Designer Jeans Thrive in Tight Times

The economy may be tight, but consumers aren’t cutting their pricey denim loose, the Los Angeles Times reports. Sales of premium brand jeans climbed 17% in 2008 and continued a smaller increase into this year—one of the few bits of good news for retailers. A new “focus on fit” and “women's never-ending quest for the perfect pair of jeans” means “the passion for denim is alive and well,” said an analyst.

Jeans are in a marketing world of their own, the Times notes: for example, making them in the USA, though more expensive, is key to sales. For many, the pants are an “affordable luxury” at up to $300, notes an analyst. “If I wear them every day, they really are not that expensive,” notes a fashion blogger. And “nothing more than jeans represent the spirit of America,” said an Italian designer.
(More jeans stories.)