How Often Do You Buy New Jeans? And How Long Until You Chuck Them?
Posted by: Leonora Epstein
Filed in:
style
12:50PM, Tuesday October 6th 2009
It goes without saying—the one item in your closet that’s older than the latest “High School Musical” star? Probably your favorite pair of jeans. A new survey from the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex, England finds that Brits hang on to their jeans longer than any other piece of clothing, and that nearly two million people have pairs they bought as much as 40 years ago.
Hole-y jeans!
Denim probably makes up the majority of our wardrobes. According to Cotton Inc., ” ... the average [American] woman owns 8 pairs of jeans.” [Um, try more like a dozen.—Editor] Of course, nestled in that pile of denim are a handful of pairs we haven’t worn in years, but still hang on to for “good” reasons: they’re slightly out of style but will come back, or they will fit after I lose three pounds, OK?!
It would seem a survey like Lakeside’s is supposed to make us reevaluate our consumption habits, and let go of old waste ... but is it really so bad to hang on to things? What’s your rule for jeans? Do you buy to replace? Or do you buy to add? [Telegraph.co.uk]
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CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 11:53 am: [report]
Interesting tidbit about CheeeeEEEEse, Fromage, or any other cute, and/or repulsive nickname you have for me:
I do not own a pair of jeans.
In relation to your question, I find it moot.
skywalk
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:04 pm: [report]
I buy to add I never through out jeans, they can turn into garden or painting jeans if they are that old or worn.. But I do like my jeans dark so when they start to wear/fade out I buy more dark jean.
emflow
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:15 pm: [report]
I buy to replace, or if I change sizes enough to need a new wardrobe. I’d buy to add but my office is business-casual so I only get to wear jeans on the weekend.
powplz
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:21 pm: [report]
I own two pairs of jeans. One is so worn through that they need to be pitched. The other still fit and look good, but they are *just* snug enough at this weight (5 lbs. higher than my usual high-end of weight fluctuation) that I haven’t been wearing them to work on the few days that I can. When I get the motivation to drive across town to the mall (not that it’s that far) I’m going to just go buy myself a nice pair of jeans ... since I haven’t been having any luck in the denim dept at savers/marshall’s/etc.
So, it’s natural that I totally disagree with the cotton, inc assertion that denim makes up the majority of most people’s wardrobes - or at least most people who have jobs where you can’t wear jeans.
bogart4017
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:21 pm: [report]
about three times per season. And i don’t get rid of them until i ease up 2 waist sizes.
Riley
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:24 pm: [report]
I keep mine until they wear out. I usually only have about 3 pairs in the main rotation, but I’m pretty easy on my casual clothes.
delovely
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 12:26 pm: [report]
I have approx. 14-16 pairs of jeans. Of course, they are in varying sizes from 4-10. I keep them around because my weight fluctuates from super skinny to a bit pudgy. I threw away a few pairs once there were major holes and I gave one oversized pair to a friend. Also, I haven’t bought a new pair of jeans in over a year. (I have quite the love affair with my denim.)
mayorbubbles
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 01:33 pm: [report]
i only have one pair of jeans :( I need more. I last couple pairs of jeans i got rid of ripped at the crotch, were too small, or too uncomfortable. The fit but the rise is too low or the waist band is too tight for my liking. i prefer stretchy jeans. I just got out of my growing years so hopefully i can accumulate a good variety of jeans now
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 01:38 pm: [report]
@mayorbubbles: Ripped at the crotch you say? Unless pics are provided I cannot substantiate your claim.
Steph Pro
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 02:56 pm: [report]
Before I was 16, I wore a uniform to school everyday. Because of this, I have a desire to own lots of denim. My everyday jeans eventually become painting or outdoor jeans (if they get torn or stained, who cares). I buy to add, and replace. I would say I replace everyday jeans, and add going out jeans. But, let’s be real, once you find a pair of jeans that make your butt look just right, do you ever really want to take them off?
writergirl
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 03:00 pm: [report]
I only throw away jeans when you can determine the color underwear I am wearing.
nonenone
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 05:52 pm: [report]
i have at least 50 pairs of jeans, and that’s not counting the ones i gave away
cali_candy
wrote on October 6 2009 @ 09:48 pm: [report]
My jeans keep getting holes in them in the crotch area - more like upper thigh area (and always on the right side, weird). At that point I just use them for hiking.
sameji
wrote on October 7 2009 @ 12:56 am: [report]
I’m a college student, and I only own two pairs. One is for painting class, since I always manage to get paint on my clothes, and the other is my “good” pair. I usually replace them both at the same time. I don’t see the point in owning a dozen pairs, I only wash mine once every one or two weeks anyway.
Iammina
wrote on October 9 2009 @ 05:24 pm: [report]
I buy a lot of jeans and I never get rid of them. If the style changes I cut the legs off and turn them into Daisy Duke type shorts. I actually like to wear wore out jeans around the house, holes in the butt and everything. My one act of rebelling against dressing up all week long is to wear holey jeans and no bra.
amylou
wrote on October 15 2009 @ 12:46 pm: [report]
i haven’t tossed out jeans in over 10 years. i’m 24 and i’ve had my favorite pair of stylish little straight-leg jeans since high school… still fit, suckas!