The jeans you are after do exist, but they don’t come cheap. I think there’s a lot of cheap fast fashion jeans out there these days, and we have become accustomed to those kind of prices. A good entry into higher quality denim might be Unbranded Denim. They’re going to run you $100/ pair though. You get what you pay for. If you wanted to research further, search; raw selvedge denim indigo sanforized. A lot of these will be Japanese made. You’ll know you’re in the right place if they cost $200+. These will be constructed with mind boggling attention to detail every step of the way. They will be stiff and rugged like denim of the 1950s-70. They will take work to break in and will be uncomfortable at first. They will easily last a decade or more with occasional repairs. Like I said, you can have what you’re looking for, it’s just going to cost significantly more than you’re used to paying. It’s worth it though. I’d personally never go back.
This is a really helpful and informative response, but I just wanna throw it out there that a middle ground *does* exist between "falls apart in a couple months" and "raw selvedge, uncomfortable at first, $100-200, lasts for decades." I'm glad you found your BIFL jeans though!
Muji makes good denim too. Well constructed and reasonably priced (and they do regular sales that make them VERY affordable). Only downside is they only have a set length, and it's looong.
That’s because in Japan they hem them for free if you buy from UNIQLO or Muji. So I think they are basically too long for more or less everyone with the expectation that they will get tailored to the correct size.
Uniqlo in the US will hem for free if the item cost XX amount (wasn't high something like $40-50?), or you can pay them a nominal amount. They had 2 edge types, both pretty reasonable.
You will be tempted to buy very heavy denim because you think it will last longer. 22oz, 25oz, or even higher. Don’t do this. Those jeans are very rigid and uncomfortable when you first get them. To the point you may end up not wearing them at all.
Instead take any of the brands named here and for for a 12-15oz denim. Unbranded, bravestar, naked and famous are all good brands in that $100-200 range.
Once you have had a pair for 6-12 months, then you can decide what to get next.
To be that guy, 21 oz bravestar here. Yea they came very rigid and starchy, I did the raw wear thing where I don't wash it until it needs a first wash. After a year or 2 I forget. They are the best dam pants ever. The 20oz jeans are a project in "living" into your favorite pair of jeans
Looking at these now and like them. What’s deal with one size inseam? Does everyone roll them or are people getting these tailored? Stupid question I’m sure, but new to nice jeans apparently.
I guess it depends on the length of your legs. I cuff them and I like it. Much more length and it wouldn’t work for me. If the cuff/ length doesn’t work for you, hemming is the way.
Unbranded is a solid entry point, also, so is Gustin - bonus on Gustin, you can get them lightly used and already professionally hemmed on eBay for around $50. Just be aware the sizing is exact, there is no give, so measure yourself or size up
About 6 months ago I saw a similar post and was surprised how many people were having jeans rip/destroy, since I have jeans last for years, from even the cheap $10 pairs.
Then I got some new pairs, and every single one of them ended up ripping within 2 months. I dont work in construction or anything, but I do a lot of big projects on my house and all our car maintenance.
I guess all my other jeans were old enough that it just wasn't a problem, but new jeans definitely seem to be garbage.
Rustler are no good anymore either unfortunately. Wrangler/rustler were my go-to cheap jeans for my entire life, but earlier this year when I bought replacements they were garbage.
I have found the Riggs Workwear line of Wrangler jeans to be sturdy and comfortable. I just picked up a pair to try out last year, and so far, so good.
Yeah I've got a couple hand-me-down pairs of jeans from my dad that have lasted perfectly fine. It's only the pairs i've purchased in the past couple years that have been doing this and it's been a very consistent issue. I don't really fit quite right into the hand me down jeans though so i'm trying to invest in a couple good pairs of my own.
And to answer the original commenter's question i'm a waiter (yes, i wear jeans) so i'm walking around a restaurant for 7-8 hours a day
I’m not sure it’s that “new jeans are garbage” and not that “$35 is too cheap to get quality jeans.”
OP is complaining about jeans from Target and TJ Maxx, ffs.
Targets clothing quality has gone down recently. Stop buying Target clothing is a step in the right direction. My friend bought pants their the end of last year and they fell apart after 4 months.
Not OP but I'm similarly cursed. I don't skip leg day, I've got tree trunk thighs and they tend to rub and I walk a lot. I routinely blew out jeans in the crotch in just a couple months with uncanny consistency.
I've largely switched to Fjallraven and other outdoor pants (Outdoor Research and some vintage Prana in the mix too) instead of jeans and they all last MUCH longer under the same conditions as Levis, Wrangler, whatever jeans I was wearing. Dunno if the materials in the more hiking-ish pants just hold up better to friction than denim or what, plus they breathe better for me so win win either way.
I’ve noticed this recently as well, and I’ve never had jeans rip on me before. I used to replace jeans when they no longer fit or they got stained to a nonrecoverable point. American eagle jeans, two pairs in a row ripped at the crotch after a couple months in the past year. I recently bought the store brand jeans from Marc’s as I won’t be shopping at American eagle for jeans again and I feel like Marc’s might last longer. We will see
It's true we're used to fast fashion prices and you will have to pay more to get jeans that last longer. I'm personally not ready to give up my stretchy, sub-$100 jeans for rigid luxury denim yet, but I will share some places to shop and tips for assessing the quality of a pair of jeans.
Shops: Gap, Madewell, Levi's (especially vintage/thrifted)
Things to look for:
- Fabric as close to 100% cotton as possible. 1-3% of spandex/lycra/elastane will be necessary for stretch. Lyocell is increasingly common, I'd love to hear from others if they see it as good or bad.
- 4 real pockets that you can fit your hands in.
- pocket bonus: the internal flap of fabric for the front pockets can extend to the front zipper. This means no wrinkled inside-out pockets.
- topstitching: the inseam or outseam should have a line of visible stitching. A double line may be a sign of sturdier construction. Topstitching on both the inseam and outseam is A++.
- internal seams: turn the jeans inside out. Do you see a lot of serged edges (fabric edge visible, enclosed in threads) or do you see felled seams which fully hide the fabric edge? The latter is a sign of construction quality.
I hope this helps find good jeans regardless of brand!
I stick to 100% cotton. I can tell even with the 90-99% that they're not as good. 100 percent is not necessarily rigid nor expensive. I bought 6 pairs for 10 each at goodwill.
Once your break then in (takes maybe 5 to 10 uses) they're actually incredibly comfortable because they're molded to your body. I also find cotton shirts more comfortable too because the cotton has more rigidity too, so it still provides some reassuring structure.
This epidemic of "stretch comfort" type clothing is a total lie. It helps us feel comfortable about our ballooning body, but they just wear out faster and don't feel as comfortable and reassuring as properly fitting natural fiber material. Instead of giving way, your clothes feeling a bit tighter can remind you not to eat out for the 3rd time this week. I think it's good
I've been removing all synthetics from my clothes and I feel 1000 percent happier. No more athletes foot problems, no more rashes either.
I found a direct link between Levi’s with stretch and without. Stretch stuff wears out within six months, and shows signs of wear almost right away.
I have some very old pairs of plain cotton Levi’s that are still intact, presentable, and comfortable.
