Recommendations for casual jeans and pants

Submitted by msaluta86 t3_ypjolo in BuyItForLife

My go-to for jeans used to be Levi and Lee. The last few pairs I've had split around the back pocket after minimal wear. There appears to be no centralized quality control, and one pair you buy at Kohl's will be different than Target, Levi store etc.

I thought maybe I'll switch to Carhartt or Duluth, but a cursory search shows that the quality of these brands is beginning to be suspect as well. I still read positive reviews of Duluth's Fire Hose pants, and plan on getting a pair or two, but I'm more so looking for a jean company that sells a quality jean that will last (if taken care of properly of course) from a company with a pedigree.

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Oiggamed t1_ivjgri0 wrote

I went through the Levi’s crisis too. They definitely aren’t made like they used to be. They have become a fashion brand and not a utility brand. The closest I have come to the old school Levi’s is making sure they are 100% percent cotton. Not blended with 30% spandex or whatever. I still wear them because they have a wide variety of cuts that look good on my weird shaped ass. I have them saved on Amazon so I can grab a few when the price drops.

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StormDue6579 t1_iw7uyao wrote

Check out the Levi Premium line of jeans. They seem to be of higher quality. I found some second hand on eBay for a reasonable price and to me they feel more substantial than the regular off the shelf pairs.

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eighthphase t1_ivjw2qu wrote

Wrangler for denim. Kühl for other pants.

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SlowAddress t1_ivm8ekx wrote

I wear things unusually hard but I’ve consistently worn through Kuhl products in ~3 years or so

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cannotrememberold t1_ixadj6j wrote

Do they have different lines or things to watch out for? Like if I go to my local farm supply place, are those better or worse than other places?

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mikeTastic23 t1_ivji7dm wrote

r/rawdenim won’t steer you wrong

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dandynat t1_ivjynau wrote

Totally agree however it is important to remember that most of the people on that sub treat denim as a full hobby and you don’t need to go down the rabbit hole of counting the number of days between washes for maximum fades in order to just get a good pair of jeans that will fit well for years.

Edit: wow my first award!! Thank you!! :)

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hogua t1_ivkdbw3 wrote

Yes! But surprisingly in the last few days, there was a thread in r/rawdenim about Wrangler 13MWZ, which sell for under $30. That thread was (not sure if it still is) devoid of the typically denim-head rabbit-hole type comments (re #of washes, etc). Although, there was some complaining about the amount of branding on those jeans, so there were some denim-head perspectives shared in the thread.

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dandynat t1_ivkfddf wrote

Hey I appreciate it!! Honestly I didn’t find the sub as obnoxious as others have made it out to be. Lot of nice helpful people over there. After a while of lurking I felt I had gathered enough information to make a few thoughtful denim purchases that’ll last me a decade, & then the sub didn’t have much utility for me because I don’t currently need to expand my wardrobe with more denim & I’m not a collector type anyway. But it’s cool to see the trend continuing in the direction of less gatekeeping :)

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blastfromtheblue t1_ivl8uoi wrote

i hope nobody meant to imply they’re obnoxious, because they’re not. but it is a hobby sub, so they might have different priorities than what OP is looking for.

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hogua t1_ivm34j6 wrote

I sure didn’t mean to imply that at all. They are a passionate group, and their passion runs deep. If someone visits the sub for the first time, they could easily find themselves going down several rabbit holes that come about due to that passion.

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akanefive t1_ivkn9kq wrote

It’s a great sub, but as others have said, there’s no need to spend $300 on a pair of Iron Hearts—check out Unbranded: around $90 and really well constructed. They’re not super high contrast faders, and are just a reliable pair of pants that’ll last you a while. I’ve had mine for seven and a half years and have only needed to do one minor repair on them.

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[deleted] t1_ivk31wh wrote

mine shrank in the wash

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mikeTastic23 t1_ivkxmml wrote

In the future, you’ll need to account for shrinkage especially if it’s an unsanforized pair. Most raw denim retailers will have a disclaimer on how much shrink to expect. Also, never machine dry as that’s where most of the shrink happens in my experience.

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Sthurlangue t1_ivkkgod wrote

They always shrink in the wash, then loosen with wear. it's a cycle.

