Jeans?

[lonedrake]

 What are a couple of the most popular brand jeans worn by men in the FSU? Also style?

 I have worn Levi's 560's for so long it's not even funny. Only thing that I have changed in 20 years is I now buy 34s instead of 32s. However...when I was in Ukraine....I felt out of place. For my next trip I am going to purchase more appropriate jeans. What do you recommend?

[calmissile]

What are a couple of the most popular brand jeans worn by men in the FSU? Also style?

 I have worn Levi's 560's for so long it's not even funny. Only thing that I have changed in 20 years is I now buy 34s instead of 32s. However...when I was in Ukraine....I felt out of place. For my next trip I am going to purchase more appropriate jeans. What do you recommend?

I would wait until you get there and purchase them local.  The best prices are normally found in the smaller shops away from the malls.  Open air markets with the small stalls are full of great bargains.

As I recall, there is no crease in the pant legs of mens FSU jeans.  It's been a couple of  years, but that's my recollection.

[Chicagoguy]

I just wear whatever. I don't care if I look like an American. The only remarks I have ever heard is they like what I have on. But on my last trip I did buy 3 "Russian" shirts in a mall and I do wear them  back home. They looked good so I bought them.
I guess you could say I don't care.

[Lily]

For an ordinary Russian mind, a rule of thumb would be - the more expensive is the brand, the better for the reputation of its owner 
 
On a more serious note, choose something that flatters your body type, and is of a better quality.

[Belvis]

What are a couple of the most popular brand jeans worn by men in the FSU? Also style?

Brand names for  man jeans were important in Russia may be 20-25 years ago. Now they are considered too casual to bother about their brand. May be teens still watch the lables. What is counted how they fit on you. Straight style is preferable, baggy jeans are big no for a serious man. And please don't wear jeans on a date.

[Faux Pas]

I've wore 501s Levis for 40 years and I wear them when in Russia. I don't see it as mattering much as long as they fit, are clean and not ragged. Of course that isn't all I wear but for leisure I'll be wearing 501s or shorts. Russia or not

[CDW]

Brand names for  man jeans were important in Russia may be 20-25 years ago. Now they are considered too casual to bother about their brand. May be teens still watch the lables. What is counted how they fit on you. Straight style is preferable, baggy jeans are big no for a serious man. And please don't wear jeans on a date.

Brand names make better qualities with better materials.   I am planning to take up Brand Management course (a post graduate short course) in Milan next year

You can wear jeans on a date as long as it looks smart (straight and non-cut), but trainers is a no go!

[Jumper]

If you felt out of place, and want to emulater the local style, to fit in better,
simply buy things that match that ..?

Typically the skinny jean euro *look* which most any local mall around you should have plenty of.


I have never cared much about fashion sense, and just wore the same style jeans I always wear.If out of place, it just dint concern me lol
I did dress nicely for a first date.. or in an appropriate setting.
but just walking around the city or hitting the park? no.

[ML]

Brand names make better qualities with better materials. 

Not necessarily true.

Branding is mostly based on perceptions of quality rather than actual quality.

Slick advertising, packaging, endorsements, and store presentation fools the best of us time and time again.

Read some marketing case studies.

Firms have raised prices for certain items, and sales volume went up because of perceived higher quality.

[calmissile]

Not necessarily true.

Branding is mostly based on perceptions of quality rather than actual quality.

Slick advertising, packaging, endorsements, and store presentation fools the best of us time and time again.

Read some marketing case studies.

Firms have raised prices for certain items, and sales volume went up because of perceived higher quality.

+1

[Boethius]

If you felt out of place, and want to emulater the local style, to fit in better, simply buy things that match that ..?

Track suits, here we come.

[Faux Pas]

Track suits, here we come.

 

I was wondering when that would come up. With some bling?

[calmissile]

One way to overcome the anxiety of worrying about what to wear, how to fit in, etc, is to allow your gal to choose from your wardrobe what to wear when you are going out.  Also ask her if you need to go shopping for different clothes.

In one case, my gal suggested going shopping.  I was expecting that she wanted me to dress up.  Instead she took me to a store and picked out jeans with no crease in the legs,  a loose fitting shirt, and a pair or shorts.  Turned out it was a good choice.

I have noticed in Ukriane that the locals going to a nightclub are not in suits and very few wearing ties.  For the most part, it is slacks and a nice shirt and hard sole shoes.

As far as knocking around town and visiting parks and museums, it is very casual and often black sneekers or tennis shoes along with jeans.

