by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
In case you didn’t already know, summer is officially here. The warm weather and longer days offers the perfect opportunity for men and women alike to update their wardrobe to reflect this seasonal change. While there are dozens of different pants that you can wear during the summer, denim jeans are arguably the best. You can find denim jeans available in dozens of different styles, allowing for a greater level of versatility. However, it’s important to choose the right type of jeans, as not all styles are appropriate for the summer. So, what are the best jeans to wear during the summer? Go Light Some people assume that indigo is the best color for jeans, as it offers a cleaner and more formal appearance. While it’s true that indigo is typically more formal, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should overlook other, lighter colors. Light blue, for instance, is a better choice for the summer. The light tone embodies the summer season to create a more appropriate style. You can still wear dark and indigo blue, but you should stick with light blue for most occasions during the summer. Faded Jeans Another popular denim trend for summer is faded jeans. As the name suggests, faded jeans are designed to mimic the appearance of aged, worn-in jeans. They often feature different color tones, with some areas darker than others. The knees and thighs, for instance, are usually lighter than the legs. Faded jeans have become a popular denim style in recent years — and there’s no better time than the summer season to wear them. Sure, you can always age...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims
Few textiles offer the same level of style and versatility as denim. Ever since it was first invented more than 100 years ago, it’s been the preferred choice of fabric for countless clothing companies. But if you’re still skeptical of denim and the benefits it offers, keep reading to learn 10 undeniable reasons why this fabric rocks. #1) Stretch Denim In recent years, there’s been a growing trend towards the use of stretch denim. As the name suggests, stretch denim is characterized by a greater elasticity than traditional 100% denim, allowing it to bend and pull without breaking. Typically, stretch denim contains both regular denim and an elastic material like spandex or polyester. Just 3% spandex is enough to provide an additional 15% elasticity. #2) Variety of ‘Fading Patterns’ You may notice that some denim jeans are available in multiple “fading patterns.” Basically, these patterns are created by prolonged usage without washing. Some of the most common fading patterns for denim jeans include honeycomb, whiskers, stacks, and train tracks, each of which has its own unique characteristics. While you can make these fading patterns by wearing your denim jeans and not washing them, some jeans are manufactured with fading patterns. So, consider choosing a style with your preferred fading pattern. #3) More than Just Jeans When you think of denim, what’s the first garment that comes to mind? It’s probably jeans. After all, denim has long been associated with jeans, ever since the fabric was first used to make them more than a century ago. While jeans today are typically made of denim still, this material has since made...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
One of the great things about denim jeans is the countless styles in which they come. Whether you’re a man, woman, young or old, chances are there’s a style of denim with your name on it. Stonewash is one such style that’s become particularly popular in recent years. While most people have at least heard of stonewashed jeans, few know what this style really is. So, keep reading to learn more about stonewashed jeans and their unique characteristics. Who knows, perhaps this will become your new “go to” choice of denim. Stonewashed Jeans: The Basics Stonewashed jeans are a style of denim jeans that have gone through a textile manufacturing process known as “stone washing.” The process involves washing the denim material with a pumice stone or stones in a rotating drum, either with or without the use of chemicals. The general idea is to make the jeans look worn in, but not quite to the degree of distressed denim jeans. The large pumice stones bounce around with the denim in the rotating drum, essentially wearing down the surface and making the jeans look used. As the denim tumbles and turns in the rotating drum, it beats the fabric; hence, this is how stonewashed jeans are made. Benefits of Stonewashed Jeans So, what are some of the benefits of choosing stonewashed jeans as opposed to other popular styles? The biggest benefit is the unique look it creates. Many people prefer stonewashed jeans because of their unique appearance. They feature subtle nuances in regards to the fabric and tone that simply aren’t found elsewhere. Granted, distressed jeans offer a similar...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Denim jeans have a tendency to fade over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight; it takes months or even years before you’ll notice any significant change in the color or tone of your jeans. Assuming you wear them on a regular basis, however, you may eventually discover your jeans are no longer as dark as they used to be. It’s frustrating when you buy a new pair of indigo-colored jeans, only to discover one day that they’ve turned into a lighter color. Indigo is the preferred choice of color for denim jeans among countless men and women, and for good reason: it’s conceals stains more easily, offers a formal/semi-formal appearance, and it looks great when worn with just about any other colors and styles. While you can always replaced your faded indigo jeans with a new pair, there are ways to protect your denim from fading. So, consider the following hacks to keep your indigo-colored jeans dark and preserve their original appearance. #1) Wash with Similar Colors I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you can keep your indigo jeans dark by washing them with similar-colored clothes. If you wash them with white socks or other light colors, the indigo dye may “bleed” onto them, and vise-versa. This may cause your white clothes to turn dark, and your indigo jeans to turn light. When washing indigo jeans, either wash them alone or with similar dark colored to prevent this from happening. #2) Use the Right Laundry Detergent Be sure to choose the right laundry detergent to wash your indigo jeans with....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
