Research shows Brits hang onto favourite jeans for up to 40 years

JEAN junkies relax - you are not alone in your denim hoarding hobby.

Even though you know you may never fit into them again, research reveals jean lovers hang on to their favourite denims for up to 40 years.

Many believe their slouching, tight-fitting or super sexy strides eventually will come back into fashion, even if that means shunning decades of trends and shedding the kilos, the Herald Sun reports.

A UK survey found the average Briton had five pairs of jeans and kept them for six years. But women kept their jeans longer than men.

Almost half of those interviewed believed their jeans would never go out of fashion, while three in 10 women - but only 12 per cent of men - admitted keeping their old pairs in the hope they would one day lose enough weight to squeeze back into them.

Some said they kept their jeans because they were the most comfortable thing in their wardrobe and others said their jeans represented sentimental memories.

Jean collector Emma Grasso, 27, has 12 pairs with the oldest being 10 years old.

"With time they get thinner and more comfy. They are almost like trackies, you just whack them on," she said.

Ms Grasso, who works at Dakota501 jeans shop on Chapel St, said she nicknamed her jeans based on their label and their cut and once spent $400 on a pair.

"I am lucky I can fit into all 12 pairs. I am attached to them and associate them with good times," she said.

She was surprised by the survey results, given that Gen Y was a "throwaway" fashion generation.

"Gen Y are into disposable fashion so they treat denim like that as well," she said.

"But the trend is transient and you see the same people buy jeans every six months."

The survey of 1000 Essex shoppers also found that 46 per cent of men had a pair of old jeans they used for messy jobs such as painting and decorating.

By Georgie Pilcher

Levi's Man

Tom Graber of Rockland, Wisconsin, says his favourite jeans are blue Levi's 560s. He has two pairs of them and about six other pairs of jeans.

The Levi's came from Kohl's a few years ago for $30 a pair, but now Tom says that "when I need to replace my jeans I buy Wranglers at Wal-Mart for $14.50 a pair."

He adds that "the last several years I have reduced my spending on jeans because of the economy. I wear them longer and my wife mends the jeans I wear to work to get a little more life out of them."

Closet Staples

Julie Wax shows off her favourite pair of A-pocket 7 for All Mankind jeans. She says she "paid $178 for them, but it was so well worth it! I wear them ALL the time."

Julie owns 14 pair of jeans and says 90% are designer jeans that "still look brand new". Julie says, "are one of my closet staples and a must when putting together my wardrobe."

The best thing about her jeans "is they look dressy enough to wear out at night, but are also great for a casual Friday or day around the house. No matter what, I always pair them with heels," says Julie, who writes a blog I Heart Heels.

Levi's originals

Lisa Mulhall of Delray Beach, Florida, swears by Levi's jeans. "I have loved Levi's jeans since I was a teenager. Nothing fits as well or makes me feel as good," she says.

Her favourite style is the original 501 button fly - she owns 3 pairs. "They are perfect for my favourite shopping - antiquing," she says.

In the above picture, Lisa wears Levi's 552 midrise straight leg jean, which whe also loves despite their slightly pricier tag of $69.50.

It's all in the pockets

Cindy Crebsbech Boca Raton, Fla, is wearing Tag jeans that she bought for $176. "I have never liked jeans for my body, but the pockets on these give a new look," she says.

Loyal to her brand

Tiffany West of Tacoma, Wash, says the only brand of denim she will wear is 7 for All Mankind, and she owns 20 pairs of their designer jeans.

"I love their jeans. I don't own any other brand but 7's. The fit is perfect for my body shape and size. I also know that no matter what they will look good on me," she says.

Tiffany says she has not splurged on jeans since being unemployed in January, not because she can't afford them, but because she already has so many pairs. "I find it worth every penny for jeans that fit and flatter," she says.

No overalls or acid wash

Norman Hawley of Andover, Mass, purchases a new pair of jeans about every two years. Old jeans get demoted to yard work or snow shoveling, making the style eligible for purchase once again.

Although he says he is not too particular about style and allows his wife to influence his clothing choices, Norman acknowledges that he has recently retired his acid wash jeans (they are now in the yard work stage) and doesn't own jean overalls or coveralls. He is wearing Tommy jeans in this photo.