So one of the sponsor/exhibitors at BlogHer 2011 was Lee Jeans. I went up to their reps on the expo floor and asked the Big Question:
“I’ve got chronic pelvic pain, and jeans dig into all the wrong places, especially when I sit for a long time. Airline flights especially. But I love jeans. Do you have any that you think I could wear on the road and still be comfortable?”
One of the booth workers…wait for it…had an answer for me!
She told me that I needed to look for a lightweight fabric–much lighter than the typical Levi’s 501 heavy-duty denim. She handed me a pair of Lee Skinny Jeans and had me feel the fabric. In fact, it was lightweight and very soft. Not Pajama Jeans soft, but much softer than most denim.
Next she told me that the Skinny Jeans will work because they stretch a lot. Stretch jeans don’t dig in.
She was 100% right, and did a great job of describing why I love my one pair of skinny jeans more than all the others. Mine are White House Black Market, very light and flexible denim-y fabric, and have enough Lycra in them to make them stretch way, way out. I wear these jeans when I travel. The waistband is minimally stitched, NOT riveted, and doesn’t dig in. They’re not quite as comfy as yoga pants, but they look good and they don’t hurt.
Not everybody likes the look of skinny jeans. But the same rules for looking for comfy jeans still apply:
- Lightweight material
- Soft material
- Wide waistband
- Rise that puts the waistband where it won’t dig into your most sensitive spots
- Minimal stitching at the waistband and inseam
- Minimal rivets, belt loops, or other decorations
- A relaxed fit (which isn’t the same as “relaxed fit” style) when sitting down–nothing so tight anywhere on your body that it squeezes or digs
I’m plus-size and super curvy in the hips, butt, and thighs. I rarely find jeans that fit at all — and no lightweight, soft, or stretchy jeans.
Though I sometimes try to wear jeans on car trips (I like having pockets) where I can stop whenever I want, I absolutely avoid them on bus and plane trips.
I’m back and forth on the jeans front myself. definitely finding jeans that have some lycra content makes a huge difference – my favorite pair are actually boot-cut and low-waisted and on the somewhat looser end of the fit spectrum and have some stretch in them anyway. For me, the lower the waist the happier I am – I can’t stand anything touching my true waist.
But really, I’m happier in yoga pants or light weight cargo pants or khaki’s if I’m gonna go the wearing pants route. I’m truly happiest in an ankle length loose fitting skirt though… 🙂 or those super-wide legged yoga pants that look like an ankle length skirt til I walk. With my history of IBS and fibro, if my clothing is too tight or uncomfortable I can actually start getting flare-ups from it, so I’m pretty serious about the comfortable clothing thing.
There was a shoe brand called easy spirits that had a great commercial in the 80s. There were women playing basketball in high heels, and they sang “Looks like a Pump, Feels like a Sneaker!” This is my personal clothing mantra – it should look like flattering fashion and feel like pyjamas :). But yay on finding jeans that work for you! You do look adorable in jeans…
I was wondering why I like my skinny leg jeans the best. I also have chronic pelvic pain that for years meant I couldn’t wear jeans at all. It’s a lot better now but I still prefer my skinny jeans. Thanks for the advice, from now on I’m only buying those!