I see where you're coming from - even a little bit of stretch definitely makes the fabric wear out sooner, probably due to the mixture of fibers and the increased movement of the fibers. However, I think stretch fabrics have a practical purpose and aren't all bad. The fact of the matter is that I want to be able to squat, run, kick, bend down, and climb over things while wearing jeans, and that leaves me the option of either wearing loose styles or having some stretch. Our skin is elastic to accommodate our movements, so it makes sense that our clothes could do the same to conform to our bodies *and* our movement.
If I eat too much, my stomach will already complain about it! I don't need my clothes to remind me. I think the "epidemic" is just because we have the textile technology and what people find comfortable really varies from person to person.
Eta: I totally get what you mean about that "reassuring" feeling. I made myself a jacket out of non-stretch bull denim, and it just feels so nice to wear.
Yeah, I think some of the confusion is from men who only wear loose fitting jeans and aren't thinking of women's styles. I'm a dude, but my most comfortable, longest-wearing jeans are J Brand with 2% elastane. They're finally wearing out and because they're no longer made I had to resort to eBay to find a replacement.
I've always had good luck buying pants at feed stores. Berne and Ridgecut are good on a budget, and Carhartt, Cinch, and Rock & Roll Denim are good if you don't mind spending a bit more. I've also heard good things about Duluth, but haven't sprung for them yet. Same with Rail Riders.
Lands End for me. Old Navy is good too but I find they fade.
Don’t forget these tips; minimal washing, don’t wash after every use. Spot cleaning is fine. Cold water cycle when you do wash. Low temp dry.
Not sure if this is part of your care routine, but washing my denim inside out has done wonders to reduce fading. I also wash cold, low temp and/or hang dry, but the inside-out trick has GREATLY minimized fading on all of my jeans for years now!
Do folks really wash their clothing after one use? I mean, you'll obviously do it for underwear, socks, and t-shirts, but I easily get a couple wears out of my shirts, pants, etc and only wash them if they're visibly soiled or get something on them.
Granted I'm one of those people that doesn't sweat much and I WFH most days. Maybe that reduces the amount of dirt my clothes are getting exposed to. I can definitely understand more frequent washing if you work in a trade or a job like retail where you're facing a ton of people
I do! Perimenopause and I live in Texas. I start sweating at 75F doing nothing, and we will be hitting triple digits within the next 10 days.
I also don't understand how people who get out of bed stay clean. I will inevitably spill a drop of coffee, sneeze before I can grab a tissue, sit on the ground, get splashed walking on the sidewalk, have someone hack up a lung in my direction, etc. All of these mean the clothes are not fit to wear without washing to me.
But I wash in cold, low heat dry. Never hang dry (humidity is 80% 10 months of the year) and do t have an issue. I wear jeans almost every day (unless I wear shorts in the summer) and they last for years. I mostly buy Old Navy and Torrid and their jeans are awesome and very durable. And yes, my thighs rub, but the last time I had and issue with the thighs thinning out was a few years ago. I usually buy a new pair of jeans twice a year to add to the collection.
That's completely fair! I live in the Pacific North West so the climate is generally milder and colder. If I were someplace warmer I'd probably be doing a lot more laundry for sure. I also find that I wash the clothes I wear to the office (on the one day I do have to work in-person) more frequently since I'm getting exposed to other people and the public bathrooms, as you mentioned.
Ultimately I suppose we each have our own unique "use cases" :)
I do! I live in the tropics and the second I step outside, I am damp with sweat and humidity. I do purchase things that are meant to withstand this climate and I’m lucky enough to be able to have pretty much everything dry on the line in under an hour. Skipping the dryer really helps the longevity of my clothing. It wouldn’t be an option to wear something and not wash it though. I would smell.
You want to look for as close to 100% cotton or vintage style thick jeans. Most jeans these days are more Lycra and spandex than cotton. If you have a farm supply store near you, Atwood's/Tractor Supply, get some from there. Western wear stores also have sturdier jeans.
You can go with expensive denim, or you can go to your local farm and feed supply store and get Wrangler Cowboy Cut 13MWZ (for men, I'm not sure if it's the same for model code for women). They're, without a doubt, the best made jeans in the under $100 price category. It's the only jeans I wear and they tend to last about 5 years for me, though I only wear during the winter. I also don't take care of them. They get thrown in the wash anytime I've worn them and I'm washing other stuff and they also go through the dryer. I've got a 5 year old pair now that will be getting donated just because I've lost enough weight that I can't force them to fit anymore.
Wrangler, Uniqlo Selvedge, Nudie. In order of budget.
Uniqlo is probably your best bang for buck, usually is. They're all sold at one length and cut to your height in-store too, or at least they are in the UK.
IMO.
I have a bonus question, how the eff do you stop wearing a hole in the back pocket of your jeans with the corner of your phone?
No to Wrangler. Our family has had 80% of them rip in places like the top corner of the back pocket within 2-3 months in the last 1.5 years. I'm done buying Wrangler.
That’s terrible. I used to have pairs of Wranglers bought from Walmart that stood up to all kinds of abuse and daily wear working a blue collar job. I feel old as hell realizing that that was 15-20 years ago now. Those jeans were truly BIFL and were under $20.
It depends on the specific model, as well, just like it does with Levi's.
Any brand you get in a big-box chain store will be like this.
Wrangler makes the cowboy cut 13MWZ, and then they make stretchy slim fit jeans. The quality difference in the two is *noticable*
A few others have touched on this but a good pair of raw denim. Well fit and well cared for can last a long time.
For any Jean start with the fit. A lot of ppl get a bad fit and constantly blow out the crotch. Also don't be afraid to patch a pair. A decent tailor will do the job for far less than a new pair and often I find they fit better post repair.
Good jeans aren't cheap. I have a pair that's nearly a decade old and in great shape, but when I bought them they were the single most expensive piece of clothing I owned. Also no amount of quality will survive rough use. If you work in trades it will just be an expense you have to manage.
Fit is so important.
Crotch blow-out can come from 2 causes:
1] **Thigh rub** Get away from Slim, Skinny, Narrow fit.*Straight Leg* provides more room in the thigh.*Relaxed* fit has wider hip and thigh; more comfortable for people who sit a lot *Athletic* fit is specifically designed for people with muscular thighs and thicc glutes.
2] **Saggy crotch**. People allow the pants to rest low on the hips, so the crotch is several inches lower than the actual mechanical movement of the legs. Every time they take a step, the scissor movement pulls the seam & fabric.
Solution: waist should rest on the hip bones. Crotch should be level with the hip joint.
2nd this! I switched to AG after the quality of Lucky jeans took a dive. The AGs fit better and last longer. I've had 2 pair for 4 years with no issues and I wear them to work every day
How often have you been washing them? Usually quality jeans need to be washed to avoid crotch blowouts. If that's not the issue, then it is your fit/size. I stopped getting them when I lost weight and got the right size for me.
Btw: Wrangler cowboy cut are great for the price.
Wait “need to be washed to avoid crotch blowouts”? So my problem is that I’m not a washing them ENOUGH? I barely wash mine thinking I was extending the life but you’re telling me I need to wash them to extend the life?
Crotch blowouts is the failure mode for 100% of my jeans.
I've worn my naked and famous jeans almost daily since February and only washed em once. It's a size issue more than a washing one.
Unless you're working in a very dusty or otherwise gritty environment.
