Last summer, I made a big decision: I donated my favorite pair of jeans.
This particular pair of jeans had more than 6 years of memories attached to them. They had been with me through good times and bad, and I was very sad to see them go.
I bought these jeans back in 2002, and they were the first expensive purchase that I made after graduating college and entering the “real world.”
This purchase was a really big deal for me. I remember saving my money for weeks, and being super excited when I went to purchase them. I proudly wore these jeans for years.
Over the years, my “good” jeans became my “casual” jeans and then my “weekend” jeans, and eventually, it was time to say goodbye. I guess I loved them too much. They were paper-thin, frayed, and starting to get holes in multiple places.
If you think about it, more the 6 years of wear (and tear) is pretty good for a pair of jeans. And, let me tell you, I wore these jeans A LOT!To be honest, I’m surprised that they lasted as long as they did!
So, how were my jeans able to live such a long life? Here are some tips that helped my jeans last:
- Wear 3-4 times before washing. (My jeans usually stretch out before they get dirty.)
- Wash in cold water on a gentle setting.
- Turn jeans inside out to wash them. (The dye comes off when it rubs against other items.)
- Air dry or tumble dry on low heat.
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
Thanks for the tips! Jeans are definitely the most versatile piece of clothing I know. These are awesome tips that are definitely very practical.
Wei-Wei
My 7 for All Mankinds have been with me for 4 years now…and I do the same things you listed to keep them up. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on clothing, but I do think investing in a few quality pieces that will last years is well worth it. After I lost some weight instead of buying a new pair, I just took them in to get them altered. A lot cheaper then investing in another $150+ pair!
I did the same thing last summer with my FAVORITE, most perfect fitting, first pair of Sevens. Mine however were so worn (getting a hole in the crotch) that I had to throw them in the trash. I always wash mine in cold and hang to dry! Gotta make those puppies last! That being said, they are worth every penny.
Where do you buy your jeans? I’ve decided that jeans are the one piece of clothing (well, shoes too) that is worth spending a lot of money on. Thing is, I don’t know where to go to buy them! I shop for almost everything else at Target.
Better yet, don’t dry them in the dryer at all! I hang dry all my expensive clothes, jeans especially. To get rid of that stiff feeling after they are dry, put them on the “air fluff” cycle in the dryer for a few minutes and they’ll be soft and ready to go. This definitely helps to preserve the integrity of the clothes and cuts down on your power bill.
Sevens are my FAVORITE!
I actually did a post last Friday on designer denim which was really fun!
Will you tell us your fav brands? I don’t even know where to start when it comes to buying “good” jeans.
Wow, 6 years – that’s awesome. I have some favorites too, but I always love donating clothes. I’m the opposite of a hoarder.
What are your favorite brand(s) of jeans? Do you mostly buy designer, or…?
@Annie (Delicious Wellness): @Christie: @Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]: Sevens!!!
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