDelete
  10. We all feel your pain....cause it's our pain, too. There are only 2 brands of casual pants I wear. Lee brand for Jeans because they come up to the waist and are comfortable. (I can't do that hipster style...it's not a pretty sight) and Land's End for khakis. They have a style with horizontal pockets cause who wants hip pockets that stick way out the sides to draw even more attention to a post-menopausal middle? Good luck in your search. (I am a size 10 or 12...not a model! lol)
    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know, I know, pick me, pick me, I have the perfect solution!!!!!

    I don't wear jeans, EVAH!!!

    LOL

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're in good company, sister! I feel your pain! Jana in Texas

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hahaha your not alone!! I stopped buying jeans a couple of years ago. Wait I take that back. I did buy a pair at Chico's last winter. They are that slim look but made for "mature" woman. I like the way they look a lot but the minute I get home I tear them off and switch into my flannel pj bottoms. Try that store. For the most part I wear a little more artsy kind of pants. I just started feeling tired of the whole jean thing. I wanted to have a little more fun with my pants, you know easy to dress up or down?
    Best,
    kathy

    ReplyDelete
  14. The ONLY thing worse then Jean shopping is bathing suit shopping, which living in FL is somewhat of a necessity! Good luck, there are some good suggestions on here. Let us know how you do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Try a Dress Barn.....they have jeans that look nice on girls with a figure :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seriously! This has been my last two days of dread. I have literally put over 100 miles on my car trying to find a place to buy a pair of jeans. Living in the south, means we have long summers and short winters, but I am planning a trip (in two weeks) to Utah and trusting it will be a bit cooler there, so really am finding myself desperate. Looks like I am going to be wearing the jeans I own and hoping for the best. :o)
    PLEASE let us know if you find something. We are all cheering you on, in the hunt!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Right?! I am totally with you on this one! Maybe I'll move to Hawaii so I can just keep wearing my shorts (with holes in them, of course)!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I feel your "pain!" :) My solution is taking my young adult daughter with me to T J Maxx, where she patiently gives me her honest input on yes, no, maybe. She can calmly talk me through those moments of "I am going to never eat again!" My advice-- never go into the dressing room without the MAXimum number of ideas allowed-- and maybe even live on the edge and break the rules and tote in 25 pairs of jeans at a time! :) Wishing you happy shopping!

    AND I meant to comment on your previous post about posting-- YOURS was the first blog I started reading. I was hooked-- even felt like we were related at times! (We lived in Vancouver, WA for 6 years-- now in Indiana). Over the years I have thought about starting my own blog...finally almost 2 weeks ago-- largely in part to your inspiration-- I started my own blog, "notes to anne." Keep on posting!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Finally someone who has the same phobia as me! I'm discouraged at every prospect of trying on jeans. The back of the waist band is always sticking out 2-3 inches so that the jeans can fit my hips or is so low it looks like I'm wearing my granny panties. The fabric is now so thin and stretchy that they only last one season before they have those holes desired by teens. What ever happened to real jean fabric? I found an old pair yesterday in my closet that said size 8 and guess what they fit but are in very poor condition due to the fact that they were my favorite pair. Now according to todays sizes I'm wearing a size 10-12. How can an 8, 10, and 12 be the same size I ask? Let us know if you find any real jeans for real women.
    Hugs,
    Cathie

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am with you all the way! Hopefully you get to my comment, as I see you have many. But, I have found jeans that work on my patootie and believe me I have a PATOOTIE! Please check these out and trust me when I say you can order these and feel confident without trying them on first. I have ordered 2 and love them. NO, I am not being paid....just found a great jean for me! Loved your post, as did my 23 yr old daughter, who is much thinner then I!http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A93541.desc.Denim-Co-Modern-Waist-Regular-Stretch-Denim-Trouser-Jeans

    ReplyDelete
  21. I completely agree! Jean shopping is far worse than even swimsuit shopping! AND don't 'cha hate it when you try the jeans on and they fit in the front and the back is like 8 inches away from your back! UGH! Makes my palms sweat just thinkin' about it. BUT, when you find that perfect pair, buy them in every wash and color. That way you won't have to shop for them again for awhile!

