We love Madewell. We like Shopbop. Madewell + Shopbop should = happiness. And yet: these jeans—and believe us, we're not completely against the new-old denim aesthetic—but: how much? $80? Since they're all beat up and everything? $100, because surely it's lovely, premium denim? $150? Maybe it's sewn with gold thread? No. $200.

We're not entirely against shelling out when shelling out is required: We have an entirely too-light winter coat—er, jacket—that cost exactly that much. We think it is really just the visual mismatch of distressed jeans that cost $200. It is a sad reality that this sort of formerly innocuous (still annoying, but mostly innocuous) disconnect wouldn't have as so offensive even a year ago. But: Shit changes. And it's just, like, is it us? Or is it 2007 in here? And of course the original Madewell still doesn't have e-commerce.

Honestly. We're going to J. Crew now.

Above: Madewell for Shopbop ex-boyfriend jeans, $200