Hem Jeans

For the past 5 years Hem Jeans is the only place I have purchased jeans. Why? This is a locally owned business specializing in one thing, jeans therefore they have an excellent selection and variety of brand name jeans. The same employees have been there forever! The staff is friendly and helpful. While they do pile the jeans in your dressing room, they do so without being pushy unlike some of the larger department stores. I always walk out with a pair that I feel great in and love.
I typically buy a pair once a year when they offer a deep discount with a donation of a pair of gently worn jeans. Sadly Hem is closing their doors at the end if the month. If you are in the market for a new pair I encourage you to stop in ASAP, they are offering 40% off.

After years of wearing cheap-​ish second hand or boring old straight Levi’s, I decided it was time to get myself a real grown up, perfectly cut pair. I don’t like low rise, distressed or bedazzled jeans, so imagine the torture it’s been for me to find a pair I like these past… what, fifteen years?
With my hard earned money in hand, I followed previous reviews to this store, hoping for a miracle.
I walked in late one afternoon, showed the ladies at the counter the pair I was wearing and told them how different I wanted my new pair to be. One of them stepped out, said she knew exactly what I needed, took out only one pair in my size from a rack, had me try it on, and there they were: my new favorite jeans.
We discussed the size briefly and she advised me to purchase the pants she had picked out for me rather than a bigger size. They felt tighter than I like, but since they would stretch they were the right size. Now, this is a mistake I have made time and time again when buying jeans on my own: I buy them comfy and then they stretch and they’re too big. I appreciated her confidence.
I was expecting a high price, and so it was. But I can already tell, well worth it.
Thanks Hem for making such a scary purchase so easy!

How much is perfection worth to you?
You can go, as I did, for umpteen years wearing jeans from garage sales and resale stores. Sure, they were cheap, and maybe if you were lucky they were even some fabulous high end brand, but were they *perfect*? Did they fit you like they were made for you? Did you think, when you put them on, «These jeans make me look my best!» Or did you think, «These are a great deal…»?
I was in the latter boat. And it was fine. Until I was spending my days pulling up the back of my waistband so I didn’t go plumber on everyone in my office, or shoving my rolled-​up cuffs into my boots.
I owe perfection to my dear friend, Kimberly K, who saw the frugal in my eyes (and on my rear) and refused to let me get away with it. She said, «We are going to Hem. And I will give you the gift of perfect jeans.»
Reluctantly, nervously, I acquiesced. I pictured myself standing in a dressing room, wringing my hands in the mirror for hours, trying on 100 pairs of jeans, being scoffed at by gorgeously-​coiffed employees, and stressing out about the numbers on the price tags. Instead, Kimberly introduced me to Brooke, who looked at my body shape and brought eight pairs of jeans to me. My world was rocked. They ALL looked good. Really good. Every. Damn. Pair. It was as if Brooke had a magical ability to see what would flatter my body type. And she was unbelievably sweet and very helpfully honest in the process (and yes, she was also gorgeously-​coiffed, but not at all scoffy).
I did not pay for my first pair of jeans from Hem, thanks to a dear friend who felt I deserved the gift of perfection. But even if you don’t have a friend like Kimberly K, the understanding of how good things can be is a gift worth giving yourself. Now that I know, I’d do it all over again on my own dime, in a heartbeat.

It might be the placebo effect, or maybe it was just my good mood, but I can’t say enough about how «seam”-less my experience at Hem today was. A self proclaimed bargain hunter, I’ve always resorted to nordstroms rack for most of my designer denim needs. But lately, I just started to notice that the quality was somewhat lacking— the jeans had a tinge of discoloration, stretched way too much, etc.
I headed into hem after reading about a pair of DL jeans that apparently dont stretch. The employees at hem balance honesty with genuine concern for customers’ satisfaction. I walked out a mere 15 minutes later having purchased jeans (honestly for only about $ 50 more than at nordstroms rack) that fit me like a glove. Finally, I’m 5’0 — which means that when I buy jeans, I can’t even realy wear them until i finally walk my stubby little legs to the tailor to have them shortened — Hem has you covered here, with their own on-​site tailor available while you shop.
While I don’t think I’ll be at Hem more than once every few months for fear of buying too much somewhat pricey denim, I can safely say that I’m off the nordstroms rack and a newly minted hem fan.