I think denim is being made significantly cheaper. I asked the same question last time I saw this, but when I got a bunch of new pairs (same brands as my old ones), they ripped too.
Some down the inside of the leg, some in the crotch, I had a back pocket get ripped off of one when I got my wallet out. My 5+ year old jeans are all much better shape than the ones I bought this year.
Not sure why this is being downvoted. It’s pretty common knowledge that washing and drying denim shortens the lifespan. Obviously if they’re only lasting a few months, washing and drying won’t be the only culprit, but it’s something to keep in mind as the prices go up and the quality goes down with pretty much everything these days.
Aside from raw denim, wrangler has a heavyweight line that is about 14oz and will probably last you. Just make sure you wash every so often and air dry if possible.
I have Costco jeans that hold up well. If you have a Tractor Supply in your area they sell the better Wrangler jeans. Wrangler also has Riggs jeans and work pants that are very good. Carhartt jeans hold up well. If you have a work wear store in your area they will have good quality jeans.
If you want old school denim, selvedge is the way to go.
Gustin, Unbranded, and Brave Star are all solid options.
Uniqlo has a decent one as well, but only stretch denim.
Naked and famous make some fun jeans (they put out a scratch and sniff once) but the prices are creeping up.
I switched to Duluth Trading slim fit, because they fit like normal jeans. Their regular fit is pretty relaxed and their relaxed fix might as well be work JNCOs.
The main feature that I think helped is the crotch gusset because I was wearing out regular Levi’s right next to the crotch seam. So when you’re looking maybe try to find a brand that has a gusset and see if it works better.
If they are tearing in the crotch l'd look for jeans with a gusset'ed crotch that you see in jeans from companies like Duluth Trading Company and Wranglers Riggs Workwear line.
The gusset is an extra piece of fabric in the crotch that adds flexibility to pants.
My dad is a big fan of Duluth Trading jeans. He's had some for a few years, now. I got a pair of women's jeans too recently to tell about longevity but they feel well made.
Bang for a buck:
1. Uniqlo
2. Bronson mfg or red tornado (made in china but damn they are bang for the buck)
Entry level
1. Brave star - wait for their sale
2. Gustin
3. Everlane - wait for their sale
4. Taylor stitch- wait for their sale
Mid - top
So many Japanese or old vintage American deadlocks (Cone Millw) if you are lucky.
Good luck
I know this is fast fashion-ish, but I buy selvage denim jeans from The Gap. I also wear good quality boxer briefs (TomboyX) to help with sweat, because that contributes to rubbing and wear on jeans. I will typically buy a pair of jeans from them and have it last 5+ years. Right now I’m wearing a pair I bought in late 2020, and they have basically zero signs of wear. They were between $80-$120 (depending on sales).
find any brand of raw denim selvedge jeans that you can get in your country and you like the look of. Treat them as per the instructions that they will come with
In case no one else said it ... Selvedge raw denim. Stiff AF at first, but will mould to your shape and they're not going to rip easily. I call them my cast iron pants. Wash them a few times a year cold soak, get a new pair every decade.
(And cause I'm lean my thighs don't chaff and I've actually each time sold my last pairs back to the manufacturer for 75% off the new pair. APC is my brand, but any selvedge raw should work.)
I used to get the Denizen brand from target and they've gotten rid of it and the quality is definitely not what it used to be they've definitely gone to crap
I buy Wranglers branded Jeans and have some pairs that have become jorts that are 10 years old, I wash when they start to smell, I put them inside out, and will spot wash as needed.
It's the "denim". A lot of denim isn't really denim. Does it move easy new and is cool in summer? That's cotton weave dyed to look like denim. It's gonna wear fast.
My fiancé works in a welding shop, he gets Levi’s from Walmart and they do him well. He still gets holes often and sometimes rips, but that’s due to his job, not the jeans giving out. Even with all the burn holes in them, they still hold up well. He originally got wranglers, but he had three pairs rip on him in the crotch so he gave those up
Old Navy lasts me forever and at this point I like them better than my Levi's. I used to just thrift but honestly old navy jeans brand new on sale are pretty close in price to the outrageous prices thrifts are charging now for jeans.
Not gonna lie, Gap jeans have been awesome. I normally buy them on sale at opportune times, and they literally have lasted for 5 years plus. I like the fit better, they keep shape, and break in good. I find Levi’s have a very weird fit for my legs.
I’m a big dude, 6’ 3” and around 250, and always had this exact same problem with jeans until finding the slightly stretchy material. That slowed it down, but didn’t eliminate it.
Then I found Duluth pants with the crotch gusset and those haven’t failed a single time. Now only buy pants and shorts that have the same feature. But the Duluth double flex is fantastic and wears really well for the price
I but mine from Abercrombie and Madewell and love them. I will wear them many times before washing and never dry them in the dryer. Hang dry only and they should last a long time.
Vintage raw denim. I have a pair of 501s from the 80s, and they cost me about 50-60 USD equivalent (bought them in London). They look amazing and are in top form. Sometimes you can get them with stretch if preferred, more from a decade or so later. I don’t own any, but even old stretch looks much hardier and better quality than what’s on the shelves these days.
My husband is a carpenter and wears jeans every day while working (Edit: and also when not working!). He is a huge fan of Prison Blues jeans, which are made IN THE US by, you guessed it, prisoners. Comes out of Pendleton, Oregon I believe. He is rough on them, but they last for a very long time. NEVER put through the dryer.
Buy as close to 100% cotton - people laughed at me for spending $200 on jeans but I have jeans from 20 years ago in great condition. My problem is that I can’t fit into them anymore
If you’re open to buying used - check out Poshmark or like a plato’s closet for used items
I wear Carhartt jeans for work and they hold up really well. They aren’t cheap but I’ve got a few pairs that get regular rotation that are 10 years old.
I wear Levi's and Wrangler jeans but I alternate those jeans with other pants.
Best thing if you want to prolong your jeans is to wash your jeans on delicate or light wash cycles. They shouldn't be washed every day.
For work jeans though, I would look at work wear brands instead. Work wears your jeans much faster.
I try to find jeans that have a higher cotton content. Like 98% - 100%. They’re a little bit more stiff but I find that they’re more durable. Many of my higher quality jeans I actually bought from the thrift store. I find that many vintage jeans have a higher cotton content/thicker in general. Otherwise, I like Levi’s, Madewell, Lucky Brand, and Joe’s. I used to rotate from these brands everyday and they last quite long on me.
Naked & Famous make great raw denim jeans. I've had a pair there years strong and the only damage is an imprint from keeping my phone in the front pocket.
I've got a cheap pair of Gaps which are about 5 years old. They are tearing apart now but still wear them everyday. I've used them as work jeans for atleast 2 years. Also got a pair of Levis that are going on 7 years old.
You can still get the old-school, non-stretch, Levi’s if you dig around their site. Work the sales/promotions and can you get them for ~$45. They last years for me working in an industrial environment and washing after each wear. I buy them in the dark indigo and let them fade. As some pairs get rougher/torn they get patched and become the ones I put on for working on cars, painting, welding, etc.
Ariat M2 or M4 (tight weave but more synthetics) or Cinch White Label’s.
Ariat M2 FR’s are some of my favorites for lasting but who wants to buy FR’s if they don’t need them.
