I worked for quite some time at the mentioned retailer as freight receiver/manager. The Schmidt jeans and overalls *used* to be made by Walls, but changed to a manufacturer in another country a few years back. The jeans are so-so, but I never bought them to actually work in. I bought Wrangler instead as the quality was much better. And just a FYI, in case you see the Schmidt women's line of "work clothes", supposed to be cut to fit a woman, etc..... just try one of the nice heavy cotton long sleeve work shirts on. IMO you would have to be built like a man to wear them. I have an average woman's shape, and when I tried one on, it looked like I was wearing a man's shirt. The sleeves hung about 3" past the ends of my fingertips, the shirt was way too big in the underarm area, etc. There are a few pleats and tucks on the garments, but you'd just have to be shaped like a man for them to fit properly. I kept looking at them and trying them on, and they always looked the same.

Another FYI--the Schmidt clothing came from the distribution center (as opposed to UPS Air Freight as all the Wrangler, Levi, etc. clothing did) and let's just say that when I opened a box of them, they'd have to outgas for an hour or so before I could stand to remove them from the box. And let's just say that little mousies would often come inside the box, too. Sometimes alive, sometimes not. Just sayin'.

Anyway, the Schmidt jeans are ok, while Wrangler is much better IMO, but if you want really tough clothing, the Carharts are much better but much stiffer.

ALSO, check with the manager, asst. manager, or team lead at your TSC, because they have small booklets of Schmidt winter clothing you can special order--things that are not stocked. With most special orders at TSC you have to pay in advance and it will likely take a few weeks to get your items.

ETA about the Carharts--they really do stand by their warranties.

ETA again--forgot to mention that most Schmidt is thru VF Jeanswear, but is manufactured in Mexico and Bangladesh. Maybe elsewhere too, but I do remember those two places.

 

I did check out the Wranglers at 4 local stores (Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Meijer) all are only stretch pants like the Lee so-called jeans. Even Gloria Vanderbilt which used to be pretty decent are stretch material. I can live with stiff jeans, I'll have to check on Carharts next time I go to TSC. I'll need to try a few pair on before I could order so I know what size to get.

We have a place that will send Carharts out for repair for you. They sent dh's arctic coveralls out for a zipper replacement. Had them back in a week and they really don't have that "repaired" look.

Thanks, I really appreciate your opinion.

 

I have bought used Carhartts on eBay for both me and BF. What I have discovered is that most folks out there don't "use" their Carhartts like *I* "use" them, lol, so I get practically new, sturdy, wear-like-iron pants for usually $12-$18.00 each. Oh, and I wear MENS Carhatt canvas work pants in a 34/30 size and I've gotten compliments on the fit! The pockets are bigger on the rear and placed just right....looks good on a woman, believe it or not!

 

I bought them, 2 pairs, at TSC, and found that both had irregular seems down the outside of the leg. I returned them for a full refund. I would not buy them again.

 

I sure like the ones I buy at Bass Pro. Store brand, but wear well.

 

Redhead (BassPro brand) seem to be really good. Goes without sayin' that Carhartts are the best (not as good as they used to be, but better than the rest), Walls seems to be pretty good and what i've seen of Dickies is good. Schmidt is pretty crappy, both men and women.

 

If you want jeans that wear like jeans, go to a western wear store or maybe a feed store near you sells clothing.

How can one reasonably think that shopping at Walmart, K-mart & similar stores carry the best when their bottom line is a cheap price not quality? That translates into cheaper made, thinner material, etc.

If the jeans are for farm work, they don't have to have a "fashion fit" so try boys or men's jeans. They seem to be made out of a heavier material.

 

Sierra trading post online carries woman's Carhartt's--just be sure you know what style you want. I've gotten them for as little as $13.95 on sale and they usually are 25.00 or less.

 

I like the SSchmidt jeans- they carry my plus size and it fits fairly well and have lasted quite a while and worn well. I would second trying on some mens jeans and see if you can find a brand with a fit and style you like- usually cheaper and sturdier than any womens brands! Love Carharts for Hubby.

