Jeans

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Hen-Gen

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Refreshing change, isn’t it, to be talking about jeans rather than genes!

I always promised myself when I was young that I would never be one of those old crusties who witter on about how much better things were in my day. But the truth is that in some cases they were.
Take jeans. I’ve always worn Levi’s or Wranglers rather than dodgy makes. But since these firms outsourced their manufacturing to some Far Eastern country quality has gone down the pan. No longer the robust hard wearing denim of yesteryear but lightweight stuff that lasts no time at all. Fine if you spend your days in armchairs, watching soaps and drinking lager shandies but completely impractical for anyone who dares to use them in the roles for which they were invented.
Now I wouldn’t mind if prices had reduced accordingly. But now you need a second mortgage to buy half a dozen pairs (I do this because I hate clothes shopping so it only happens once every ten years). So if anyone has found a make that are any good then let me know. Someone mentioned Lee Coopers but I have never worn this brand.
 
But rips and worn patches are fashionable Hen-Gen! :D So is the appalling sight of the crotch being down at the knees. :-)03
I hate it when some so-called marketing expert changes the design detail of clothes that have fitted perfectly for years ...
 
It's funny you mention this, as my Daughter wears Levi's and she's only been wearing this brand for 6 months or so. I agree, they used to be a middle range price and hard wearing, but now they appear to be the new fashion must-have. I don't know when they crept into the "designer" bracket, with equally ridiculous price tag. I believe Lee Cooper and Wrangler have gone down the same route.
I am not convinced of any brand at the moment, so I shop online at ASOS, Debenhams or, dare I admit it, in M+S. I have some denim cut-offs from M+S which have lasted 5 years so far and have worn regularly for gardening. I don't like paying a lot, because as you say, they don't seem to last and you cannot determine if you have paid £70 or £20 just by glancing at them. ;-)
Then there's the low rise, mid rise, high rise.... :-)07
 
I wear Rohan jeans, because they are the only brand I know that are not only well-cut and comfortable, but hardwearing and fit properly round the waist instead of sagging round the builder's bum line. They also have 5 excellent pockets in useful sizes, uncommon in women's jeans, including a concealed zipped pocket at the back which is big enough for a phone or purse. The kind I buy look like normal denim but have a blend of fibres so they wash and wear and dry faster than normal denim and don't need ironing, time after time after time. Some of my several pairs have been in regular use for about ten years without wearing out, even though frequently muddy and rubbed at the knees from kneeling whilst weeding etc. I have one lovely insulated pair for wearing in very cold weather, which are so well cut that they just look like normal ones, not padded and clumsy but blissfully warm. If I lived on Fetlar I would wear these all the time. I do have a couple of pairs which are cut with narrower legs, nothing extreme but they look a bit smarter and I try to remember to keep these for wearing when not gardening. They come in two lengths as well, so with my shorter legs I don't have to take them up. I keep an eye on the Rohan website as they sometimes have sales and offer the ones I want at a very much reduced price.
Not the cheapest, (and not the most expensive either) but you get what you pay for, i.e a good cut, quality materials and finish, and no stupid fashion extras or exaggerated features. They go on looking better as they age, and go with anything you wear on top.
 
They tend to distress the material so much that it takes away the hard wearingness of it.
I had hen gen down as a dickies or carhart man.
 
Well bigjim, I am a Dickies man. I have overalls and body warmers by this esteemed gentleman’s outfitters. But I had no idea that they made jeans but have just looked on Amazon and may go down that road.
Never heard of carhart!
Rohan clothing featured highly in my wardrobe in my roughie toughie rock climbing and caving days so I’ll look at their website too.
So far as I’m concerned I wear clothes to maintain a modicum of decency and to remain warm and dry. I do not wear them to project my personality, increase my sex appeal or to demonstrate my allegiance to any particular social group. The whole subject of clothing is slightly less interesting to me than watching paint dry. I’m sure I’d be drummed out of the Shetland LBGTQ group for holding such views were I a member of such a group in the first place!
 
Asda- £6 a pair last time I bought some. Survive about a year (bit longer if you patch them), so good value, unlike their work socks which disintegrate within a few washes. Still have 4 pairs left so it will be a while before I have to buy French. There is a Company started making recycled jeans here- basically they grind up the old jean fabric from clothes banks and re-weave it. Can't see them lasting 5 minutes and they cost a fortune!
 
Marigold: you've confused me. Jeans that don't need ironing: is there any other kind???