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[deleted] t1_ivkkujz wrote

Naw they are too tight they look like skinny jeans now. It squeezes my legs! I thought they were a BIFL, but they only lasted 2 years.

My lulu lemon ABC pants are on year 5, and I’ve worn them much more then the raw denim ones

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Sebvad t1_ivjv9tw wrote

Kuhl. Period.

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slim_rags t1_ivjzz8s wrote

I have Kuhl carpenter pants and was not impressed. They wore out at the back pockets and crotch seam. I love the dot and wore the heck out of them. For the $120 price tag. I spent another 30-50 and went rawdenim. Now I can’t go back to anything else.

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Gopokes34 t1_ivk56bt wrote

Ya, I really like kuhl too. I wish more of them didn't have any stretch but they're still good.

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blergems t1_ivjy7yl wrote

Either I'm getting lucky w/ my Duluth, or the rumours of the quality decline are overstated. I've had great luck with my daily wear Duluths and my "beat the crap out of them" work Duluths (Firehose Ultimate). Firehose Coolmax are as tough as any light pants are ever going to get, and very comfortable. Haven't tried the jeans, but will swear by the cargos.

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nlamm t1_ivksbdm wrote

All I buy is Duluth jeans! Super comffy, I get a pair or 2 once a year when the price drops and are on sale! I feel like with clothes if you want it to be buy it for life you gotta learn how to sew, not just complain about the drop in quality

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JusticeUmmmmm t1_ivlqtky wrote

My Duluth pants very quickly became my favorite pants. I haven't worn anything but them to work since the day I bought then.

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Sudzkng t1_ivlu125 wrote

Yep. My Duluth stuff has been completely bulletproof.

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Blueporch t1_ivjkeyp wrote

I watched this video a while back and the guy does a very thorough durability test: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sU6Y1FH6Ssk

Of course, this does not address other criteria you may have for things like style and how it makes your butt look

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TimLikesPi t1_ivjxou4 wrote

I switched to Dearborn Denim after searching for Levi's replacements. I vastly prefer the 100% cotton ones- 100% cotton 13oz denim sourced in Mexico. I have tried some of the stretch denim and it is just not my cup of tea.

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wordofmouthrevisited t1_ivk6a4g wrote

I second this. I get 1000+ wears out of each pair of Dearborn. I have not had splitting or wearing like I got with other brands. I have not worth through/worn out any pair in 6 years. I do have a pair that are getting pretty shapeless after 1000+ wears and maybe 200 times through the wash. I hang them to dry but otherwise no special care.

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WelcomingRapier t1_ivkeyst wrote

Yep. I have replaced most every pair of jeans with Dearborn Denim. I don't work in a job that wears them down (especially in the knees) as quickly any longer, but their tailored fit cut is absolutely stellar. I also like that they don't overload their jeans with 'decorative' features with absolutely no function.

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ahirzel t1_ivl2mpe wrote

I have a buddy who wears Dearborn. I've probably said 'those are nice jeans. where are they from?' like 10 times. The last time he said 'I only wear Dearborn denim now....' so that's a pretty good endorsement.

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Junior_Ad2955 t1_ivjhcm8 wrote

1620 is great and so is All American clothing jeans

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CMYKoi t1_ivmpd0p wrote

I thrifted two pairs of All American a while back, and all I can say is I HATE the pockets. Short, small, and attached too high up so you have to squeeze your hands on. Otherwise they're stellar. Not as nice as my (also thrifted) COH [granted these won't be as durable but they're a more luxury cut/look and soft and breathable while maintaining durability] or my Duluth's which have been bulletproof and were faded even when I bought them. Virtually zero sign of wear otherwise. I'll probably bite the bullet and buy some new Union Blues next. Maybe try these Dearborns being discussed here as well. FWIW I thrifted a pair of Gustins and they're VERY nice in all regards but I'll have to lose some weight to really try them.

FWIW Wrangler jeans very SO much and there's SO MANY styles and it also depends on if you get them at Walmart, Target, Trailer Store, etc. I avoid them mostly now because they tend to fade and wear easier, stitching frays and snaps, and fit and thickness varies like mad. Ironically, one of my favorite pairs of blue jeans currently is a very nice pair of wranglers. Anyway...ymmv. Research research research, people!

