Editor’s Note: Let’s lighten things up this week!
I’ve been singing the blues.
Has anyone shopped for jeans lately? Maybe you’d like to hum a few bars with me.
It seems that finding a well-fitting pair of jeans may be as challenging as locating the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
What an exercise in humility.
There is so much to consider before even stepping near a fitting room.
We all know the sizing tag isn’t worth the material it’s printed on. So how do I respectfully answer when the clerk asks “what size are you looking for?”
Someday, I swear I’m going to yell out “54, 42, 78, 96, hut!” like they do in tackle football.
That’s my inside voice speaking of course.
Instead, I smile and give some actual numbers that we both know are just as meaningless.
The interrogation continues.
High waisted, mid-rise? Flare or straight leg?
Stretch or no stretch?
Crop or full length?
Rough edge or finished?
What wash are you looking for? Why thanks but I left my laundry at home.
And the fit? Slim? Relaxed or fitted?
Am I over the barrel trend? Actually, I never got under or behind it!
By this time, I’m already tired and depressed. I can sense this is not likely to be my lucky day in the world of denim.
I was in high school when I got my first pair of jeans. I’d been having an on again off again battle with my mother because “young ladies don’t wear denim”. By that time, I was earning my own money by babysitting several nights per week. While she didn’t agree with my purchase, she also didn’t stop me.
Those denim jeans were stiff as a board, and the 100% cotton acid or stone wash was built to last. It’s hard not to compare the quality of then and now.
I’ve been shopping for several months. I considered enlisting the Lost and Found department at my local police department to assist in the search. They are on my speed dial though.
I’m not a Mom (although my dog Macy may disagree) so spare me the offer of “Mom” jeans. Sorry Mom’s but just the name is a turn off.
Those lower waisted jeans aren’t working out either. I’m not sure they work for anyone when you bend over and half your behind hangs out. I’m old enough to believe some things are best left to the imagination.
It’s true I am particular about my clothing, jeans especially, and why not? Quality clothing costs money. And I’ve resolved to buy far fewer pieces but quality ones. I expect them to fit like a glove.
But by this point, forget everything else … I would be thrilled to find a pair that simply fits true to size.
I don’t even have to like them. I’d just like to earn one point on my denim shopping score card.
Have you shopped at the mall lately? Me neither. When the music ricochets off the concrete and pierces my eardrums, I can’t remember why I walked into the store in the first place.
And I mean no disrespect to the teenager who’s earning some pocket money. Good for them.
But trying to recommend sizing or styles for a mature body? Just no. At least to any I’ve encountered.
It’s not just jeans – clothes shopping in general gets me hot and bothered. Literally. Trying on article after article of clothing in rapid succession in a tiny changing room makes me sweat.
And if nothing is fitting?
A person starts to feel bad about themselves, right? How can you not?
The bright light in my many shades of blue?
I made my way to some of the local ladies clothing shops and I’ve encountered a lot of supportive women who nodded in agreement, and offered encouraging words. They understood the struggle is real.
One particularly helpful associate reminded me about weight gain throughout the day and that a good practice was to shop when at your heaviest. The honest talk was refreshing because that’s so rare these days.
Clothes shopping is not just a problem for women my age. Several millennials I’ve chatted with agree – jeans in particular, but clothes in general, are just plain hard to buy. Men are experiencing the same issues too. It’s a problem.
As one kind shop owner commented following frustration in the changing room “they have perfected the men’s jean but there’s a lot of work to do for women’s”. Another suggested cutting the sizing tag off after purchase if the number was a deterrent.
Can it really be that hard to design jeans to fit a woman’s body? Has anyone asked for our input?
I estimate I tried on 40 pairs before I found a pair. Am I happy with them? I thought so when I bought them. I allowed myself lots of time to shop, I tried them on several times before wearing to be sure. They seemed to fit well but after having them on for a few hours? Not so much.
Guess I’ll be singing the blues a bit longer.
If you can relate to any part of this story, want to join the chorus?
How could I resist?
