by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans |
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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans |
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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans |
When wearing jeans with boots, you have one of two different options available: you can place the bottom of your jeans over your boots, or you can tuck them inside your boots. There’s been a growing trend towards the latter option, as it offers a clean, stylish appearance that many women prefer. So, what’s the best way to tuck jeans into your boots? It’s important to note that not all jeans can be placed over the top of boots. If you are wearing skinny or straight-leg jeans, the bottom portion of the legs might be too tight, at which point you’ll have to tuck them into your boots. The good news, however, is that practically all cuts and styles of jeans can be tucked into boots. Whether the legs are straight, loose or somewhere in between, you can easily tuck them into your boots. There’s really no wrong way to tuck the bottom of your jeans into boots; however, many women prefer to create a “cuff” with their jeans first. To do this, flip the hem of each pant leg up about ankle height. This should be done using a single fold so there’s a minimal amount of denim protruding outwards. Next, fold them sideways to the denim is tighter around your ankles. Failure to fold the denim may result in your jeans being too baggy around the bottom, making it difficult to place them inside your boots. Once you’ve created a cuff with your jeans, pull your socks over them to the cuff in place. Because your socks will be hidden under the boots, it really doesn’t matter...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans |
Thinking about wearing jeans with a suit jacket? The combination of otherwise casual denim jeans with a formal or semi-formal suit jacket may sound a little backwards. After all, isn’t it bad to mix formal and casual garments together? In most cases, the answer is yes, but jeans CAN be worn with a suit jacket. All it takes is the right approach and a keen eye for fashion. Don’t Match Your Colors When wearing jeans with a suit jacket, do not choose matching colors! If your jeans are the exact same color as your suit jacket, the two garments will blend together, and not in a good way. With that said, you can still choose a color that’s similar to the other garment, so long as it stands out. If your jeans are a dark indigo blue, for instance, try wearing a light blue jacket. The light and dark blue colors will stand out from one another, distinguishing your outfit by defining the various garments. Of course, another idea is to wear jeans or a suit jacket that contrasts with the other garment’s color. Going back to the example mentioned above, a pair of indigo-colored jeans would contrast well with a black suit jacket. The two contrasting colors will create a bold, appealing look that enhances your outfit. Watch The Wrinkles! Don’t make the mistake of wearing a wrinkled suit jacket with jeans. Because jeans are viewed as a casual garment, many people assume it’s OK to wear them with a wrinkled jacket. This couldn’t be further from the truth, however. A wrinkled jacket will take away from the...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans |
With just a few weeks left in summer (yes, it’s almost over unfortunately), many people are using this time to prepare their wardrobe for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. This means putting up the shorts and taking out the jeans. There’s no better choice of pants for the fall and winter seasons than denim. You can dress them up for semi-formal occasions, dress them down for casual, everyday occasions, or find a happy medium somewhere in between. Rather than wearing your everyday tennis shoes with your jeans, you should consider pairing them with boots. Ask any fashionista and she’ll agree: jeans and boots are made for each other. A pair of stylish boots will enhance the look of denim by adding a fun new element to the person’s outfit. But boots will also keep your feet warm and comfortable, which is particularly important as we head further into the year. Unfortunately, though, many people don’t know how to wear boots with jeans. They assume that any style of jeans will go with any style of boots, creating a messy appearance that does their outfit no justice. If you want to look fashionable (hint: you do!), there are a few things to keep in mind when wearing jeans and boots together. First and foremost, pay close attention to the cut of your jeans. We’ve talked about this before on the MakeYourOwnJeans.com blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that jeans are available in dozens of different “cuts,” each of which has its own unique characteristics. If you intend to wear boots with your jeans, it’s recommended that you choose the...
