Shopping for clothes has always been a practical affair for me. I gravitate toward value-for-money options—T-shirts and shorts from Rex Fashions in Mylapore, Chennai, or tailored trousers and shirts crafted from materials I pick up at Raymond outlets or T. Nagar’s Saravana Stores Legend.
Over the years, my wardrobe has grown to accommodate my lifestyle. For the past few years, I’ve been working mostly from home, whether it’s consulting with founders or delivering presentations on Generative AI. The occasions to wear formal attire have dwindled, and I already have enough of it tucked away in my wardrobe. This shift has made my visits to Van Heusen and Louis Philippe less frequent. These days, practicality and versatility take precedence over indulging in premium brands.
Last week, however, I found myself in an unexpected situation. For a keynote event, the organizers insisted on a dress code: blue denim jeans paired with their branded T-shirt. The catch? I didn’t own a decent pair of jeans. My last purchase was a decade ago—hardly “event-worthy” now!
In a last-minute rush, I headed to Express Avenue in Royapettah. My first stop was Levi’s, but their sticker price stunned me: ₹4,999 for a single pair of jeans! I had naively assumed ₹2,000 would suffice—clearly, I’d underestimated the effect of inflation and branding. Determined to explore more, I walked into Tommy Hilfiger next. When I asked for a “Regular” fit, the staff gave me a puzzled look. Their shelves were dominated by slim fits, and their prices started at a jaw-dropping ₹9,999. By now, I was more appalled by the lack of options in fits than the pricing.
Store after store, it was the same story—slim fits ruled the racks. At Van Heusen, I found a pair for ₹3,999, but they couldn’t promise alterations on the same day. After some frustration, I finally landed at U.S. Polo Assn., where I found what I was looking for: a dark-wash jeans priced at ₹3,699. Not only did it fit my style, but they also altered it for my height right there, which was a lifesaver.
The event went off smoothly, and the jeans paired well with the white polo T-shirt I was given. Wearing the jeans for two days, including during air travel, reminded me why jeans are such a beloved wardrobe staple. They were both comfortable and convenient—a rediscovery of sorts for me.
Encouraged by this newfound appreciation, I stopped by my trusted Rex Fashions today. I picked up another pair, this time a budget-friendly (Sturdy jeans) option priced at ₹1,895. It offered the same level of comfort and utility, proving that you don’t need to splurge on a big brand to get quality.
This entire experience reinforced my belief that clothing is about utility and comfort above all. While premium brands and their price tags may appeal to some, and I respect their choices, I stick to what works for me. For jeans, it’s not the label that matters—it’s the fit, feel, and how well it serves its purpose. Whether from a luxury brand or a local store, a good pair of jeans should just make you feel at ease.
#jeanswear #denimtrousers #uspoloassn #sturdyjeans #rexfashions
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