“I gained about 8 pounds (which I am totally fine with, BTW), but one thing that is annoying me is the fact that my skinniestjeans simply won’t button anymore. I can get them on and since they have a bit of stretch they look fine on my legs, but no amount of twisting and turning and laying on my back will allow me to button them. Is there anything I can do to get them to fit again. You know, besides losing weight?”—Rebecca

Actually Rebecca, we suspect you’re not all alone out there. A couple of suggestions, after the jump ...

President Obama gave fashion critics something to talk about when he displayed a pair of “mom jeans” at a baseball game, Nicolas Sarkozy and his lovely wife Carla both donned denim for a recent trip to Egypt, and the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, chose jeans for a dinner date with Obama. Steve Jobs kept his fashion taste simple through the years—a black turtleneck and a pair of Levi’s 501s.

Suddenly, jeans are the new power look. 

We’ve opposed it, but tights continue to be viewed as pants by many. And, last spring, jeans fused with leggings to become “jeggings.” Now, exercise apparel company Athleta is trying to sell us on their Bettona Pant, “a yoga pant that thinks it’s a jean.” With a faux fly, rivets at the pockets, and contrast stitching, these pants have jean-like details but are made from a stretchy, sweat-wicking, breathable fabric with an antimicrobial finish. Sorry, but we don’t get it. Why can’t tights just be tights, and leggings just be leggings, and jeans just be jeans, and yoga pants just be yoga pants?! Can we stop combining clothes and trying to give them multiple functions? [Athleta]

INTERIOR, A NIGHT CLUB:

An obviously dorky, wallflower-like girl, Stacey, stands alone awkwardly at the bar. Her ultra-hot friend, Tracy, walks up and joins her, sweaty from the dance floor. The music is blaring.

Stacey: Tracy, you get so many guys. I just don’t know how you do it! I can’t even get a dude to look at me.
Tracy: You know what your problem is, Stacey?
Stacey: I barely fill out an A-cup and become too invested after sex?
Tracy: No. They don’t look at you because they can’t see you. Literally. That’s why I wear these (points to pants), Diesel‘s glow-in-the-dark jeans.
Stacey: Oooh, you’re glowing and you’re not even pregnant!
Tracy: Uh, right. Anyhow, they’re part of the fall 2009 collection, and they’re painted with a special coating which lights up under UV lights. Some of the jeans come with stitching or graphics that show up in the dark. This way, guys can pick me out of a crowd in a dark club.
Stacey: Right on! You glow, girl! [Nitrolicious]

Have you met Miss Miyuki Hatoyama? She’s Japan’s First Lady, and most recently, the recipient of something called the “Best Jeanist Award” (going to guess that got lost in translation), an honor bestowed upon celebrities who ... wear jeans. This year, the other winners included some boy bands and TV personalities we’ve never heard of. Yet, for the 66-year-old Hatoyama, this was a big deal. “This is the prize I have long wished to win,” she said. Adding that when she and her husband, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met, the two were both wearing jeans. Aww.

Forever 21 has just released a pair of dark wash, one-percent stretch skinny jeans for $9.50. Yes, $9.50. (I’ve been known to spend more on lunch!) Got to say, they’ve got the right amount of spandex stretch to be flattering, are in a great, go-anywhere wash and, on the model at least, look to be the best length for all the insane heels we’re crushing on these days. What do you think, too good to be true? If anyone hits up Forever 21, I’m begging you to try ‘em on and report back! [Lucky via Racked]

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!

I think we can all agree that we’re so over the $300 price tag that certain denim companies shamelessly attach to plain old jeans. Not that we wouldn’t pay a significant amount of money for the perfect pair of jeans that we’ll wear everyday, but still, it’s cotton people! Those profits must be amazing! That’s why we’re kind of feeling the newish company, Recession Denim, which makes very high-quality jeans that are designed to last a lifetime, which if we’re paying more than $75, is all we’re asking for, ya know? They feature plenty of cuts and styles, but the prices are a little more reasonable. (Personally, we’re loving the new Motorcycle model with sewn-in paneling, $98, in black.) They just started selling at Bloomingdale’s, and check their site for more stores.

We’ve seen the grab-able booty wrought by Huit lingerie’s padded butt panties. But never before have we seen denim that claims to give you a more voluptuous tush just from the fabric alone! Behold: Innovativa push-up jeans. They promise Beyoncé‘s booty at only $99 a pop! The Innovativa site sells lots of different cute, tight pairs of jeans, each looking more liable to cut off circulation to your legs than the last. We’re wondering, though, if there’s not padding in the seat of those pants? Does the fabric just cantilever your butt up in order to make the cheeks look perkier? But how can a lady sit without ripping anything? Vaguely terrifying. True, this array of be-denimed butts is infinitely enticingly spankable, but if you want a badonkadonk, ladies, I’ve got a better idea. Just come ‘round The Frisky office and I will generously offer to trade asses with you! [Guanabee]

Did you just audibly gasp in horror upon seeing these tie-dye jeans? Us too. Are people seriously buying these? We knew the ‘80s were back when acid wash denim started showing up on the butts of celebs, but this is taking things to a whole new level.

