The Perfect Boot-y

Whenever I think about my blog and how lame it is sometimes, I always think I should do product reviews.  I really like knowing how products are working for other people because, well, I'm pretty particular when it comes to...everything!  So I'll just start. 

Today will be jeans because they are on my mind.

I've been searching high and low for new jeans.  Most of this search took place in my own closet: high shelf...low shelf...because you know what it's like to shop for clothing with children.  This is actually my honest shopping ritual:  I go to Target beacuse we need things there anyway...I walk through the clothing section on my way to the diaper section and I throw things in the cart that look interesting to me.  Then I buy it all, try it on at home, and return the things I don't like (which ends up being 7/8 of the items).  It works okay.  But I was getting desperate for pants that actually fit.  This was my selection and I'm giving all the details just so you know how much my pants were not fitting:

Seven for all Mankind: T.J. Maxx ($?), 2005, size 28 (6), very worn with hole in knee

Lucky: clearace rack at Macy's ($10), 2008, size 4, bought when I was pregnant with Evelyn...wore throughout the pregnancy and postpartum

Skinny Jeans (x2): Forever 21 ($12), size 0 Juniors, very worn and shapeless (too tight in the hip and thigh)...and not good quality!  Forver 21 is the perfect place to test skinny jeans.  I was very apprehensive about wearing them.  My little sister, Tracie, started wearing skinnies pretty exclusively and (obviously) looked amazing in them.  She suggested trying them at Forever 21 because they are $12.50.  Then if you don't like them, no big deal and if you do, then you could transition to something more quality.  I'm hooked on skinnies with boots in the winter and think they look cute with flats in the spring.  My starter jeans just weren't working for me anymore and I've graduated from Forever 21.

So I've been searching...but it has always seemed like a never ending search.  I want the look of a designer jean but can't bring myself to pay the $200+ price or even the $100 price.  The other day, I stumbled onto the GAP website.  I haven't shopped at the GAP for years and years for myself and have never worn a pair of their jeans in my adult life.  But I started looking and reading through their descriptions and found out that they've completely redone their jeans.  Their goal has been to create the same fit, stretch, feel, and look of high end jeans with a moderate price tag.  They've done great!

Jason needed to be fitted for a tux for the upcoming wedding so we all headed to the mall.  After the fitting, Jason took the kids to the toy store and play area while I seized the GAP.  I really liked the look of their jeans and ended up buying some in the "Curvy" fit in a 2.  After wearing them the next day, they stretched a full size (but I hadn't done my homework with their size charts!).  So my search continued.  I decided to stick with the GAP a bit longer.

I did my homework this time.  Their sizing charts for jeans are great and even include a thigh measurement.  I measured a 0 (which tells you how much the old pants were really not fitting!).  I seized the GAP once more and asked lots of questions of the saleladies regarding length and stretch.  I'm short-waisted and long-legged and hate when my pants get short.  The saleslady, who was a bit shorter than me (but of a very similar body-type) and wears the long length recommended that I choose the long as well.  Unfortunately 0L can only be ordered online.  Fortunately they give you a free shipping card if the jeans you need are not available.  I bought one pair that were on sale:  a limited edition (no length choices, but longer than regular length) in the "Real Straight" fit (slim, but not peg-skinny).  I'm loving them and feel so much more confidant about my body and my curves!  I went back to my shopping compulsions and ordered a bunch online so I could try them on in my actual size and return the ones I don't want to the store!  I'm in love with the "Perfect Boot" appreciating its mid-rise and can't wait until mine show up on my doorstep!  They also had a mid-rise skinny jean online that I'm looking forward to trying. 

I hope my sweet husband will enjoy them as well.  He is the best and would not ever say anything remotely critical.  So, after I had found some decent pants and asked him about the old ones (requesting the blunt truth) he did say there were a couple that he thought were not very flattering.  And really, there were only "a couple" to choose from!  Remember my post about wrinkles and whiskers?!?!  He is the best and the kindest.  I just really like to be told how it is, you know!?  I think that comes from being friends with my dear Julianna!  "How would I have felt had he told me they weren't flattering?" he asked.  Well, I would have felt liberated like I had his blessing to go and spend oodles of money on new jeans!

Anyway...for those of you who are experiencing difficulties with jeans, those who want the look of expensive jeans but just can't do it, those who are wearing things in the wrong size...here's my advice:  measure yourself and give the GAP a try.  (Realizing, mind you, that "designer" jeans are made to be form fitting- so they stretch and "melt" to fit your particular body.)

I've decided that I need to go back to quality over quantity.  But it's easy and sometimes fun to have lots of silly things that you don't ever wear.  In my quest to look my age and to be the classy lady I want to be, I need to go back to shopping like a woman and not a teenager.  Then I can look like a woman and not a teenager!
And just so you know, even though you may be deceived by the price, Target clothing is actually considered quality!  (he he...I really think so!)

So, readers (all 4 of you), what do you think?  Do you like product reviews or should I just go back to pictures of my beautiful children?  I was laughing because Dixie (who all 4 of you readers know and love), who was doing recipes and random things like posts about moles on her blog, said people were requesting that she stop and post more about her adorable newborn.  While her daughter is really, truly beautiful, I was really enjoying the recipes and such!

Let me know...is there anything you'd like to be reviewed?  Are you interested in reviews?  Are you interested in products?



*DISCLAIMER:  I am in no way trying to say "looky-looky" if you know what I mean.  My intent for this post was to show that we should all know what size we are and that actually finding out and wearing things that fit instead of squeezing into something too tight (like Forever 21) or drowning in something too big (like the others)  isn't going to be the best look.  It's tricky for me to say this because of the size I am, but I in no way endorse that size 0 is the perfect size.  If you're wearing something that fits and you are a 0 or a 6 or a 14 and if that is a healthy size for your particular body, than you can feel confidant and sexy and stylish or however else you want to feel! 

I go shopping with friends and they are totally open about what size they are which I think is awesome but I'm always embarrassed to tell anyone my size and never do...so this is very brave of me!