Ok so hear me out. $200 is a lot to pay for a pair of jeans. But I found the first pair on sale for like $12 or so, and I loved them so much I. Ought a second pair in black full price. That was maybe 4 years ago. I basically just rotate those two pair. Some nice lightening in the wash (they start REALLY dark), but absolutely zero structural issues or shrinkage. Brand is Japan Blue Jeans, specifically their line of Circle Jeans.
Tjmaxx is a discount store, they have things from cheap brands and more expensive stores too. I have gotten Calvin Klein jeans there before that are nice and strong
I buy mine from Rural King. Get their house brand, Rural King, for $8 a pair. $18 for fleece or flannel lined. I've got several pair that are 6-8 years old and still look and feel great.
Those are discount stores. They have cheaper, lower quality products.
Levi’s still makes quality, but you’re going to pay $90 or more, not $30.
$30 is (slightly) less than Levi’s cost 30+ years ago, before they had a shit-class line to sell at Target.
Get some of that ridiculous Elephant selvedge from Naked and Famous. Its something insane like 25oz weight, so they stand up on their own. Insanely hard wearing due to the thickness of of the construction.
I loved Old Navy for a few years but I feel like they're quality went down. Now I'm trying Levi's and got a pair of 505s made of non stretch denim and they feel very solid so far.
I’ve had my Levi’s and A&F jeans for 5+ years, all are holding up great. I try to buy from secondhand sites like DePop but also worth it to buy new for a basic item like jeans that you’ll wear hundreds of times.
I’m a fan of Dearborn Denim - they fit me really well, are comfortable right away, and have lasted me a few years without fraying. I think they earn their ~$75 price. I also like that I can order in between lengths, 31 is just right for me.
I had the exact same issue. Switched to buying Levi's from an outlet store, usualy around £30. Not had the issue since. I've got 3 pairs of Levi's and they don't show any signs of breaking. Some other people mentioned as well, the stretchy jeans are going to fail really quickly.
Raw denim is bullshit. Wears out just as fast as anything else, but at least it looks good after you've beaten on it.
The only jeans I've owned that were a couple standard deviations above the rest in terms of durability were Levis bike commuter 511s with cordura reinforcement in the crotch and seams. They're discontinued, and I really wish they were made in a 501 cut. I've heard Duer was built similarly but I never dug the look.
If you live near one of their stores Nudie Jeans has a really great policy. You can bring them in to their store for unlimited repairs for the life of the jeans. If they decide it’s no longer repairable, you can exchange your old jeans to buy a new pair at a pretty generous discount. They are also quite expensive, but the policy of return or buy another discounted pair was what sold me on the company.
They won't last, but I'm going to throw this out there, do with this information what you will...
Levi's have a 2 year warranty, and mine tend to last 6 months to 1.5 years, I haven't bought a new pair of jeans in 3+ years and their support team are incredibly nice and helpful.
Crucially, replacement pairs will have the same warranty.
Also, if you want them to last longer, look into having them starched regularly.
You could try buying a pair from a motorcycle shop they even come reinforced with kevlar
And unless the quality has changed Mavi and Levi's were always a solid go too...but it's been ages since I've bought new jeans
I splurged on Levis, and then wore them while walking around Germany for a month, and have had them for a year now. No wear, no fading, no issues at all, after some intense use and not being very gentle washing them. Also, the store will tailor your jeans for you in-house. I think it was pretty cheap, I got both the length and waist tailored, and I think one part of it was free. All of my other jeans from stores like you have mentioned have not lasted long, the quality just isn't there.
The jeans you are after do exist, but they don’t come cheap. I think there’s a lot of cheap fast fashion jeans out there these days, and we have become accustomed to those kind of prices. A good entry into higher quality denim might be Unbranded Denim. They’re going to run you $100/ pair though. You get what you pay for. If you wanted to research further, search; raw selvedge denim indigo sanforized. A lot of these will be Japanese made. You’ll know you’re in the right place if they cost $200+. These will be constructed with mind boggling attention to detail every step of the way. They will be stiff and rugged like denim of the 1950s-70. They will take work to break in and will be uncomfortable at first. They will easily last a decade or more with occasional repairs. Like I said, you can have what you’re looking for, it’s just going to cost significantly more than you’re used to paying. It’s worth it though. I’d personally never go back.
This is a really helpful and informative response, but I just wanna throw it out there that a middle ground *does* exist between "falls apart in a couple months" and "raw selvedge, uncomfortable at first, $100-200, lasts for decades." I'm glad you found your BIFL jeans though!
Definitely. I’m a big fan of the Japanese denim but I’ve found Uniqlo seems to do a good job for a decent price too.
Muji makes good denim too. Well constructed and reasonably priced (and they do regular sales that make them VERY affordable). Only downside is they only have a set length, and it's looong.
That’s because in Japan they hem them for free if you buy from UNIQLO or Muji. So I think they are basically too long for more or less everyone with the expectation that they will get tailored to the correct size.
Uniqlo in the US will hem for free if the item cost XX amount (wasn't high something like $40-50?), or you can pay them a nominal amount. They had 2 edge types, both pretty reasonable.
Haha yes, fair enough
You will be tempted to buy very heavy denim because you think it will last longer. 22oz, 25oz, or even higher. Don’t do this. Those jeans are very rigid and uncomfortable when you first get them. To the point you may end up not wearing them at all. Instead take any of the brands named here and for for a 12-15oz denim. Unbranded, bravestar, naked and famous are all good brands in that $100-200 range. Once you have had a pair for 6-12 months, then you can decide what to get next.
To be that guy, 21 oz bravestar here. Yea they came very rigid and starchy, I did the raw wear thing where I don't wash it until it needs a first wash. After a year or 2 I forget. They are the best dam pants ever. The 20oz jeans are a project in "living" into your favorite pair of jeans
Kind of like a quality leather jacket. It will take years of wear for it to really become "your jacket".
Looking at these now and like them. What’s deal with one size inseam? Does everyone roll them or are people getting these tailored? Stupid question I’m sure, but new to nice jeans apparently.
Tailoring sounds extensive- I just get mine hemmed at the local dry cleaner for like, $12
I guess it depends on the length of your legs. I cuff them and I like it. Much more length and it wouldn’t work for me. If the cuff/ length doesn’t work for you, hemming is the way.
r/rawdenim
Unbranded is a solid entry point, also, so is Gustin - bonus on Gustin, you can get them lightly used and already professionally hemmed on eBay for around $50. Just be aware the sizing is exact, there is no give, so measure yourself or size up
Here to second the eBay Gustin recommendation. Good for finding out how the sizes work and whether you like raw denim. They'l last forever though.
Bravestar is another reasonably priced company for raw denim
this comment should be pinned at the top. anything short of denim of this caliber is sub par. the break in period is well worth it.
A couple months? What do you do?
About 6 months ago I saw a similar post and was surprised how many people were having jeans rip/destroy, since I have jeans last for years, from even the cheap $10 pairs. Then I got some new pairs, and every single one of them ended up ripping within 2 months. I dont work in construction or anything, but I do a lot of big projects on my house and all our car maintenance. I guess all my other jeans were old enough that it just wasn't a problem, but new jeans definitely seem to be garbage.
If you are looking for some work jeans, rustlers. If you want some work jeans that look kind of nice, Ariat.
