Trying on Pants Sucks, But Here Are 4 Nice Places to Shop for Jeans in Vancouver

The Store: Decade Studio 100–88 W 8th Ave., decadestudio.com

Go For: Source small-batch jeans made from 100-percent cotton denim, tested on what designer Molly Spittal calls “real bodies, not just fit models.”

The Essential Pair: The relaxed Kit trouser ($273) is made from breathable denim, with a classic, subtly sculpted barrel-leg fit that’s cropped at the ankles.

The Store: Duer 1757 W 4th Ave., duer.ca

Go For: “Performance denim” is designed to accommodate all the biking, hiking, strutting and parkouring that makes up your active Vancouver lifestyle. The technical fabric is used for cuts both trendy and classic:  no one needs to know you’re actually a committed jock.

The Essential Pair: The stretchy, comfortable Relaxed Taper ($139) jeans (complete with reinforced gusset) are the company’s best seller.

The Store: House of Jewels 953 Nicola St.,  houseofjewelsboutique.com

Go For: An afternoon of trying on jeans that doesn’t make you want to hurl yourself into English Bay afterward? Yes, please. Owner Nadene Bottin is fantastically helpful and will dig through denim options to find the right fit.

The Essential Pair: Pistola’s Jaydn denim in Chateau ($320) is the low-slung palazzo pant of your dreams.

The Store: Dutil 303 W Cordova St., dutildenim.com

Go For: Nerd out over denim here. The Gastown shop has built a reputation as the spot for premium jeans. With options that range from Levis to boutique Canadian brands like Naked and Famous, your new fave pair is hiding in the racks somewhere.

The Essential Pair: Made from lightweight Japanese selvedge denim woven on vintage shuttle looms in Okayama, the relaxed Naked and Famous Strong Guy ($268) fit is fashion- geek approved.