And don't be afraid to hit the thrifts 1-2x a week. Try before you buy. It's how I learned I really like UB's "Tech" pants that I'm starting to fall out of love with primarily because I wish the leg tapered a bit more but also because I'll be lucky if they last 2-3 years of hard wear. I'd rather find a solid all rounder that can do it all. So far I thrifted some Kuhls and Mountain Hardwear and while the Kuhls are nice they're a bit thinner and probably more strictly for hiking or multipurpose but the Mountains...DEAR Lord there are nice! Thick, just heavy enough, sueded at the top to not ride up or down, etc.

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HossMontgomery t1_ivjrkqr wrote

Ralph Lauren has pretty good denim. Thicker than Levi’s and I like the stitching more

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Fruitndveg t1_ivjdlrq wrote

I’m told Uni Qlo are great and they’re a fraction of the price of Levi’s.

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harmlessbunnyrabbit t1_ivk1d2s wrote

Don’t know why you are getting downvoted. I can’t recommend uniqlo enough. Everything I have gotten from there has had great longevity. Even their tshirts have lasted years.

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BlueMountainDace t1_ivk3y8g wrote

I just bought two pairs of their EZ jeans and its like wearing jeans but they feel like sweatpants almost. I love their regular jeans too.

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Fruitndveg t1_ivkeeww wrote

Devils advocate, I’ve not actually tried them myself. I’m gonna pull the trigger on some in the next couple of weeks though. I have a colleague who is super anal about the denim they wear and is big into Levi’s Japan and Edwin etc. They told me uni qlo are up there with the best of them. The fact they offer odd numbered waist sizes is a good sell for me too.

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theatre-matt t1_ivjrjkl wrote

Roundhouse Jeans in Oklahoma. Seriously, go check them out.

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sunnylane28 t1_ivjrlsy wrote

Heard good things about Madewell jeans but I haven’t shelled out for a pair myself

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disconnect27 t1_ivk6e4y wrote

I have two pairs of madewells. Best jeans I’ve ever owned. Too bad they don’t fit since the Covid gain. But still love them!

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AlisonSelfMusic t1_ivlx5j9 wrote

madewell jeans are awesome, their sizing can differ based on which model (?) you buy. we have an actual store here (pdx) which is helpful.

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Gopokes34 t1_ivk59cp wrote

Wrangler, the real wrangler from a western store, not from wal-mart, cinch jeans, kuhl pants.

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CMYKoi t1_ivmpija wrote

Yes. Real wrangler is a good tip not being brought up enough, ironically when OP themselves brought up varying quality between department stores for Levi's lol

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cdcm87 t1_ivjwqng wrote

By no means have I been able to test for life but I’ve had a few pairs of Duer jeans and pants for around 3 years and I am very impressed with how they have held up so far. Mostly worn in not particularly rugged situations, as in I don’t work trades in them or anything. Just for casual and office work use.

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Alaska_Jack t1_ivkjqxo wrote

I have a suggestion that's a bit different than others here.

I actually genuinely like the Costco Kirkland brand jeans.

  • I like the way they look. They are just basic, understated jeans.
  • They are very, very durable. I have no quality issues with them at all; and even if I did, I could just return or exchange them.
  • They cost about ... thirteen dollars. No, that is not a misprint.

I don't just like them because of the price, I actually genuinely like them. My other jeans are Levi's 541s, but I find myself almost never wearing them.

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SlowAddress t1_ivkpc53 wrote

Alberto makes amazing jeans that fit like high-fashion jeans and last forever. Look for the T400 fabric. Made in Germany since 1922 or something, I've had them and worn them every day for years and they look the same. They're $200+ but after I got the fit right get them on Poshmark for $20-40. At that price there's no comparison

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CMYKoi t1_ivmpml4 wrote

Fascinating... didn't realize Poshmark had stuff that cheap!