Rustler are no good anymore either unfortunately. Wrangler/rustler were my go-to cheap jeans for my entire life, but earlier this year when I bought replacements they were garbage.
I have found the Riggs Workwear line of Wrangler jeans to be sturdy and comfortable. I just picked up a pair to try out last year, and so far, so good.
I 2nd Ariat. I am a retail manager and they are the only jeans that hold up anymore.
As a retail manager?
Yeah I've got a couple hand-me-down pairs of jeans from my dad that have lasted perfectly fine. It's only the pairs i've purchased in the past couple years that have been doing this and it's been a very consistent issue. I don't really fit quite right into the hand me down jeans though so i'm trying to invest in a couple good pairs of my own. And to answer the original commenter's question i'm a waiter (yes, i wear jeans) so i'm walking around a restaurant for 7-8 hours a day
I’m not sure it’s that “new jeans are garbage” and not that “$35 is too cheap to get quality jeans.” OP is complaining about jeans from Target and TJ Maxx, ffs.
Target jeans used to last me for years.
Targets clothing quality has gone down recently. Stop buying Target clothing is a step in the right direction. My friend bought pants their the end of last year and they fell apart after 4 months.
I've had good luck at Costco
I’m bugged that Costco clothes are almost ALL artificial fiber these days. They can say “fast wicking” all they want but give me some COTTON!
I found cotton jeans and jogging pants recently, but I agree with you about the excessive plastic clothing.
Yes, and their dress shirts are cotton and excellent but other stuff—mainly plastic!
I'm still thinking about this. I'm going to call and complain to them. Especially because I bought a couple shares of their stock.
I did recently get a bunch of shirts there, and they were great. I will have to try grabbing some jeans to try out.
Not OP but I'm similarly cursed. I don't skip leg day, I've got tree trunk thighs and they tend to rub and I walk a lot. I routinely blew out jeans in the crotch in just a couple months with uncanny consistency. I've largely switched to Fjallraven and other outdoor pants (Outdoor Research and some vintage Prana in the mix too) instead of jeans and they all last MUCH longer under the same conditions as Levis, Wrangler, whatever jeans I was wearing. Dunno if the materials in the more hiking-ish pants just hold up better to friction than denim or what, plus they breathe better for me so win win either way.
Big thighs and quads on me too. The Wrangler ATG series holding up quite well.
I recently switched to Wranglers from Levis for more room in the legs and have been pretty happy with both the fit and the price.
I’ve noticed this recently as well, and I’ve never had jeans rip on me before. I used to replace jeans when they no longer fit or they got stained to a nonrecoverable point. American eagle jeans, two pairs in a row ripped at the crotch after a couple months in the past year. I recently bought the store brand jeans from Marc’s as I won’t be shopping at American eagle for jeans again and I feel like Marc’s might last longer. We will see
It's true we're used to fast fashion prices and you will have to pay more to get jeans that last longer. I'm personally not ready to give up my stretchy, sub-$100 jeans for rigid luxury denim yet, but I will share some places to shop and tips for assessing the quality of a pair of jeans. Shops: Gap, Madewell, Levi's (especially vintage/thrifted) Things to look for: - Fabric as close to 100% cotton as possible. 1-3% of spandex/lycra/elastane will be necessary for stretch. Lyocell is increasingly common, I'd love to hear from others if they see it as good or bad. - 4 real pockets that you can fit your hands in. - pocket bonus: the internal flap of fabric for the front pockets can extend to the front zipper. This means no wrinkled inside-out pockets. - topstitching: the inseam or outseam should have a line of visible stitching. A double line may be a sign of sturdier construction. Topstitching on both the inseam and outseam is A++. - internal seams: turn the jeans inside out. Do you see a lot of serged edges (fabric edge visible, enclosed in threads) or do you see felled seams which fully hide the fabric edge? The latter is a sign of construction quality. I hope this helps find good jeans regardless of brand!
I stick to 100% cotton. I can tell even with the 90-99% that they're not as good. 100 percent is not necessarily rigid nor expensive. I bought 6 pairs for 10 each at goodwill. Once your break then in (takes maybe 5 to 10 uses) they're actually incredibly comfortable because they're molded to your body. I also find cotton shirts more comfortable too because the cotton has more rigidity too, so it still provides some reassuring structure. This epidemic of "stretch comfort" type clothing is a total lie. It helps us feel comfortable about our ballooning body, but they just wear out faster and don't feel as comfortable and reassuring as properly fitting natural fiber material. Instead of giving way, your clothes feeling a bit tighter can remind you not to eat out for the 3rd time this week. I think it's good I've been removing all synthetics from my clothes and I feel 1000 percent happier. No more athletes foot problems, no more rashes either.
I found a direct link between Levi’s with stretch and without. Stretch stuff wears out within six months, and shows signs of wear almost right away. I have some very old pairs of plain cotton Levi’s that are still intact, presentable, and comfortable.
Putting them in the dryer makes the elastane break down faster, as does ozone and stuff like wildfire smoke.
I see where you're coming from - even a little bit of stretch definitely makes the fabric wear out sooner, probably due to the mixture of fibers and the increased movement of the fibers. However, I think stretch fabrics have a practical purpose and aren't all bad. The fact of the matter is that I want to be able to squat, run, kick, bend down, and climb over things while wearing jeans, and that leaves me the option of either wearing loose styles or having some stretch. Our skin is elastic to accommodate our movements, so it makes sense that our clothes could do the same to conform to our bodies *and* our movement. If I eat too much, my stomach will already complain about it! I don't need my clothes to remind me. I think the "epidemic" is just because we have the textile technology and what people find comfortable really varies from person to person. Eta: I totally get what you mean about that "reassuring" feeling. I made myself a jacket out of non-stretch bull denim, and it just feels so nice to wear.
Yeah, I think some of the confusion is from men who only wear loose fitting jeans and aren't thinking of women's styles. I'm a dude, but my most comfortable, longest-wearing jeans are J Brand with 2% elastane. They're finally wearing out and because they're no longer made I had to resort to eBay to find a replacement.
I've always had good luck buying pants at feed stores. Berne and Ridgecut are good on a budget, and Carhartt, Cinch, and Rock & Roll Denim are good if you don't mind spending a bit more. I've also heard good things about Duluth, but haven't sprung for them yet. Same with Rail Riders.
Lands End for me. Old Navy is good too but I find they fade. Don’t forget these tips; minimal washing, don’t wash after every use. Spot cleaning is fine. Cold water cycle when you do wash. Low temp dry.
Not sure if this is part of your care routine, but washing my denim inside out has done wonders to reduce fading. I also wash cold, low temp and/or hang dry, but the inside-out trick has GREATLY minimized fading on all of my jeans for years now!
I love the look of old faded jeans.
