Today, I had to do something that I simply dread. I mean, this is worse than trying on swimsuits after a long cold winter!

Jean shopping.

I tried to put it off as long as I could - honestly, I did! But, with the temperatures what they are, and a 7:30 football game tomorrow evening (read: the sun will be down!), I didn’t think I could put it off another day.

So, this afternoon, I took a few hours off work to take care of the dreaded task. Literally, I had 2 hours in my schedule to do this. The trip to the mall is 45 minutes one way. So, I had exactly 30 minutes to get in, try on jeans, find one or more pairs I like, and get out.

I’m more of a hunter than a gatherer when it comes to shopping for myself. So, while the task of finding the right pair of jean in a matter of 30 minutes was daunting - an ambitious goal, to say the least - I was quite determined to accomplish this mission.

Before I left, I spent a little time researching jeans. It’s been quite a while since I went jean shopping (which is why I was in the position of urgently needing jeans for tomorrow night) - partially because I haven’t been overly impressed with the recent “styles” that were overflowing from every store that carried jeans (when I say recent, I mean the last 4 or 5 YEARS). Flare jeans are just not very flattering on me - I seriously don’t need to look like I have tiny little knees and giant calves! Then, there’s been this whole “skinny jean” thing. Honestly, I don’t know what possesses some manufacturers! I am a thin woman….but, my thighs are more athletic than skinny jeans allow. I think I would have to quit eating for several years to get rid of enough muscle to wear skinny jeans.

Okay…back to the researching. There is a site that I had heard quite a bit about - www.Zafu.com. Now, I heard it was *the* place to go online and find the perfect pair of jeans for you. I’ve even had some friends who use it and swear by it. However, I wasn’t terribly excited by my results. I think part of my disappointment was that I wanted to find jeans I could actually go to a store to try on. First, I didn’t have time to order online and get them by tomorrow night. Second, jeans, in my opinion, are really something that is best tried on BEFORE you buy them. I do have a few brands that I know I can go to every time and be happy with them. I know exactly what size I need in those brands, I know they offer “long” in those sizes (there is nothing worse than your ankles sticking out from under your jeans!), and I know they are consistent in quality. Zafu did give me a few options in those brands….BUT, it looked like the only way those particular cuts were available was online. So, yay for Zafu….but, not so yay that they don’t give you the option of choosing if you would like to see jeans only available online or only in stores - that would be a great thing to add.

So, I made a plan on my way to the mall. I would go to The Gap first - the Gap produces consistent quality and I know that I like them. I know what size I need at the Gap AND I know that they will have at least one cut that isn’t the dreaded “skinny jean”. The second stop would be The Buckle. LOVE the Buckle (at least I did before today….okay, even though they ticked me off, I still love the brands the Buckle offers….so, I will probably go back again - DESPITE my time in the store today).

The RIGHT way to serve your customers: The Gap
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