Neiman Marcus has been promoting these styles as the “trend to dye for” (oh har-har), and a few culprits are also being sold on RonHerman.com and Shopbop. Surprisingly, the designs are produced by some of our favorite denim brands—Current/Elliot, J Brand, James. The scary thing about tie-dye denim is that it’s almost, almost something you might change your mind about if you saw Kate Moss rocking it the right way. (Let’s hope she doesn’t.)

What do you think? [NeimanMarcus.com, Shopbop.com]

Whoever came up with the phrase “so wrong it’s right” was totally inspired by these jeans. The half-denim, half-nylon hybrid by Siwy is available online for an outrageous $242. Because we know you’re so interested in buying these. [The Cut]

Australian jeans company Jeanswest has started installing cameras or “butt cams” in their dressing rooms, so women can figure out for themselves if their behinds look big in the jeans they’re considering buying. Personally, I’ve never seen anything wrong with having a big butt, but this technology could come in handy. Most women would have to be contortionists to accurately see their backsides from all angles while in the fitting room (because, let’s face it, those three-sided mirrors don’t cut it). Jeanswest, however, has placed the cameras in the communal area of their dressing rooms, and they broadcast a live view on a screen. Don’t worry; they claim the camera doesn’t record any images. Jeanswest says it is the first to use this technology in Australia, and we certainly haven’t seen it in the U.S., save for the kind of similar Diesel 360 mirror. So if you know of any retailers offering this luxury let us know in the comments—we’re on a never-ending search for the perfect jeans. [Reuters]

Do you guys remember when Guess jeans cost, like, $40 and your mom was all, “Sorry kid, I’m not made of money, forget about it,” and stuff? Around the same time, jeans of the hole-y on purpose, paint splattered and bleached variety started popping up? Newspapers like The Daily Mail, Houston Chronicle and the Washington Times have all recently confirmed what fashion insiders knew already: the new old jean is back (or something like that).

We’re fine with the ‘80s being all totally awesome again, but the fact that all this distressed denim is way more expensive than ever makes us feel barfy. It’s absurd!

Have them expanded. (Like I was going to recommend some newfangled diet or exercise mumbo-jumbo!) A company called Denim Therapy has just launched a service where you send them the jeans that no longer fit and they, well, make ‘em work for your body. Wondering how they give you more room? Check it out…

Armor-like clothing and jewelry seem to be having a moment right now. Denim brand Acne is slated to offer a pair of armored jeans in its spring/summer 2010 lookbook. The polished plates on the knees, thighs, and calves will protect you if your heel catches and causes you to tumble to the sidewalk—or if a jealous friend kicks you in the shins. We’d like to know whether they make your legs sweat, or if the armor is somehow breathable. [via NY Mag]

Your search for the perfect pair of jeans is over! Want to know who makes ‘em? You! indiDenim, a “virtual denim” brand, gives you the power to design your own pair. We aren’t talking about picking dark blue over light; we’re talking details from start to finish. The “design” process is pretty intense and starts with you selecting your ideal fabric (lightweight or thick), rise (high, mid, or low waist), leg, and hem, before delving into other details like belt-loop and stitching.

Here’s my problem with luxury denim these days: I’m tired of the same old brands, but I’m also not likely to go and drop half a paycheck on couture Alexander McQueen jeans, nor buy into the latest celeb line either. Finally, here’s a pair I can truly covet—Paul & Joe’s new collaboration with Citizens of Humanity creates the perfect chic boyfriend jean. Why? For starters, the heart-winning French favorite, Paul & Joe, is now bringing you something you can wear everyday (as opposed to the specialty purchase you’d probably make). And thanks to the comfy cut and fading details brought by U.S. cult classic and a brand you already trust, Citizens of Humanity, the look is stylish-casual. The styles come out in London next week (check Paul & Joe website for details), and we can guess that like most luxe denim designs, they’ll cost the average whopper. Yet, to perfectly blend Euro style with West Coast fashion? We’re so there. And they say the French and the Americans don’t get along… [Vogue UK]

I own 14 pairs of jeans and can pretty much sort those pairs into two piles: the fat jeans and the skinny ones. Of course, I never actually get rid of the latter because there’s always the eternal hope that I will one day fit back into them. Rag & Bone has now come out with these handy numbers, which allow you to combine your piles into one. Feeling chunky? Leave ‘em unzipped. Just recovered from a week-long stomach flu? Zip ‘em up skinny style. [$287.40, Shopconfederacy.com via NY Mag]

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.