• . . . sitting in the front row at the Balenciaga show.

  Barneys Co-op

  116 Wooster Street, 212-965-9964

  In the world of hip-this-instant brands, Barneys is exceptionally vigilant. Labels currently include Seven, Habitual, Marc Jacobs, Welkin, Paper Denim & Cloth, and the three J’s (Juicy, Joe’s, Joie). And odds are, deals are in the works with brands that don’t even exist. Yet. $100–$250.

• . . . watching a band at Northsix in Williamsburg.

  Diesel

  770 Lexington Avenue, at 60th St.; 212-308-0055
  1 Union Square West, 646-336-8552

  Diesel jeans are faded, whiskered, and have among the lowest rises in town (think Jim Morrison). The perfect choice if you’re young and hip enough to let your thong show while you’re sitting on a bar stool nursing a Brooklyn Lager. $99–$195.

• . . . attending an opening at the Gagosian Gallery.

  Helmut Lang

  80 Greene Street, 212-925-7214

  This reclusive designer’s minimalist urban uniform includes stiff, straight-legged jeans in various washes (from worn light gray through richly dyed indigo) that are just as sharp as his fashion collections. The gold standard for the design-conscious. $160–$385.

• . . . cheering for your kid’s team in Central Park.

  Levi's

  536 Broadway, near Prince St.; 646-613-1847
  750 Lexington Avenue, at 60th St.; 212-826-5957

  Those less than interested in revealing what’s under their jeans (even by accident) will love the just-trendy-enough “Vintage Levi’s” collection (reissues, mostly, of old styles). There are also loads of great updated classics that don’t require Britney abs. $45–$135.

From the 2004 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine