4A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005
Price tags don't deter fashionistas from wearing brand names By Kim Wallace $ \diamond $ correspondent@kansan.com $ \diamond $ Kansan correspondent Photos by Kelly Hutsell
Regardless of the extraordinary price tags, chic denim is flying out the doors of department stores and high-end boutiques. The hunger for high fashion is bringing in an endless stream of savage customers who can't seem to pay too much for designer jeans.
"We constantly have sizes and styles on back order," said Akta Desai, St. Louis senior and sales associate at Britches Clothing Co., 843 Massachusetts St. "We can't keep them in the store."
A pair of low-rise, faded Seven for All Mankind jeans top out at $285 for elaborate stitching and the addition of Swarovski crystals on the pockets or studs around the waist. Sevens are a popular brand on college campuses and are noted by the signature hand-knit swirl on the back pocket.
Abercrombie & Fitch has taken note of the soar in denim sales and
acted on it by launching the new Ezra Fitch line of jeans at about $250 a pop.
Companies are quick to defend these prices, noting the higher-quality denim used costs up to three times more to produce. The intricate handiwork that goes into the stitching the designs on the pockets also ups the price.
ups the price. Each pair of Sevens comes with an authenticity label and instructions regarding the care of the jeans. Fabrics are made to fade and break in, giving wearers the favorite jeans feel.
burbula, with pieces
On "Newlyweds," Jessica
Blue jean king Levi Strauss still offers durable bottoms for about $30. The jeans are easy to find at places such as Kohl's or Wal-Mart. But jeans, once the staple of poor boys and steel workers, have become the look of celebrities and suburbia, with prices to match.
"
If stars can wear it, we can wear it."
Akta Desai St. Louis senior
Simpson always wore a certain style of True Religion jeans. Viewers noticed and followed suit, Desai said.
"If stars can wear it, we can wear it." Desai said.
It's not just the rich paying these prices.
prices. Although most buyers are in their 20s or 30s, girls as young as middle school and women in their 50s are feeding into the craze.
"Our shoppers are mainly college girls and their moms looking for good denim," said Katie Zeller, Overland Park freshman and sales
associate at Ginger and Maryanne,
914 Massachusetts St.
The boutique specializes in designer duds and carries seven different lines of denim, all ranging from $120 to $200 a pair.
Just recently the store has stocked a pair of "Sweetheart" style jeans by Chip & Pepper that cost about $250. The extra-long low-rises feature hand-stitched heart designs on the pockets.
The exclusive market for jeans hasn't just been around for the past few years.
In 1980, Calvin Klein introduced his designer jeans on the back side of Brooke Shields along with the controversial slogan "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins."
Other designers like Ralph Lauren and Marciano began to explore the blue jean and turned it into a wardrobe necessity.
The demand for jeans is helping
dress-down fashion overall.
"They are great because you can dress them up by pairing them with heels or down by wearing them with your everyday clothing," Desal said. "As long as you're comfortable, then you just feel better about yourself."
Though many say the only reason shoppers buy into the fad of overpriced jeans is for the sake of labels, many contest that the fit truly defines quality denim from average denim — even if it comes at $200 a pair.
pair.
Jeans are hard enough to find, so when you come across a pair that feels good, it's worth it, Zeller said.
feels good, it's our work.
"It is out of question to spend a lot if it doesn't look right," Zeller said. "It doesn't matter who notices what brand you're wearing as long as you're comfortable."
Edited by Kim Sweet Rubenstein
H in T said to fi two print of c scho
Disa
Saa
tric
pri
rep
---