Have you ever bought yourself a pair of hundred dollar jeans? If you’re like most people, the answer is no, followed by, are you crazy?
I remember a few years ago I was at the mall with a good friend. He said he wanted to hop into a designer clothing store and buy some jeans. I watched with jaw dropped as he grabbed a pair of jeans with a price tag that read $105.00. I laughed and asked him why he would blow such unnecessary money on jeans when he could run down to American Eagle and get some pretty stylish ones for $35. I’ll never forget his reply.
“Dan, have you ever spent a hundred dollars on a pair of jeans?” I said no and again voiced how absurd it was. “Well, try it sometime and then let’s have this talk again.” Our next stop was American Eagle, where I bought a couple of $35 pairs of jeans that both looked great and fit great.
I liked those $35 jeans. I looked good in them. I took care of them. I always washed them in cold water and I always hang-dried them. After a couple months, I began having a real difficult time squeezing into them anymore. I hadn’t gained weight. They had simply shrunk, despite my best efforts to make sure they never did. As I found myself cutting off all circulation to button the fly, I thought about my history with jeans. Every few months I bought new jeans. Why? Because they always shrunk.
I shrugged my shoulders and drove to the mall to buy a few more pairs of the $35 variety. They fit. I was happy to have new pants. It was a cycle that I’d grown used to. And, of course, I repeated it again once those new pairs shrunk.
Then, I went through a divorce. When it was finalized, I took a deep breath and panicked. I had no clue how life in the single world worked anymore. I had no idea how to find success in dating.
For years I had preached to my employees that if they wanted to have a particular day turn-out incredible, they needed to feel incredible first, and if that meant going and splurging on a new dress shirt, blouse, or tie, then to do it. There’s just something about putting on a brand new, awesome new anything. It makes you feel confident. It makes you feel attractive. And others always feel that.
So, at that time when I felt uncertain and certainly not confident, I decided to follow my own advice. I walked into the same store in which my friend had paid $100 for a pair of jeans. I looked at the girl who first approached me and said, “I don’t care how much it costs. Make me look good.”
I didn’t really have the money to do that, but sometimes it’s not about the money. It’s about giving yourself something you need in life. I needed to feel good. I needed to feel that I was attractive. I needed to feel confident. Why? At that point and time, it was because the events of my life had simply made me feel the opposite. They made me feel bad. They made me feel unattractive. They took away my confidence.
The girl working the sales floor didn’t mess around. She helped me pick out an $80 shirt. She grabbed me a $90 pair of shoes. She found me a $50 belt and a $100 blazer. Then, she handed me a pair of $100 jeans. I looked at them and laughed. That day, the price didn’t matter. I wasn’t buying jeans, I was buying my life back.
I went into the changing room and slid the new jeans on. The first thing I noticed was how incredibly comfortable they were compared to any other jeans I’d tried on before. Absolutely sure that it was only the price tag making them feel that way, I looked at the label. 2% Spandex. That was it. They stretched a little. I squatted and bended in them. It was definitely more than the price tag. They were incredible.
I bought a single outfit and an additional pair of jeans. My total ticket came to over $500. I took a giant gulp and handed the girl my debit card. The funny thing is, I never had buyer’s remorse walking out that day. The only thing I felt was excitement. I had a date that weekend, and I was going to look good.
And I did look good. I felt like a million bucks. I was able to jump back into the game with confidence and a feeling of sexiness that wasn’t there just days earlier. The date went swimmingly. Too swimmingly, perhaps. I ended up marrying her.
The day after that first date, I called my friend and told him I was ready to have that talk. I told him that he had sold me. He laughed and pointed out that I’d only discovered the first reason to spend a hundred bucks on a pair of jeans. He told me to pay close attention to how long they hung around in my life. I did. Years later I still own those two pairs of jeans, I still feel like a million bucks when I wear them, and they haven’t shrunk in the slightest.
And that lesson has really made me ponder some things over the years. How often do I step over dollars to pick up dimes? How often do I put my effort and my hard earned money into crap that doesn’t make me feel good and doesn’t really last? How often do I miss out on the success of life that will always breed more success because I couldn’t see the longer-term vision of what investing in something amazing will ultimately give me?
Much worse still, how often did I feel like I wasn’t worth it?
