Can Skinny Jeans Make You Happier?

Can Skinny Jeans Make You Happier?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel happier just by wearing a pair of jeans? It may sound a little unusual, but that’s exactly researchers are saying. According to a recent study conducted by Qualtrics, a survey platform, men and women who wear skinny jeans are happier than people who do not wear them. If you keep up with our blog here MakeYourOwnJeans.com, you probably know the general concept of skinny jeans: they are slim through the leg without flaring at the bottom. This allows them to hug the wearer’s body, creating the impression of a slimmer figure. Just how much of a difference in terms of happiness can a pair of skinny jeans really make? The study found that people who wear skinny jeans are 9% more likely to report “high levels of happiness” than people who wear a different style.  What’s even more surprising, however, is that researchers found that people who wore skinny jeans were 12% more likely to identify themselves as confident when compared to their counterpart. Happiness and confidence? Sounds like a winning combination to me! Additionally, researchers found that people who live in a major city, such as Los Angeles or New York, were more likely to choose a leaner style of denim, and they were also twice as likely to wear skinny jeans when compared to residents living in smaller, less populated cities. Video: The Truth Behind Skinny Jeans Check out the video above to see Qualtrics explanation of skinny jean and happiness. It’s a common assumption that skinny jeans are a poor choice of denim for people who ride motorcycles....
What is Stretch Denim?

What is Stretch Denim?

Have you heard of stretch denim? If not, you will soon. It’s rapidly growing into one of the most popular styles of denim jeans, offering several unique characteristics that aren’t available in traditional denim. So, what exactly is stretch denim and is it right for you? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading. Stretch denim is designed to hug the body closer than traditional denim, contouring to fit the shape of the wearer. While traditional denim jeans are more loose, stretch denim fits snug against your legs, thighs and hips. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s uncomfortable to wear. On the contrary, stretch denim offers a superior level of comfort thanks to its special construction. You might be surprised to learn that stretch denim has been around for decades, with some of the first reported uses dating back to Europe during the 1970s. Soon after this fabric was produced, clothing companies began using it to make jeans. In the 1980s, Levi launched a line of jeans in the U.K. produced with stretch denim. It was a home run with the female market, many of whom were eager to get their hands on this stylish and comfortable new type of jeans. In the years to follow, stretch denim jeans were introduced to the U.S., in which it experienced similar success. Like many fashion trends of that era, however, stretch denim began to fade in popularity, and it wasn’t until recently when they started to make a comeback. You might be wondering how exactly denim is able to have such soft and “stretchy” properties....
Check Out These Inside Out Jeans

Check Out These Inside Out Jeans

No, we’re not kidding. There’s really a company that makes a special type of inside-out jeans. Known as “Outies” for obvious reasons, you won’t find them available for sale at your local apparel store, as they are currently in the initial stages of development on a Kickstarter page. Outies are the brainchild of marketing expert turned entrepreneur Ross O’Mullane, whom has reportedly worked with several big brands, helping to manage their marketing campaigns. Ross came up with the idea of Outies after watching the cult 80s-90s Back To The Future films, in which Marty learns that all of the cool kids in the future are wearing their pants inside out. And when all the cool kids do something, you have to follow suit, right? Now you can be Marty MyFly in your own pair of inside-out jeans. “It’s finally 2015! The year we were promised hoverboards, power-lacing shoes and inside out pants. Inside out pants? Remember Doc tells Marty all the kids wear their pants inside out in the future? Yeah well we tried it and it sucks – you can’t access the pockets, the fly or the belt loops – so we invented Outties,” wrote Ross on his Kickstarter page. The thought of producing inside-out jeans may sound simple enough. After all, can’t you just flip them inside out and step one leg through at a time? According to Ross, it wasn’t this easy. He says it took nearly six months to develop a working “prototype,” and he’s just now trying to raise money to turn his vision into a reality. Ross says his wife initially disregarded his...
How To Wear Jeans With Boots

