As I was hanging up my jeans after doing laundry tonight I was flooded with memories of my butt and the way we were.
I don’t think I ever cared about name brands or what I was wearing until I hit 6th grade and then suddenly for some odd reason it mattered. Nevermind the fact that my classmates and I had already been through 6 years of elementary school together. That year something just clicked (or maybe is it “cliqued”?) and it mattered.
The most coveted article of clothing through my junior high years was jeans. And no, not just any pair of jeans. They had to be Guess jeans, bonus points if they had a button fly and zipped at the ankle. That little upside down triangle in red, black, and white sporting the Guess logo was the epitome of coolness. And if you completed that outfit with a pair of Reebok hi-tops (in a rainbow of colors) and some gaudy geometric patterned top or sweater? You ruled.
I suckered my parents into buying me a few pairs of Guess jeans at a whopping $60-75 a pop, which was big money back then. Heck, it’s still big money to me. I don’t know if they really thought they were worth it or just didn’t want their daughter to be the only one without them, but they graced my butt with the style that was so desperately required of me during those angst-ridden pre-teen years.
(Insert eyeroll here)
I had to laugh at myself tonight as I hung up my Old Navy jeans that most certainly didn’t cost over $20 nor do they flatter my butt. What happened to that 13 year old girl who was a slave to fashion? Did she ever think she’d be caught dead in mom jeans? My God, doesn’t she care anymore?
I’ve noticed that today’s “it jeans” are a bargain (*choke*) at $200. I see them on high school aged children. You know, the ones carrying the $400 purses, talking on their iPhones and looking way older than their age.
I’m thinking it’s a good thing I’m not a teenager now. My parents would have never been able to afford me.
And Georges Marciano, I just want you to know you made a pretty penny off the teenaged girls in my small town way back when. I’m glad we could help you retire so well.
We went to an outlet to get our jeans. I think they were brand names, but I think they were great deals. We couldn’t have afforded expensive jeans.
I can recall wearing jeans to high school, but have no recall of the brand… Oh well.
At age 13 and 14 I was a nightmare when it came to clothing..now I wouldn’t spend more than $25 on jeans..you’re right..what happens to us? I guess we grow up and realize that spending that kind of money for clothes is absurd..even if I have it, I won’t spend it..i miss that time of my life though..it was alot of fun…especially when that was all we had to worry about!
OMG…I was EXACTLY the same way! Drove my parents crazy…
You’re kidding? “Good” jeans cost that much these days?
I’m so out of the loop!
I remember those jeans well. I think I had one pair and they had the zippers at the ankle for that ultra tapered, ultra non flattering look.
When I was in high school and browsing at McRae’s in Greenville, a Gunne Sax dress was what I thought would make my life complete.
Great post! I remember those days of Guess jeans. My parents never bought them for me though, and I can see why now. I’ve been a tightwad for so long now that it makes me feel ill to even think of spending that kind of money on jeans!
I had to have the guess jean too and I can not believe how expensive the name brand jeans are these days. I will stick with my Gap Jeans from the Outlet.