01 December 2009

On why I need designer jeans.

This year, like every year before it, I hit the doorbusters in the wee hours of Black Friday. Most of my deals were found at Target, but I also hit World market (for their buy one get one free Christmas cards), Bath and Body Works (hey, a girl needs holiday scented
soap!),...................... and Saks Fifth Avenue.

That's right, I went shopping for myself on Black Friday this year. They were having a sale on their designer jeans and I was all over it.

It has taken a while for me to "get" the rationality behind a $100+ pair of jeans. Since highschool I've taken the middle road and worn mostly Gap jeans. Express if I am feeling extra sassy. And there is nothing wrong with them - they come in tall sizes (which I need) and they fit nicely enough. Until about noon or so when the butt is sagging (and no its not because of MY saggy butt, but rather material that doesn't give... that's my story and I'm stickin' to it).

It's hard to describe what it feels like to try on a nice pair of jeans. They move with you (not against you). The back pockets are in the right place (yes, even after you put them on). And they feel. so. good. In fact, trying on jeans has never been so fun when you are doing it in a room large enough that your elbows aren't knocking into the walls around you, and your salesperson is running all over the store for you, as determined as you are to find "the one" pair that will take you up a notch.

I guess my opinion on the matter shifted when I attended a photography seminar a couple months ago. We talked a lot about image, marketing and branding. 3 important targets on the business side of photography that I was severely lacking. Branding is the "intangible, personable and powerful message you portray" (Christopher Becker). It communicates who you are, what you do and WHO you do it for. And the benefits of branding yourself are countless... but the one that stood out most in my mind was maintaining a "top of the mind" status. Moreso than prestige, or greater recognition, or being at the head of the trend, I think that "if you can believe it, you can be it" mentality generates the most success.

So here I am dressing for the job I want. I'm communicating my worth.

Too bad I am often simply on my way to Walgreens.

10 comments:

Lee said...

I love my designer jeans. Love love love them. I was rocking them when I was wearing them in Little Rock. :) Glad you have seen the light. :)

Swimmingmom said...

Good for you! As for me, I can only dream....

Anonymous said...

I agree. I'm still in the $60 Gap camp. But even for me it is a better fit than the off brand stuff I was buying. Some day I may move on to designer jeans.........once I get a paying gig.

Lana said...

hmmm, food for thought :)

Yvonne said...

I'll get the designer jeans when I get those last few pounds off ; ) I can't justify the expense until then.

Company EIGHT said...

I'm with Yvonne...I think designer jeans will be my reward when all this baby weight is finally gone!

utmommy said...

Good for you. I don't have any designer jeans myself, but I surely want some.

An Ordinary Mom said...

Hmmm ... you are swaying me. Most of my girl siblings tell me I need to try out designer jeans, but I haven't done so yet. Your experience, though, sounds enticing!

Unknown said...

LOL--your final line is the best!

Designer jeans? I haven't worn jeans since high school. :-)

Carrie said...

Now I have a new reason to lose these lat 15 pounds...I want my booty to look fabulous in some jeans!

I am woefully uneducated in the world of all things designer.