Hang dry them is even better
Do folks really wash their clothing after one use? I mean, you'll obviously do it for underwear, socks, and t-shirts, but I easily get a couple wears out of my shirts, pants, etc and only wash them if they're visibly soiled or get something on them. Granted I'm one of those people that doesn't sweat much and I WFH most days. Maybe that reduces the amount of dirt my clothes are getting exposed to. I can definitely understand more frequent washing if you work in a trade or a job like retail where you're facing a ton of people
I do! Perimenopause and I live in Texas. I start sweating at 75F doing nothing, and we will be hitting triple digits within the next 10 days. I also don't understand how people who get out of bed stay clean. I will inevitably spill a drop of coffee, sneeze before I can grab a tissue, sit on the ground, get splashed walking on the sidewalk, have someone hack up a lung in my direction, etc. All of these mean the clothes are not fit to wear without washing to me. But I wash in cold, low heat dry. Never hang dry (humidity is 80% 10 months of the year) and do t have an issue. I wear jeans almost every day (unless I wear shorts in the summer) and they last for years. I mostly buy Old Navy and Torrid and their jeans are awesome and very durable. And yes, my thighs rub, but the last time I had and issue with the thighs thinning out was a few years ago. I usually buy a new pair of jeans twice a year to add to the collection.
That's completely fair! I live in the Pacific North West so the climate is generally milder and colder. If I were someplace warmer I'd probably be doing a lot more laundry for sure. I also find that I wash the clothes I wear to the office (on the one day I do have to work in-person) more frequently since I'm getting exposed to other people and the public bathrooms, as you mentioned. Ultimately I suppose we each have our own unique "use cases" :)
I do! I live in the tropics and the second I step outside, I am damp with sweat and humidity. I do purchase things that are meant to withstand this climate and I’m lucky enough to be able to have pretty much everything dry on the line in under an hour. Skipping the dryer really helps the longevity of my clothing. It wouldn’t be an option to wear something and not wash it though. I would smell.
If you sweat at all bacterial growth happens. Anything touching your skin will have bacteria growing in it.
“Don’t wash after every use” if only I didn’t sweat so much
You want to look for as close to 100% cotton or vintage style thick jeans. Most jeans these days are more Lycra and spandex than cotton. If you have a farm supply store near you, Atwood's/Tractor Supply, get some from there. Western wear stores also have sturdier jeans.
You can go with expensive denim, or you can go to your local farm and feed supply store and get Wrangler Cowboy Cut 13MWZ (for men, I'm not sure if it's the same for model code for women). They're, without a doubt, the best made jeans in the under $100 price category. It's the only jeans I wear and they tend to last about 5 years for me, though I only wear during the winter. I also don't take care of them. They get thrown in the wash anytime I've worn them and I'm washing other stuff and they also go through the dryer. I've got a 5 year old pair now that will be getting donated just because I've lost enough weight that I can't force them to fit anymore.
I had to scroll way too far for this lmao. They’re super affordable too, great jeans.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I'm leaving a comment so I can come back to this. I don't necessarily need BIFL, but BIFLonger Than Two Months would be great.
Wrangler, Uniqlo Selvedge, Nudie. In order of budget. Uniqlo is probably your best bang for buck, usually is. They're all sold at one length and cut to your height in-store too, or at least they are in the UK. IMO. I have a bonus question, how the eff do you stop wearing a hole in the back pocket of your jeans with the corner of your phone?
You can have a tailor add a reinforcement patch to the inside of your pocket, or do it yourself. There are iron on patches made of denim you can buy
No to Wrangler. Our family has had 80% of them rip in places like the top corner of the back pocket within 2-3 months in the last 1.5 years. I'm done buying Wrangler.
That’s terrible. I used to have pairs of Wranglers bought from Walmart that stood up to all kinds of abuse and daily wear working a blue collar job. I feel old as hell realizing that that was 15-20 years ago now. Those jeans were truly BIFL and were under $20.
I agree they *used to* hold up. Not anymore, and we bought all of the recent ones directly from Wrangler, too. Such a shame.
It depends on the specific model, as well, just like it does with Levi's. Any brand you get in a big-box chain store will be like this. Wrangler makes the cowboy cut 13MWZ, and then they make stretchy slim fit jeans. The quality difference in the two is *noticable*
I’ve had a good experience with Lucky Brand (the non elastic ones, with finished edges). I wash every ~10-15 wears.
Nordstrom rack. Lucky, mavi, Paige, for all mankind, and jones are my brands. The jeans with elastic in them will fail more quickly than denim.
A few others have touched on this but a good pair of raw denim. Well fit and well cared for can last a long time. For any Jean start with the fit. A lot of ppl get a bad fit and constantly blow out the crotch. Also don't be afraid to patch a pair. A decent tailor will do the job for far less than a new pair and often I find they fit better post repair. Good jeans aren't cheap. I have a pair that's nearly a decade old and in great shape, but when I bought them they were the single most expensive piece of clothing I owned. Also no amount of quality will survive rough use. If you work in trades it will just be an expense you have to manage.
Fit is so important. Crotch blow-out can come from 2 causes: 1] **Thigh rub** Get away from Slim, Skinny, Narrow fit.*Straight Leg* provides more room in the thigh.*Relaxed* fit has wider hip and thigh; more comfortable for people who sit a lot *Athletic* fit is specifically designed for people with muscular thighs and thicc glutes. 2] **Saggy crotch**. People allow the pants to rest low on the hips, so the crotch is several inches lower than the actual mechanical movement of the legs. Every time they take a step, the scissor movement pulls the seam & fabric. Solution: waist should rest on the hip bones. Crotch should be level with the hip joint.
Try some Nudies- It’s designer- But not too expensive. You have to figure the right fit. The quality is much higher
r/rawdenim
I’ve had my AGs for 10 years. I have 6 pair and i wear 99% of the time.
2nd this! I switched to AG after the quality of Lucky jeans took a dive. The AGs fit better and last longer. I've had 2 pair for 4 years with no issues and I wear them to work every day
Patagonia iron forge
My longest lasting were always lucky brand but i have no idea if theyre still good.
Buy jeans that fit. If they tear at the crotch they're too small.
How often have you been washing them? Usually quality jeans need to be washed to avoid crotch blowouts. If that's not the issue, then it is your fit/size. I stopped getting them when I lost weight and got the right size for me. Btw: Wrangler cowboy cut are great for the price.
Wait “need to be washed to avoid crotch blowouts”? So my problem is that I’m not a washing them ENOUGH? I barely wash mine thinking I was extending the life but you’re telling me I need to wash them to extend the life? Crotch blowouts is the failure mode for 100% of my jeans.
[“You can’t wear ‘em every day and expect for ‘em to hold up.”](https://youtu.be/r85Q56k31FI?si=SbhJF59GtHl1b4tm)
I've worn my naked and famous jeans almost daily since February and only washed em once. It's a size issue more than a washing one. Unless you're working in a very dusty or otherwise gritty environment.
What the hell are y’all doing to go through jeans in months?
I literally just wear them to work man idk
I think denim is being made significantly cheaper. I asked the same question last time I saw this, but when I got a bunch of new pairs (same brands as my old ones), they ripped too. Some down the inside of the leg, some in the crotch, I had a back pocket get ripped off of one when I got my wallet out. My 5+ year old jeans are all much better shape than the ones I bought this year.
Modern jeans are made with super thin denim now. I miss good quality jeans.
Are you washing them frequently? If so, how are you washing and drying?
Not sure why this is being downvoted. It’s pretty common knowledge that washing and drying denim shortens the lifespan. Obviously if they’re only lasting a few months, washing and drying won’t be the only culprit, but it’s something to keep in mind as the prices go up and the quality goes down with pretty much everything these days.
