Question about $$$ jeans

[Anonymous]

I've heard that expensive jeans should be washed very rarely, both here and in magazines, etc. Does this mean that they are prewashed well enough that the color won't rub off on the car seats, etc.? My Gap & Ann Taylor jeans both needed to be washed before wearing for this reason. Not that I'll be buying any $200 jeans anytime soon, just curious.

[Anonymous]

yes this is true. nudie jeans (swedish brand, seriously look it up) recommends not washing for one year. this allows the selvage jean to adapt to your body and get creases in all the right places. to freshen your jeans, place in the freezer and spot clean any minor spots with water/dabbing.

i find this very odd advice but i am not into jeans like some friends. i also read about a study where they compared germs on freshly washed jeans vs jeans that had been unwashed and the washed jeans actually had the same or higher level of bacteria. as far as the color transfer issue, folks sit on towels. after a while the color does not transfer.

the whole jeans world can be a cult, esp in some countries. google japanese selvage denim.

[Anonymous]

i know about this whole "don't wash" thing, but i still wash mine. I just turn them inside out.

[Anonymous]

Remember some "don't wash" rules may be referring to raw denim, which is only seen in higher-end brands, but not all of them. Those shouldn't really be washed (put them in the freezer to freshen them up). However, most high-end brands are not raw. I'm wearing Lucky jeans and I wash them once a month.

[Anonymous]

I wear Lucky, Joes, AG and similar jeans. I wash them every time I wear them--I can't stand the thought of putting on dirty pants. Yuck! They are just fine with frequent washing.

[Anonymous]

Are Lucky Brand jeans "high end?" I have 2 pairs that were not expensive because I found them in Costco(!). Who knew these were good jeans? I thought I was just saving myself a trip to Old Navy or something. I'm (obviously) clueless about this - no idea what brand of jeans are in style or not (and it's not all that important to me). But these are nice jeans?

My one pair of what I consider my "nice" jeans to wear for going out, etc. were purchased from Filene's a few months ago, using a 40% off coupon I happened to see in the paper that day, so I paid about $50 for them, I think, which seemed like kind of a lot, but it was an emergency. They are "J Brand Jeans" (never heard of it, but hey, they fit so I bought them) and I just looked online and they're like $200! Holy crap. So you're saying I should not wash these, like, ever? Or for at least a year? Or only wash them after many wearings? I've only worn them a few times and haven't washed them yet.

Also, jeans people, when you find something that fits, do you just keep ordering those same jeans? I realize you may have a few different styles for different purposes, some longer to wear with a shoe with a heel, etc., but I mean, when you find "the one" for that purpose, do you stop looking and just always get the same kind?

[Anonymous]

What I want to know is, are these people who don't wash their jeans although they wear them for a year the same women who prefer "comfy" thongs or going commando? I sense it's the same demographic at least and it would be rather fascinating if there was some overlap among the two trendy young groups.

"fascinating" as in, "I need some hand sanitizer" fascinating.

[Anonymous]

If any of you have young children, not washing your jeans is impossible. Also, think about where you wear your clothing: public benches, the subway, restaurants, etc. Imagine all the grossness you are picking up. Then imagine sitting on your couch at home and transfering all this nastiness. I know, I'm a bit of a germaphobe but still, not washing your jeans for months is nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are Lucky Brand jeans "high end?" I have 2 pairs that were not expensive because I found them in Costco(!). Who knew these were good jeans? I thought I was just saving myself a trip to Old Navy or something. I'm (obviously) clueless about this - no idea what brand of jeans are in style or not (and it's not all that important to me). But these are nice jeans?

My one pair of what I consider my "nice" jeans to wear for going out, etc. were purchased from Filene's a few months ago, using a 40% off coupon I happened to see in the paper that day, so I paid about $50 for them, I think, which seemed like kind of a lot, but it was an emergency. They are "J Brand Jeans" (never heard of it, but hey, they fit so I bought them) and I just looked online and they're like $200! Holy crap. So you're saying I should not wash these, like, ever? Or for at least a year? Or only wash them after many wearings? I've only worn them a few times and haven't washed them yet.

