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Hey everyone! It’s been a whirlwind, but I’ve got some exciting news to share. After a stretch of unemployment that had me dipping into my savings account, I finally landed a job. The only issue? It comes with a uniform requirement: dark wash jeans with no frills or fancy extras. (Do any restaurant workers know what uniform I’m talking about?)
Now, I’ve been down this road before. The last time I had a uniform, I went for the cheapest jeans I could find. Big mistake. They didn’t fit right, weren’t flattering, and did not make me feel good AT ALL. When I moved on from that job, those jeans ended up in the trash, contributing to the mountain of textile waste.
This time around, I was determined to not repeat the cycle. I needed jeans that would not only meet the job requirements but also last beyond the workplace. That meant quality fabric and top-notch sewing construction, and they should still make me feel good- even in uniform!
After scouring both malls and the internet, I stumbled upon the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle jeans in Dark Stone. They seemed to tick off all the boxes. So if you’ve been eyeing a pair for yourself, stick around for my honest breakdown and review. Let’s dive in! 🙂
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: A Closer Look
Price:
$98 (2024)
Sizes:
Waist: Available from 23 to 33
Length: Available in 27 and 29 inches
Washes:
White: Cloud Over
Light Wash: Be Frayed, In the Middle, Hang Up
Medium Wash: Dance Around, Jazz Pop
Dark Wash: Dark Stone, Dark Indigo
Black: Soda Spring, Tinted Sky, Black Sprout, Well Worn
Design Features:
Rise: Super High Rise with a 12-inch rise
Leg Opening: Straight
Stretch: Low Stretch
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: Fabric Composition
Before I commit to any clothing purchase, I always give the fabric tag a once-over. My golden rule? The 80-20 fabric composition guideline: at least 80% natural fibers, with 20% or less synthetics.
So what’s the breakdown for Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle?
Fabric Composition:
99% Cotton
1% Elastane
Cotton, renowned for its durability, forms the bulk of the fabric composition. This means your jeans are qualified for a long and sturdy lifespan. Now, that 1% of elastane, a synthetic fiber, likely was added to provide some stretch to the waistband. Adding a little bit of synthetic fibers can help the endurance of your clothing, ensuring they are made for the long haul.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: Construction Insights
When it comes to evaluating a garment, sewing construction is KEY. There are telltale signs that reveal whether a piece was thoughtfully crafted or hastily thrown together, all of which impact its longevity.
Here’s the breakdown for Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle:
Stitching and Seams:
Tight and even stitching are the hallmarks of durability. Luckily, these jeans exhibit just that- both the exterior and interior feature even stitching, while seams hold pieces tight.
Matching Seams:
A mark of skilled craftsmanship is when seam lines align seamlessly. The Levi’s jeans pass the test with flying colors, showcasing perfect matching at critical points like the crotch area, back yolk, and waistband when everything is buttoned up.
Finished Edges:
For woven cotton fabrics, finished edges are non-negotiable to prevent unraveling. Here, the outside seams are impeccably finished with separate overlocking stitches, ensuring they remain clean without adding bulk. Meanwhile, the inseams display a flat felled seam- a technique in jean construction to help durability.
High-Tension Enforcement:
In areas of high tension, adequate enforcement stitching is crucial for longevity. Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle jeans feature reinforcement stitching in key sports including the bottom of the J-Stitch, belt loop holes, pockets, and topstitching along the waistband.
Each construction test passed with flying colors, inspiring confidence in their ability to stand the test of time.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: Fit and Style
Now let’s talk about personal style. Even though these jeans are for a specific uniform, it’s still important that you find a pair that you’ll love and wear beyond the job’s requirements. Before you purchase, take a moment to explore styles and fits that resonate with you.
Why I Choose the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle:
So, how did the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle measure up? The fit was spot-on around the waist, and bonus points: no need for any hemming on the legs! Since I needed these jeans to wear ASAP, that’s a win in my book. I could also easily see myself comfortably navigating a busy 8-hour shift in these jeans.
Speaking of my style preference as a petite girl, I usually gravitate towards high-waisted fits with straight legs. Call me old-school, but high-waisted jeans are my jam– classic and timeless. They’re the kind of piece that earns a permanent spot in my closet, effortlessly pairing with various tops to create endless outfits.
Here’s a pro tip: Always try on your clothes before making the purchase. It’s the best way to ensure they not only fit but make you feel good wearing them. After all, confidence is the best accessory!
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: Care Instructions
Understanding how to care for your clothes is an important step to ensure that they match your lifestyle without losing their luster. Given that these jeans would be a staple in my weekly wardrobe, I needed to know that caring for them wouldn’t be a headache.
Thankfully the care instructions were straightforward:
Washing:
To keep these jeans looking fresh, wash them inside out with similar colors. Opt for cold machine wash- hot water could shrink the cotton fabric. Avoid bleach to preserve the dye.
Drying:
After washing, tumble dry on a medium temperature.
Ironing:
If wrinkles persist, iron at a medium temperature.
Drying Cleaning:
Yes, you can dry clean if needed, offering an extra layer of care.
What’s reassuring is there’s no drying cleaning or hand washing requirement, and I can easily toss these jeans in the washer and dryer. With these care instructions in mind, I’m confident I can keep my jeans looking great even with frequent wear.
Another pro tip: Unless your jeans are heavily soiled, there’s no need to wash them after every wear. In fact, it’s recommended to wash them after about 10 years to maintain their shape and color.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle: Sustainability
While these jeans are made with a predominantly natural fabric composition, it’s essential to recognize that sustainability goes beyond just materials. Cotton, despite its natural origins, has a notorious water footprint, guzzling approximately 2700 liters to produce a single shirt.
However, upon closer inspection, I stumbled upon Levi’s commitment to sustainability. Their Water<Less initiative caught my eye as I removed the tags. This program focuses on maximizing water efficiency during production. According to Levi’s website, they’ve saved nearly 13 billion liters of water as of 2020. Additionally, their Recycle and Reuse Guidelines mandate facilities to recycle over 20% of the water used in manufacturing.
While these initiatives are honorable, it’s still essential to ask: are they truly impactful? In my honest opinion, while they represent a step in the right direction, there are better sustainable practices out there such as using closed-loop systems to recycle waste.
However, investing in durable, high-quality pieces is a commitment to longevity, which is still a cornerstone of sustainable fashion. So if you’re considering purchasing new Levi’s jeans, it can still fit the bill if you’re intentional about it.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Review: A Worthwhile Investment
Let’s address the elephant in the room: these pants come with a price tag of $98, and after factoring in shipping and tax, you’re looking at over $100 for a single pair of work pants. But before you gawk at the bill, hear me out!
The combination of high-quality fabric and meticulous garment construction leads me to believe that these jeans aren’t just for the short term- they’re built to withstand hours of work and last for years to come. In fact, I already own these jeans in black and they’ve been my go-to for two years, enduring nearly weekly wear without showing signs of wear and tear. So, when it came time to invest in a pair for my new job, I had no hesitation in opting for the same style in Dark Stone. I’m confident they’ll stand the test of time.
If you’re a fan of the classic, high-waisted, straight-leg jeans, then I wholeheartedly recommend giving the Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle pants a try. Yes, they come with a higher price tag, but trust me- they’re worth every penny and will become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come!