Haven't worn blue jeans for years.

Jeremy Clarkson associations. Dress your age and all that. Cheap black jeans are somehow different. Anyway, trousers are now the same price as jeans and better looking.

^ yes thats the non selvadge standard levis stuff sm. I got a pair of those stf in the states last year for $35.00 , cuts not great.
The lvc selvadge, made in usa or japan, is 'bout $ 150.00 a pop. 
Thats the reson people shell out I guess. cut & fit.

Funny thing is I think the Brits might be the reason for denim being turned into a "fashion" item, since it seems clear that the 60s mods and subsequently 60s skinhead put a fair amount of pedigree on wearing "Levis".  Not just denim but "levis" brand, thereby turning it into the 1st designer denim.

I've always had an existential crisis of jeans vs trousers myself.  I prefer trousers in general, but jeans are just so easy to wear and still look smart if you have the right pair.  No need to fuss with jeans, if they get spilled not a problem, if they get dirty not a problem.  There's less preciousness to jeans than a good trouser.  And most importantly, denim (along with leather) is the only cloth that looks better with age, as it gets worn in and beaten up.  That's the appeal of high quality denim, to get that worn in patina over time.

as far as historical selvedge reproductions, there is a misconception that you're paying for "quality".  No not really, sure the quality is there, but those jeans arent made to last any longer necessarily than a $20 pair from Walmart, they are made to nearly exact historical process reproduction, which means slow weaving shuttle looms that can only make a small amount of fabric per hour, stitching processes, riveting etc.  This results in a time costly product made in small amounts so the price is higher as a result.  But that doesnt mean they are rip proof as many mistakenly assume, it just means they copied a manufacturing process that is lost with time.

A lot of it, a la Elmsy, was about how much your long-suffering mummy was willing to fork out in order to keep you sweet.  Some of the poorest kids had the best gear.  I was more likely to get a smack round the ear than Levis, Saxone loafers, DMs etc. etc.  My mum had 'aspirations', you see, and these involved 'sensible black shoes'.

Funny, isn't it, that you now see that fucking tag everywhere.  I've been in these Oxfam clothes shops where they've got 501s (or whatever) piled up to the ceiling.  Marc Feld must be spinning in his grave.

I still wear blue jeans or needlecords quite regularly... I think of them as something completely different as Chinos...

Needlecords can be nice.  Avoid Vineyard Vines.  Preppy femmy.