I LOVE JEANS! I love love this place! If you wanna look good and have jeans fit perfect this is the place for you! The staff is amazing and knowledgeable at best! Amy knows her stuff and helps with coordinating too. I will not buy my jeans anywhere else. SIgn up on their email list and get the know on sales etc. They have a great tailor too who does really fantastic work.

I had a very good experience with «Hem», about five years ago maybe, when I bought an über-​expensive pair of skinny Diesel jeans. They cost close to $ 300 but it was money well-​spent since they lasted for years and years although I wore them day-​in, day-​out. Sadly my second experience with them was far from good.
In January of this year, I treated my husband and myself to some new jeans as a late Christmas present. I spent well over $ 400, and also had to shell out money for the in-​house tailor to shorten the legs of both pairs of jeans. My first inkling that something was amiss was when I went to collect my jeans from «Hem» after the tailor had done his work. I was told they would be ready that coming Sunday, so I spent 30 minutes driving downtown to pick them up. The jeans were, however, not there when I arrived. I know that people are only human, and that mistakes happen, but I was mildly annoyed that the flakey sales assistant wasn’t exactly falling over herself to apologize. She wasn’t mean or rude or anything — it just seemed like she had smoked one too many bongs the night before, and wasn’t quite present enough to give a shit. Well, I’m sorry, but when I spend $ 400 in your store, and waste over an hour of my time on my day off driving to pick up my purchases — which you told me would be ready! — I don’t think it’s too much to expect a *genuine* apology.
If you can’t muster up the energy for that and you work in customer service, then fake it, goddamnit!
When the jeans eventually materialized, the tailor did actually drive with them to my home to drop them off, which was a nice touch, but I got the distinct impression he was a little peeved he had to do this.
To make matters worse, my husband discovered that his $ 200 pair of jeans had been cut too short. They *just about* looked OK when he was standing up, but he flashed a helluva lot of ankle when he sat down. It looked faintly ridiculous. I never said anything to the store because I thought that, maybe, it was our fault. But, wait a minute: isn’t the tailor the professional here? Isn’t he supposed to *know* that most men don’t want their jeans to rise up to their mid-​calf whenever they sit down??!
My own pair of jeans looked fabulous for about two months, but after that they started to get baggier and baggier, and saggier and saggier. I wash all my jeans in cold water, inside out, and I line dry them, so I assure you this was not my doing. Now, eight months later, my jeans look like a crappy piece of sack cloth. I wear them about the house because I literally cannot be seen in public with them as I would spend an unseemly amount of time hiking them up so they don’t fall off my arse.
So much for «designer» denim. What an effin’ rip-​off. Hem, I will never be back. The next time I feel the need to buy good quality jeans that will last for years, I’ll be going to the Diesel Store.

If you believe in high quality jeans, this is the place to get them. Such helpful staff, plus a «vintage» rack of denim for those looking for a deal. The best part is that a tailor is usually available to hem your jeans to the right length, and he’s amazing!

I used to be the type of guy who never spent more than $ 70 on a pair of jeans and bought a new pair once a year. No longer! Thanks to a Groupon last year, I decided to take the plunge on a couple pairs of jeans priced around $ 180 each (Kasil and Hudson brands), and my GOD are they comfortable!
This week I went back to get a new pair and Lori suggested that I get them tailored in-​house, since the one pair I really liked in my size was too tight in the thighs and the next size up was too big in the waist. It was pricey, but the tailor downstairs did a PERFECT job with them. These are possibly the best-​fitting jeans on the planet.
So thanks to Lori and the Hem staff for helping me pick out some awesome jeans that I’ll probably wear until 2017!

So my bossy friend told me my jeans were all heinous and she sent me here. I was happy to find a nice, friendly staff to help transform me into someone much hipper than I really am. I was ordered (by my snobby friend) to get two pairs, because dontcha know you need one pair of jeans to wear with flat shoes and one longer pair for heels. Sheesh, it’s expensive to hang around with snobs.
Anyway, the girls at Hem were very helpful and they didn’t even make fun of the bad jeans I was wearing. I tried on about 10 pairs before deciding on the 2 winners. They seem to have a lot of different styles to choose from, although I didn’t do any rack slapping myself. I just let them bring things to me in the dressing room. They did a good job finding styles that would compliment my figure.
The man who does the hemming is an independent tailor from a business next door, but he magically pops out from behind a curtain just when you are ready to get the markings made. The jeans were ready for pick up in a couple of days
Presto…I’m transformed! Thanks, Hem.

