Comfortable jeans that look good too, too much to ask?

I've reached that milestone when you find yourself at the mall, in the trendy stores and you can't find a thing you want to spend your money on.

Mitch gave me a gift card for Christmas so I could buy myself some jeans. Oh joy. I get to go shopping for jeans. Another sign of being old. If I weren't old, that would have delighted me to no end. Instead it felt like he had given me a gift card to go out and be tortured. Thanks honey, just what I wanted, frustration and disappointment all wrapped up with a pretty bow. In his defense, I had been whining about having nothing to wear, so he did do good, even if it meant I was going to have to brave the dreaded fitting room mirror to cash in. I suffer the same fate and so many women, be they tall or short, curvy or bony, I can never find jeans that fit. Jeans that fit, but also look good. Jeans that fit and look good and are also comfortable. Fit, look good, comfortable and don't cost as much as a small car. Too  much to ask? Yea, I thought so.

On Sunday, he and I ventured out to the mall. I poured through the racks, starting in the clearance section. Hey, I wanted to make the most of my gift card. I've recently gained about 15 pounds, for me, that's a good thing. I wasn't sure what size to get so I grabbed up several pair and went to the fitting room. I went through several definitely not's, a few maybe's and finally found a pair I felt pretty good about.  The rise was good, not way too low and not mom jeans. The length was good but most importantly, the butt was not bad. Alrighty, I ventured out of the fitting room to show Mitch. Pretty sure I was looking kinda cute in my nicely fitting jeans, I walk past the 20-something, perky little associate who asks,  you want me to get those for you in another size?  I looked at her a little puzzled. What? Was she talking to me? Ahem, they don't fit,  I asked.  And she said, well, duh, granny.  OK, she didn't actually say duh or granny, but the look on her face said it all. Then she so gently explained how they shouldn't loose here or baggy there. (She was talking about the jeans not my butt, by the way).  I was getting a jeans fitting lesson in a store I'm probably too old to be shopping in in the first place.

So what's a granny to do? Rock the skin-tight skinny jeans? Not a chance. Truth is, I have to wear what feels good to me, even if it means I'm not on the cutting edge of the latest trend. Which is apparently skin-tight skinny jeans. The helpful little sales girl could tell me all day long how they were supposed to fit, but bottom line, if I don't feel comfortable wearing them, they'll never make it out of the closet. I ended up going with a "boyfriend" fit. Slightly relaxed, so I can be comfortable crawling around on the floor with Bayleigh, or climbing up and down a ladder painting...washing dishes, taking the dogs out...or even sitting on my behind at the computer. These are the things I'm likely to be doing in my new jeans. So if I'm not keeping up with the latest trends, that's OK.  I'm sure it's  just another sign I'm getting old and I'm completely OK with that. 

Hi there! Just me, a nana in her boyfriend jeans.

And no, that isn't a white pumpkin you see back there, under the sewing machine.  It most definitely is not fall decor that was forgotten about throughout the Christmas season and still hanging around on January 12. No, it's something else altogher. I'm just not telling what it is, cause it's none of your business. So move along. I'll be seeing you later. I have things to take care of. Things that are not forgotten about pumpkins that only get noticed when taking dorky photos of myself.

 

Comments

[cheryl]

Yug. I hear you. My most favorit pair of jeans, the jeans I bought seven years ago, the jeans that were a mostly flattering straight leg style, truly straight leg--no tapering at all-the jeans that used to be a lovely indigo blue? Well those jeans are starting to fail me, showing signs of distress, patches of wear... and I'm so completely freaked out that I'll never find another pair to take their place! After all, I've been looking for seven years!

[Kim]

They look great on you. Yeah, don't listen to the salespeople...let's face it, they aren't living your life.

I hear ya on the fit, etc thing...when I find a style that looks good & feels good, I buy in multiples!

[Flower Patch Farmgirl]

SO cute! Give it up - what kind are they? Where did you find them? I have horrendous trouble finding jeans that fit me! And don't even get me started on the ones with stretch that seem to fit, then 2 hours later look saggy and baggy and gross. Argh!

[Autum]

Thank you Miss Flower Patch!
They are from American Eagle and the style is favorite boyfriend. I wouldnt buy them online though. I got two pair in different washes but the same style, same size, and they fit entirely differently. One pair is has a much more relaxed fit than the other. They do have a little stretch, but it seems impossible to find any that dont anymore. Its not nearly as much stretch as the skinny fit jeans.

[Jackie]

Wish I looked that nice in my comfortable jeans. Quick question. Did I remember that you painted your doorknobs with ORB spray paint? If so, how long has it been, and how are they holding up? Jackie

[Jennifer Tyler]

The jeans are terrific. This post was hilarious. I could really her your voice coming through and I don't even know you. Sign of great writing. Don't you hate taking pictures of yourself? It's next to impossible!

[Noadi]

Surprisingly I've found the jeans that fit me best are also really cheap. $20 Riders mid rise straight leg jeans. Couldn't believe it when I tried on all sorts of expensive brands with no luck and yet Walmart of all places had jeans that fit me well.

[Autum]

Ill have to check those out. I was in wmart recently and the girl ahead of me in line was buying some cute looking jeans.

[Andrea - Faded Plains]

Your boyfriend jeans look great on you. When I find jeans that fit great...I buy a dozen of them.

[Samantha]

I'm making an assumption about where you got your boyfriend jeans, but if I'm right, you definitely went to the right place. They redid all of their fits and fabrics this year and have really made some jeans/pants that actually fit real women. My mom and I can both shop there--I need curvy fit and she needs something without all the curves. We both come away happy. :-) And the new fabrics feel so good. My daughters want to sleep in their boyfriend jeans...

[Jennifer]

You look cute in your new jeans and I understand how you feel. I told my husband and daughter I wanted new jeans for Christmas. My husband told my daughter HE was not going to do that. if they were big or small he felt he would be in trouble. lol. I love your blog and love to check out the things you do.
Jen

[Penny]

The jeans look A'OK. I too hate buying jeans, BUT New York And Company have a straight legged pair with a mid rise... LOVE them !! They don't look ridiculous on this 40+ body, have no muffin top due to the mid rise and my butt doesn't have the flat no shape form given to those that wear jeans all the way up to their boobs. J.Crew also have great jeans, usually a little pricey, but hit their outlets and you can find great bargains.
Boyfriend fit should be called the "Friendly fit" I don't know of anyone that can't wear them and look good

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[Nicole Lee]

I can totally relate! I will soon be a grandma, I'm quite short, but also don't want dorky old lady jeans! I have found success in JCrew and also surprisingly at American Eagle (the ones that are not too low cut!). I also have a pair of Gap capris that I LOVE, but just recently ripped because they are almost 10 years old!! Love your blog site too!

[marie]

Well I'm 28 and i can never wear those skinny jeans because i can't even get them over my knee's! I'm not a large girl but I have curves and for years i have been trying to find jeans that fit me! So rest assured those of us in our 20's have this problem too.