The Scoop on Stretch Denim

The Scoop on Stretch Denim

Tired of wearing the same cotton-twill denim jeans day after day? While there’s certainly nothing wrong with them, many people prefer a softer fabric. Thankfully, many clothing producers are now offering stretch denim jeans, which as the name suggests, have greater flexibility than their standard cotton-twill counterpart. But what exactly is stretch denim? And how should you wear them? Stretch Denim Defined Stretch denim is used to describe a denim-blend fabric that contains some type of elastic material, such as spandex or polyester. The addition of this elastic fabric allows the material to stretch (hence the name, stretch denim). It’s important to note that only a small amount of elastic material is required to produce stretch denim. When spandex is used, for instance, it generally requires just 3% to allow for a stretching capacity of 15% of greater. Benefits of Stretch Denim The most obvious benefit of stretch denim is the increased softness and comfort. Most premium, high-end jeans are comfortable to wear, simply because the manufacturer uses the appropriate denim fabric and washing techniques to soften them. However, stretch denim maintains an even higher level of softness and comfort. So if you are looking for a new pair of super-comfortable jeans, stretch denim might be the way to go. Disadvantages of Stretch Denim What are the disadvantages (if any) of stretch denim? For starters, you can expect to pay more for stretch denim than standard cotton-twill denim. By adding elastic fabric like spandex, it increases the production cost; therefore, companies must price stretch denim jeans higher than standard jeans. Another disadvantage of stretch denim is a shorter wearing...
Using Vinegar to Protect Your Jeans from Fading

Using Vinegar to Protect Your Jeans from Fading

It’s disheartening when you purchase a new pair of jeans, only to find out the color has faded after just a single wash. Like all fabrics, denim will eventually fade from exposure to hot water. It may take a single wash, or it may take dozens, but fading is an all-too-common occurrence with jeans. We’ve discussed several different ways to protect jeans from fading in previous blog posts, but one method that we’ve yet to discuss is vinegar. Yes vinegar — the same vinegar that’s used on salads — can protect jeans from fading. It’s a cheap and effective way to “seal in” the color, preventing them from fading. It may sound somewhat unusual considering the fact that vinegar is rarely used on clothes, but vinegar can protect your jeans from fading. The same principle holds true with salt, as both salt and vinegar have similar properties in terms of their ability to protect fabrics from fading. So, how do you use vinegar to protect your jeans from fading? You really have one of two different options: you can soak your jeans in vinegar without dying them, or you can dye them and then soak them in vinegar.  I recommend the latter method, as it ensures your jeans will remain a solid color that withstands the hands of time for years to come. The only items you’ll need for this process include a bottle of distilled white vinegar and dye, both of which are sold at most grocery stores. When you are ready to begin, dye your jeans by soaking them in a combination of cold water and distilled...
How to Create a Stylish Vintage Look

How to Create a Stylish Vintage Look

So, you want to create a vintage look with your outfit? While there’s nothing wrong with modern, contemporary styles, going vintage is a safe and effective way to enhance your appearance. Because they’ve been worn for years (sometimes even decades), you can rest assured knowing that fashionable vintage styles are here to stay. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to create a vintage look. Fabric Quality Arguably, one of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a vintage look is the quality of the fabric. Certain older t-shirts, pants, and other garments may contain cheap materials that degrade when worn and washed. But there are plenty of other garments that are made with high-quality fabric, allowing them to withstand the hands of time for countless years to come. Pay attention to both the type of fabric and quality of fabric when choosing vintage garments, opting for garments that are made of durable, high-quality fabrics instead of cheaply made garments. Accessorize If you were to view examples of popular vintage fashion styles, you would probably notice that they all have share some basic characteristics, including the use of accessories. Fashion accessories like beaded necklaces, bracelets, hoop earrings, and handbags will go a long ways in creating the perfect vintage look, so be sure to include them in your outfit. Make it Unique The great thing about vintage garments — well, one of the great things — is their unique style. Whether it’s an oversized rain coat or a maxi dress, there’s a certain level of uniqueness associated with vintage garments that’s not found in...
Make a Fashion Statement this Fall Season

Make a Fashion Statement this Fall Season

Knee-High Boots Can’t seem to find the right footwear for the fall season? If you are a woman, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of stylish knee-high boots. Their tall, eye-catching appearance makes them a popular choice of footwear among fashion-forward women. And best of all, you can tuck your jeans into the top of your boots for a nuanced look that draws even more attention to your footwear. Feel free to experiment with different styles of knee-high boots this fall to see what works and what doesn’t. Go Bold Don’t underestimate the impact color has on your appearance. If you are trying to blend in, you should stick with basic, neutral colors. However, if you are trying to make a fashion statement — and I’m assuming you are since you are reading this — choose bold colors like red, purple, yellow, and shades thereof. Colors such as these boast a higher level of visual appeal, which means people will spot them more easily. You can use this to your  advantage by incorporating them into your fall outfits. Custom-Fitted Jeans A good pair of denim jeans should last for years. Unfortunately, many men and women buy cheap, poorly made jeans, only to discover that they begin wear down after a couple months of being worn. For this reason, it’s recommended that you invest in a pair of high-quality denim jeans that are custom made to fit your body. Here at MakeYourOwnJeans.com, you can order custom-fitted jeans with just a few clicks of the mouse. So go ahead and check out some of the different styles of denim...
Help! My Jeans are Too Big

Help! My Jeans are Too Big

We’ve all found ourselves in this situation at some point in time. You rummage through your wardrobe, find what appears to be the perfect pair of jeans, but when you go to try them on you realize they are way too big. No one wants to wear oversized jeans. They are uncomfortable, unflattering and won’t compliment the rest of your outfit. So, what can you do to correct the problem? Get Them Tailored One solution is to take your oversized jeans to a professional tailor. For about $10-$20 bucks, a tailor can remove a small portion of the denim fabric at the waist to make them smaller. Keep in mind, however, that this only works if the jeans are just a couple sizes too big. If they are 4+ sizes too big, it may require extensive work to shrink them down to size, at which point you could end up paying more than what they are worth. Wash and Dry Them Another solution is to wash and dry your oversized jeans. Each time they go through the washer and dryer, they should be a little bit smaller. The key thing to remember is that you want to use the hottest setting possible on both the washer and dryer. The heat will cause the fabric to shrink, which should in turn make them fit a little better. This isn’t something that’s going to happen after a single wash, but rather it will likely take half a dozen or more rounds in the washer and dryer before you can notice a difference in size. Boil Them in Water No, that’s not...