RIP My Jeans

Before I hit 50, I used to joke that in my old age I would switch to wearing relaxed fit jeans. In my fifties, I did buy a pair of what I thought were pretty comfortable jeans. They were straight cut, sat nicely on the waist and had some give. I took them along when I traveled because they were nicely worn in, hardy and didn’t require constant washing. I haven’t worn them in a while because here in the tropics, it’s just too hot to wear jeans. To my horror, when I tried them on just the other day, they were very snug!

Now I haven’t put on any weight. In fact, I’ve maintained the same weight for the last 10 years or more. I figure that, despite going to the gym regularly and working out, my waistline is expanding or my body is just heading south. It looks like I have to retire that favorite pair of jeans.

I love wearing jeans, mainly because they can stand up to practically anything. I bought my first pair in college (I know, I was a late starter) at a Gap store for only $15. It saw me through four years of college and even into my twenties. Late in my pregnancy I grew so big that I could only wear loose dresses. Once I had my baby though, I promptly went out and bought myself a new pair of jeans. It felt sooo good to be wearing something that was fitting again even though it was in a much larger size!

In the years since then, I’ve gone through a number of pairs, in blue denim, black denim, in straight and skinny cut. I even had a pair of those leggings made from denim, called, incongruously, jeggings. When designer jeans made their appearance, I did try some of them. They promised to make my body look slimmer or lift my butt and lengthen my legs. But despite their hefty price tag, they did none of the above. So I’ve worn mostly Levi’s and, in fact, my last favorite pair were a pair of Levi’s bought on sale.

So I’m at a loss now - do I go out and look for a pair of jeans that fit well and are yet comfortable? Does that pair of jeans even exist? Do I have to resort to one of those that come with an elasticized waist?

Are jeans meant only for the young and shapely?

The article below suggests that everyone should stop wearing jeans from age 53. In fact, most older people are of the opinion that jeans are the reserve of the younger generation. They lament having a hard time finding a perfect pair of jeans (I’m not alone!). All the celebrities that are photographed in jeans are young, lithesome and leggy. So am I doomed forever to wearing yoga pants or tailored trousers (no, I won’t succumb to leggings, mainly because I’m bow-legged and look ridiculous in them)?

I have to admit I’m still looking. And hoping that I will find a pair of jeans that answers my need for one that's sturdy, well-cut, fitting and yet comfortable. A pair that goes just as well with a smart white shirt as it does a t-shirt. That doesn’t look out of place at a meeting or a concert. Because jeans are the great equalizer, worn by tech billionaires and jobless teens. By leggy models and geriatrics like me. Will I find it? I’ll let you know when I do!

Have a read below and see whether you agree:
https://us.yahoo.com/style/is-there-an-age-limit-on-wearing-jeans-