It was Groupon closeout day. It was already completely crazy inside when they opened at 1pm.
It didn’t matter. The staff stepped up and were helpful, friendly, assisting, and wonderful. I came in, someone came to say hello and asked me what I was looking for, and I ended up coming out with 2 awesome pairs of denim shorts that fit me wonderfully and I can’t wait to wear them this week to work.
Awesome.

I got a groupon here and was a bit nervous about visiting the store. I had the preconceived notion that it would be «too cool» for me. I arrived and was promptly greeted. The salesperson was awesome picking out tons of jeans and making me feel comfortable. I ended up buying the last pair she picked for me. I love how they fit. Selection is amazing, service was great.
I did have a snafu with the amount charged to my credit card. I called and explained the issue. The manager called me back and fixed the issue. She was very professional.
I could not imagine shopping for jeans elsewhere ever again.

There are lot of great things to say about HEM.
1. So let me start by explaining that I am a super guy. I like super amazing things and most of the clothes in the world do not showcase my amazingness. However, the jeans at HEM are of a wide spectrum, many of which effectively illuminate the nuances of my wonderful form.
2. The place is owned by two sisters, Loree and Aimee. Even though they have been in business together for 7 some years (I asked) they still seem to like each other (I asked that too). These women are genuinely passionate about the customer experience and their product line. Personally, I am a huge fan of people who believe in what they do and people who can work with their own siblings — that says a lot about forgiveness!
3. Their jeans will make you sexier. I am not even wearing them today because it is too humid, but just having the jeans in my closet increases my confidence and makes women want me. I can sense it! HEM gets credit for that because the friendly staff does give honest feedback about what looks good and what does not — this is their specialty after all and they like it. And I know for a lot of people the idea of spending more than a hundred bucks on a pair of jeans is insane. But if you consider how often you wear jeans the thought of actually looking great when you put them on — makes it worth it.
4. They have an onsite tailor who can shorten jeans without making it look like your mom shortened your jeans. Meaning, he restyles the hem with the correct color stitching or he reattaches the original hem at a length that suits your body. And he is fast. He did mine in 2 hours.
5. The dressing rooms are amazing. They are large, spacious and nicer than a lot of the apartments in Austin. With some simple additions such as running water and a loft, I would consider moving in to one of them. I asked Aimee and Loree if they would have me and I think they are considering it.
6. The walls of the bathroom are styled with tiled denim — you have to check it out. They don’t yet have denim toilet paper — but I will probably suggest it because how cool would that be?
7. Customer experience is excellent. The staff are personable, engaging and non-​pushy. The store even has a mini-​bar where apparently they serve drinks to customers. I saw it, but it did not occur to me until after I left that that was a real bar.
8. As a guy, entering a venue that exclusively sells designer jeans is like entering a secret lair of women congregating to speak in a language only they speak. Experiences like that can be intimidating for a guy, even a super hero-​type like me. But the atmosphere is not like that. I even found that I was not too embarrassed to ask, «does my butt look ok in these?» OK — that’s not true. I did not ask that. But I could have. And so can you.
If you consider why we love trailer food in Austin — I would pose that it is because each trailer is unique, the service is simple, and you can make friends with the trailer operators — which really speaks to Austin values of kindness, simplicity and originality. These are precisely the qualities that will take me back to HEM — the experience was simple/​easy, the store is unique and the people were friendly. I will suggest this store to my friends.

Thank you Unilocalsters for steering me to this little gem.
I am probably like most of you… gained some weight, lost some weight, have 10+ pairs of jeans, but none really fit… I never really bought «expensive» jeans… usually not more than a $ 100. However, I realized if I had just 2 – 3 pairs that really fit I could stop wasting time and money.
Trying on jeans usually puts me into a panic. almost as bad as bathing suit panic however, Hem came to my rescue.
From the moment I came in I was greeted warmly and treated fantastically. My sales clerk brought me pair after pair after pair and in different sizes/​styles. She had great suggestions… also they have an in-​house tailor who can alter/​stretch/​hem anything very reasonably. Did I mention that I will have them back within 24 hours for about $ 12 a pair?
A little side note that currently they run a special-​after you buy 5 pairs of jeans you get the 6^th pair for about 40% off.
Check this place out… anywhere else is a waste of time!

