Premium Denim is Expensive. But is it Worth the Price?
All denim begins as raw cotton.
So why do some jeans feel softer and fit better than others?
It’s all in the manufacturing process.
“Premium” denim is not only defined by the label, but by how it’s made.
For example, denim by J. Brand, Paige and Citizens of Humanity is manufactured in the U.S. where the labor process is carefully regulated and is held to higher production standards. Additionally, premium denim is woven super tight and often has elastic fabric added to help hold its shape. In fact, some premium brands like DL1960 and 7 for all Mankind actually claim their jeans mold better to your shape the more you wear them.
Still not sold on premium denim?
I wasn’t either. I mean, I loved my Old Navy Rockstar jeans. I never even considered paying much more for jeans. Until September 2014.
I was taking my son to college and was killing time in the boutiques of Chapel Hill, NC when I came across a pair of jet-black DL1960 mid-rise skinny jeans. I had never even heard of the brand, nor had I remotely considered investing in premium denim (especially given the imminent college tuition bills).
But the fabric was SO soft, I just had to try them on.
Of course, they were incredible. But, oh yeah, the price. I had never purchased a pair of $175 jeans. So, I started to walk away. But then it hit me, “Hey, if I wear these just 40 times, (out of 365 days in a year) it’s only about $4 per wear.” Bingo. Transaction complete. Thank you for shopping.
The Power of Price-Per Wear
It was at that moment that I began to take a “price-per-wear” approach to purchasing high-end items. It’s a formula I’ve used ever since to make sure I’ll get my money’s worth.
So, how did it work out? Well, I’ve worn those exact jeans at least 100 times—more than double what I expected. Was it worth the money? Did they hold their shape after 5-years of wear? Just last week, I put together an outfit for a lunch date using those jeans. Here’s what I noticed:
My butt looked amazing. No joke. Lifted my tush right up. Still.
The fabric was even softer than when I first felt it in the store—they felt like leggings.
They hugged my hips perfectly.
The zipper glided up and down without catching.
The button felt strong and secure.
The deep black color was exactly the same as the day I bought them. No fading in the knees!
They looked great. They really looked great.
That said, I will never wear them again. Why? Well, the rise is too low and this cut is no longer in style. Bummer.
So, what did I learn? That I actually paid only about $1.50 per wear for an amazing pair of jeans that fit like a dream, felt fantastic, and held their shape and color for all these years.
While I initially experienced some sticker shock, the quality of this premium denim more than made up for that. Even though they may be out of style today, I did get five years of incredible wear out of them. Bottom line: totally worth the money.
I also learned to look at my clothing purchases through a “price-per-wear” lens.
This way, I can find pieces that look stylish and make me feel like I’m making the smartest shopping choices.