It's in the Jeans :: Designer Style Without Sacrificing Your Rent

What makes a pair of jeans ideal? What transforms them from a piece of clothing to a go-to confidence booster that inspires you to take on the world, or at least bend over slowly, carefully, in front of your hot crush?

Is it the cut? The fit? The color, the shape, the label? What is it about jeans that make them an integral part of the American wardrobe and appropriate for work, play and everything in between?

Who knows, but jeans have gotten quite pricey with their advent into high fashion. What once cost $20 is now acceptable at $200, and it ain't inflation, honey. Supply and demand, hot jeans verses sloppy excuses for jeans, we all have our standards. In the name of fashion, EDGE has ventured to see if there are still acceptable styles to be found under $100; you might be surprised- as we were- about the variety and what ends up looking sexy.

Chadwick’s: not so hot...

Chadwick's Skinny Jeans, for an average body type, leave something to be desired. Retailing at $34 (but on sale for $19.99 at www.chadwicks.com). these jeans look boxy in the crotch and don't exactly flatter the butt.

They do live up to their skinny name, awkwardly hugging the legs, but that's about all. Sure, they're cheap, but you would be cheating yourself if you went for these.

Not Your Daughter’s Jeans... better!

Next up - Not Your Daughter's Jeans Tummy Tuck Stretch Jeans, starting at $78 at www.nordstrom.com are surprisingly sexy. They still look slightly Mom-jean-esque, and comparatively, come up higher on the hips. Their cut is fantastic, showing off your assets without showing them when you bend down. As attractive as the plumber's crack is, these jeans finally provide a fashionable way around that faux pas.

Christopher Blue

Equally impressive were the jeans found at the clearance section at Christopher Blue Jeans for $7. Yes, $7. They fit better than the Not Your Daughter's Jeans Tummy Tuck Stretch Jeans and don't rise as high on the hips, yet still provide all the necessary coverage when you bend down, so you no longer feel like you are competing with high school, under-clad cheerleaders.

Avenue

For the full-figures, Avenue provides a great selection. Stretchy and still fashionable, these jeans start at $29.50, and they're cute and fitted. These jeans can be found at www.avenue.com and some are currently on sale for $19.99 Not bad when you are looking for a good fit that does not break the bank.

Bottom Line: although price tags can be appealing, don't always just give in to the bargain babe inside of you. Remember, quality, above all counts. It is far better to have one pair of more pricey jeans that you can kick ass in, than 18 pairs of cheap and cheaply constructed jeans that you begrudgingly wear. Now if only if it were easy to follow that advic! Happy hunting!