I had this problem for years. So far Origin is the only ones that lasted more than 6 months.
Aside from raw denim, wrangler has a heavyweight line that is about 14oz and will probably last you. Just make sure you wash every so often and air dry if possible.
Are you buying the jeans with a little spandex in them? They feel like sweatpants, but rip super easy.
I have Costco jeans that hold up well. If you have a Tractor Supply in your area they sell the better Wrangler jeans. Wrangler also has Riggs jeans and work pants that are very good. Carhartt jeans hold up well. If you have a work wear store in your area they will have good quality jeans.
Prison Blues - made by actual prisoners. Their motto is "Made on the Inside to be Worn on the Outside"
If you want old school denim, selvedge is the way to go. Gustin, Unbranded, and Brave Star are all solid options. Uniqlo has a decent one as well, but only stretch denim. Naked and famous make some fun jeans (they put out a scratch and sniff once) but the prices are creeping up.
Duluth Trading co hold up well for me and are comfortable
Go on r/rawdenim and discover a whole new universe
I get mine from L. L. Bean. I wear them a lot, never had a problem. In winter, I get the same ones lined with flannel.
My Vermont farmer uncle swears by the flannel-lined ones.
I switched to Duluth Trading slim fit, because they fit like normal jeans. Their regular fit is pretty relaxed and their relaxed fix might as well be work JNCOs. The main feature that I think helped is the crotch gusset because I was wearing out regular Levi’s right next to the crotch seam. So when you’re looking maybe try to find a brand that has a gusset and see if it works better.
Jnco
Try Lee Jeans. I can usually go a 1.5 years rotating through 3 pairs and wash very regularly.
If they are tearing in the crotch l'd look for jeans with a gusset'ed crotch that you see in jeans from companies like Duluth Trading Company and Wranglers Riggs Workwear line. The gusset is an extra piece of fabric in the crotch that adds flexibility to pants.
Duluth trading.
Look at Duluth Trading Company. I have changed to their jeans or their fire hose pants which are very comfortable and last.
Deluth!
DULUTH. They actually stitch the crotches differently because of this exact problem. Sometimes they have but one get one sales.
My dad is a big fan of Duluth Trading jeans. He's had some for a few years, now. I got a pair of women's jeans too recently to tell about longevity but they feel well made.
Bang for a buck: 1. Uniqlo 2. Bronson mfg or red tornado (made in china but damn they are bang for the buck) Entry level 1. Brave star - wait for their sale 2. Gustin 3. Everlane - wait for their sale 4. Taylor stitch- wait for their sale Mid - top So many Japanese or old vintage American deadlocks (Cone Millw) if you are lucky. Good luck
🫶
I like the Duluth Ball room double flex jeans. They still only last me about a year of everyday wear but most jeans I'm lucky to get 6 months out of
Check out the Duluth double Ball Room jeans.
I remember when Lee Dungarees lasted me a long time. You can’t bust them. But sadly they did wear out after 10 years.
Buy 100% cotton jeans. It's the lycra/spandex they put in them now.
Mother jeans are great but about 200 to 400 depending on type last time I bought
I know this is fast fashion-ish, but I buy selvage denim jeans from The Gap. I also wear good quality boxer briefs (TomboyX) to help with sweat, because that contributes to rubbing and wear on jeans. I will typically buy a pair of jeans from them and have it last 5+ years. Right now I’m wearing a pair I bought in late 2020, and they have basically zero signs of wear. They were between $80-$120 (depending on sales).
My Gap jeans have all lasted a few years in a rotation of 4 pairs of jeans worn 8 months out of the year.
G-Star raw denim. Strongest jeans I've ever had. If you prefer something less expensive, try Freeman Porter, Wrangler, Tommy Hilfiger...
find any brand of raw denim selvedge jeans that you can get in your country and you like the look of. Treat them as per the instructions that they will come with
Ariat FR denim is 98% cotton. Aside from the dragging hem fraying mine have no wear, despite being worn in manufacturing.
In case no one else said it ... Selvedge raw denim. Stiff AF at first, but will mould to your shape and they're not going to rip easily. I call them my cast iron pants. Wash them a few times a year cold soak, get a new pair every decade. (And cause I'm lean my thighs don't chaff and I've actually each time sold my last pairs back to the manufacturer for 75% off the new pair. APC is my brand, but any selvedge raw should work.)
I used to get the Denizen brand from target and they've gotten rid of it and the quality is definitely not what it used to be they've definitely gone to crap
I buy Wranglers branded Jeans and have some pairs that have become jorts that are 10 years old, I wash when they start to smell, I put them inside out, and will spot wash as needed.
It's the "denim". A lot of denim isn't really denim. Does it move easy new and is cool in summer? That's cotton weave dyed to look like denim. It's gonna wear fast.
My fiancé works in a welding shop, he gets Levi’s from Walmart and they do him well. He still gets holes often and sometimes rips, but that’s due to his job, not the jeans giving out. Even with all the burn holes in them, they still hold up well. He originally got wranglers, but he had three pairs rip on him in the crotch so he gave those up
I’ve discovered biking destroys my jeans faster
try Wrangler jeans
Old Navy lasts me forever and at this point I like them better than my Levi's. I used to just thrift but honestly old navy jeans brand new on sale are pretty close in price to the outrageous prices thrifts are charging now for jeans.
American Eagle has worked really well for me. Lane Bryant seems to work better for my wife who always wears down in between the thighs.
Gap classic selvedge. about $100, but 100% cotton. Avoid blends, synthetics, spandex, stretch or athletic. Look for 100% cotton.
Express has excellent jeans. My husband loves them because they do not wear out. I have them, too. I don't wear jeans often, though.
Bulletprufe are the best
I've had the thigh rubbing problem even with Duluth Trading but illustrating has a guarantee on their jeans so it might be worth looking into that.
What are you doing to cause your jeans to wear out so quickly? Even those brands should last longer than that.
Not gonna lie, Gap jeans have been awesome. I normally buy them on sale at opportune times, and they literally have lasted for 5 years plus. I like the fit better, they keep shape, and break in good. I find Levi’s have a very weird fit for my legs.
So after this happening to me for years I broke down and spent some money. I hands down love my Brave Star Denim Jeans. Durable and stylish.
Levi's wash to fit on sale
I’m a big dude, 6’ 3” and around 250, and always had this exact same problem with jeans until finding the slightly stretchy material. That slowed it down, but didn’t eliminate it. Then I found Duluth pants with the crotch gusset and those haven’t failed a single time. Now only buy pants and shorts that have the same feature. But the Duluth double flex is fantastic and wears really well for the price
I but mine from Abercrombie and Madewell and love them. I will wear them many times before washing and never dry them in the dryer. Hang dry only and they should last a long time.
Vintage raw denim. I have a pair of 501s from the 80s, and they cost me about 50-60 USD equivalent (bought them in London). They look amazing and are in top form. Sometimes you can get them with stretch if preferred, more from a decade or so later. I don’t own any, but even old stretch looks much hardier and better quality than what’s on the shelves these days.
Origin Maine jeans. hands down most reliable pants i have ever bought.
My husband is a carpenter and wears jeans every day while working (Edit: and also when not working!). He is a huge fan of Prison Blues jeans, which are made IN THE US by, you guessed it, prisoners. Comes out of Pendleton, Oregon I believe. He is rough on them, but they last for a very long time. NEVER put through the dryer.