[Jumper]

Track suits, here we come.

Yeap if you want to fit in, do it right!



That would mean hitting the local open market/bazaar  for some genuine imitation addidas track suits right?
Then hitting  a sidewalk kiosk for a piva  to drink while you chat up the local devs.
accessories make or break any outfit!

[calmissile]

A tip for newbies.........
You are going to be taking your shoes off every time you enter an apartment and put them back on when you leave.

Having laced up shoes is a real pain.  You will be sitting trying to lace your shoes while your gal is already out the door and waiting for you.

I am not sure of the proper name for them, but my gal picked out a pair of nice shoes that resemble tennis shoes that have an elastic center piece over the tongue and they are very quick to get in and out of.    Also, I noticed that there were relatively few men wearing white shoes.  For some reason black seems to be the color worn by most of the natives (in Ukraine).

[lonedrake]

  I am not only looking to look good,but also blend in. No need to attract attention. Kind of "when in Rome"

 I do plan on wearing jeans on dates. It looked pretty common over there...Plus....I am redneck...and look to attract a girl who is into a guy who pretty much just wears jeans. I am changing my game a little...but not changing what I normally wear and feel best in.

 Besides....I look great in jeans....and they make me look at least 15 years younger

[ML]

I look great in jeans....and they make me look at least 15 years younger

So just what is this 'old looking thing' that the jeans cover up??   

[lonedrake]

So just what is this 'old looking thing' that the jeans cover up??   

 Are you requesting a picture?

[Chicagoguy]

lonedrake -
Another thing to consider is if invited to someone's flat it is customary to remove your shoes as soon as your are inside the front door. You will see the pile.There are usually some extra ones for guests or just keep your socks on.

[lonedrake]

 Yes...I learned about the sandals. I just prefer to walk in my socks.....but even that did not seem acceptable.

[ML]

lonedrake -
Another thing to consider is if invited to someone's flat it is customary to remove your shoes as soon as your are inside the front door. You will see the pile.There are usually some extra ones for guests or just keep your socks on.

You mean perhaps you or others sometimes take their socks off when visiting??? 

Sorry to nitpic . . . couldn't resist   

[ML]

Yes...I learned about the sandals. I just prefer to walk in my socks.....but even that did not seem acceptable.

Really . . . . some object to walking in socks in their home??

Never heard of that one.

I have low blood pressure, which is generally great for overall health;  but is also accompanied by cold feet.

I never wear outside shoes in my homes, and don't allow others to either.  But, I have several pair of toasty, high length slippers I wear and have available for guests.

And, when I visit other people's homes in USA, I bring along and change into those slippers, even as most all exclaim that I can wear my outdoor shoes in their homes.  When traveling, I bring along an  extra pair of heavy duty hunting socks to wear over my regular socks when visiting others.

Those ordinary thin slippers and beach thongs that are usually inside the door at FSU homes just doesn't do the job for those with cold feet syndrome.

[mendeleyev]

Some older Russians seem put off by a guest not wearing slippers provided by the host. My MIL would be one, for example. Much like ML, my feet need that extra warmth but someone like my MIL would feel that her provision of footwear was inadequate if a guest refused.

A couple years back we visited an American "dollar" store and stocked up on flip-flops of various sizes. We'd hesitate to offer them in winter but for summer they're fine. If I'm going to someone's home I often carry my own comfy slippers in a cloth shopping type bag that also has room for camera case, umbrella and miscellaneous items. My wife likes it and teases that it is a male сумка (sumka), bag/purse. Every time she loads it up with stuff that won't fit in her purse so guess it is really our sumki, but nonetheless it carries my slippers just fine.


(Language students might have fun working out the various endings for "bag" a/e/u/i, etc, and the word differences between a bag and purse.)

[mendeleyev]

I seldom wear jeans but that is just me.  I used to bring jeans back to Russia for extended family members on every trip to the USA but in recent years those requests have dried up as it is so easy to get them in Russia. There was a time however when wearing jeans in the CCCP made a political statement that was noted by the authorities.  Once in a while you can run into an elderly die-hard communist who might complain about rock & roll, long hair, and jeans as corrupting influences of the West.

I would recommend however that you take at least one pair of "dressy casual" pants because there are some places you might go where your lady could feel that you were conspicuously under-dressed if wearing jeans.

[Belvis]

Yes...I learned about the sandals. I just prefer to walk in my socks.....but even that did not seem acceptable.

No, walking in socks is Ok, I like it too. But host must offer slippers as a matter of courtesy.