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SlowAddress t1_ivmvuq6 wrote

Yeah it's pretty amazing if you are buying a reputable brand with consistent sizing in a size you know works for you. Also don't be afraid to bid - a lot of time people will list something for $60 and take $20

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CMYKoi t1_ivozepf wrote

I'll definitely keep this in mind! Thrifting has been great for try before you buy for me. Takes a long time, and sometimes amazing stuff is either just outside of my size or way too out, but I definitely find stuff that's like 36-34 instead of 36-30 so I cuff it and see. Problem with this is, it affects the fit when the maker assumes you're 6 inches taller than you are xD

Still, I've been blessed to save hundreds on high quality brands, some of which I'd definitely more quickly drop 40$ on in Poshmark barely worn then 200$+ new and possibly still have to return and find out I need a wider waist or something.

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zansiball t1_ivk797x wrote

Nudie is great. Free repairs and top quality. Dont know about availability where your located thou.

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touch_my_hard_disk t1_ivkfpqt wrote

Synthetic, not cotton. But these things will last forever and feel heavy duty.

https://outlier.nyc/products/experiment-342-bombdeux

The are a few styles in this “Bombtwill” fabric and they’ve held up great for me. I’d only stay away if you work around fire/sparks/etc. They also feel cold when the temperature drops versus cotton. So a wool base layer…not required but do it.

I’d also check out 1620 if you want something more normal. It’s mostly cotton with a blend of high tenacity nylon. You can get yourself double knees, gussets, the whole package. And fire/sparks are not an issue.

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lesbiansRbiggerinTX t1_ivjovcw wrote

I bought Carhartt jeans about a year ago and they aren't showing any of the wear that my previous pairs of Old Navy jeans would be showing by now. I know a year isn't that long but I'm pleased by what I've seen so far.

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Skyagunsta21 t1_ivjym1s wrote

I've heard good things about https://shockoeatelier.com/

They have a lifetime warranty but they are expensive. I haven't tried them myself though

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slim_rags t1_ivk1bos wrote

They are priced well bc they are made and sewn correct. Appears to be selvedge denim. They will last 10+ years and only look better and get more comfy as they age.

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juantoconero t1_ivjzcr7 wrote

Haven't tried but plan to: KC Jacks

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juanfrancita t1_ivk0ju6 wrote

Look at bulletprufe jeans. They're waxed and supposed to be really strong.

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Representative_Bad57 t1_ivk0ref wrote

My husband wears them for his active job so we need tough ones. I buy Carhartt but only from a tractor supply store out where actual farmers buy clothes. So far it’s worked to get us the tougher ones as this is the first time he hasn’t split them within 6 months.

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Capital_Jay t1_ivk1jct wrote

I've been wearing BulletPrufe Jeans for a few years now... I wear them at work (agriculture in the fields) and they hold up awesome... Fit and flex is on point too

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SnazzySloth t1_ivk42u8 wrote

Wrangler ( 5 star line if you want a pair around $20) I switched over a year ago and have a $40 pair and an $18 still going strong.

Love the feel of duluth but I usually blow out the crotch after 8-12 months

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LastRecognition4151 t1_ivk61yq wrote

Everlane jeans are pretty heavy duty.

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DayzedTraveler t1_ivkfyw6 wrote

Everlane Denim is a new favorite of mine. It is heavy and reasonably priced. Personally I like they fit compared to Levi’s premium.

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CatsNSquirrels t1_ivk867d wrote

Silver Jeans Co. has served me really well. They’re years old and still look brand new.

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katCEO t1_ivkdipa wrote

Hit a thrift shop.

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nothximjustbrowsin t1_ivkgk36 wrote

Could you buy the brands you’ve like in the past at goodwill? You can feel for thickness/ quality in person, and with the money you save on the jeans themselves you can pay for altering so they fit like a glove.

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Sunflowers_N_Sass t1_ivkk0e7 wrote

Hubby has been having the same issue with Levi’s, Wrangler, and I think Dickie’s when he gets them from Farm and Fleet. Hopefully this helps me to find some jeans that will work with him and won’t tear after 2 weeks 😅

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HonestVoice t1_ivkuork wrote

Tellason. Red Ants (for women). Raleigh Denim. Railcar Fine Goods. Iron Heart. Japan Blue. Samurai. Shockoe Atelier.

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ranger24 t1_ivkvldt wrote

Varusteleka has some pretty comfortable pants/jeans, both in it's surplus and House Brand Sarma sections. I personally use old cammies as casual/comfort pants, but admittedly, I can be strange at times.

