NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2006
Internet Jeans: Find Your Fit
Debbye Turner Tries Out A Few Sites
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Play CBS Video Video Buying Jeans Off The Web Many women are on an endless quest to find the perfect pair of jeans, but the right pair may be just a mouse click away. Debbye Turner tests a few of these Web sites.
Turner chose the trendy brand "Seven for All Mankind." She had never tried on a pair, so she was curious to see if this brand was worth all the hype. There is a very detailed description of each pair in terms of the rise, inseam, and pockets, but not much on how to figure out your size.
The stretch boot cut and flare jeans came up as three stars, so Turner decided to search for stretch boot cut jeans by pressing the "shop Seven for All Mankind" link. A total of 25 pair of jeans appeared, and Turner had to search through them all. (Some were stretch boot cut; some were not.)
Once Turner had found a pair she liked, she scrolled down in sizes and saw they weren't the typical 2, 3, 6, 8 ,10; they were 26, 27, 28, 29, etc. Confused about what exactly she should be measuring, Turner called customer service. A representative gave Turner a comparison by saying she "is a size 6 and normally orders a 29."
Turner decided to order the site's recommended jeans in three sizes. She ordered the long boot cut stretch in two different sizes. The smaller of the two sizes didn't fit. The larger of the two sizes fit, but was a little long ($132). She ordered regular boot cut stretch in a third size and that fit perfectly ($176). Those are Turner's favorite.
TIP: Turner loved her jeans and got lucky, but for this price, it would be nice to have a size chart to see if the jeans run small or big, and to understand what the number is equal to -- waist or hips. Keep calling customer service until you find someone who can really help you understand the fit.
It took Turner around 45 minutes to collect all the data she needed to order. These jeans normally take four to six weeks to design and send out. Because they wanted to make it on time for Turner's report on The Early Show, Mejeans took her measurements over the phone.
Turner wanted a classic fit, but once the design team saw all of her measurements, they thought slim fit would be better. Turner didn't think that she was a slim fit. The design team sent both options. When the jeans came, Turner was surprised to find that the slim fit was much better. The classic fit was almost falling off. Both fits were a little too big, but Turner thinks that was because her measurements were off a little.
TIP: The designers at this Web site will work with you. Listen to the designers if they have a concern about your measurements, or a design you have chosen. Don't just assume you are specific fit or cut. Turner was very surprised to see that a "slim" fit her better. If you're not certain, call customer service.
If possible, have someone in the room while you're measuring. This Web site is very hands-on, and you have your choice of just about every aspect of the jeans. It's unfortunate that one mistake in measurement could make the jeans too big or small. Having another person to help measure could be very helpful. Mejeans will work with the customer until you find the best fit. Turner is going to stick with the slim fit and send it back to have some alterations made around the waist, and have them shortened, as well.
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