How To Wear Jeans With Boots

There’s nothing that compares to the comfort and style of a good pair of denim jeans. While fashion trends come and go from year to year, jeans remain a staple garment found in nearly every man and woman’s wardrobe. Of course, there’s a good reason for this: you can dress them, dress them down, or find somewhere in the middle. You can even wear jeans with a pair of your favorite boots, which is something we’re going to discuss more of in this blog post. Boot-Cut Jeans The easiest way to wear jeans with boots is to choose the appropriate cut. We’ve talked about this before on the MakeYourOwnJeans.com blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that there are several different cut styles of jeans, including slim, skinny, straight leg, wide leg, and boot. As the name suggests, boot-cut jeans have a larger opening around the ankle, which is used for wrapping over the tops of boots. This creates a natural, easy-on-the-eyes appearance that’s perfect for high-sitting footwear, boots included. Note: if you’re going to sport a pair boot-cut jeans with boots, make sure the jeans go over your boots. Because they are so open around the ankles, this is really the only suitable way to wear them. Straight-Leg Jeans Don’t let the name “boot-cut” jeans fool you into thinking they are they only jeans you can wear with boots. Sure, they are the most popular, but there are several other cuts available from which to choose as well, including straight leg. While many men prefer the look of boot-cut jeans with boots, women often prefer straight leg. It contours...
So This Is How You’re Supposed To Wash Jeans…

So This Is How You’re Supposed To Wash Jeans…

Most people toss their dirty jeans in the washing machine without thinking twice. Heck, even I’m guilty of doing this. But this may not be the best solution, as noted by the Robert Schaeffer, the owner of a premium denim manufacturing company, shop and repair service based in Los Angeles, California. Schaeffer isn’t a newcomer to the denim trade. He’s been importing denim from Japan since 2009, selling his indigo-dyed jeans for a hefty sum of $265 per pair. He may not be quite as known in the trade as someone like Levi Strauss, but he’s still a notable name who’s often associated with high-end denim. According to Schaeffer, you should always wash your blue jeans inside out using the lightest cycle possible. Depending on the washing machine, this may be a setting called “gentle,” “delicate,” or even “handwash.” He adds that blue jeans should be washed with a particular type of soap, recommending a product called Dr. Bronners. “We suggest using a soap called Dr. Bronner’s. It’s a castile hemp soap that you can use on your hair, your face, and your clothes. It goes in your machine and it doesn’t create suds.” said Schaeffer. Another tip Schaeffer offers is to stand by your washing machine when you initially turn it on. Why is this important? According to Schaeffer, removing the jeans after just a couple of minutes in the spin cycle preserves their appearance and structural integrity while still washing away the dirt and debris. After your jeans have knocked around in the washing machine for 3-5 minutes, go ahead and remove them to prevent any damage...
What Should I Do With Jeans That No Longer Fit

What Should I Do With Jeans That No Longer Fit

In a perfect world, your favorite pair of denim blue jeans would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t the case. Over time, your body will change in size and shape, as will your jeans.  So your once-favorite pair of jeans that you worn on a weekly basis may no longer fit. The good news, however, is that you can still find a use for jeans that no longer fit. With a little bit of ingenuity and creative thinking, you can put them to good use. Have Them Tailored One option is to take your jeans to a professional tailor and have the size adjusted. Tailors are fully trained to make adjustments in the waist size and length of jeans, allowing them to fit perfectly once again. This doesn’t come without a price, however, with most tailors charging anywhere from $10-$30 for basic alterations. If this is something you are interested in trying, call around to get alteration quotes from several tailors in your area. Donate Them Before tossing your old jeans in the trash, consider donating them to a nonprofit organization like Goodwill. Even if they no longer fit you, chances are they will still fit someone else. Donating jeans that no longer fit to a nonprofit organization will help others while reducing unnecessary landfill waste. Furthermore, you can usually obtain a tax-deductible receipt for your donations, although I recommend speaking with a professional CPA or tax accountant for more information. Give Them to a Friend Of course, another option is to give your old jeans to a friend or family member. If they are designer, name-brand jeans,...