March 06, 2025

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Source Images Getty

I've always wondered if it's worth spending over $150 on jeans. If you’ve also been considering the value of a pricey pair, luckily Ambar Pardilla was on the case this week. She took her research all the way back to the loom, and spoke to a bunch of textile experts to find the composition and manufacturing differences that set $30 and $300 jeans apart. “It’s like the difference between a ballpoint pen and a fountain pen,” she was told.

In other Jeans Month news: Dominique Pariso once found her dream pair of non-stretch denim at a Mara Hoffman sample sale. They were “not too long, not too cropped. One hundred percent cotton, high-rise with a straight leg, and a button-fly closure.” But after the brand shut down last year, she had to hunt anew for the perfect pair of non-stretch, plus-size jeans.

SALE

MICRO ODE

I’ve always wanted a diner coffee carafe, mostly for the vibes. I chose this 34-ounce one for its smaller capacity, which is great for holding coffee for two to three people. I use it when I have guests and don’t want to put out the glass coffee-maker pot. Most recently, I served coffee in it to contractors who were working on my porch outside. It kept the beverage hot and was durable enough to withstand dust. There are nicer pots out there, like this from Zojirushi, but I opted for this generic one for its value. —Lauren Ro, writer