What is this craze with buying expensive jeans? Why are Sevens and True Religions so prominent on the national radar that they creep in Black Eyed Peas songs and have become as much a household name as Kleenex? It's hard to answer. "Jeans represent democracy in fashion," the great Giorgio Armani said, but I find that assertion confusing. Jeans show freedom, that you can wear whatever you want (well, kind of) and still be fashionable: even informality can be glamorous. That said, fashionable jeans can be costly and can prominently display just exactly which brand you are sporting with a simple design on your pocket.

Investing in a good pair of jeans is a wise choice; well-made jeans can last you 10 years or more, and they are reusable. Unlike shirt and tie combinations, dresses or sparkly clubbing tops, jeans are meant to be worn more than once in-a-row without making you the subject of intense ridicule or dirty looks. Plus, good jeans can be very sexy, especially designer jeans that come in a wide range of cuts. For men, jeans' loose fit and distressed look give them a rough war-torn sex appeal. For women, low-rise waistlines combined with snugger fits in the thighs and knees make them perfect for day or night wear.

If I have any advice for you, it's this: All jeans go on sale. Stores like TJ Maxx and Off 5th will carry top names at about two-thirds the normal price, and when they go on sale they can be as low as $18.

Don't be afraid to spend money on alterations, no matter how much you paid for the jeans. These pants are designed for bodies that too few of us have-luckily they are sized in inches, so chances are a simple belt will fix any extra space you have in the waist. It is not a crime to have the bottoms of your jeans hemmed. It is, in fact, criminal to leave them so long that they look absurd.

Don't buy just because of a name. Personally, I feel that True Religion jeans are overpriced and don't deliver a quality jean. Also, beware of flowery legs or pocket designs that are too pronounced. If you want to be able to wear jeans for 10 years, beware of giving into the trends.

On the same note, don't judge jeans by the name. That is, try them on and see how they fit your body and your personality. I could never picture myself in a single outfit by trendy designers like Dolce and Gabbana or Juicy Couture, but their jeans are well made, flattering and seductive.

And lastly, find jeans that suit your purpose. Just because you can wear them more than once does not mean that one pair is appropriate for all outfits and occasions! Find jeans that go well with T-shirts, polos, button-downs, evening tops, and painting clothes. Trust me, they do exist.

Jeans are the most youthful and sexy components of couture, and without them, we would find ourselves in frumpy dress pants, khakis or skirts all the time. Jeans add flavor and freedom to our wardrobe, and as college students, it's our responsibility to take advantage of them.