shadowtinker21 said:I’ve already got two from Top Shop (selling one of them 😉) and one from Miss Selfridge. I think I caught everything on sale, so they only cost me about $67. I’ve been wearing one pair for three years now and there’s zero change, they’re comfortable and just... great. Personally, I would never drop $300 on basic denim just because the tag says Diesel or Replay 🙄. I don't buy them often enough to justify the price, though I could afford it, I just don't want to! For $300, I could get a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a bottle of perfume 😍
I think there are plenty of high-quality jeans out there at fair prices, it's just that those brands don't have a fancy label attached to them 🤣
I always end up buying the ones that are skin-tight, to the point where I can barely breathe or walk. Then after just one day of wear, they look totally saggy, lose their shape, and become just 👍
Look, I’ll say it plainly: I wish I could just walk into Zara, Mango, or Gap and find a pair of jeans that actually fits. But let’s be real—it’s a lost cause for someone with my build. I’ve mentioned this before, so I shouldn't have to repeat myself, but here we are. I’m a standard, slender girl—about 123 pounds at 5'6"—but my proportions are completely off for mass-market fashion. Nature gave me a 27-inch waist and 35-inch hips, which sounds fine on paper, but in reality, there is almost zero definition. My waist doesn't exist, my hips barely show, and my backside is pretty much flat. When you have a silhouette like mine, those big-box retailers might as well not even bother making clothes for us.
I find myself constantly bouncing between stores like Mango, Zara, Vero Moda, Madewell, Dolce & Gabbana, Levi's, Mustang, LTB, Naf Naf, Benetton, and Tommy Hilfiger—just browsing here, then there. And let me tell you, the selection of denim is absolutely stunning. Mango, in particular, has some incredible models; I saw these grey ones with stud detailing that were just breathtaking. But that’s exactly where the nightmare begins. I try on a size 6, and while they fit my backside perfectly, there is absolutely zero chance I’m getting the button closed. Then I move up to a size 8, and suddenly the waist fits, but now I'm dealing with all this awkward bunching around the hips and pulling at the crotch. It is the exact same story in 95% of the shops out there. It’s infuriating. 😕
Most of my denim comes from Diesel. Right now, I own three pairs of theirs. I’ve got these light gray ones that are hitting the two-year mark, and they’ve finally started chafing between the legs—which is actually impressive, considering most other brands I buy fall apart within a year. My grandmother patched them up for me, so I’ll probably be wearing them for quite a while longer. Then there are my medium blue and dark blue pairs. Their sizes 28 and 29 fit like a glove, specifically the Liv model in a 29 with 2% elastane. 🙏 Liv's eyes are a deep navy, almost indigo, and they catch the light perfectly.
I also have some pieces from Topshop—their lightbulbs [style items] and those flared cuts are absolutely fantastic. It would be incredible if I could consistently find trousers there for around $40.$150Honestly, I remember when things were actually decent around here, back in the day. But lately? When I’ve gone looking for something worthwhile, I haven't found a single model that even comes close to being impressive. The selection has been absolutely pathetic. It is glaringly obvious that Magma is completely spiraling right now.
Honestly, what can you even do? My ass is incredibly picky and just plain weird—it only "approves" of Diesel (specifically the 28 or 29 waist) and Topshop (the size 10, specifically the Baxter model), and that is absolutely it. I have seriously exhausted myself hunting for the perfect pair of jeans everywhere under the sun, and yet, nothing else works.
I once owned a pair of Replay jeans and two different pairs from Hilfiger. On the surface, the fit was impeccable—they looked fantastic on me. But the actual quality? It was honestly painful. Both pairs completely fell apart within five to eight months of regular wear. My cousin also got burned by Replay; both her pairs disintegrated almost instantly, like they were made of crackers instead of denim. 😢
When it comes to denim, I don’t mind splurging a little extra. The same logic applies to a high-quality coat or a solid pair of boots—these are investment pieces you wear for years, not just seasons. As for basic tees and other filler items, I’m much more frugal. I’d never waste my money on a Diesel t-shirt; I can easily pick up something similar at H&M, Mango, or Zara without a second thought. However, jeans are the absolute foundation of my wardrobe, and honestly, they’re the only pants I own. I know from experience that Diesel denim is top-tier quality, and I truly don't regret spending the money. I would much rather buy one killer pair and wear them for two or three years than be stuck spending $100 every six months or so just to keep my closet functional. $133 As for those who are going to fall apart quickly... I’m not saying it's a universal rule, but so far, only my Diesel ones have actually managed to withstand that much friction between my legs for any length of time. 😁
shadowtinker21 said:I’ve already got two from Top Shop (selling one of them 😉) and one from Miss Selfridge. I think I caught everything on sale, so they only cost me about $67. I’ve been wearing one pair for three years now and there’s zero change, they’re comfortable and just... great. Personally, I would never drop $300 on basic denim just because the tag says Diesel or Replay 🙄. I don't buy them often enough to justify the price, though I could afford it, I just don't want to! For $300, I could get a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a bottle of perfume 😍
I think there are plenty of high-quality jeans out there at fair prices, it's just that those brands don't have a fancy label attached to them 🤣
I always end up buying the ones that are skin-tight, to the point where I can barely breathe or walk. Then after just one day of wear, they look totally saggy, lose their shape, and become just 👍
See, that’s exactly where my experience differs... Sure, I like them snug, but I refuse to have extra inches of love handles or a belly spilling out because the fabric failed. None of the pairs I've owned have ever stretched out on me. I distinctly remember a pair of Miss Sixty jeans—they were 100% denim, zero stretch, and I could barely even get the button fastened. They never lost their shape, but they did leave bruises around my waist, so I eventually just handed them off to my sister. Personally, I prefer that "second skin" feel. I don't mind if they're a tiny bit tight at the waist, provided I can actually close the button, but I demand that they never lose their tension or sag. 😁