There’s come a point in time when you’ll have to retire your old jeans. Even if they were once your “go to” pair, jeans — like all garments — eventually degrade over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight. Rather, it often takes five or more years for a pair of high-quality jeans to degrade. The fabric around the knees or legs may fray, or the jeans may fade in color. Even if your jeans don’t degrade, you may lose or gain weight, forcing you to update your wardrobe with new sizes. Regardless, there are times when you’ll need to retire your old jeans. Before you toss them in the trash, however, you should consider the following alternatives. There are other ways to put your old jeans to use, some of which we’re going to discuss in this blog post. #1) Donate Them to Charity Consider donating your jeans to a nonprofit charity organization like Goodwill. They’ll accept nearly any brand, size, color and style, assuming they are in relatively good condition. You won’t make any money donating your old jeans to charity, but it will give you peace of mind knowing you are helping those less fortunate. Furthermore, some charities offer donation receipts, which you can use as a tax deduction. Donating a single pair of jeans isn’t going to yield a large tax deduction, but if you donate a dozen or more pairs, it can really add up come tax time. #2) Sell Them to a Consignment Shop Alternatively, you can sell your old jeans to a consignment shop. Consignment shops buy gently used clothes and resale...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Denim jeans are available in a wide range of styles, some of which include skinny, straight-leg, boot-cut and “boyfriend.” There are subtle nuances between these styles in regards to comfort, aesthetics and look. Straight-leg jeans, for instance, typically run straight through the leg without widening or narrowing towards the bottom. In contrast, boot-cut jeans become wider around the ankles and feet so that you can wear them over your boots. While not as popular as boot-cut or straight-leg, high-waisted is another denim style that shouldn’t overlooked. As the name suggests, they sit higher on the waist than standard and low-rise jeans. Depending on the specific brand, they may “rise” up to ten inches. So, why should you choose high-waisted jeans instead of other styles? Here are a few benefits they offer… #1) They are Coming Back in Style If you’re as old as me, you may recall high-waisted jeans being a popular style in the 1970s (and even some of the 60s). They were worn by men and women alike, many of whom considered high-waisted the “go to” style. Several decades later and the style began to fade in favor of straight-leg. Well, it appears the trend is now going back in the opposite direction, as more and more people are wearing high-waisted jeans. Some fashion experts have even gone so far as to call this a “revival” of the style. The revival first began in 2010, and since then high-waisted jeans have only grown in popularity. If you want to stay fashionable and present yourself as wearing the latest trends, you need to add high-waisted jeans to your...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Jackets
Jeans aren’t the garment made of denim; jackets are also made of this sturdy, durable cotton-based textile. Denim jackets offer the perfect blend of comfort, protection, durability and style. Denim has been around for more than a century, with some of the earliest reported uses dating back to the mid-to-late 1800s, during which an American tailor named Jacob Davis created a pair of pants using the material. In the following decades, denim was primarily used to make jeans and trousers. Even today, most of the world’s denim is used for this same purpose. However, companies have since used denim to make other garments and accessories, including jackets. Benefits of Denim Jackets Why should you should choose a denim jacket instead of outerwear made of other materials? For starters, it’s both strong and comfortable — a combination that’s not found in many other materials. By itself, cotton isn’t particularly strong, nor is it durable. When it’s processed to create denim, however, it becomes significantly stronger while still maintaining a soft and supple texture. Furthermore, denim jackets are stylish, with some of the world’s biggest celebrities sporting them. Of course, it’s important to choose the right type of denim jacket, which is something we’re going to discuss in this blog post. Raw vs Washed Denim When choosing a denim jacket, consider whether it’s made of raw or washed denim. Raw denim, also known as dry denim, refers to denim that has not been washed. Normally, denim is dyed and then washed. Raw denim, however, skips this process. It’s still dyed, but the manufacturer doesn’t wash it before selling it. This doesn’t...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
It’s frustrating when you buy a pair of new jeans, only to discover they’ve stretched several inches in the waist or length after just a few months. If they originally fit your body perfectly, perhaps now they are too big. While you can always wear a belt to keep your jeans around your waist, overstretched jeans such as this aren’t particularly attractive (nor are they comfortable). So, what steps can you take to protect your jeans from stretching? #1) Choose Quality Denim Jeans The keyword here being “quality.” Far too many stores sell jeans made of low-quality denim, and unfortunately these jeans don’t offer the same level of protection from stretching as their higher quality counterpart. If you want to protect your jeans from stretching, choose quality over quantity. A pair of high-quality denim jeans will withstand normal use, reducing the risk of shrinkage or stretching. #2) Use Caution When Getting Dressed When you’re running late for work, you probably throw on your clothes without spending too much time or giving it much attention. In doing so, however, you may inadvertently stretch your jeans. Attempting to force your heel or leg through the leg opening, for instance, may stretch the denim fabric. And once it’s stretched, it won’t return to its original state (unless they are stretch jeans). This is why it’s a good idea to take your time and use caution when getting dressed, especially if you want your jeans to last. #3) Wash in Cold Water Going back to the basics of high school chemistry, heat causes things to expand, whereas cold causes things to contract. Based...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Tired of wearing the same indigo or light blue-colored jeans day after day? There’s no denying the fact that traditional blue colors such as these are popular, and rightfully so: blue jeans are easy on the eyes, and equally as easy to match with your outfit. But if you want to change up your appearance, you should consider some alternative colors like black. Many people are surprised to learn that black jeans even exist. While the color isn’t as popular as blue, black jeans are the perfect alternative for individuals looking to distinguish themselves from the crowd. But if you’re thinking about investing in a pair of black jeans, there are a few things you should know about wearing them. In order to create a stylish, uniform appearance, it’s recommended that you follow the tips listed below. We’re going to walk you through the steps of creating an attractive outfit with black jeans. #1) Go All Black If you’re going to wear black jeans, go all the way by choosing jeans that are 100% black and not just a faded tone of black. It’s easier to match 100% all-black jeans with other clothes and accessories than it is to match a pair of faded black jeans. Alternatively, however, you can dye your jeans black to help restore the color, assuming they are already faded. The bottom line is that you should stick with 100% all-black jeans to create a stylish appearance. #2) Check the Cut When choosing black jeans, consider the cut and how it will affect your appearance. Denim jeans — black, blue and other colors — are...
