I just want to try on some jeans. Why is this so difficult?

December 15, 2019 5:27 PM

Where in NYC can I buy jeans for under $100 and most importantly, try them on first?

My whole adult life, I've been wearing Express jeans. They fit me well, there were lots of different cuts, lengths, washes, etc, and they always cost around $40-$80. I was happy.

I went to Express recently for the first time in a while and... there were no jeans! I asked the salesperson where the jeans went and she said they were "all online now" and they dont really carry them in the stores anymore. Wtf! If there's one piece of clothes you absolutely have to try on in person to see how they fit, it's jeans! How are people buying them online?!

So anyway. I need a new jeans supplier. Where can I get decent women's jeans for under $100 and most importantly, can try them on first? I'm in NYC. And Old Navy and H&M absolutely do not work for me. Think better quality than those, but not some crazy bespoke $400 pair.

And also, since it's holiday time in NYC, there's no way I could even fight my way into a Macys or Bloomingdales or any other monster department store.

I just want some jeans :(

posted by silverstatue to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

Best answer: Anthropologie on sale and Gap are my two go-tos.
posted by ferret branca at 5:34 PM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]

Levi’s!
posted by amaire at 5:45 PM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]

(Higher-end?) thrift stores! That way you can easily try on multiple brands in one store, plus you can see what they’re like after they’ve been washed.

I do this at Buffalo Exchange, but I wear men's jeans these days so I’m not sure what their women’s selection is like.
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:55 PM on December 15, 2019 [3 favorites]

Century 21, though you probably want to avoid the one by WTC as it's usually mobbed by tourists no matter what the season. Also keep in mind that stores for specific brands are likely to be just as mobbed as big department stores right now because (1.) they're the brand's only store in NYC and (2.) they're located in areas like SoHo and Midtown (sometimes right by Macy's or Bloomingdale's).
posted by unannihilated at 6:15 PM on December 15, 2019

Seconding Madewell. I saw them at Nordstrom Rack recently for well under $100.
posted by pinochiette at 6:15 PM on December 15, 2019

Levi's stores are a thing. There's at least one in Chicago, gotta be one in NYC. They have a crazy huge variety of fabrics, cuts, shapes sizes. Lots of stock too, so you'll likely find some that fit.
posted by SoberHighland at 6:19 PM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]

American Eagle!
posted by yawper at 6:58 PM on December 15, 2019

I love Uniqlo - a bunch of options and not expensive
posted by Mchelly at 7:13 PM on December 15, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: This might sound crazy but also try out Gap. I was super surprised recently and now I’ve bought 4 pairs of their Cheeky Straight.
posted by like_neon at 12:47 AM on December 16, 2019 [3 favorites]

Here
posted by yoyo_nyc at 4:53 AM on December 16, 2019

Nthing Gap. I used to be a high-end denim person but they've won me back over.
posted by something something at 6:36 AM on December 16, 2019 [3 favorites]

Nthing Gap, as well. My wife swears by them and Old Navy.
posted by theseventhstranger at 8:45 AM on December 16, 2019

Yep Levi's store. Just walls of stuff to try on and a good range of sizes.
posted by greta simone at 9:55 AM on December 16, 2019

Nthing Uniqlo. They sit in a nice quality/price sweet spot.
posted by lhputtgrass at 10:49 AM on December 16, 2019

How about Everlane? If you see any of their jeans or pants you might like online, you can see what they have in stock in their physical NYC store for trying on or immediate pickup.
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:58 AM on December 16, 2019

I’ve had good luck at the Bloomingdales outlet on 72nd and Bway.
posted by Ollie at 3:52 PM on January 4, 2020