jeans AUGH

plus a book and a TV show

I caught myself saying an actual prayer before trying on a pair of jeans two days ago. I had ordered them from Free People and had high hopes. They looked wonderful on the tall slender model and therefore would, doubtless, look wonderful on me.

I took them out of the packet, held them by the waistband, then closed my eyes and said, please, please let these be the ones.

What do I mean by “ones”? Well, I just mean a good pair of jeans! Just a pair of throw-on, old favourite, go-with-everything JEANS. Like I see any old bloody idiot wearing. Why can’t I find a pair? Why, why, why??? I have for years been wearing a pair from Dr Denim, (now discontinued), but they have been patched up twice, are ratty at the hems and have holes in the crotch and are generally a bit of a disgrace. I have been looking for a replacement for a full two years, now. Maybe three.

Anyway, I said my prayer and put on the jeans. And God did answer. He said: “No.”

I swiftly took off the jeans and folded them sadly back into the whimsical Free People delivery bag.

In despair I dispatched myself in person to H&M, because it will take me another three years to find jeans if I’m ordering them to the house one at a time and I’ve always had good luck with jeans in this store.

I tried on 15 pairs, laughing and raging at their completely inconsistent size labelling, and came away with a pair of Straight High Waist Jeans. I think I have linked to the right pair, but with the Wild West that is H&M who knows?! These are, I’d say, 90% there and will do a job for the moment. I still believe that the perfect jeans are waiting for me out there, somewhere. I’m just slightly frightened that they might be from Mother and cost £400.

Onwards!

I really enjoyed Two Weeks In August, a BBC drama starring Jessica Raine. A mixed group of friends and family go to Greece and the story unfolds from there. Usually I’m not that keen on seeing middle class people do middle class things because it’s a bit of a busman’s holiday. But Two Weeks In August descends into semi-madness with a touch of Greek mythology chucked in for extra woo-woo points, so this pressed all my buttons and I thought it was terrific. Give it a whirl!

I was also delighted to receive a copy of Receipts From The Bookshop, by Katie Clapham, which is the book of the extremely popular Substack. It’s terrific and very readable - especially good if you’re in an attention deficit or reading drought phase. This will get you back on the horse. Buy with confidence!

How about you? Where are you in your endless quest for good jeans? Please leave a comment to instruct and inform the group in the handy box below.