5 Reasons I’m Giving Up on Denim Jeans
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I love wearing denim jeans. They’ve been a wardrobe staple since my teens. But since having my daughter I’ve really struggled to find jeans that are a good fit and comfortable to wear for more than five minutes (the crusher is usually when I bend over to get something and they cut me in half!).
So here are five reasons I’m giving up on denim jeans.
5 Reasons I’m Giving Up on Denim Jeans
1. Sizing is Terrible
If you’re a woman then you’re probably aware of how inaccurate women’s clothes sizing can be. Even in the same store there can huge differences in what does and doesn’t fit. A prime example is a size eight pair of jeans from next that fitted me through the entirety of pregnancy even though I was size 12 before the baby bump appeared.
As someone who prefers to shop second-hand this can be an issue. I’ll order jeans in the exact style and brand I already own and they still don’t fit.
2. Denim Is Bad For The Environment
One of the reasons I buy second-hand clothes is because of the huge impact fast fashion (and fashion in general to be honest!) has on the environment.
Denim is particularly bad as the process to make it is so intensive. This is mostly due to the dying process which requires thousands of litres of water as well as the process of growing and farming cotton.
I’ve also found most jeans to wear out between the thighs within around six months of buying them and wearing them semi-regularly (definitely not every day.)
3. Jeans Are Uncomfortable
I don’t know if it’s just the current styles but I find it almost impossible to find comfortable jeans.
This might be down to my body shape – I’m a size 14 rectangle shape and the biggest part is my tummy.
High waisted jeans feel as though I’m being cut in half when I sit down. Mid-rise dig into what is essentially my fattest bit. Elasticated waists roll down. Low rise is usually my best bet but are increasingly difficult to find and even then often not the style I’m looking for.
4. Second-Hand Means No Returns
As I mentioned before, I’m pretty passionate about slow fashion and buying the majority of my clothes second-hand.
While this is something I love doing, it does mean I can’t return items when they don’t fit. The same applies to charity shops, with changing rooms closed I know some do accept returns but I’d feel bad asking for my money back from a charity.
This combined with the fact I find it almost impossible to find jeans that actually fit, I’ve found myself in a seemingly endless cycle of buying jeans and then selling them straight on again only to buy another pair I’ve somehow convinced myself will miraculously fit. And as I mentioned above, I’m basing my purchases on jeans I already own – the same style, brand and size.
5. Cheap Jeans Can Mean Exploitation of Workers
Cheap jeans can sometimes mean the exploitation of workers in other countries. Generally speaking, if a new pair of jeans cost less than £15 to buy then exploitation has occurred somewhere in the production chain for them to be able to be sold for so little.
This is one of the main reasons I buy secondhand jeans and when I do buy new I try to buy from more expensive brands.
I’m Giving Up on Denim Jeans
So, I’m giving up on denim jeans and from now on I’ll be living in leggings. Which, if I’m being honest, comes with its own set of problems. Leggings are much harder to find second hand as most people wear them until are completely worn out (which is great from a fast fashion point of view) but means I usually need to buy them new.
If anyone can recommend any eco-friendly leggings brands that do nice everyday (not sports) products I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
