Jeans - worth spending ££? If so what would you recommend?

[mrscog]

Right, I'm now back to pre-DS size, well smaller than pre DS and now I need to look at rebuilding my wardrobe from almost scratch as everything is either super old or too big (haven't really bought anything new since 2010 as knew we were going to TTC and then I was pg, then I was fat and now I'm back to normal!).

I wear jeans almost every day - they are my staple item. I've just bought a bargainous pair of khaki jeggings from Sainsburys (£12.50) but I really need a new pair of mid blue jeans for going out in the day - not lounging around at home level as I'll just wear old jeans for that, but out for lunch with a friend type of thing.

So, I'm trying to decide where to look. I go back to work in March so will have money again (yey), and I am considering treating myself to something at the 7FAM/MiH level. But is it worth it? Will they last? Will they go baggy after 1 wear like my gap jeans? If it helps I'm 28 and about a size 10 (but quite a pear shaped size 10).

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Hello. This thread is a little old now and some of the recommendations may be out of date. Whatever style you’re looking for, take a gander at our round-up of Mumsnetters’ favourite jeans for more recent suggestions. MNHQ.

Definitely worth it if you can get them in the sales/abroad/Bicester village/TK Maxx or similar. I wear jeans a lot and do think the cut on designer denim tends to be better. They won't necessarily last better though, I've worn holes in my Rock and Republics, although I was playing on the carpet a lot at the time. For lunches and nights out they are perfect. Miss Sixty is somewhere between High st and Designer prices and I have to say I've found they last extremely well. 7FAM etc tend to be very long so unless you are a giraffe you need to watch that you don't shred the hems.

Asos quite often has decent jeans in the sale section, I've just ordered a few pairs to try on.

I have got 7FAM jeans and Goldsign. They are both nice jeans but no better than my Levis or Uniqlo jeans, in fact the Levis have the best cut for me. I think you need to try on some different brands to see which fit you the best. I don't find 7FAM very long, I am 5'7" and they are a good length on me to be worn with flats not heels. And don't pay full price for premium jeans as they will pretty much always be 50-75% during the sales, My Goldsign jeans were reduced from £275 to £67 in the Donna Ida sale!

I agree with dexter, I can't really tell the difference in quality between 7FAM/Citizens of Humanity etc and my high street jeans. In fact Zara are a better fit for me that the premium brands I have. I'd have a session trying on so you can see what fits you best

I am a pear shaped size 10-12 and the best jeans I have found are from Karen Millen, really flattering, true to size and worth spending the money on. A close 2nd are my New Look jeans!

On me diesel jeans are the only ones that fit properly. FFS. I no longer wear jeans.

pinkmagic1, which size do you go with at karen millen? I am also 10-12...but thought their clothes usually quite tight fitting?

I'm fussy with jeans, either DKNY or Next are my favourites at the moment, I got my DKNY one's in a sale though but I did pay £45 for the next pair I've got.

I love French Connection and Miss Sixty. Both around the £70-£80 mark.

Definitely is what suits you though, I desperately wanted to like 7FAM but just couldn't MAKE them suit me!!

7s do wear out very quickly and not in a good way.

Zara jeans quickly lose their shape.

I like Gap jeans, especially the 1969 Always Skinny model.

I just got some J Brand 811 skinnies and although I love the colour (taupe) and the fabric is quite nice, there's something a bit Emperor's new clothes about spending £££ on jeans! I'm sure the high st are savvy enough to entirely copy the cut, and the fabric isn't expensive anyway. Also recommend Donna Ida website - mine were over £200 iirc reduced to under £50 I love the design of diesel jeans - to me they are worth the money as there is detailing involved, whereas basic skinnies or whatever I'm not sure you need to spend £££.

I live in Miss Sixty always from TK Maxx. Jeans £20-£30 a pair, coat £60 it has all lasted years

I take a size 12 jean in Karen Millen. I have also heard people say their sizes come up small but I usually find them true to size. I suppose it depends on your body shape, not just your dress size. Some brands fit some people well but not others.

I love all my designer jeans. Especially my jbrand. Having said that I also love my top shop jeans. Last year I decided not to splash out on designer burgundy jeans but bought from River Island instead. They fit great but went baggy and loose around the knee after one wear. I hardly wore them because of how they stretched when I did. Price per wear was way more than my designer ones which I wear to death. Definitely Donna Ida for advice and selection x

ABout 10 years ago yes but high st so good now I think no

I have Citizens of Humanity Ada jeans and MiH Paris jeans both from TK Maxx. They were bargains at £50 and £24 respectively but to be honest I would pay full price for them both because they are great, keep their shape and give a flattering silhouette. Far better than my TopShop Marthas - although they are still my everyday jeans.

I've just bought a pair from All Saints which I suspect won't see me out...

My FC skinnies have been worn to death though and are still holding up well! I just love their cut.

I got my first pair of 7s today from BrandAlley. I'm worried now that two people have said they wear out quick and not in a good way

I swear by Goldsign. My favourites are the Virtual high rise. They are truly amazing jeans, but v expensive. I buy mine from Shopbop for about half UK RRP.

I like MiH and J Brand. CoH are great but mine have stretched a bit. Always look for half price or cheaper.

Ah thank you - you've kind of confirmed what I think was fuelling my hesitation in that it's the fit on you that ultimately matters, rather than the price tag.

This also means I'm going to have to go jeans shopping which is the worst kind IMO!

Try Dressipi possibly for suggestions.

The thing I notice is that the more expensive the jeans the thinner they are. Seriously. And softer, but mostly they just aren't that tough. If you want durable go for the cheapest one that is supposed to suit your shape.

Ask here about which jeans for your shape.

Mrscog, I HATE jeans shopping, but had the best experience ever at a Levi's store. They listened to me, measured me up and in 10 mins flat I had 2 pairs of perfect jeans. Well worth the money. They fit like a dream - I live in jeans, have a toddler and am always bending over etc and these jeans stay put!

My sister (v v fussy shopper) had same experience in a different Levi's store (she went after i went on and on about it!) so I don't think it was a one-off for me.

I'm a pear-shaped size 10ish too, but they have 3 different fits for different body shapes, as well as sizes and lengths, which I think is their secret.