 

I have to say that the Schmidt jeans I buy for my son at TSC last him quite awhile. They are the only place I can find jeans for him in his size around here (30 x 36 - tall and skinny!) in our budget without ordering from a catalog. I can't speak about the woman's because I have never had them. My son (who is 18) has been wearing nothing but this brand of jeans for the last several years. He prefers his jeans plain and not baggy like so many kids want them.

 

Wolf mom, I used to be able to go into any of the before mentioned stores and pick up Lee Riders which wore well. The last few pairs I bought are more than 2 years old, purchased at Wal-mart. Never could find Lee at TSC which is the only farm/feed store anywhere around.

I don't think mens jeans will work. My waist is more than 10 inches less than my hips. Even womens jeans gap quite a bit when I bend over. (long t-shirts are my friends)

We do have a Gander Mountain nearby. I'll have to check there too.

Before I got hips my mom used to buy me the Sears boy's toughskins. I wore those out before I outgrew them.

 

I told a fib--I bought one pair of the women's Schmidt, when I first started working there, employee discount and all that... and they snagged on the edge of a filing cabinet drawer and ripped from mid-thigh down to my knee, instantly. There is no way they could, IMO, hold up well for daily hard, physical work.

 

Never tried that brand, but was pleasantly surprised by the Levi's I bought this summer.

They are holding up wonderfully - except they were avg. and I'm a petite, so the legs are fraying. THey are made for women, so fit

They were bought at JC Penny's on clearance for $7!!! Regularly $44. THe ones at wally world were junk. Ripped if I sneezed crooked:huh:.

Anyway - Levi's - I love 'em! Been wearing them all around the farm & to work

 

Have to second the motion for Levis, I buy mens 501 button fly, 2 pair last me the whole year, by the end of summer they are ready to be cutoffs just in time to buy them on sale at the back to school sales.I often get 2 pair for about $60 (buy one get 1/2 off second) been wearing them for everything from bucking bales to dressy-ish events and wouldn't change brands for anything

 

We seem to have the best luck with Wrangler and Dickies. Wrangler Riggs are about the only jeans my son who works on a survey crew couldn't wear out, but they don't make a woman's version. There's a little piece of leather at all the stress points and a gusset in the crotch.

 

yeah, the levi strauss line at walmart is the pits. Not the same as Levi's at other stores. The good thing about Levis is you can find them at Goodwill.

 

I used to swear by Levi's 501 men's jeans. Sometimes I'd just wear them with the gap at the waist, and sometimes I'd sew two little darts in the front and two in the back to make them form-fitting. Otherwise, the hips and legs fit better than any women's jeans I could find, and I loved the button fly. As someone else said, they made great cutoffs for summer too. But the last few pairs I bought had gone way down in quality, and they don't fit like they used to either. Don't know why they changed a great thing after this many years. :shrug:

Someone just told me about Texas Jeans. I haven't ordered any yet, but they look like good jeans, they're made in the USA, and they seem to be reasonably priced. I think I'm going to try them. They're having what looks like a pretty good sale right now, if anyone is interested. http://www.texasjeansusa.com/usa.html

 

I ended up buying Wrangler Blues at TSC. 2 pair for around $40. The Dickies didn't fit quite right and I wasn't prepared for the $34.99 price!

Got a reply back from Lee/Wrangler. Hmmm, never thought they were owned by Wrangler. Explains the nice fit and heavy material of the Wranglers I just bought. Anyway, in the reply they said I should check their on-line store for the jeans I wanted. I already looked there. They just don't make them.

Good news though, I dropped a size!

 

calliemoonbeam--I to noticed a "change" in the fit of 501's, I used to be able to buy 2 pair off the shelf, not try them on and never had a problem. But in the last 2 years I have ended up taking 3 pair back because they were either huge fitting or fit like they were 2 sizes too small but they all said they were the same size on the tag.....I noticed if I buy the ones made in Mexico they fit right but the ones made in Egypt(I think) fit weird. I think they are slacking a bit in quality control trying to keep up with the newer cuts of Levi's---btw I only buy mine at Sears or JC Penneys.....best selections

 

Yes, the ones I've been getting are really baggy all over, and the material just feels cheaper. I never paid attention to where they were made, I'll to pay more attention, and I'll try Penneys next time, thanks!

Woo hoo, Danaus! Doncha love it when that happens??