How I Finally Found My Forever Jeans

Give Me The Hang Jean From Frame or Give Me Death

May 13, 2025

I’m a Virgo through and through. Research (and being methodical) is my cardio. If I didn’t work in merchandising, balancing analytics and creativity, I’d probably be an investigative reporter. This probably explains why binging a true crime documentary feels like the ideal weekend plan. Anyone else?

When I’m investigating to buy something new for my closet, I leave no stone unturned. I search; I window shop; I go down review rabbit holes and cross-reference a dozen tabs at once. Just when I think I’ve exhausted every option, I start over because, godamnit, the perfect piece is out there, and I intend to find it. It sounds chaotic (and yes, the struggle is real), but it’s how I land on the best choice. Every time.

And it’s not just clothes. I apply this same level of energy to most things. Tracking down the best vegetarian restaurant while traveling with my husband, or finding a hotel that is aesthetically pleasing, delightfully designed, and still within budget. The goal is always the same. Zero regrets, maximum rewards.

To add a layer of complexity, I’m 5’2 on a good day. I’m petite, and about 90% of what I order online never quite fits right. It’s either too big in the chest (but they’re cute — like two Skittles), miles too long, or so shapeless the clothes swallow me whole. That extra challenge raises the stakes. Finding something that works feels nearly impossible, which only makes it that much more satisfying when I do.

Today, I’ve built a closet I’m really proud of. The kind that took decades to build, full of spreadsheets, research, spring cleanings, closet edits, donation piles, and the emotional damage of the return process.

But jeans were always the outlier until they weren’t.

The Closet MVP

Late 2024, all that obsessing and researching finally paid off. I found the perfect pair of jeans. Every box is checked. Nothing else compares. My Virgo tendencies were in full flex, and honestly, I couldn’t be more thankful.

The Hang silhouette from Frame. My forever favorite, bar none.

[Makes a white tee look like a million bucks.]

Then last week, I came across a post from

Leandra Medine Cohen

(OG Substack style maven) — and she put the feeling into words better than I ever could:

There is at least one pair that can become the security blanket of any wardrobe. They are also a no brainer choice when you don’t want to use your brain, a best bud when you want to feel good. Your mom when you’re after a dose of comfort, a hot date when you want to flirt.

So naturally, I started breaking it down.

What exactly makes a pair like this one so good?

Your Ultimate Denim Shopping Checklist

A great pair of jeans doesn’t need to do everything — just the right things, consistently.

Think cost per wear. If you're reaching for them weekly, the math adds up fast.
Look for a rinse wash that works across all seasons
Prioritize fit that balances structure and comfort. Start with what fits your life, not the model’s
Cropped just enough to show some ankle, long enough for winter boots, and pairs with at least three of your favorite shoes. That’s the magic sauce
Stick with brands that get your fit right. If they’ve nailed trousers or dresses, chances are their denim will follow suit

1. Cost Per Wear: It’s Not Rocket Science, Just Simple Math

I'm sure you're thinking, Frame Denim? That's way beyond my budget. And I hear you. But let's do some simple math.

The Hang (a bestseller for a reason) clocks in at $268, which is an investment. But if they check all your boxes, and you're wearing them at least twice a week, that's 104 wears a year. That comes out to $2.57 per wear — and we haven't even hit year two. One less grande oat milk Starbucks latte a week, and they’ve practically paid for themselves.

2. The Wash Matters

The Hang comes in a few washes, but the pair I own is Rinse. A deep, indigo-rich hue that feels clean and crisp without looking stiff. That’s why I love a richer, deeper hue — dark enough to pass for work, but easy enough to dress down on the weekends. Chef’s kiss.

When shopping, look for a wash that doesn’t try too hard. No heavy whiskering. No faux fading. You want something that plays well with what’s already in your closet — think vintage tees, oversized blazers, even a statement heel. It should look intentional, but never trendy.

3 - 5. Fit is Everything

Let’s be honest — the website photos are rarely the reality. “Model is 5'6" and wearing a size 26” isn’t doing us any favors. We’re not all that height, and we’re not all that size. Fit has to work for your body, your proportions, and your life.

This is the part you can’t shortcut.

You want to look for structure, but not stiffness. Ease, but not excess. The waistband should sit right where you feel held, not pinched. The rise should feel supportive, not suffocating. The leg should skim without ever clinging.

For me, The Hang hits that balance — relaxed without looking sloppy, clean without feeling rigid. I’ve worn them with every shoe in my closet. I love the peek of an ankle in a flat or block heel, a flash of patterned sock with a loafer, and they’re still long enough to wear with boots in the winter. They never miss, no matter the season. That’s the length we should all be striving for.

[Just a casual six different shoes in this photo.]

And here’s something else worth noting: consistency matters. One of the reasons I keep coming back to Frame is that no matter the denim or fabric, my size fits the same way every time. That kind of reliability is gold.

If you already have a brand you love for pants or trousers — one that just gets your shape — try their denim. If they’ve nailed the fit in one category, chances are they’ve applied that same pattern magic elsewhere.