$200 jeans, are they worth it?
In the last few years it has become obvious that when it comes to jeans, there are two schools of thought. Either you are willing to shell out top dollar, or you're not. For those that are willing, you can pay anywhere from $200 to $500 for a single pair of jeans. The other mentality is that jeans are jeans, you can get an equally great pair for $20 that you can for $100, so why pay the extra money? So what's the difference? What does $200 get you that $20 cannot? Or, is the high-end market another way to tap into the consumer's need for brand identity, without making any significant improvements on the product itself?
Most jean connoisseurs know the history of jeans started in the 1850's by Levi Strauss. A Bavarian immigrant, intent on making his fortune in the gold rush, he brought his rough canvas to San Francisco hoping to use it for tents and wagon covers. When someone said to him that what the miners really needed was pants, Strauss quickly fashioned his canvas into trousers. The popularity of jeans in youth culture started in the 1950's as a silent rebellion against conformity. By the 1970's jeans were an acceptable choice for informal wear, and by the 1990's the average Canadian owned at least 7 pairs.
In 2000, the manufacturer, "Seven For All Mankind", changed the market. These jeans came on the map with distinctive stitching on the back pocket and a bevy of celebrity followers. The list price of around $130 made it feasible for a working-girl to afford them, and they soon became a sort of status symbol for a generation of young women. Many other designers quickly followed suit and now the high-end jeans market is topping the billion dollar mark. But what, really, are these high-end jeans offering?
Seven for All Mankind
First off, and possibly the most important aspect is fit. High-end jeans tend to have an array of cuts and styles which fit many different body types. The designers have listened to their market and now provide a range of rises, leg openings and stretch factor. Secondly, there's fabric. The high-end designers usually use a softer denim, which allows for more movement, breathability and allure. Denim no longer has to be stiff and unforgiving, you can wear these jeans as pants that conform to your body's movements, providing a long, lean silhouette.
Whether or not to buy high-end denim is really a matter of your own personal taste. It's hard to recommend buying a pair of $300 jeans when you like sporting a new pair every month. You also need to do your research, not all high-end jeans are created equal, as there are plenty of designers whose top dollar jeans are not any better than a $25 pair of Levi's. Most importantly, keep yourself informed and try not to fall for the label or that ever-mesmerizing back pocket.