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Also, I told myself that if I could wear out three pairs of cheap mall-kiosk sunglasses without losing them, I'd buy some nice Spy glasses. Those have lasted at least way longer than the old crappy sunglasses I used to buy and thus were a savings over the long run.
Lara K
Loved this post when I read it years ago, saved it and have referred to it many times since, and finally just blogged about a similar topic myself! Sometimes, we just have to treat ourselves. Today, for me, it was $100 yoga pants. I feel like a million bucks in them... so that's a good deal, right? :)
slhauser2280
There are cook books out there for making meals for 1-2 people ...also sometimes I make a big batch of chili, chicken dumpling soup, sloppy Joes, etc and then freeze half of it so we don't get sick of the leftovers and waste it...
slhauser2280
Stephanie H. of Meridian, ID I have 3 pairs of citizens jeans (up to almost 200$ a pair ) that have lasted me 7+ yrs. (1pair suffered a hole in the knee after i took a spill on the ice but strangely enough have become my fave. The 3rd pair I bought about 6+ mos ago. In my opinion if a pair of jeans can last for 7+ yrs they pay for themselves...my experience with less expensive, lower quality jeans is that you are lucky to have them last a year! Sorry if this is TMI but I also splurge on bras...there's nothing worse than an uncomfortable bra!
RussellChandler
My personal splurge is on good underwear. It may sound strange coming from a straight guy, but I always feel good when I have a (slightly) sexy pair of unders on. No Hanes here ::)
ilik2BGoofy
I was raised by my mom, we had very little extra money. We would go to the inxepensive stores. My mother could search through racks and find quality stuff. They lasted. It is a bit harder these days. If you want quality at an affordable price, I suggest never ever buy it at full price. I wait for at least the 50% off sales. II bought a pair of Cherokee shoes with babysitting money. I was biting my lip the whole time. They cost me $45 at the time that was alot of money, I wore those shoes every day for over 4 years. I finally had to give them away because my feet changed in size. They were still in near mint condition. Watch out for buying name-brand...you can have buyers remorse. I guess the take away here is do your homework and be frugal. Once in a while, like after a big life change go out and remind yourself that you are worth it and buy that leather jacket that feels like butter next to your skin.
After my divorce, my son and I flew to California. We stayed with a friend of mine and helped her move. We had an absolutely amazing time. And we did all for under $500.00 plane tickets and all, thanks to some treasured friends who hooked us up. The trip wasn't even ruined when I ran into my ex and our other two kids at the "Its's a Small World" ride in Disneyland. It was so great to see my kids and they were shocked to see me there (my kids knew I was going to Disneyland but they never imagined they would see me there). Their father didn't invite our oldest along so I decided to go. I had not even one moment of regret. Well maybe when my son got sick and threw up in the shuttle we took to Universal Studios. Oh yes this really did happen. My ex spent much more than $500.00 (alot more) on his trip and he didn't even get to go to Universal Studios.. Isnt life a gas some times? You have to appreciate the little things.
cmcgowan99
Good shoes. Good shoes are critical. I can't even begin to explain how much money I wasted on cheap shoes for the longest time - they hurt my feet and never lasted long. But, I finally bought good shoes - really good shoes and now, I'm addicted to good shoes. Not to a crazy point, but if I need a serious mid-winter pick me up - new boots. Sometimes we all needed a little something special.
JCLord
I have to agree with toilet paper. And coffee. Good coffee. I'm not talking about Kopi Luwak, mind you, but good quality coffee beans are a must for me, as are professionally sharpened knives in my kitchen. Nothing more dangerous than a dull knife.
JoyHamelink
Toilet paper. Plain and simple. You get what you pay for, and that isn't somewhere you want to be making yourself uncomfortable.
Conversation from Facebook
Irene Voskamp
Oddly, just last week I went out and bought myself a couple pair of hundred dollar jeans. (and some blouses and stuff). For exactly the same reason you did. And it's been amazing, the effect it's had on my mind, my spirit, and my life.
Angie Carter Barlow
If I go and do this...buy a $100 pair of jeans....I promise I won't write you with a big, "Thanks...you made me go bankrupt" when I do....just like the guy who wrote you with a big, "Thanks...you made my wife lead to divorce me!" (because of the article you wrote on being happy)!! LOL!!!