Jeans, Jeans, everywhere there are jeans!
Hem is down the street from my house and I often stop in to check out the new inventory– which comes in weekly it seems. To those of you who disagree or don’t understand the obsession with premium denim– A bad pair of jeans is WORSE than an ill-​fitting shoe that you have to stand in all day.
The «Recession Relief» at Hem is the RECYCLED DENIM section!!! yippeeee Premium Gently worn Denim at a substantially discounted price. I LOVE it. They also have had a denim drive in the past that benefits a nonprofit (the particular organization has slipped my mind) and they award store credit in exchange for your own premium denim that you no longer love as much as the next new pair you’ve had your eye on! I’m not sure but I think they do this annually… let’s hope so!
The enthusiasm of the owners has carried over to the salespeople. I have been helped by each of them I think. Nothing but great things to say.

Hem Jeans Groupon Expiration Date: Today
Time to shop: 1 hr until closing by the time I busted through Mopac traffic
Impression upon arrival: Hmmm, maybe other Grouponers realized this thing expires today (seemed packed for a small store)
Me: Grabbing any jean in sight in my size. Shorts, capris, boot cut, wide flare, skinny, and ridiculously skinny jeans.
Me in Dressing Room: nope, NO, oh hell NO (when trying on some Jeggings), uhh maybe, what tha?.. No Pile, NO pile… tiny Yes/​maybe pile…
I was trying on jeans like a machine. I probably had 12 pairs on my first run and the selection was pretty good for the amount of women scavenging through the racks and display tables. The people there were VERY helpful. At one point I tried on a pair of skinnies and was highly confused, BUT with the trusty help of Alison (maybe that was her name?) she informed me that I had on «slouchy skinnies».is there such a thing?
With 20 minutes left, I had already gone for another round. This time I ventured into the recycled jean selection. Another 15 pairs to try on! I know what your thinking. recycled? EWWW. Never fear, these jeans are laundered and to be honest they looked pretty darn new to me.
The sales reps were really nice and helpful. Since all the dressing rooms were already occupied, they offered to open up the clothing store next door for me to use a have ample time to try on every pair I had grabbed on my 2^nd run through before closing.
I got checked on a couple of times and brought different sizes. I never felt rushed, nor overly smothered by the sales reps.
I ended up with a pair of AG Jeans. Recycled. With my Groupon, the jeans cost me $ 50. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me. Yea, yea some of the other jeans are way pricey, but I’m going by my 1 hour speed shopping experience. Designer jeans for cheap, great non-​rushed service and my own private dressing room? Yes Please and Thank you!

I was wrong. So wrong.
I just *knew* Hem was going to be an awful experience with snotty, rail-​thin salesgirls and nothing flattering for me and my normal-​girl-​hips.
Instead, I took my chances, walked in (after nearly losing it in J. Crew twice in one week while trying to find jeans that were equal parts age appropriate and stylish) and was immediately greeted by one of their staff. He asked if he could help me with anything and when I said that I was in need of professional help, he steered me toward a dressing area. Along the way, he asked a couple of questions about my size and problem areas and within minutes I was wearing the answer to all of my denim prayers.
I didn’t touch one rack. The staff was warm and helpful. So friendly. So unexpected. The process was a bit trial and error, but the very first pair I tried one ended up coming home with me. (Turns out I was wrong about my size, but the Hem pros knew that already.)
If the Gap is Denim Shopping 101, Hem is more like a Graduate level course. Nothing in there is short of an investment, but the two pair I bought are my absolute favorites. Even better than the designer jeans I’ve purchased on my own.
And I almost forgot — alterations are handled by a gentlemen that has a shop in the lower level of the store. He came up and pinned my jeans for hemming while I was there (actually handling two customers at once) and seemed totally prepared to meet whatever deadline we needed.
Overall a great experience. I will definitely be back!

