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.  

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CONVERSATION

33 comentarios:

  1. Oh... I hate to sound mean but £800? That's a tax on stupidity, no?

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    1. Meant to add that of course everyone is entitled to spend their money how they see fit but for me, it wouldn't be my choice of where to invest £800...!!

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  2. Wish I could have come along tomorrow but alas I'm working... I did however pop in to QR yesterday and picked up a couple of items I thought might sell out tomorrow! Have a great day...

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    1. Oh what did you get??! I could wear all of it....

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  3. I'm just thinking of what else I could spend £800 on! If it was a single item it'd definately be a handbag! Or 7 cashmere sweaters. Or 200 pairs of socks (the shear bliss of not having to pair socks after washing for at least six months almost makes it worth it)! Or ...
    Danish Pastry

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    1. Exactly! I'd even go a pair of boots over jeans... although again, I don't know why as if you get loads and loads of wear out of them.. BUT I think it's just the fact that you CAN get them so much cheaper and that it's not the usual price at all. It's not even in the ball park of the usual price. Hmm cashmere jumpers, that's an interesting choice...! And the socks. Hilarious! You could get a LOT socks than that where I buy them (I nick my kids!!!)

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  4. What the....?! Nooooo stop it on the crazy priced jeans!
    I'm definitely a high street girl when it comes to denim.....I never really know until I've worn them just how much I like them so if they're rubbish but £40 I can live with it, but even getting close to 3 figs makes me twitchy.

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    1. This is true.. but I've never spent a lot of money on jeans and regretted it. Actually that's not true. I have bought two pairs of not super expensive as they were reduced but more expensive than high street prices, skinny flares... super long ones.. which I never wear as I never know what shoes to wear with them. WTAF??!

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  5. Struggling with jeans at the moment. Sent some back to H&M (very comfortable but very ugly) and just got some in a Zara parcel which look as though I could fit my whole body into just one leg - haven't stopped laughing long enough to try them on yet. Just watch me try them on to discover how 'snug' they are and then get all depressed and eat crisps and ice cream for a week to drown my sorrows. I had a jeans clear out recently and am now woefully lacking but finding the task of replacing the pensioned-off ones nigh impossible. And I don't have £800 to spare either (and couldn't handle the buyer's remorse if I did).

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    1. You may well be surprised how much the Zara ones stretch... Why don't you have a look at Gap like others have suggested? I'm off there next week for sure.

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  6. Got the Whistles black cigarette jeans - with fab high waist. And the 25% off http://www.whistles.com/women/clothing/jeans/cigarette-jean-23277.html

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    1. Oh now that's a good idea.... DO they have a fray ankle??

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    2. Yup, and really true black

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    3. ooooooh I may have to explore.. thanks for the tip off. MWAH!

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  7. As I said on Instagram, the solution is in the Gap sale. I highly recommend the frayed hem Vintage Straights. £16 (had a discount code but only £20 without). Perfect fit. Job done.

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    1. RIGHT! Can you buy them in the frayed hem online??? Off to have a look! I definitely want a dark pair too. Did you size up or down?

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    2. I got my normal size. Am hoping they don't stretch like my other Gap jeans which I had to throw away because they were so big in the end. These ones don't have any stretch at all so hoping they will be fine! I don't think the frayed hem ones are online, and for some reason best known to Gap they are in the sale online either. I could be wrong though!

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    3. That sounds like Gap.... *weeps* I'll head instore on Monday.

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  8. Love your Paige crop flared denims. Do they fit true to size? (I'm contemplating getting it after passing on the Mother Insider ones which I'm now regretting...)

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    1. YES. These were the 27 which I normally am. Hope that helps!

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  9. I see now that having a 36inch inside leg is a blessing not a curse ! No need to worry about being tempted into spending £800 for a pair of jeans . I usually have a choice of 2 or 3 pairs that are actually long enough so very little time is spent choosing. Also very little choice in other clothes that fit so I find that accessories are where I spend my money.

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    1. This is VERY true!!!! I have to say I've virtually given up on full length jeans. I think pretty much every pair I own are now cropped. Although my black on black brushed ones from Boden last year will definitely be getting an outing as they are the perfect length. High waisted perfection!

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  10. I spend a bit more on denim, but I think my budget may be very small compared with others, based on this post! I tend to wear Whistles and All Saints jeans as they fit me best.

    BTW, I ordered that long black New Look coat thing from your post the other day. They were doing 30% discount if you signed up to the newsletter, so it came in at about £30.

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    1. OMG I don't think most people have a budget of anywhere NEAR £800 for jeans. Correction. I think about 10 people have a budget like that!!

      I would only spend a fair amount if I knew I was going to wear and wear and wear and wear them. Can't wait to hear how the new Look coat is!

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  11. I have several pairs of black Paige denim crop jeans (verdugo). They are worth every penny. So comfy! The denim is so fine that they can pass as trousers and the black never fades no matter how many times you wash them. DEFINITELY worth the investment.
    Gap jeans do stretch so size down. Even if they feel super tight do not be tempted to go up a size. I have done that on the past and have been super disappointed after a few hours of wearing them.
    Good luck!
    Kath xx

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    1. AHa - I'm definitely looking for ones that don't fade.. I will have a think. It's completely between those and the MiH Lous...

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  12. Seriously? The £800 Vetements jeans have sold out? There really are that many people out there with more money that sense? Even if I earned zillions I could not justify spending so much on something that, let's face it, will not be in fashion in a few years. Sheer madness!

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    1. Beggars belief no? But then again, people willingly spend £800 on lots of things others think are bonkers!

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  13. Try Gap definitely although other people have said size down as they stretch (a massive problem of so so many high street jeans as they have a higher elastane content to make them super flattering when you first try them on but are swinging round your crotch come lunchtime. And NOOOOOO on the M&S black skirt. Best thing they've done this season (although I've got the brown one to pick up tomorrow and am BEYOND excited - which means it will suck).

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  14. I've just ordered some from MInt Velvet with 15 % off. No frayed hems but good colour and nice quality.

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  15. Tesco F&F do some damn hot skinny black jeans with cropped length and frayed hem. £14 !

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