Russell Chandler
Good underwear!!! :) No "hanes" here :)
Paul Domanski
Did you say $100 jeans? How about "new jeans" and we'll work from there. The only jeans I've gotten in the past six years that were not thrift store purchases were for my birthday this year; Feb 10th. Two pairs of brand new jeans. At least it's not my dad... he got Christmas gifts such as "warm hat and gloves" and "snowblower cab" where the gift-giver is basically telling him "get to work!"
Charlotte Anne Fox
I read page 2 & it had more meaning than the $100.00 jeans! But I would drop $100.00 for jeans in a heartbeat! But I want what I really want is better health & no amount of money can give me that. or wishful thinking/confidence!
Corine Lindhorst
I buy them all the time, at the Goodwill store for $5.00!
Emily Heinzeroth
Lol I think it's funny that you had an epiphany over something women have known for like...ever. It's called "retail therapy". :). I
Terri O'Reilly
Ha ha, I let someone else buy the expensive things then I buy it at the thrift store and save my $$ for a great, memory making trip!
Jinx West
No, but I have bought a 1200 dollar pair of Cowboy Boots....
Marie Marotta Calante
i have. joes and seven
Donna Seehorn Glass
Read it today and know exactly how it feels. Sometimes you just gotta do it!
Kate Rusk Gressman
I read it yesterday, and you nailed it! Mine make me feel 10lbs thinner and that's worth $100 to me!!
Melanie Erickson Walters
Robin Greene, this is not meant to be rude, but why exactly does it bother you that he reposts these articles? I think it is smart, and I've only been reading his (well-written) articles for a few months now, so I very much appreciate seeing these pop up, rather than hoping to someday go back and read all of his last 500 posts on his site. I believe it is a smart business strategy and if it rewards him a few cents, then that makes me happy for him. And, if I am coming across as rude, I don't mean to be. I've just seen one too many of these reactions from people and they never make sense to me, why you wouldn't want the best for him and his business. Or, if it bothers you, why you follow him in the first place? I actually really appreciated seeing this post, for the first time today.
Natalie Garver
It's not about materials, its about taking time to treat yourself and take care of yourself. I know first hand how easy it is to forget about yourself after you have a child. I don't think buying yourself something nice to boost your confidence a little is going to turn into a vicious cycle. That's stretching it a little bit, don't ya think?
Kerry Miyamoto Fardella
The point is...take care of yourself.
Frank DuBois
wearing an Australian Rubby shirt that I paid lots of money for 12 years ago in Sydney and it looks like new...Nordstrom dress shirts for 75 bucks last forever...every cheap thing I own seems like its fraying or has lost one or more buttons...quality is not cheap....but in the end its worth it.....
Leisa Moulton
Good for you Dan! I must disagree that this is "materialism in all the wrong ways." You didn't buy the blender to boost your self-esteem, you bought it to help your health. It's hard cooking for 1 1/2 people. I find myself skipping meals all the time or snacking on unhealthy stuff. I myself only buy $80 dollar jeans. I only have 2-3 pairs at a time and I completely wear them out. I wear them for a few years, then they pass on in to my play pants section of my closet (and I am very hard on jeans). Sometimes you need that boost from a pair of pants to make you feel good. I am a fairly confident person, but occasionally when I am feeling down, I can put my nice jeans on and I can get a quick boost to get me back up.
Stacy Garrett
Upon reading this, I look down at my $20 jeans that I bought barely a year ago and already are threadbare and think "Hmmm."
Kerry Miyamoto Fardella
Still need good blender recipes? Handful of spinach, frozen fruit, juice or water or coconut milk...protein powder....blend away. Even my kids like it.
Courtney Amos McReynolds
excellent. this was a hard learned lesson for me but absolutely, one of the most life-changing. and hey...i've still got my first pair of $100 jeans, too.....my beloved true religion joey's! every woman should own a pair!
Deborah Florek Muller
I always put myself last...except the times I got plastic surgery to fix some things that REALLY needed fixing! Not a whole lot changed in my life, but I felt SO much better! I never have regretted the money on spent on that! EVER!
Stacey Robertson
Exactly Manal. The jeans etc. are just a metaphor.
Manal Khalife
I think the idea is more self-care and treating yourself rather than the dollar amount.
