Black-owned Companies that Make Affordable Jeans and Pants

In recognition of Juneteenth this weekend, I’m sharing a few great Black-owned companies that make affordable jeans and pants. By affordable, I mean items that are around $100 or less. In researching this post, I came across a number Black-owned companies that have super cool clothes, but you need to be willing and able to pay $500+ for a pair of sweatpants. 😉 So, I’m keeping this list to 7 Black-owned companies that make jeans and pants for around $100 or less. I try to carry as many Black-owned companies on Search By Inseam as I can, but not all of these have affiliate marketing programs that let me feature their goods on my site. Here are 7 affordable Black-owned brands worth supporting! (This post contains affiliate links.)

Based in my hometown of Redmond, WA and run by the older brother of my son’s classmate, Live A True Life makes thoughtfully designed high-quality cotton fleece pants. There’s even a hidden phone sleeve inside each of the front pockets to help with phone slide! Inseams are noted, which of course I love, and there’s free standard shipping in 3-5 days. You’ll also find great hoodies, t-shirts and shoes.

Live A True Life Sweatpants
Live A True Life Sweatpants

 

The Good American company makes jeans with a contoured gap-proof waistband that curvy women adore! This brand offers a large selection of jeans in regular and plus-sizes we sell on Search By Inseam. Founded by Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede, this Black-owned company makes affordable jeans and pants in Los Angeles in sizes 0-24. Find Good American jeans here and make sure to check out their leggings and sweatpants, too! We sell Good American through our partnership with Nordstrom and you’ll find even more styles there (we can only feature those items with listed inseams).

Good Good American Good Legs Chewed Hem Ankle Skinny JeansAmerican Good Legs Chewed Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans
Good American Good Legs Chewed Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans

 

Carrots By Anwar Carrots makes sweatpants, hoodies, rugby shirts, t-shirts, shoes and more. We carry their sweatpants, which run around $80 and are made in the USA, on Search By Inseam and sell them through our partnership with Nordstrom. They are 100% cotton and you’ll get free shipping and free returns. Shop Carrots by Anwar Carrots sweatpants here.

Carrots by Anwar Carrots Warriors Sweatpants

 

Will Smith is the founder of the Bel-Air Athletics company, which was inspired by his 90’s hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The sweats, shirts and hoodies are made of colorful, soft cotton and are classic and preppy. Find Bel-Air Athletics sweatpants here, and other items on Nordstrom.

Men's Bel-Air Athletics Academy Embroidery Sweatpants
Men’s Bel-Air Athletics Academy Embroidery Sweatpants

 

Poetic Justice is one of the most affordable Black-owned businesses making jeans and pants right now. We sell their stylish plus-size jeans here – each pair well under $100! In sizes 4-24, this brand is an expert at designing for curvy women with a narrow waist. This Black-owned company knows how to solve the dreaded problem of back waistband gap, and their jeans are fun and trendy. Shop here for plus-size Poetic Justice jeans and get free shipping and free returns.

Plus Women's Poetic Justice Zaire Laser Cut Stud Skinny Jeans
Plus Women’s Poetic Justice Zaire Laser Cut Stud Skinny Jeans

 

Looking for colorful, fun, beautiful, unique pieces? Zelie for She is designed and produced in Los Angeles by designer Elann Zelie. All of her designs are made in a limited run, which means you won’t see a lot of other people wearing the same thing you have on! We sell some of her pretty pants on Search by Inseam. Click here to see what’s currently available. Plus sizes 14-24. Items ship within 2-4 days.

Zelie For She Sedona Leisure Wide Leg Pants
Zelie For She Sedona Leisure Wide Leg Pants

 

The Black-owned Icecream company sells men’s jeans, sweatpants, shorts, hoodies, jackets, and playful graphic t-shirts. Company founder is Pharrell Williams, lead vocalist of the band N.E.R.D. Shop here for men’s Iceream jeans and here for men’s Icecream sweatpants. Free shipping and free returns, because who doesn’t love ice cream? 🙂

Men’s Icecream Running Dog Jeans

 

Do you know of any other Black-owned companies that made affordable jeans and pants? If so, please comment below.

You may also like to read Where to Buy Tall Jeans and Short Men’s Jeans – Looking for Shorter Inseam Lengths?

