Do You Really Need to Spend $300 on Jeans? A Fashion Pro Explains the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Pairs

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Every year, without fail, I decide it’s fall the second the calendar flips to August 1.

It doesn’t matter that it’s still 85 degrees on the East Coast—all I need is the slightest chill in the air, the giant Skelly to cameo at Costco, and Dunkin’ to release its Pumpkin Spice menu way too early, and mentally, I’m there. So while everyone else was at the beach, I eagerly started my fall shopping. As if on cue, Hailey Bieber released “The Hailey Jean” at Gap, which, unsurprisingly, sold out extremely fast. Luckily, I managed to get my hands on a pair before they were wiped from the site.

But spending only $89 on the coveted extra-baggy jeans got me thinking: How much do you need to shell out for an actually “good” pair? After all, the six-piece, under-$100 collection became one of the buzziest denim drops of the season, while plenty of designer labels will easily set you back $300—or more. So, what exactly are you getting for those extra hundreds of dollars, and is it worth it? According to Los Angeles-based stylist Ari Goldwasser, the answer is, well, complicated.

Does Expensive = Better?

“I definitely think price can matter with denim, but I don’t think expensive automatically means better,” explains Goldwasser. Ultimately, she says, fit is more important than the number on the price tag. A $300 pair isn’t necessarily going to look or feel better on you simply because it costs more.   

When Is Spending More on Denim Worth It?

That’s not to say Goldwasser doesn’t think expensive denim can be worth it. The fashion pro admits: “One of my favorite pairs of denim in my closet is also one of the most expensive.” And, in her case, she gets her money’s worth. “They have a dressier feel to them and serve so many different functions in my wardrobe,” she notes. “To me, that versatility can make a higher price point feel much more worth it because I’m reaching for them constantly.”

Why Do They Cost That Much in the First Place?

It’s truly a combination of things. “Fabric and where and how something is manufactured,” can make a huge difference in cost, Goldwasser explains, as can construction, washes and finishing. You may also be paying for a brand that has spent years perfecting a particular cut. And, of course, there’s the name stitched onto the waistband. “At a certain point, you are paying for the brand name and everything that comes along with that,” she says.

Can You Tell If Jeans Are Expensive Just by Looking at Them?

“Sometimes, but not always,” admits Goldwasser. The biggest giveaways tend to be the fabric and wash, with really beautiful denim having “a weight and structure to it that just feels substantial without feeling stiff or uncomfortable.” She also pays close attention to fading and distressing, which can look more artificial on less expensive pairs. A really good wash, she says, tends to look, “more natural and lived in.”

Do Expensive Jeans Actually Last Longer?

Not necessarily... “Well-made denim can last longer, but price alone definitely doesn’t guarantee that,” shares Goldwasser. Fabric composition and construction play a role in longevity, but so does how you care for your jeans. Ideally, she says, a great pair should actually get better with wear and feel like something you can keep in your closet for years—not something that’s tied to a single season or trend.

So, How Much Should You Actually Spend on Jeans?

There’s no magic number—and my $89 Hailey Bieber jeans certainly make a case for spending less. But if you’re looking to invest in premium denim, Goldwasser says there’s a sweet spot around $250. “There are so many brands in that range making really great denim where you can feel a difference in the fabric, fit and construction without necessarily paying luxury pricing,” she notes. 

Once you cross the $400 mark, however, things get murkier. At that price, Goldwasser says, whether the extra money is justified really comes down to the individual pair. Sometimes the fabric, wash, fit or manufacturing makes it worth the splurge; other times, “you’re definitely paying for the label.”

And if $250 for jeans still makes your wallet hurt, Goldwasser has another suggestion: Buy them secondhand. “I think it’s one of the best categories to shop vintage or resale because you can get incredible quality and the denim is often already perfectly broken in,” she says.

The Bottom Line: 

Now that we know price isn’t necessarily an indicator of quality, I asked Goldwasser to put her advice into practice. Below, she shares the five pairs she’d actually spend her own money on, from under-$100 finds to investment-worthy denim—all of which pass her vibe check for quality, fit and construction.