    ReplyDelete
  22. OMG...I was laughing out loud...pockets that look like they slid off your rear end! haha!! That is so true! Those only look good if you are under 24 years old and skinny!

    I'm still looking for that perfect brand too and I don't think I'll find it until I lose about 20+ more lbs!

    I really want to lose the rest of this weight so I can wear my jeans tucked into boots this winter...that's what's motivating me now! I love that look but with my "pear shape" I don't know if I can pull it off!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tracy, have you tried Rider jeans at Walmart? I find they fit perfectly with a little give to them.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, Tracey, you have voiced it, Girl! I hate jeans shopping as much as you and the other posters here. Like a couple of others, I actually found the best pair of jeans ever at Goodwill for $6.00!! Sadly, I've worn the heck out of them and am in need of embarking upon the hunt again. ~sigh~ Happy hunting to you and I hope you share with us what you find that works - and what doesn't. Thanks to your writing about this, I am going to try some of the suggestions here!

    ReplyDelete
  25. In addition to fit, I find I can never get them long enough. Grrr.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I hated going jean shopping too until 1 yr ago. I went to the dept store and started gathering up the 1st one of what I figured would be hundreds to start trying on. The saleswoman asked me what size and told me to wait a minute. She came back with a pair of Ralph Lauren's. I do not know how she knew they would fit like they are made for ME. I now own 4 pairs - all shades of denim. They are so comfortable - I have more legs than body, and they are just the right length for me. I am so grateful to that saleswoman - I was in & out of there in under 45 minutes. No torture took place. Good luck to you, Mary in Dallas.

    ReplyDelete
  27. First time to comment. Just have to say, I love Not Your Daughters Jeans!! I own several pairs, and I think they fit like a dream.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh I am so happy to see that I'm not alone in hating Jean shopping, and I love jeans! And not that all the cute tankers are sort of fitted, no matter what size you are, if you are ove 50, that muffin top does not look pretty! If you want to spend money, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren are great fits, not so low and great denim fabric, and on the less expensive side, Lee jeans are great for the more mature body!

    Tracey let us know what you find!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh boy! I hear you loud and clear! Not liking the low slung anything. At my age, there is nothing I want covered more than the tummy area. Pu-lllllease! :P

    ReplyDelete
  30. Okay, so I know the name is cheesey, but I'm wearing Not your daughters jeans at this very moment, and I have to tell you~ they're perfect! Higher waist to control the tummy (with a little bit in help in the jeans) and higher NORMAL sized rear pockets and just a Tad of stretch to help them 'hug" where they need to. Trust me, just try a pair.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I've been buying the stretchy kind at Coldwater Creek and really love them. But no one can beat the fitting rooms at Talbots. Oh my, they have the most wonderful rosy lighting and I swear they have "circus mirrors" that make me look 20 lbs. lighter! have fun! xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm not a fan of the name either, but I had to have a pair of jeans while I was out of town, and I stopped in and tried a pair of "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" and whoa. The pockets are in the right place, they don't look like typical "mom jeans" and they do something great for my behind...which is kind of a miracle in my opinion. Right away several people asked my if I had lost weight. So I went back that very same weekend and bought 2 more pairs. I wear those 3 pair constantly.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have enough things that are low slung without buying jeans that are.

    In Canada we have a wonderful chain of stores, Reitman's. Their jeans fit so great and the only place I buy mine.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Diane Gilman HSN on tv these are the best jeans ever and size down!!! love them and own at least 12 pairs.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Tracey.
    * I found jeans!! * And had to let you know!! If you are interested in where, shoot me an email and I will fill you in. I am so excited ... had to tell you!!
    hugs. Trish

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...