John Schmitz
This is materialism in all the wrong ways. When you have to spend money to boost your self esteem you've got it wrong. You are building a deck of cards that will fall at the first breeze. Self esteem comes from knowing yourself, having peace and finding fulfillment in the things you do. Nothing wrong with buying the things you need in life but buying things to boost your self esteem is a viscous cycle waiting to happen.
Stacey Robertson
I just recently started spending money on myself. I never have before and held on to clothes for years, even if they were outdated or worn out. I couldn't fathom spending money on myself when there was always one or more of my four kids that needed something. Now that two of them are adults and money isn't as tight as when they were kids, I've started treating myself. This past weekend I cleaned out my closet of clothes that either were sad looking or outdated so I would be forced to buy myself new things. I realized why I always felt like I had nothing to wear out, wow, was my wardrobe sad. I'm working on getting over the guilt factor of spending money on myself and even went and had my nails done for the first time in my life yesterday. Slowly but surely I am feeling better about it all and I've even noticed a change in my confidence level. It's an amazing feeling to treat yourself the way you deserve and unless you do, how can you expect to find someone else that will do the same? Big lesson learned for me.
Angie Gyger
I just bought some $60 jeans and a pair of super awesome new high heels. Did I need to buy those? No. But I LOVE them and they are so comfortable and look awesome. I had a twinge of buyers remorse but I think my purchases were totally worth it! :)
Manal Khalife
And the clicking affects you how?
Kellie Nichols
There are lots of jeans that have spandex in them, that cost less than $100. That being said, I have jeans that run from $16 to $88 and for some reason I LOVE the $88 ones. They seem to be much softer and much more comfortable.
Pauline Brown
Invest in quality no matter the price, recognise the quality in others and most importantly ourcells first as we are def worth the love and investment x Love this man and his wisdom peace
Teresa Pinkerton
Read your blog for the first time today. Then I got to browsing at a lot of different blog bosts. Must say, love the blog. I especially liked, "How much did you pay for your kid?"...
Robin Greene
Click, click people. Did you notice that he posts and re-posts today's blog entry, yesterday's blog entry, whatever, over and over, and over? Click, click, click and earn him more and more money, instead of relying on what is truly, actually, really good writing and interesting content to earn him a living. Makes me disappointed, and I am sure this comment will get removed immediately, which also makes me disappointed, but proves I have a point.
Erin Cykoski Jacobs
You're missing the point if you think this post is about a pair of jeans, it's about doing for yourself and realizing that you're worth it. Whatever it may be.
Nikki Wilson Roseman
Sometimes the best ends up being the least expensive in the long run.
Vicki Lowery
Wow... I do this to myself all the time... in lots of areas of life, rarely picking up the dollars, but going for the dimes.. :( Thanks, this article is a great lesson!!
Ruth Shepherd
This is just what I need to hear right now. The thing I need is around $2k though.. but what a difference it would make in my life.
Atlee Anderson
Nope, closest was maybe $80 or so for some Guess? way back when (aka BEFORE kids).
Dena Johnson
I just reread that one yesterday!
Sarah Miller Olson
I love that article, Dan! The jeans that I buy are about a hundred, and they FIT, and they LAST. I also have a rockin' blender, and I doubt I will never need another one. Sometimes it's worth it to spend a bit more money for something that will last. I can't imagine how much money I've spent on cheapie versions of clothes, kitchen items, and other things that didn't last. Generally, you get what you pay for! And you feel better for it! Thanks!
Kathy Lee
I just bought something expensive and was going to take it back...but after reading this...I think maybe I will keep it....
Robyn Mevoli
Have you ever bought a 5 dollar pair of jeans from a thrift store? I'm still wearing them a year later and they still fit great make me look and feel good!
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This for me was a new motorcycle. My car catastrophically broke down last month and I had to sell it for scrap, getting back a fraction of what I'd invested. I justified doing that because I live right across the street from school and work is but a mere five-minute walk away, while groceries are only about 10 minutes away on foot. I also justified that I didn't need a car payment, insurance, or gas expenses every month and that it would be fun to live like a Luddite for a little while. It was not fun to live like a Luddite. It was boring. I went to the same three restaurants for dating because it was all I could walk to. I had to steal a grocery cart like a homeless person to get my food home because it was too much to carry. It sucked. So I bought a motorcycle, and joy reentered my life.
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