Denim Basics: Fit and Care

I was having dinner the other night with some girlfriends and we started talking about jeans. I ended up "holding court" when I started revealing most of what I've learned in the last three years selling premium designer denim. Finding the proper fit and how to take care of your jeans seemed to be the most interesting.

Here's the most helpful of what I know.

Fit

By far the most important factor in whether or not you should purchase. When you're ready to take the plunge, here are a few ways to make jean shopping a positive experience.

Do some research. Almost every fashion magazine writes an article once a year about the best fitting jeans. Read it and see if there's a particular brand you'd like to try. Visit a couple of stores just to see what they brands they carry.

Ask for help. Go to the salesperson you hear your friends raving about. Ask a friend you know you can trust to go shopping with you. If you notice someone wearing a pair of jeans you like, find out where they got them.

Be honest and willing to listen. When a salesperson asks you a question, it's not to judge you. They are trying to gather information to help them help you. Seriously. Tell your salesperson what you like (i.e. clean wash, trouser leg) and previous roadblocks (i.e. they tend to gap at waist and are too tight in the thigh). Then try on their suggestions. It also helps if you show them when something isn't working. A good salesperson can find other options based on how a specific brand or style fits you.

While trying on: be sure you sit down in the pair(s) you like the most for a minute or two; you'll be able to see how far they "ride down" your backside and always check what your booty looks like in a three way mirror.

Avoid these common mistakes:
Getting caught up on size. If a larger number in one brand fits better than a smaller number in four other brands, remember that the fit is what matters. Not only can size vary between different brands; size can vary in different styles within one brand. You won't know until you try it on.

Nixing a jean because it's too long. You can get your jeans shortened. And most tailors these days know how to re-attach the original hem if needed. That way you won't lose any cool distressing. Trust me, I've had up to four inches hemmed and you can't tell.

Expecting one pair of jeans to work with every shoe in your closet. If you're buying a pair you want to wear with heels, don't expect them to work with ballet flats. Instead, get a jean just to wear with your lower heeled shoes.

Care

If you want your designer denim to look brand new every time you wear them, you'll have to take them to the dry cleaner after every one or two wearings. Not in your budget? Heed the following tips and you'll be able to keep your denim looking great for a long time.

Wash inside out in cold water only. When clothes rub against each other in the washer, the abrasion can cause fading. Warm or hot water will shrink your jeans.

Use a laundry detergent made for denim. The Laundress makes a great one. A detergent made for dark laundry works too.

AVOID the dryer. Especially in stretch jeans. Drying will cause the stretch to deteriorate over time. If you put your jeans in the dryer because you want them to shrink back down, STOP. They will do this if you just let them air dry. Don't believe me? Try it with your first wash on your next new pair and see if I'm right. The dryer also causes fading.

Hope this helps in your quest for the perfect pair of jeans.