And who was it who found loose fit jeans, & where?
I've been looking for a new pair of jeans, but being a size 16, "skinny" jeans & "jeggings" are out of the question. IMHO it should be illegal to make such things in anything over a size 12; anyone who tells you, if you're over a size 12, that you look good in them is definitely NOT your friend!!!

I wasted a couple of hours trailing around the Ashford "designer" outlet a few weeks ago looking for jeans. The Levi shop didn't have a single pair that came up to the waist; they all stopped just above the navel, giving an ugly muffin top & a cold draught. Gap have just stopped selling jeans in specific leg lengths & expect you to pay a fortune and then have to hem them. Still, they too have discontinued their only style of non-aerosol jeans anyway...

Last chance saloon for jeans is Matalan. One of my last pairs of jeans from there, about 8 years ago, are still going strong...

Please excuse me while I get off of my soapbox...!!
 
Next always used to be good for jeans. You could always get the style you liked in the right waist and leg. Not been in there for years though.
I found some crosshatch jeans that fitted me, so just go on eBay and get the same again when I need some more. £20
 
bigjim said:
Next always used to be good for jeans. You could always get the style you liked in the right waist and leg. Not been in there for years though.
I found some crosshatch jeans that fitted me, so just go on eBay and get the same again when I need some more. £20
Click to expand...

I wear Next jeans mostly. I find they fit me best. My dau though finds that she can't find Next jeans comfortable or get them to fit her right at all. She finds pennys (primark) are the best fit on her. In Winter, I live in Craghopper thermal trekking trousers. They are so comfy and warm!
 
Yes, warmth. We have a crofter here who first thing every morning goes skinny dipping whatever the weather, whatever the season.
The odd thing is that he seems completely sane and rational in all other respects!

It’s clearly a major problem for most people here to find clothes that actually fit. I recently bought a cheapo fake Barbour jacket from Amazon. Sleeve length was perfect. The cut however was so voluminous that I thought they’d accidentally sent me one of Billy Smarts circus tents.
 
The trouble with any very cheap clothing is that you know it has to have been made by what is basically third world sweatshop labour in slavery conditions. Not that some of the more expensive brands are necessarily guiltless over this, they just rake in even bigger profits.
 
If you think about it, we are all different shapes and sizes. Some ladies don't have hips, some have hips and small waist, some have middle age spread but no hips... no wonder it is difficult to find trousers or jeans to fit properly.
I notice that the youngsters are wearing very high waisted jeans and think they look ridiculous. Might as well be under their armpits! Don't do any shape or size any favours IMO. I don't care for the very low rise either, not many people could get away with those.
LadyA I have some Next jeans and find their clothes are always generous, so I buy a size smaller. I always joke with my husband that I will wear the label on the outside to show off. :D
All I can say is thank goodness for elastane :lol: :lol:
 
I only have a couple of pairs. And two pairs of Winter trousers. I'm trying to cut down on "stuff", and I'm determined not to buy clothes until those I already have are worn out beyond wearing. I don't need "good" clothes, because I don't really go out. As long as I have enough so I can keep decent while I build up a full load for the washing machine, that's fine. The constant encouragement to rampant consumerism of cheap goods, including clothing and "this season's must haves", while at the same time going on about the environment and how we all need to consume more ethically,and the evils of "air miles" is driving me nuts! Seriously, this season's "must have" handbag? Who the heck changes their handbags according to the dictates of fashion?? Me, I have a small leather backpack for Winter use, and a canvas one for Summer use. Job done.
 
Just for clarity, I meant wearing the label on the outside to "show off", was because it showed a size smaller than I actually am. ?
 
Last winter I promised myself that I would get a second pair of Rohan winter jeans if they came up in the sale in the summer. I missed having lovely warm legs on days when they were in the wash, even though they do dry fast. Mine are now on the way, half price!
https://www.rohan.co.uk/womens-bargain-travel-and-outdoor-clothing-in-the-souk-Winter-Jeans?ocode=04411188&cr=TheSoukAllWomensClearance

also available in Mens, HenGen. £47.50, hard to beat!
https://www.rohan.co.uk/mens-bargain-travel-and-outdoor-clothing-in-the-souk-Winter-Fusion-Trousers?ocode=05239595&cr=TheSoukAllMensClearance
 
These look really good, Marigold. Not too wide at the bottom, not too narrow. Wonder if my husband will treat me to a pair? ;-) The only problem is knowing the "fit", hence why I prefer to shop in store, or buy from ASOS. Free returns! Does the fact that they are lined make you look larger? My bum is big enough as it is :lol:
 
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