True Religion Brand Jeans are the hottest designer jeans on the market right now. Founder Jeffrey Lubell introduced this denim sensation to the market in 2002 by setting up shop in Los Angeles. The fashion mastermind seeks to recreate 1970’s flair amidst today’s market place. According to True Religion marketing materials:
“True Religion is and always will be Timeless, Hippie, Bohemian, Chic.”
Indeed, this is an exclusive brand, which stresses quality and cater to the discriminating, fashion conscious consumer. True Religion is a lifestyle.
Of course, the fact that the fashion cycle has retroactively embraced 80’s garb is a further boon to the form fitting, skinny jeans look that is a staple of True Religion jeans appeal. Rappers Pharrell Williams and Jim Jones are symbolic of the fact that this Euro centric look has become all consuming.
Pharrell Williams, in particular, has risen to fashion icon status upon the strength of this sleek, almost skateboarder-like movement.
True Religion Jeans are identified with smooth material, intricate stitching, and a prominent horseshoe pattern affixed to both back pocket flaps. This “U” shape actually represents the Hiragana character of the Japanese writing system.
The True Religion logo and trademark features a gregariously plump and bright red Buddha figure strumming a guitar, with clearly identifiable fingers. Tagging will also patriotically proclaim, “made in USA.”
The aforementioned details are quite important to both recognize the brand as a fashion icon and expose fraudulent hucksters and poseurs. Rip off “True Religion” jeans typically both the horseshoe pattern, feature a sloppy Buddha, and may read “Made in (the) U.S.A.” Attention to detail is all-important as copycatters become ever more sophisticated.
The prominence of fakes is due in large part to the sheer popularity of these jeans and high price tag. Yes, consumers must pay up for style and quality. One pair of True Religion jeans will retail at $172 – $363.
True Religion Jeans Review: Fit and Look
On, May 6, 2009, True Religion (NASDAQ: TRLG) stock jumped by 25% towards $20 per share largely upon the strength of a detailed Lazard Capital Markets analyst report arguing that these jeans were continuing to gain market share and traction, in spite of today’s economic debacle.
Of course, I caught the CTA Red Line to Michigan Avenue to investigate.
Armed with preliminary research, I had already become familiar with the idea of True Religion fashion categorizing various styles per common names. For example, “Becky” is a boot cut jean for women with back pocket flaps; and “Ricky” is a straight leg, low-rise design, which also features back pocket flaps for men. True Religion’s 13 different fits for men and women arrive with infinite amounts of washes, pocket designs, and stitching techniques.
I am 6’1 215 pounds, squat 405 pounds for reps, and am built like a football player. Clearly, I would embarrass myself and look like a clown by attempting to squeeze this frame into some skinny jeans!
Hence, I tried on the “Billy” style at Nordstrom’s Magnificent Mile (55 East Grand Avenue) location. Billy is a low-rise, boot cut deal with back pocket flaps. Although I was dubious in regards to the true value of $272 jeans – I was quickly converted.
These True Religion designer jeans fit like a dream.
The denim is exceptionally soft and the ornate stitching gives way to the unique contortions of one’s body type. TR jeans hug the wearer and I paraded through the dressing room area as if I were walking upon air. I would compare the feel to wearing football pants woven from silk.
However, I did decide that I looked too good in these jeans and rationalized that I should replace them back upon the rack, before shutting down Michigan Avenue traffic!
In spite of the fact that straight-leg and tapered jeans are obviously designed for a vertical body type, True Religion does offer options for sculpted and curvier men and women.
The hips, butt, and thigh area shall remain plump with minimal puckering at the belt buckle area. Ill-fitting pants awkwardly diminish and flatten this vital zone.
To be blunt: Black people and whites that don’t look like they are spazzed out on heroin can actually fit into True Religion Brand jeans. Yes, sporting designer jeans that would also double as a life saving tourniquet around one’s lower half is a genuine fashion faux pas.
True Religion Jeans Review: How to Wear Your TR Jeans
The true cache of designer jeans is remarkable versatility.
A properly coordinated jean ensemble works for casual Fridays, date night, clubbing, and easy – breezy lounging. Despite TR’s high price tag, buyers will enjoy solid value in terms of the staying power, durability, and fashionable appeal of this brand.
True Religion jeans may be dressed up with a blazer – polo combination, or dressed down with a basic form fitting tee shirt and ball cap. I would recommend that men and women wear boots, heels, and sharp flats to coordinate True Religion jeans with their signature outfits.
In most cases, gym shoes should stay in the gym.
Athletic classics, such as Nike Air Force Ones or Converse Chuck Taylors are the only tennis shoes that most True Religion aficionados should be caught dead wearing. Furthermore, throwing together a button down ensemble, with high post jeans, and basketball sneakers is a wretched fashion disaster.
Remember, even True Religion boot cuts and flares still feature the tapered look and sporting baggier tops and moon boot gym shoes will call attention away from your legs and jeans. Passerby will compare your silhouette to that of a dawdling penguin, confused hip hopper, and complete idiot, at worst.
Of course, if I were to wear $400 jeans, I would not be foolish enough to cover up the trademark horseshoe pattern with a $10 sheet of a shirt that drapes down to my knees. The world must know that these are True Religion right here, indeed!
True Religion Jeans Review and Rating
True Religion Jeans are 5 stars out of 5. The exceptional rating is more so a function of the designer jean genre, than the value comparison of competing denim apparel, at-large. For example, parents and thriftier consumers will balk at spending $300 for one pair of trendy jeans. However, this argument is quite immaterial due to the fact that True Religion refuses to cater to the middling demographic.
We must compare Apples to Apples.
True Religion Brand Jeans is the best purveyor of designer denim in today’s marketplace.
Where to Purchase True Religion Jeans:
True Religion Brand Jeans Store Locator
Nordstrom, True Religion Brand Jeans
True Religion Brand Jeans, Sources:
The Official Web Site of True Religion Brand Jeans, http://www.truereligionbrandjeans.com/
Denim Digest, Fake Vs. Authentic True Religion Jeans, http://www.denimdigest.com/fake-vs-authentic-true-religion-jeans/2008/03/06/
Ashley Sanner, Designer Jeans a “True Religion” for Some, http://www.volanteonline.com/2.7414/designer-jeans-a-true-religion-for-some-1.785484
Reference:
- www.truereligionbrandjeans.com/
- www.denimdigest.com/fake-vs-authentic-true-religion-jeans/2008/03/06/
- www.volanteonline.com/2.7414/designer-jeans-a-true-religion-for-some-1.785484
