*Cue Goodfellas intro music* For as long as I can remember, I've absolutely HATED shopping for jeans.
So when I had the chance to pop by the Ossington location of Canadian denim brand DUER, I took it. I'd heard nothing but amazing things about their unique approach, and what better way to get the real scoop than spending the afternoon trying on pairs myself?
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would I have to sacrifice style in favour of comfort? Are their jeans really designed with all bodies in mind?
So colour me shocked when I instantly fell in love with this ultra-soft Performance Denim Lite pair. The high rise made my gams look a mile long, and thanks to a flattering straight leg, there was plenty of room in the booty and thighs while keeping the look clean and polished, instead of baggy or sloppy (my nightmare).
In the interest of variety, the next option I tried was the Performance Denim+, a heftier, weightier retro-inspired silhouette with a bit more cling (and lots more stretch). To say I felt SNATCHED was an understatement!
I also brought a few friends and coworkers along for emotional support, because the pals that shop together, stay together. And it turns out, both my girl/editor Liza and I fell head-over-heels in love with the same pair — go figure.
Because I'm nothing if not a diligent journalist🫡, I brought along some guy friends, too. Nathan was on a hot streak with the men's Stretch Canvas Utility pants and a sweet matching jacket (because you should always work smarter, instead of harder).
Andrew, on the other hand, nailed it with these camel-coloured cult-fave No Sweat Straight pants, a style so iconic, it's amassed almost 5,000 5-star reviews!
Speaking of iconic: the men's Performance Denim in a relaxed taper silhouette is not to be missed. It's designed with broader and more athletic builds in mind, offering more space in the glutes and thighs while tapering at the ankle for added polish.
Though denim's what they do best, DUER's also home to some amazing other pieces, like this chic tonal boiler suit!
The Cloudweight Twill shirt was also a huge hit. Instead of stiff and starchy, it felt crisp, airy, and perfectly professional — though I could totally see the guys rocking it to a weekend dinner, or wearing it casually with shorts and a tee.
And can we please take a moment to appreciate this luscious Performance Flannel (which I will be rocking 24/7/365 from here on out) and a T-Swift-coded denim vest that's perfect for festival season?
I could have stayed in the store forever, endlessly trying on different styles, washes, lengths, and fits. The sheer number of options was staggering, and made me (dare I say it?!) look forward to the day when my jeans need replenishing.
What I love is that DUER challenges the idea that jeans are uncomfortable or restrictive. Whether you're bopping around town, going for a quick hike, or just going about your everyday life, I can practically guarantee there's a style to fit the bill. And the cheeky sign by the front door isn't lying, y'all — there wasn't a single pair any of us tried on that we didn't love. The hardest part was narrowing down our favorites!
But as nice (and endless) as the options were, one of the best parts was the staff. Their patience knew no bounds — which is good, considering our little foursome probably pulled dozens of styles🫣. Their wealth of knowledge and product expertise made the entire shopping experience not just fruitful, but also fun.
I'll definitely be coming back for round 2.
