I’ll see what I can find. I’ll probably go to JC Penney first, scope it out, then go to Walmart and then go from there.

Totally off-topic, but I just noticed on JC Penney online (thanks DC Smith for the tip!) that Gloria Vanderbuilt has a brand of jeans! Wow. My mom loved that perfume way back when. I had no idea they had jeans.

Best of all, if it doesn’t fit or you don’t like it, you can take it back to the local store. In other words, I can always find my size, it gets dropped off at the door for free, and I only have to go to the store if it isn’t right – much easier than getting a return authorization, packing it back up, getting it to the shipper, etc.

I buy a lot of home decor stuff there for the same reason. Not furniture, but soft goods like rugs, curtains and towels. Color/texture/style/size not exactly as you expected? Just drop it off at the local store and you’re done.

Buy Quality and buy it on sale

A good example is a rain jacket. Don’t know how many cheapies my wife has bought and not worn (the most expensive was a $100 ouch) all sit in storage. Finally she bought herself a top quality LLBean rain jacket and she loves it (and I love the weak US dollar), looks professional and keeps her dry on the way to work (she bikes everyday). It will last years and she won’t have to buy another cheapie rain jacket.

Secondly is to buy it on sale. Our favourite chain over here is C&A (much like target chic but reasonable) stop in the other day when they were having a clearance sale and she picked up 2 suits for 50€ like 70% off!!!!

The only exception is stuff that wears out quick, socks underwear, T shirts that kind of stuff.

Spend or Save? A Guide to Buying Wardrobe Essentials

They say to spend when it comes to jeans for the quality.

I agree with everyone else, though, it’s just not worth it to buy all your jeans at Wal-Mart. They’re cheaper initially, but they’re cheaper for a reason and generally don’t last as long.
Levi’s and Lee are my favourite, long-lasting brands.
When I can find ones that fit on sale, I tend to get a couple. Otherwise, I check out the local Value Village (thrift store) and get “last years” $80 jeans for $10.

I wanted to tell you that Penney’s always seems to have a deal at the register. Where they give me extra money off. Just ask someone before hand.

Oh and if you have a Kohl’s in your shopping area – they carry most of Penney’s jeans but they cost less.

For instance – I bought the Levi’s Skinny Jeans for $29.99 that were $32.99 @ Penney’s. Prices before my discounts.

I wish you lived closer – I would go with you. I find that the best pairs of jeans are purchased with a friend. Friends tell you straight forward how they look.

Otherwise, I’d say go to Target on a clearance. You can really find some great deals when they have their clearances and all of their clothes seem to be fashionable as well. (an added plus when you’re saving!)

Ryan S – good point about the lifespan part

I wear jeans every day (literally). I usually buy 2-3 pairs of Gap jeans (they fit me) on sale at a time. I find that they last about 1 1/2-2 years of hard wear before the knees go. Of course, since I buy them at one time, they all tend do wear out at the same time.

I hate shopping too. Go for quality. It’s not worth buying junk. I think you need to go to JCP and get it done. If you know your size and the style you want, go ahead and try e-bay. Of course, the truth is every pair fits differently….

While I am pretty cheap myself (I like to refer to myself as the cheapest man in America), it’s important to remember that it’s better to spend $10 on an umbrella that lasts ten years than $1.50 on one that breaks every six months. So, same can be applied to jeans; if you can find the pair that lasts you five years again, do it!

OTOH, if the reason you can’t get five years of use out of your clothes is your fitness level improves, then I’m all for shorter lifespans of clothing!