Tall Women’s Fleece Pullover – Review

tall women's fleece pullover
Patagonia Re-Tool Snap Pullover

I’ve been looking for a tall women’s fleece pullover that’s super soft and I found a good one!

After a really long winter spring has finally sprung in Seattle. I haven’t put away my winter clothes just yet, though! I get cold easily and I love to be warm and snuggly when I’m at home – or really anywhere I guess. My two sweet boys each have a fuzzy children’s fleece pullover from Hana Andersson that they love and affectionately call their “Fuzzy.” I kept telling them, “I want my own Fuzzy!” 🙂 This Women’s Patagonia ‘Re-Tool’ Snap Pullover in coral fits the bill for a fuzzy tall women’s fleece pullover. I’m crazy about the vibrant coral color which is perfect for spring and makes me think that it’s not too late to be buying a warm, cozy fleece pullover – even though it IS April after all…

The details:
This pullover has a kangaroo hand-warmer pocket in front that is similar to the front pocket on a hooded sweatshirt and is great for feeling snuggly. The snap pocket is a bit retro and the neck snaps all the way up to keep you even warmer. While it’s not marked as a women’s size tall, the body and sleeves fit my long arms and long torso on my 6-foot tall body, so I think I can safely say that this is approved for tall women out there like myself! Hurry, run – get your own Fuzzy before it’s too late! 🙂

In the photo above, I paired this tall women’s fleece pullover with my 35″ inseam Joe’s Jeans. Joe’s were my first designer jeans and they are still a favorite brand of mine for comfort, fit and length. You’ll find Joe’s Jeans and other 35″ inseam jeans at SearchByInseam.com. Read more reviews of tall women’s clothing at blog.searchbyinseam.com.

 

Update on my New Year’s Resolution

Can you believe the first quarter of 2017 is already in the books? Crazy. I thought it would be good to check in with myself and see how I’m doing on my new year’s resolution. How’s that for accountability? 🙂

My goal for 2017 was to review more products for my customers and readers. So far this year, I’ve posted 14 reviews. Last year, I wrote 4 reviews total. Yay me! The thing that’s been most surprising to me is how fun it is to do the reviews. Yes, I get to try out new clothes and I knew that would be fun, but I’ve really enjoyed writing up the reviews, having new and interesting content, and working with my friend and husband who’ve both been photographers for me. It’s really nice working face-to-face with people when the majority of my work on the site is just me and my computer.

Expect more reviews in the next three quarters because it’s fun for me and I’ve seen positive feedback and site traffic trends. Thank you to reader Carol for contributing her review in the first quarter, too!

collage of jeans

Photo credit: Amber Wimber Photography for the top left 2 pictures and Jason Henderson for the rest.

How to Find a Good & Inexpensive Tailor

How to find a good and inexpensive tailor

How to find a good and inexpensive tailor, plus why you need one.

When I find a pair of pants that fits in the hips, inseam, and thighs, they’re often too big in the waist. For years, I dealt with this by just cinching my belt and hoping the bunched fabric at the top wasn’t too noticeable. Then I found a great, inexpensive tailor, and my life changed! I no longer need to wear a belt if I don’t want to; I can pick up bargain pants that are too big for a song, and then pay a little to have them fit perfectly; my expensive designer jeans now fit like a glove; and, my tailor has even made pants for me (like when I wanted a lightweight pair for a trip to Africa when all the stores were stocked with the fall staples instead of the linen-cotton blend I needed to stay cool in 100-degree temps). The benefits of a having an experienced tailor are many, and I think everyone needs one on speed dial.

How then, do you go about finding yourself a great tailor who doesn’t charge a bundle?  My advice is to ask people you know who work in formal office settings, but for non-profits.  These are people who wear suits and need to look nice, but don’t usually have big budgets for clothes and alterations.  My tailor was referred to me by a friend who works in the development (fundraising) office for a local university.  She and her coworkers all use the same tailor, who is located just a couple blocks from campus.

When you call the tailor, ask how much she/he charges for the work you want done.  They should be able to give you a range, and not surprise you at the end.  During your first visit, I’d start with just one article of clothing so you can test their work and see if this will be a good relationship. Of course if you’re having trouble finding the right length of jeans or pants, measure your inseam and shop for your exact inseam length at SearchByInseam.com.