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nothingisontuesday t1_ivkzzna wrote

I have two pair of the Uniqlo stretch selvage jeans. They are very tough for only 50 dollars. They take about a month to break in. If you’d like to look how they look after a year of wear look at my last postS

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cantors_diagonal t1_ivl2sw0 wrote

Try Brave Star, by far the best denim I have ever purchased

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DarthNihilus2 t1_ivl7mza wrote

I only ever buy Banana Republic Traveler jeans and have so for years. They’re so goddamn comfy and the colors on them stay strong after a few years wear because of the dye process they use. They’re expensive but I only ever buy on sale. The single pair I had quality issues on (thighs rubbing through back when I was heavier) seemed to be a one-off issue as none of the other pairs I had at the same time, and some for over a year longer, had minimal if any signs of wear along the same areas. They’re so comfy I‘ll wear them around the house like sweatpants sometimes. I find them to be very well fitting as well. I don’t do any hard labor or anything in them but they’re daily wearers for years.

I would probably still have the same pairs I started with like 7 years ago if I hadn’t lost weight

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holdmydiggs t1_ivlh5cf wrote

As someone that has tried about every type of jeans and work jeans I must say noble outfitters has been the only pair that doesn’t blow out at the crotch

Ever since my back injuries in the past I need to squat and use perfect form to lift anything and in return my crotch area is stressed in the pants. Nobles have a gusseted crotch that never blows out. And the knees hold up well also. The only issue I’ve had with carharts is the crotch.

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Zecyon t1_ivlozzo wrote

iron heart if you feel like dropping $$$ and getting a superior pair of denim. They have multiple weights and fits that work for anyone and everyone! r/rawdenim fanboy over here

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mcfarmer72 t1_ivn2hjk wrote

All America Clothing. I use them on the farm, they are good’uns.

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Bransdonsz88 t1_ivnwmn8 wrote

a good quality men jeans can really last for a long time, may it be straight leg, low rise, black jeans or skinny jeans. I think #onlineshop has something to offer or #shoploca #streetstyle #woman #ootdfashion #supportlocal #outfitinspiration #sustainablefashion #tshirt #blazer

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financegardener t1_ivjmfq0 wrote

My go-to was (and still is despite the wear issues) 501 Levi's.

But on a whim I got a pair of 511 cargo pants at Cabela's last year. Pricy, but being synthetic they don't fade or shrink when washed. Well built like reinforced crotch, double layer knees, strong belt loops. Great for outdoor activities (which I do alot of) from woodcutting to just camping. Haven't noticed any staining either! Perhaps they're not the most fashionable for something like wearing to the office but sure are comfy. While I haven't had to use it, they claim a lifetime workmanship warranty.

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hyrule68 t1_ivjx6d6 wrote

Jean guy here: not all levi's are created equal. I own Levi 510's& 511's, they're really nice and fit really good, but imo they're not as durable as the 501's. I owned a pair of Levi's that lasted all of highschool and probably half a decade after.

I think when I graduate and start working, I'll get 501's and get them tailored, that'll be ideal.

Although I can't remember the specific model, American Eagle and Wrangler sell pretty good durable jeans as well.

I've done physical labor in all of these and gave them wear and tear; anything the stretches looks very nice but isn't the most durable.

I could be wrong because this is very anecdotal, but this is my experience

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5spd4wd t1_ivkbt7s wrote

If there is such a thing, look for jeans made in the U.S. Stay away from "Made In China" if you can.

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mikeTastic23 t1_ivkyaix wrote

There are many jeans produced in the US. Some are good, others aren’t. There are many makers in China that produce some of the best constructed denim in the world. So this comment isn’t very helpful.

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5spd4wd t1_ivl5niw wrote

Which brands produced in China would those be?

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mikeTastic23 t1_ivlztgf wrote

Thanks for asking. Red Cloud & Co is one that comes to mind. One that many have recommended on this thread is the Unbranded brand, which is a great entry level sub brand of Naked & Famous. I believe MotivMfg makes denim, but if not, all their other stuff is amazing quality and some of the best I've seen for garments in general. I think Doublewood is still around, and are based in SF and made in China? Not 100% sure on that one. One that Ive only seen in pics but look promising is SauceZhan, and is very affordable considering the offerings and reviews I've seen

If you're looking for MiUSA I'd go with Freenote, 3sixteen (Although they moved a lot or all? of production to India), Rogue Territory, Tellason, or Railcar Fine goods. Cheers!

