It seems that the conventional sentiment regarding fashion sensibilities of new dads is: they have none. Sadly enough, I often have no right debating this common assertion. I used to believe that I had exceptional style, but lately I’ve been delighted with myself just for getting into clothes that pass the “sniff test.”

Can you relate, dads? Do you reach for your favorite “holy” jogging pants and highly stained “World’s Best Dad” t-shirts so you can switch from rough-housing with the kids, to mowing the lawn, to taking out the trash? Has raising kids reinforced your stance of comfort over style? What’s the point of wearing a suit when your son is going to fling a banana peel at your front side, while your daughter is stamping you with markers on your backside, and your wife is pointing out the half-eaten meatball currently stuck to your bottom side? Yes, that may have actually happened.

During our newborn days in particular, I committed fashion faux pas with the same regularity as taking out the trash. Once, when leaving for work, I forgot to swap my red slippers with my dress shoes. I can now state with authority that Dorothy is a nickname that never gets old with co-workers.

Far worse was the time I was running late to work and left wearing two hats. I was on my way out the door when I spotted my favorite hat on the floor. My arms were too full to carry everything, so I threw it on top of the hat I was already wearing, thinking I’d stop and drop it off as I passed the coat rack. Efficient thinking, right? My irritation due to lack of sleep and always being late would soon be supplemented by the rude people who kept staring at me as I pumped gas. People have no manners nowadays, I thought. It wasn’t until after I paid my bill and was getting back into my car that I caught the reflection of the idiot wearing two hats.

Granted, fashion takes a back seat when it comes to parenting, but there are times when you’ve got to step it up. The good news is clothing designers are beginning to cater to such needs. Take, for example, the Lees Modern Series line of jeans, which I had the opportunity to test out on a music gig last weekend. When playing music, comfort is a must, but it also has to be balanced with the reality that you’re on stage for all to see. Indeed, this would be the ultimate test!

So, how did my Lee Modern Series jeans rate providing style and comfort on stage? Well, the modern style wasn’t uncomfortable at all, as I had previously feared. The fabric had some stretch in it, unlike my usual baggy jeans. They were also softer than my old jeans right out of the box. I had some reservations when I realized that the waistline was lower than what I’m used to, but I adjusted quickly and the thought left my mind. Now, I don’t want to give the impression that I work the stage like dance fitness instructor, but I do need to move around quite a bit, and I was able to do so with ease and comfort. Because I can always be certain that I’ll look and feel great when I wear these, it will make being confident on stage that much easier.

All in all, I’m extremely happy to find a pair of snazzy, modern jeans that don’t sacrifice comfort. I’m making them my go-to pair of jeans for casual music gigs, as well as for any other times when I need to look and feel my best. The only things I don’t plan on wearing my new Lee jeans with are red slippers or multiple hats.

Final verdict: I give the Lee Modern Series jeans a Secret Dad Society seal of approval for both style and comfort!

Disclosure: Lee provided me with a pair of jeans for this review.

Find me on Facebook and Twitter for more Secret Dad Society content!