My wife and I went in to shop for some jeans for her and walked out with two pairs. Yes, we did spend a considerable chunk of cash but I felt the service and quality were worth it. They have a great selection for women and a fairly good selection for men as well. I will definitely be going back next time I’m in the market for denim.
The two women helping us were very friendly and very attentive and listened to what we were looking for. One of them was actually the owner and she was very helpful and worked at trying to find the perfect pair. Turned out there were two perfect pairs. She was also very conversational which I think helps with making people feel welcome.
If you’re looking for jeans, this place is definitely worth visiting. I’m very picky about my clothes (jeans especially) so you may not always find what you’re looking for but that doesn’t mean they are not trying hard.

Went to Hem to get the perfect pair of jeans. The girl helping me brought a ton of jeans that were not at all what I was looking for — despite telling them I don’t like stretchy, fitted jeans. I searched the store myself and the selection was not great. When I asked where I could get a pair of denim jeans without crazy colors and stretchy material, she said you can’t just get denim jeans any more — all jeans have stretchy in them now. riiiight. the salesgirl was sort of snobby. awkward!
I went to Diesel and found the perfect pair — without any spandex material to be found. My friend reported the same, unfriendly experience at Hem.
That said, I have an old roommate who loved this place, so maybe it just depends on when you go — or which salesperson helps you!

Ok, after my third time to Hem, I’m bumping up my rating from a 4 to a 5 because my experiences have been just that damn good! Previously Amy, one of the co-​owners had been attending to me on my first two visits, but was out the day I went on my third trip. No worries, Lori, her sister and co-​owner, came to my rescue. Not only did Amy and Lori remembered and greeted me by name on my second and third visit which earns major points, but they were just as helpful as the first time I walked in last year.
This was the second year I brought jeans to donate in their annual jean drive for Safe Place, which is a big passion of mine which I love to support. I knew better then to try and pick out my own jeans and just sat back and trusted Lori, the jean expert, to pick the right ones for my body with just a little bit of my input about the previous brands I had purchased from them before. She didn’t let me down by stocking my dressing room with a plethora of jeans and offered water to quench my thirst. Good thing they have a long cushiony bench right outside of the dressing room because I always find myself sitting on it for 30 minutes deliberating on how many jeans I’m going to buy this time. It’s such a sick sick cycle for a jean addict to endure when you realize you can’t buy them all.
And if you’re a short woman like me, then call on Greg their in house tailor to alter your jeans for $ 12. You can’t beat that!
Dates to keep in mind for sales is their semi-​annual sale in June, jean drive in August which gives you $ 40 for every pair of jeans you bring in, and Black Friday.
Thanks Lori for all of your help educating me about specific jeans and your honest opinions! My in store file will be sure to grow on Black Friday!

You know how sometimes you go to a store and someone asks if they can help you, and you say you have someone helping you already and they say «Oh, okay,» and slink off, disappointed that they won’t get you as commission?
Well, Hem is not like that. I went in during the Block Party that the stores at 12^th and Lamar hosted, just to check it out. There were a lot of people in there, but it wasn’t terribly crowded.
Someone (and dang, I’m sorry I didn’t catch the names!) asked how I was and if I needed help. I told them I wanted some new jeans, told them my body type and told them I didn’t want to spend *too* much money. She asked how much was too much, and pointed me to some of the gently used ones while she went and picked out several styles for me.
She set me up in a room and I started the daunting task of trying on jeans. (Jeans and swimsuits really are the worst, aren’t they?!) The first pair I tried on were the golden ticket. For the ones I could actually pull on, I showed my friend who helped analyze the good-​butt-​ness of them.
The first employee came back to check on me and I told her what was good, what wasn’t. At one point, another employee saw me and asked if I was doing okay. She asked if I needed anything and although I told her I was already being helped, she went to retrieve even more jeans.
Yes, the jeans I ended up with were super long. I think they all are. I think you’re SUPPOSED to get them HEMmed to fit! I suggest going on any day but Sunday, when the alterations guy is not there. Because I was there on Sunday, I had to go back later in the week, but I dropped them off and they were ready less than 24 hours later. Alterations were $ 12 for the HEM I got.
I’ve slowly realized that my body no longer fits the (cheap) jeans from Old Navy, which are made for little girls with no hips. I’ve slowly learned that it’s worth it to spend a lot of money on jeans. I have a feeling these New Good Butt Jeans will last a long time and oh, my are they comfy!