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5spd4wd t1_ivmedzt wrote

Thanks. I'm going to make a note of those and keep it. India is a decent mfg. place of clothing.

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RacingGoat t1_ivlkqyh wrote

>There are many jeans produced in the US. Some are good, others aren’t.

So, what are some good "made in USA" jeans -- and what are some bad ones? Generalizations aren't helpful.

​

>There are many makers in China that produce some of the best constructed denim in the world.

Source? Or even a manufacturer name so we know what to look for? Or are you just generalizing again?

​

>So this comment isn’t very helpful.

You are correct. Try harder next time.

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mikeTastic23 t1_ivm020w wrote

Good job man. Too bad I gave OP a recommendation already. But this comment was very wrong, so I responded. Also just gave OC a list too. Cheers.

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Muncie4 t1_ivjfix2 wrote

You do realize that you are buying Levis is like buying a Pepsi in that no matter where you buy it you are getting the same product right? Store where you purchase the item does not magically change the quality.

Step zero is deciding on what you want. There are hundreds of jeans vs pants options. Pick one. Then use the search engine as we've given hundreds of recommendations on both in the last year.

Next is knowing you will have to get off the wallet. Heavyweight denim is gonna run you north of $100 a pair and likely closer to $200. For some this is fine, for some not. Same with some pants...Bill's Khakis are BIFL but MSRP is close to $200.

And are these work pants or casual?

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msaluta86 OP t1_ivjhkub wrote

>You do realize that you are buying Levis is like buying a Pepsi in that no matter where you buy it you are getting the same product right? Store where you purchase the item does not magically change the quality.

I personally have not found this to be correct both in personal experience and in searching the net as to why. Here's a brief summary of the phenomenon.

For jeans, I'm just wanting something that will last multiple years, that will wear in as denim should, and won't rip at a seam, pocket, or rivet with basic, non-work use. The jegging trend seems to add comfort at the price of durability, but that's my armchair hypothesis. Other types of pants, like what the Duluth Fire Hose pants seem to be, would be for working around the house, outdoor training exercises etc.

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Muncie4 t1_ivjk617 wrote

You can believe wackadoodle internet theories sans evidence all you like. The end game is 0.0 people will say Levis are a BIFL jean brand these days save a select few of their couture jeans online or bespoke jeans in a Levis store.

You want BIFL denim? Naked & Famous Elephant 11 - Grandrelle is what you want. Again....use the search engine.

You want BIFL pants? Filson Tin Cloth Pants. Again....use the search engine.

And again...we have no budget, I mention this a second time as $200 pants are a thing.

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Blueporch t1_ivjk2wr wrote

I know this seems logical, but anymore they seem to manufacture different styles with different quality / price points that you see for sale different places. I think if you look at the same Levis style number across vendors, it's the same. But you'll find that not all styles are available both at say, the Levis outlet and Kohl's

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CMYKoi t1_ivmq5tj wrote

Factually incorrect. Cheaper variants of the same brands exist because some stores do in fact get cheaper made variants, seconds, lower end models/lines, etc.

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Muncie4 t1_ivmqudc wrote

Then provide the facts, I'd love to see them. And we are speaking to jeans....specifically to Levi's, so be sure to provide evidence on them.

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CMYKoi t1_ivmr3ug wrote

You were already given a link to read and disregarded it so... No I do not think I will. Seems like a waste of time.

I do like your recommendation for Filson tin cloth, though. :) One day I'll spare the dosh required to get one of their jackets or something.

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Muncie4 t1_ivmrzab wrote

Nice of you to think you know what I have and have not read. I know what you have not read and it was that given link which REFUTES your assertion, "ALL retailers receive the same mix of stock" so if that is your evidence of claim, your claim is proven false by the evidence. We can trade jabs or we can trade evidence....choose wisely.

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CMYKoi t1_ivmsc2i wrote

It does not. Thus terminating this conversation.

Also you clearly didn't read, so I still don't care:

"You can believe wackadoodle internet theories sans evidence all you like. "

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