Your Jeans Have an Expiration Date

You have probably noticed that jeans are being made with a greater percentage of spandex these days. For those of us with some curves, all I have to say is “Thank Goodness!” But, spandex comes with its own little mess of problems.

To help you understand these problems, and hopefully avoid the trauma I have encountered, I want to share one of my most terrifying wardrobing experiences.  I was putting my favorite pair of designer jeans on after a wash (and line dry. Drying your nice jeans in the dryer will shorten their lifespan and wear out the spandex faster). I was doing my post-wash deep knee bends (and don’t even act like you don’t know what I am talking about, ladies), when all of a sudden, devastation. That’s right, my favorite jeans ripped right down the crotch seam.

I will never forget the sound of those jeans meeting their fate. I rank it right up there with a fire alarm, screeching tires, or nails on a chalkboard. When I came to my senses, I realized that I had been ignoring all the signs. If I had been paying attention, I would have noticed that the fabric of my jeans and been wearing thin. Where there was once a nice dark wash, my jeans had worn down to a lighter shade. And with that wear and tear, the spandex just couldn’t hold up any longer.

The moral of the story is that the blue jeans of today aren’t like the golden oldies of the ’80s and ’90s. We aren’t wearing the same rugged Levi’s that could stand the test of time. In order to avoid my pain and frustration (it really is devastating to lose a wardrobe staple), be honest with yourself about your jeans.  Understand that they aren’t going to last forever. If you love a pair, buy two. You might not be able to find the same great fit the next time you go shopping. And when you hear that horrible tearing sound, you will know that it is too late.