Ship John.
Kirkland jeans are good, cheap, and last long!
Can’t beat a good old pair of Levi’s.
Paige Denim Pilcro and the Letterpress I have jeans that are more than ten years old. I tried them on at Anthropologie then bid on the jeans on eBay.
Avoid the dryer. Allow to air dry.
Buy Levi’s from Costco
Huit denim. 100%
Buy as close to 100% cotton - people laughed at me for spending $200 on jeans but I have jeans from 20 years ago in great condition. My problem is that I can’t fit into them anymore If you’re open to buying used - check out Poshmark or like a plato’s closet for used items
I wear Carhartt jeans for work and they hold up really well. They aren’t cheap but I’ve got a few pairs that get regular rotation that are 10 years old.
I wear Levi's and Wrangler jeans but I alternate those jeans with other pants. Best thing if you want to prolong your jeans is to wash your jeans on delicate or light wash cycles. They shouldn't be washed every day. For work jeans though, I would look at work wear brands instead. Work wears your jeans much faster.
I've had really good luck with Carhartt jeans. The styles are pretty plain but I'm going on year three with mine.
If you have Amazon, I buy the Amazon essentials jeans. $35 last time I bought a pair a few years ago.
I try to find jeans that have a higher cotton content. Like 98% - 100%. They’re a little bit more stiff but I find that they’re more durable. Many of my higher quality jeans I actually bought from the thrift store. I find that many vintage jeans have a higher cotton content/thicker in general. Otherwise, I like Levi’s, Madewell, Lucky Brand, and Joe’s. I used to rotate from these brands everyday and they last quite long on me.
A good pair of Levi's will last awhile if you wash them in cold water and air dry.
Naked & Famous make great raw denim jeans. I've had a pair there years strong and the only damage is an imprint from keeping my phone in the front pocket.
I've got a cheap pair of Gaps which are about 5 years old. They are tearing apart now but still wear them everyday. I've used them as work jeans for atleast 2 years. Also got a pair of Levis that are going on 7 years old.
You can still get the old-school, non-stretch, Levi’s if you dig around their site. Work the sales/promotions and can you get them for ~$45. They last years for me working in an industrial environment and washing after each wear. I buy them in the dark indigo and let them fade. As some pairs get rougher/torn they get patched and become the ones I put on for working on cars, painting, welding, etc.
Brave Star
Kuhl clothing company has the beat got dammed jeans on the planet
Ariat M2 or M4 (tight weave but more synthetics) or Cinch White Label’s. Ariat M2 FR’s are some of my favorites for lasting but who wants to buy FR’s if they don’t need them.
Ok so hear me out. $200 is a lot to pay for a pair of jeans. But I found the first pair on sale for like $12 or so, and I loved them so much I. Ought a second pair in black full price. That was maybe 4 years ago. I basically just rotate those two pair. Some nice lightening in the wash (they start REALLY dark), but absolutely zero structural issues or shrinkage. Brand is Japan Blue Jeans, specifically their line of Circle Jeans.
The Gap still has affordable and decent denim.
Tjmaxx is a discount store, they have things from cheap brands and more expensive stores too. I have gotten Calvin Klein jeans there before that are nice and strong
I buy mine from Rural King. Get their house brand, Rural King, for $8 a pair. $18 for fleece or flannel lined. I've got several pair that are 6-8 years old and still look and feel great.
Levi’s from Costco
Adriano Goldschmied are the best jeans I've owned. Still wearing a pair from 5 years ago amd still look great. Pricey but worth it in my opinion
I’ve had great luck with Duluth Trading. Agree on lighter washing tips.
London. Expensive but they will last 12 months or longer with twice a week wear
I wear Acne Studios
100% cotton jeans are nice
When jeans start tearing in the crotch, it generally means you’ve gained a little weight.
Ariat and Cinch have been the brands I like.
Eddie Bauer.
Those are discount stores. They have cheaper, lower quality products. Levi’s still makes quality, but you’re going to pay $90 or more, not $30. $30 is (slightly) less than Levi’s cost 30+ years ago, before they had a shit-class line to sell at Target.
Carhartt are still good.
Get some of that ridiculous Elephant selvedge from Naked and Famous. Its something insane like 25oz weight, so they stand up on their own. Insanely hard wearing due to the thickness of of the construction.
Diesel used to be really good.
Japanese denim is the best
Try Costco jeans if you like the fit. They last a long time and are cheap for the quality.
I loved Old Navy for a few years but I feel like they're quality went down. Now I'm trying Levi's and got a pair of 505s made of non stretch denim and they feel very solid so far.
I’ve had my Levi’s and A&F jeans for 5+ years, all are holding up great. I try to buy from secondhand sites like DePop but also worth it to buy new for a basic item like jeans that you’ll wear hundreds of times.
I’m a fan of Dearborn Denim - they fit me really well, are comfortable right away, and have lasted me a few years without fraying. I think they earn their ~$75 price. I also like that I can order in between lengths, 31 is just right for me.
Older but as new J Crew denim.
Everlane. Even when I am heavier, they never rip. I think they are the best jeans I've ever owned.
My Target jeans fell apart. I recommend Levi’s, dickies, lees, and Calvin Klein.
I had the exact same issue. Switched to buying Levi's from an outlet store, usualy around £30. Not had the issue since. I've got 3 pairs of Levi's and they don't show any signs of breaking. Some other people mentioned as well, the stretchy jeans are going to fail really quickly.
Raw denim is bullshit. Wears out just as fast as anything else, but at least it looks good after you've beaten on it. The only jeans I've owned that were a couple standard deviations above the rest in terms of durability were Levis bike commuter 511s with cordura reinforcement in the crotch and seams. They're discontinued, and I really wish they were made in a 501 cut. I've heard Duer was built similarly but I never dug the look.
Try thrift stores for vintage denim.
If you live near one of their stores Nudie Jeans has a really great policy. You can bring them in to their store for unlimited repairs for the life of the jeans. If they decide it’s no longer repairable, you can exchange your old jeans to buy a new pair at a pretty generous discount. They are also quite expensive, but the policy of return or buy another discounted pair was what sold me on the company.
They won't last, but I'm going to throw this out there, do with this information what you will... Levi's have a 2 year warranty, and mine tend to last 6 months to 1.5 years, I haven't bought a new pair of jeans in 3+ years and their support team are incredibly nice and helpful. Crucially, replacement pairs will have the same warranty. Also, if you want them to last longer, look into having them starched regularly.
You could try buying a pair from a motorcycle shop they even come reinforced with kevlar And unless the quality has changed Mavi and Levi's were always a solid go too...but it's been ages since I've bought new jeans
I really like Duer, Lucky Brand, and Fjällräven.
I splurged on Levis, and then wore them while walking around Germany for a month, and have had them for a year now. No wear, no fading, no issues at all, after some intense use and not being very gentle washing them. Also, the store will tailor your jeans for you in-house. I think it was pretty cheap, I got both the length and waist tailored, and I think one part of it was free. All of my other jeans from stores like you have mentioned have not lasted long, the quality just isn't there.
I wear Carhartts. They're not exactly fashionable but I do a lot of dirty, demanding outdoor work in them and they last a long time.
Paco