It's in the jeans

I was talking to someone on the phone and, after completing our conversation, asked if his fiancé was there. I wanted to say hello.

He replied she was immersed in picking out the wedding gown. Since it was the most important clothing purchase of her life, it might be best not to interrupt her.

Boy, does he have a lot to learn. At least, in my experience. This was underscored during a recent trip when my companion insisted we dogleg our route to include a city that’s home to one of her favorite stores. Favorite for jeans, that is. And what’s more important to a woman than her jeans? For my money, nothing.

My primary pair is more than a decade old. When I do buy them, I just find an inexpensive pair that bears my waist and inseam. Done.

In fairness to her, she runs to the slender side and I’m a little closer to the mean than she is. But, it’s not simply a case of finding something with the two dimensions. She says they have to fit. I would think that waist and inseam was a fit, and I would be wrong, apparently. I have learned to stop advocating my point of view because it only provokes a heated discussion.

And, I usually lose on points when she notes that I check out her jeans pretty carefully when she wears them. I’m just trying to understand this fit thing.

To confirm my theory that jeans are the predominant purchase decision, I raised the question last night when a group I kayak with went out for a few beers after a practice session. Karen looked at me pitifully and shook her head. Then, she went on to patiently explain the process of going around and trying on jeans. “The first round isn’t to make the purchase,” she explained patiently. “You just want to see yourself in a variety of brands, styles and sizes, and with different shoes and tops. You go back later and make the decision. If you don’t get that, it’s best that you don’t go along.”

Sage advice.