Also, jeans people, when you find something that fits, do you just keep ordering those same jeans? I realize you may have a few different styles for different purposes, some longer to wear with a shoe with a heel, etc., but I mean, when you find "the one" for that purpose, do you stop looking and just always get the same kind?

Lucky you for finding JBrand for $50! I have searched and searched over the years for jeans that are flattering and fit my petite, thin frame (with a BUTT and HIPS) and finally discovered JBrand. I will never go back! I pay $200-ish each for 3 types of JBrand's - 1 skinny and thicker, 1 skinny stretch, and 1 boot-cut. $200 is a lot, but I LIVE in these 3 pairs of jeans and they last for 1.5-2 years, wearing them a few times per week each. To wash, I turn them inside-out and use gentle cycle after wearing them 4-5 times. I take them out of the dryer when they are still a little damp and hang dry the rest of the way.

After about 1.5 years, the pair I wear the most had lightened significantly in color so I just bought my second pair of the same style. The lightened pair are still great fit-wise and look new - but I prefer a darker, indigo wash.

[Anonymous]

Lucky you for finding JBrand for $50! I have searched and searched over the years for jeans that are flattering and fit my petite, thin frame (with a BUTT and HIPS) and finally discovered JBrand. I will never go back! I pay $200-ish each for 3 types of JBrand's - 1 skinny and thicker, 1 skinny stretch, and 1 boot-cut. $200 is a lot, but I LIVE in these 3 pairs of jeans and they last for 1.5-2 years, wearing them a few times per week each. To wash, I turn them inside-out and use gentle cycle after wearing them 4-5 times. I take them out of the dryer when they are still a little damp and hang dry the rest of the way.

After about 1.5 years, the pair I wear the most had lightened significantly in color so I just bought my second pair of the same style. The lightened pair are still great fit-wise and look new - but I prefer a darker, indigo wash.

Thanks! I will try to take good care of mine since I like the fit and I really don't want to replace them now that I know they go for $200! But since I don't wear jeans to work, I really don't wear them more than once a week or so (at the most) so hopefully they will last me a long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I want to know is, are these people who don't wash their jeans although they wear them for a year the same women who prefer "comfy" thongs or going commando? I sense it's the same demographic at least and it would be rather fascinating if there was some overlap among the two trendy young groups.

"fascinating" as in, "I need some hand sanitizer" fascinating.

Ha ha!!! I'm laughing and cringing at the same time, but I do suspect you're right.

I wear my jeans daily on Metro, so they get washed after each wear. Of course, they aren't high end.

[Anonymous]

My favorite jeans are Joe's and AG. They are close to $200 full price but mass produced and not what I'd consider super high-end and I doubt they are "raw" denim. I wash them after every couple of wearings and I've never had a problem. They usually last a couple of years before I get sick of them. I've never had a pair wear out or fade. I can't stand the thought of wearing dirty jeans and I don't like how they get stretched out after a few wearings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes this is true. nudie jeans (swedish brand, seriously look it up) recommends not washing for one year. this allows the selvage jean to adapt to your body and get creases in all the right places. to freshen your jeans, place in the freezer and spot clean any minor spots with water/dabbing.

i find this very odd advice but i am not into jeans like some friends. i also read about a study where they compared germs on freshly washed jeans vs jeans that had been unwashed and the washed jeans actually had the same or higher level of bacteria. as far as the color transfer issue, folks sit on towels. after a while the color does not transfer.

the whole jeans world can be a cult, esp in some countries. google japanese selvage denim.

Cite, please? And did this "study" account for jeans that covered in spit-up, dog hair, pureed peas, and fingerpaint? Because that's my life, and I wouldn't even consider not washing my jeans regularly.

[Anonymous]

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=12722442

not saying i agree with the concept, just sharing what is readily accepted in jean cult circles.

[Anonymous]

It makes me a little nauseous just thinking about it.