Let me say that I have accepted my wife’s judgment that faded out jeans are unacceptable. I quit wearing white tennis shoes, which she said went out 25 years ago. However, my preference in blue jeans is the same as it was in high school: a reasonably dark pair of Levi’s, and she hates them. (I would be willing to wear Wrangler’s, but she would fall over dead).
And so she is constantly going out and buying me what she calls “nice” jeans. The only problem is that there is nothing “nice” about them. They are made of ultra-thin fabric, and the thread patterns – or wales – are perpendicular to the floor instead of at a 45 degree angle. To me these look like women’s jeans. They certainly don’t look manly, and I don’t want to be seen in them.
Do any of you know what I’m talking about? Do any of you think these dreadful thin-fabric jeans with the perpendicular-to-the-floor wales look good on a man? Just curious.
I hated the way H dressed when we were dating and first married. I used to complain about it to friends until one said to me, “how your husband dresses is no reflection on you.” I try to remember that every time he puts something on which makes me shudder.
I commend your wife for trying to keep you up to date. It sounds to me that you don’t like shopping, but I’d suggest a trip to Nordstrums. They have a variety of jeans. Yes, you will have to try them on. On the positive side, you can chose the color, texture, heaviness, and style. For $12, Nordstrums will hem them, if necessary.
I think it was 8 years ago when son bought his first job clothes at Nordstrums. I had made an appointment with a lovely woman in men’s department. Not only did she guide him thru suit, sports jackets, shirts, she had also arranged for the tailor to join them. They kept his measurements. Maria still helps me pick out clothes for son, and knows how to alter jeans. So the one IRL visit has paid off for son.
It matters not what color they are, which way the thread patterns go, etc., if they don’t fit you properly, then just suck it up and get a pair that fits appropriately for a middle-aged man. There’s nothing redemptive in wearing stuff you wore in high school just for the sake of saying so. And be thankful you have a wife that is willing to do the reconnaisance shopping for you.
I’m not sure what sort of denim is cut on the vertical; that’s pretty odd.
Modern high-end denim fabrics are quite nice compared to your standard Levi 501’s. You can get fabrics in a variety of weights, with or without some lycra/stretchy-stuff woven in. I like jeans with a bit of stretch, in ilght and midweight fabrics. They’re really much more comfortable once you get used to them. Darker washes are more modern than lighter, and considered “dressier”.
My favorite right now is Seven For All Mankind. If you have a store nearby, try some on especially their “luxe” fabric. They’re super comfortable and available in a variety of styles. I only buy them when their 40-50% sales come around, then they go from insanely expensive to just really expensive.
And yes I do look good and very manly in them, but then I look great and manly in everything
OMG, that right there was a huge step in the right direction. I snapped at my husband a couple of days ago when he had on a shiny new pair of white sneaks (New Balance). These shoes look like they should be in a geriatric unit somewhere.
My husband also wears the 80’s jeans with belt, tucked in Polo.
I’m no style icon myself but c’mon.
ETA: And WHY does it bother me so much? Haven’t figured that out yet.
Good for you for giving up the white shoes!! If you really do prefer Levi’s, they actually do have some darker nice washes that look more modern. Have you tried those?
I think that it silly. Why can’t he wear the jeans he wants to wear? I’ll tell my husband if I like a particular shirt or a if a pair of jeans look greater/better than another, but I’d never presume to tell him what to wear. Levi’s are classic, I have one son that prefers them to all other brands and he is a young adult. I’ve not too fond of sneakers as daily footwear on men, but he already said he gave up the white ones…although in the summer white seems totally appropriate. These were super popular in my neck of the woods this summer for young and old.
As a student who occasionally does an eyeroll over some of my parent’s wardrobe choices, I have no issue with you wearing Levi’s, provided that they fit. I’m assuming (although you know what happens when you assume) though that you although you wore this brand in HS, that you are not wearing and buying the same size as you wore in HS. Your wife is quite correct that wearing the “wrong” wash will show you as dated, so if your favorite pair of jeans is 5 years old, it is time to update.
I will also say that if you’re wearing Levi’s, you might have a stroke when you look at this price tag on 7 jeans, even on sale.
I think the term you are looking for is “twill weave” Wale is generally limited to corduroy fabric.
Unless you are wearing plaid shorts up to your rib cage paired with knee-high dark socks/white shoes and a fanny pack, I say you should pick out your own clothes!
If you want to compromise with your wife (happy wife, happy life!) you could offer to go shopping with her. I second the suggestion to make an appointment with a personal shopper. That shopper could be a mediator between you and your wife.
If Levis really do fit your body type (the body you have now, not the body you remember from high school) then stick with them. Do offer to compromise with a more modern wash in the Levi line.
Another way to compromise is to find a pair of jeans that you both can live with that are for special occasions, when you and wife go out together to interact with friends.
My H wears sam’s club jeans and polo shirts tucked in, and that works for him. I only pushed him when he had a business appointment with a hip, urban group and I knew he wouldn’t get the job dressed like old-fashioned suburban Bob. We called on a fashion-forward friend who went shopping with us and found more modern looking outfit that fit the occasion. He will wear these new clothes when we go out on date night, but not in his regular rotation for every day wear.
I know @rockvillemom. I wonder the same thing. My husband has a rocking body for his age, too. Can’t figure out why he doesn’t flaunt that a little more.
Earl - Go get or order yourself a pair of the Levi 514’s (Macys online has them or else the Levi website) They are a more modern fit and a great way to update without a total transformation. Start with something lighter in color than “rinse” so you don’t shock your system FYI - in most jeans the really dark/rinse color seems to have a wee bit of a different fit so order a couple sizes.
Wale is generally limited to corduroy fabric.
FYI - in most jeans the really dark/rinse color seems to have a wee bit of a different fit so order a couple sizes.