Do not readjust your screen..

£800 for a pair of jeans. 

Yes, you read that correctly - £800 for a pair of jeans.  I don't quite know what to say.  Bar the obvious - are you freaking kidding me?  

Ok so I guess it does all come down to income and budget but, seriously - £800? (ok so it's actually £790.. details schmetails).  I guess the shock factor is in that jeans generally don't cost anywhere near that much.  To most anything skating around the £200 is a massive investment and the majority of us are content with sub £100 on the high street. 

But.. but but but (and no I haven't bought any. And it's not even a *yet*.  There will be no purchasing of £800 jeans), maybe there is something to be said about the whole cost per wear thing.  Could you justify these if you wore nothing but jeans?  These jeans that is.  God forbid you should get two pairs.   For me - that'll be no. 

However if you look at these long enough and do the whole value thingymajig in your head, when it comes to looking at circa £200 jeans, suddenly they make vague sense (I can't think why the husband thinks I'm nuts, can you?). 

When I look back at what I've worn over the past couple of months, one of the items that has featured ridiculously regularly is the Phoebe jeans.   I have worn and worn and worn these.  They are so versatile, from every day, to meetings, to dinner, to watch the kids play rugby.  One perhaps *could* justify spending more on something that you get so much wear out of.  Despite the fact I bought mine at Kilver Court for £60. 

I should interject here that I am on a denim hunt.  For dark denim.  And also for a black pair.  Last week, when I was with my friend in Selfridges, we stumbled across Vetements jeans.  Which I'd read about.  Didn't realise quite how expensive they were.  That's £800 expensive.

So what does £800 worth of denim look like?  I can't even try them as they're sold out everywhere in my size (shame).

Reworked high rise straight leg Vetements jeans £790

I can hear you all now.  I know, I know.  But I have seen so many pictures where they do look amazing.  However yes, I will completely acquiesce, I'm on the fence (ok so I'm not really, but in interests of maintaining my somewhat fickle fashionista reputation - oh how we all laughed), they *perhaps* don't look like £800 worth of trousers. 

To be honest, I'm not sure if these below which are much cheaper (first time I've ever described anything £300plus as cheaper) are even worth the ££££££.

Trigger frayed mid-rise cropped jeans from Rachel Comey £336  To be honest, the stance is really not doing her any favours, is it?


These are definitely more what I had in mind.  You can keep the maroon sweatshirt though.  I'm sure it's not Fruit of the Loom but well... it's a ringer for one, isn't it?  And I fear some poor person may be missing their guinea pig.

BUT totally love the jeans.

Bora straight leg cropped flare jeans from Simon Miller £240



These, however were the ones I tried on today in Selfridges.  I was looking for a looser pair - as above, but the very lovely and super helpful chap in the Denim Studio suggested I try these and well done him.  Adored them. 

Colette crop flared hem jeans from Paige £255






However do you have to spend a fortune?  I will admit, for me, the jury is still out with regards to the perennial dilemma of "do you spend on denim or don't you?".  I have both that are great.  I have also tried expensive jeans which have been horrendous and cheaper high street pairs which have been dire.  

Now I haven't had that much success with Topshop jeans in recent times (to put it mildly - anyone remember the Les Dawson knee debacle?) but in the past, they have been epic.  I need to try again.

MOTO Stepped Hem Baxters from Topshop £42  These are apparently mid rise.  Last time I tried on their new version of the Baxters, there wasn't any mid rise about it.  We were in danger of flashing things that should never be flashed over the waistband of jeans.


Or in for a fringe penny, in for a pound... 

MOTO Fringe hem straight jeans from Topshop £42


And then we have the raw hem but a looser leg without the kick flare.  Certainly one to consider for £32.

ASOS Kimmi Shrunken boyfriend jeans with raw hem £32


And I am finishing with a ringer.  These look like an amazing fit.  And they do them in different lengths.  So if anyone has any ideas on how to fray a hem, could they please speak now or forever hold their peace?

Lob the teensiest bit of hem of these and then fray... Voila one raw edge.

Roma Rise Cropped Boot Cut Jeans from M&S £35


And how did the obsession start?  Well it began with the incredulity at £800 jeans but then I tried these on last week at Quattro Rish and loved them.  


I will be waxing lyrical about them tomorrow at the store in Reigate if anyone fancies coming down to the launch of their A/W range.  Come along any time between 11 and 3.  All details on their website.  Would be so so lovely to see some of you. 

Talk to me about your denim experiences.  High end or high street?  I am still looking for dark denim perfection so I'll be exploring those shortly. 

In the meantime, I opted for leather today and was supremely warm.  The tube, rush hour, leather and a warmer than anticipated September day are not a match made in heaven.  Enough said. 


1970 jumper - Bella Freud 
Leather A line skirt - M&S
Ponyskin boots - Tabitha Simmons
Loose trench - Zara
Haworth bag - Village England

Woud love to see some of you tomorrow.  And really looking forward to hearing your denim tales.