Vanity Sizing 101: Finding the ‘Perfect’ Fit

Vanity Sizing 101: Finding the ‘Perfect’ Fit

Don’t you hate it when you try on a pair of jeans in your normal waist size, only to discover that they are too big? Sure you do! I think everyone has found themselves in this position at some point in time. Not all apparel companies use the same sizing for their garments, resulting in confusing sizes that vary from one company to the next. So, why aren’t apparel companies using the same sizes for their products? Vanity Sizing Defined Vanity sizing (also referred to as size inflation) occurs when an apparel company gradually increases the physical size of its clothes over time while keeping the actual tag size the same. For instance, an apparel company may sell jeans with a 32″ waist, but several years later those jeans may actually have a 34″ waist while keeping the same 32″ size tag. Sound confusing? Think of it like this: apparel companies want customers to feel slimmer and more confident in their clothes, so they use vanity sizing to achieve this goal. The actual size tag remains the same, yet the physical size of the garment is larger. According to Wikipedia, vanity sizing is most common in the U.S. and U.K., where thousands of different retailers use this tactic. A study conducted in 2003 involving more than 1,000 pairs of women’s pants found vanity sizing to also be more commonplace among premium brands as opposed to cheaper brands. How to Find the Perfect Fit for Denim Jeans Brands that use vanity sizing can make it difficult for shoppers to find the perfect fit. After all, this means the garment’s true...
Jeans: Thinking Outside the Box

Jeans: Thinking Outside the Box

Tired of wearing the same generic-looking denim jeans day after day? Sure you are! While there’s nothing wrong with standard, indigo-colored jeans, they don’t offer any real sense of style or fashion. If you are a fashion-forward individual who cares about his or her look, you should consider some of these alternative denim trends. Go Light Many men and women are making the switch to lighter colored jeans, and for good reason: it’s a fun and stylish alternative to indigo. Light blue jeans, such as the Wallace Blue Jeans offered here at MakeYourOwnJeans, feature a light, almost white color that really stands out from the rest. You can easily pair it with other garments, as the light blue/white color goes well with just about any color, pattern or design. So if you are looking for a new style of denim to add to your wardrobe, consider a light color like the Wallace Blue Jeans. Stretch Jeans It’s hard to describe the comfort of stretch jeans without putting on and wearing a pair for yourself. Stretch jeans are made of a special blend that consists of standard denim along with an elastic fabric like spandex. The combination of these fabrics results in a stretchier, more forgiving material that’s perfect for use in jeans. If you plan on staying active, try wearing stretch jeans instead of regular jeans. The ability for the fabric to stretch will make them more comfortable for this purpose. Just remember to read (and follow) the care label, as washing and drying stretch jeans may differ. Custom Jeans Who says you should be forced to buy and...
Regular vs Stretch Denim: What’s the Difference?

Regular vs Stretch Denim: What’s the Difference?

Stretch denim has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and for good reason: it lives up to its namesake by featuring a stretchier, more elastic material. Whether it’s used in the construction of jeans, dresses, skirts, or any other garment, you really can’t go wrong with stretch denim. But what exactly makes it different from regular denim? This is a question that we’re going to answer in today’s blog post. Material As you may already know, regular denim is durable material that’s made of cotton twill. The unique construction in which twill fabric is interwoven together creates a superior level of strength that’s unmatched by other fabrics and materials. Subsequently, denim jeans have become the de-facto standard style of pants for millions of men and women. Stretch denim differs in terms of construction by including a small amount of elastic material. In addition to the cotton twill, spandex or a similar elastic fabric is included in stretch denim. According to Wikipedia, stretch denim with just 3% spandex can increase its stretching capacity by as much as 15%. That’s a pretty substantial amount to say the least.  Origins of Stretch Denim It’s believed that American textile chemist Joseph Shivers created the world’s first stretch denim material. Shivers was responsible for pioneering Spandex back in the late 1950s. Soon after, Spandex made its way into the fashion industry, with manufacturers including this highly elastic material into their garments and accessories. Cost In terms of cost, you can usually expect to pay more for stretch denim than standard denim. This is due to the fact that stretch denim is more...
4 Reasons to Buy Custom Jeans

