In the Jeans

For some consumers, it's the fashion equivalent of asymphony: a well-packaged derrière, a wash that rivals thenight sky after rain, a shape that stops traffic. For others,it's a sign of prosperity that's within reach. For stillothers, it's an ode to celebs such as Sarah Jessica Parker,Britney Spears and other premium-denim devotees.

The premium jeans market, which includes brands such as Rock& Republic, Serfontaine, and 7 for All Mankind, help to accountfor 3 percent of the $11 billion jeans market, according to thelatest research from the "Lifestyle Monitor," an ongoingsurvey from Cotton Inc., the Cary, North Carolina-based researchand promotion company that supports the cotton industry. Men andwomen alike aren't thinking twice about plunking down $150 ormore for the perfect pair-or in some cases, pairs-of jeans. Evenold favorites like Calvin Klein, which will debut a retail line ofpremium denim this spring, are getting in on the trend.