Can we talk about the shift from stiff denim to stretch blends in jeans?

I noticed this big change over the last 5 years or so. Back in 2018, I could not stand stretch jeans because they felt cheap and bagged out at the knees. Now almost every brand I see at the mall uses at least 2 percent elastane in their denim. Is this just about comfort winning out, or did the old pure cotton stuff actually look better? Has anyone else seen a real difference in how jeans hold their shape with these new blends?

2 comments

2 Comments

shah.ben1mo agoMost Upvoted

Stretch jeans are better. Stiff denim was just uncomfortable and never broke in right.

finley_wells661mo agoMost Upvoted

Stretch jeans definitely solved the whole problem of looking like a cardboard box in the waist area. But you gotta be careful with the fabric blend because some of those cheap ones get saggy after a few wears and look like you're wearing pajamas. The good ones hold their shape way better than any stiff denim ever could. Guess that's just progress though - you get the look without the pain.