4 Reasons to Buy Custom Jeans

It’s frustrating when you buy a new pair of jeans at your local apparel store, only to realize that they are either too big or too small once you get home. Sure, you can always try them on at the store’s dressing room, but this doesn’t give you full effect. Thankfully, there’s a better solution: order custom jeans, such as the ones sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans. To learn more about custom fit jeans and why you should buy them, keep reading. Choose Your Measurements With custom jeans, you can specify your exact measurements. It’s no secret that different jeans use different sizing formats. A men’s 32×32 in one brand of jeans may have a different size than a 32×32 from a different brand of jeans. To ensure your jeans fit properly, you should specify your waist and length measurements when placing an order. Assuming you purchase them here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you can have them resized for free in the unlikely event that they don’t fit. Higher Quality Need another reason to buy custom jeans? Here’s one: they are made with higher quality materials and a greater level of craftsmanship when compared to standard jeans. Denim is already a strong, durable fabric — more so than traditional cotton. But not all jeans are made the same, as some feature higher grade denim than others. By ordering custom jeans, you can rest assured knowing that only finest materials were used in its craftsmanship. Less Color Fading Denim jeans will naturally fade over time. After being washed and dried dozens of times, the once bright color may fade into a duller tone....
Tips to Preserve the Color of Your Jeans

Tips to Preserve the Color of Your Jeans

Jeans — like all garments — will gradually fade after months and years of use. The original “indigo” color, for instance, may turn into more of a light blue. While there’s no way to completely avoid fading, you can mitigate its impact by following some simple steps. Wash Them Inside Out This tip is pretty much self-explanatory: washing your jeans inside out will protect the exterior denim fabric from fading. The only downside to this technique is that stubborn stains and dirt may not be cleaned as easily. Assuming your jeans are relatively clean, however, you can flip them inside out before washing to help preserve their color. Wash With Color Water Another helpful tip to preserve the color of your jeans is to wash them with cold water. Warm water is more effective at removing dirt and grime, but it can also strip away color from your jeans and garments. For this reason, it’s recommended that you wash your jeans in cold water if you wish to preserve their color. Setting your washing machine to the “cold” setting will go a long ways in preserving the original color of your jeans and other garments. Use Color Guard Of course, you can also use special color guard laundry detergent or additives to help preserve the color of your jeans. Products such as this contain compounds that work to protect the color of your garments in the washing machine. It’s not going to prevent all fading and bleeding from occurring, but it will certainly help. Try to get into the habit of using a color guard product when washing your...
Top Fashion Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing Jeans

Top Fashion Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing Jeans

While fashion trends come and go from year to year, jeans remain the single most popular type of pants among both men and women. Of course, there’s a good reason for this trend: denim is strong, durable, resistant to wear and tear, and stylish. With that said, you’ll want to avoid making the following fashion mistakes when wearing a pair of denim jeans. Wrong Cut We’ve talked about this before on the MakeYourJeans blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that jeans are available in more than a dozen different cuts, ranging from boot cut and relaxed fit to skinny leg and straight leg. When choosing a new pair of jeans, consider how and when you”ll be wearing them. If you plan on wearing them with boots, for instance, you should probably stick with boot cut — unless you intend to wear your boots over your jeans, in which case skinny or straight leg will work. Too Baggy There’s nothing wrong with wearing a pair or loose-fitting jeans. In fact, many men and women prefer this style due to the increased comfort. However, jeans that are overly baggy will have a negative impact on your appearance. A pair of properly fitted jeans should remain on your waist without requiring the assistance of a belt or suspenders. If your jeans have a tendency to fall down, you may want to get them tailored so they fit better. Distressed in the Wrong Areas Distressed jeans have become increasingly popular in the past decade. Manufactured using special “distressing” techniques, they feature a vintage, worn-in look that many men and women prefer. If you...