This is the tale of two pairs of jeans: the ones I spent more than I should have on (and it was so worth it) and the ones I got for a bargain.

Colored jeans are everywhere for spring, from the bright hues from the Gap and Rag & Bone to the pastel rinses from Paige Denim. So naturally they topped the list on a recent shopping trip with fellow Style Tutor Jennifer.

We came across the first pair — the “splurge” pair — at Anthropologie. The AG Stevie Ankle Jean comes in five lovely colors and retails for $158. This is more than I typically care to spend on any pair of jeans, much less a colored pair that I might not get as much mileage out of. I was really keen on the wine colored pair, but they didn’t have my size, so I tried on the purple. They fit like a glove. The denim was so soft and pliable but, according to the salesperson (who owned a pair), they wouldn’t stretch out like so many jeans do. The ankle length was perfect for my short legs — on me they are nearly full-length — and it was a lovely shade of purple. In the end, though, I decided that $158 was not in my budget for colored denim and that I would explore a less expensive option, which I found at Old Navy.

If you can get past the foolish name, the Old Navy Rock Star Super Skinny Jean is a fantastic way to liven up your spring wardrobe. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sold at first — the rather rough cotton felt even more undesirable after the cloud-like softness of the Stevies. But the bright blue color is so fun, and for $35 I can handle a bit of that cardboardy feeling (incidentally, they softened up considerably after one washing).

But the story doesn’t end there. I couldn’t stop thinking about the AG pair, which for me is always a sign that it’s a good purchase. So I called a different Anthropologie to find the wine pair in my size, and I was in luck. And now I have two pairs of colored jeans.

The moral of this story is that there’s a time to save and there’s a time to splurge (a time to reap, a time to sow…). In this instance I did both. I splurged on a pair of high-quality jeans in a cut and color that I know I will wear for many seasons to come. I have no doubt I will get my money’s worth with these jeans. And I saved on a color that is trendier and may not survive through a few more seasons. When the colors have once again all gone muted, I can toss my Old Navy jeans aside with nary a care. Meanwhile, the AG Stevies will still look as fresh as they do today.

If you like the Old Navy Rock Star Colored Jeans, you’re in luck. They are $19 in stores this weekend.