President Barack Obama was criticized by some (ourselves included) for wearing “mom jeans.” Why would such a handsome and important man put on such unflattering pants? Meredith Vieira got to the bottom of this matter in a “Today” interview. Hear Obama’s answer in the above clip.

Don’t have time to go to the tailor? Can’t afford to buy one pair of jeans for flats and another for heels? Hem Tape to the rescue! It’s very strong double-sided tape that will instantly hem long jeans. Now we can stop using duct tape and staples, and still wear those jeans meant for a supermodel legs the day after we purchase them. [$12, Bristols 6]

We’re giving away five Hem Tapes For Denim, but you have to work if you want to feel refreshed whenever you want. The five best commenters for this coming week—from today, Friday, July 10 through Thursday, July 16—will be awarded with one. So, be as clever, smart, and original as you can! Click HERE to read the official rules.

Whitney Port is the bravest girl we know. She is the first person we’ve seen try the jean-legging combo. While she’s thin enough that they don’t look bad, we wonder if they’re cutting off her circulation. [LA, 5/19/09]

The Frisky staff was talking about what ‘80s fashion trends we wish would make comebacks, since most styles from back in the day have returned. Jean jackets covered in sequins and pins, catsuits, and lamé all came up in the conversation. I said acid wash denim, and everyone jumped all over me. For most people, acid wash jeans seem like a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad idea. What do I think is a horrible idea? Wearing acid wash jeans with an American Apparel T-shirt and tough-girl boots. Instead, I’m looking for a pair to wear with preppy striped shirts and button-downs. Sadly, not many companies are making them. Am I the only one who thinks they’d be a good idea? [Bleach Acid Skinny Jeans, $80, Topshop]

A pair of old-school Levi’s from the 1890s was found in an abandoned mine in California’s Mojave Desert. The company historian for Levi Strauss & Co. thinks they’re the 201 style, a “value” (read: cheaper) version of their 501s. The jeans sold on eBay for $36,099 last week, which is three times as much as the most expensive pair of jeans we’ve heard of, which are covered with Swarovski crystals. Let this be a lesson: Classic always trumps trendy. [WWD]

Bobbie Thomas spoke on Today about getting the fashions in the

You might be wondering why we think an old guy with soup-catching facial hair is hot. Well, this isn’t any just any old guy, it’s Levi Strauss. On this day in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the process of riveting pants, and blue jeans came into our lives. If those two guys hadn’t done their thing, I would be pantless right now. [LeviStrauss.com]

We just got a press release in the mail for a new line of denim called “Freedom Of Choice”, which we initially thought was named after the right afforded by Roe V. Wade. Not so! According to the designer, Nathan Menashe (of course, a man), Freedom of Choice jeans are for women who “need a pair of jeans that they can wear in the workplace and then go out in afterwards. They need all this plus that special detail that will make their jeans stand out from the rest of the pack.” Get it? Women need the freedom to choose jeans that they can wear in a board meeting AND when they’re out getting smashed with their friends. Take that, Roe V. Wade!