Lean Jeans

A friend visiting grunge-queen last night asked me where to find good jeans on the cheap. Value Village, I'd have to say, is where I get 90 percent of my denim (the other 10 percent at charity thrift shops - the ones you see here were $7.99 at Sally Ann).

Thrift shops are fine for denim, but as a for-profit enterprise (owned by Savers in the States) it's VV's business to ensure there's the breadth of selection and sizing available in stores - meaning you're bound to find a lean jean steal.

VV prices are higher, but you can get a decent pair of jeans for $7.99-$9.99, and the prices will go up from there based on quality, label and perceived value, and stylishness (and location as prices vary between stores). My best finds include a pair of Bongo jeans for $19.99 (that look so good on I've worn them three weeks straight - and they rock with my new booties, below) and a pair of Guess jeans for $24.99 - both brand new.

PHOTO CREDIT: Francis Crescia, Town Crier

TIPS:
1). Even if they're a screaming deal, they have to look fabulous on and you have to be able to sit in them without hurting yourself.

2). You can find cool current styles without resorting to high-waisted straight legs from the 1980s. I go for the low riser jeans with a flare as they're hip without being uber trendy (I avoid teeny teen jeans at all costs). Look for decent jean labels like Guess, Mavi, Bongo, Vibe, Buffalo etc.

3). I'm pretty picky about labels and pricing. I tend not to buy mid-market jeans that I can get new for relatively cheap (the Gap, Old Navy, etc). The pricing Gods at VV can sometimes price these items higher than what I want to pay because they know that a certain label has a certain cache.

4). Last time I donated at VV I got a 20 percent off coupon - save these for pricier purchases like denim. I betcha you can still pick up a 2009 VV calendar for $2.99 - in it there's a coupon for every month with a different percentage off. Don't knock it, coupons rock in these recessionary times!