by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
We all know the importance of choosing jeans (or any pants for that matter) that fit your body. If they are too big, the excess fabric will look puffy and awkward. But if they are too small, your jeans will be uncomfortable to wear. This is why it’s recommended that you order jeans which are custom designed to fit. In doing so, however, you’ll need to specify the “inseam” measurement. Inseam Measurement 101: The inseam is essentially a measurement of your inner leg, running from the top of your thigh to your ankle. I guess you could say it’s the “length” measurement of jeans, trousers or other pants. Choosing pants with a proper inseam measurement will ensure that they are neither too long, nor too short. Keep in mind, though, that some fashion companies may use different techniques to acquire inseam measurements. So jeans from one company may have a 31″ inseam, whereas a similar pair of jeans from another company may have a 32″. How to Get Your Inseam Measurement To determine which size of jeans you need, you should first get your own inseam measurements. Using a tape measure, measure the fabric just below the crotch to the ankle or hem. It’s important to stand up straight when getting your inseam measurement, keeping your legs spread just slightly apart from one another. Although both your left and right legs should have the same inseam measurement, you should go ahead and measure both. If they are the same, you know the inseam measurement is correct. If they are different, you should go back and remeasure your inseam to...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
The next time you grab a pair of jeans from your wardrobe, look at the front and you’ll probably notice a small pocket found within the actual pocket. Granted, not every brand or style of jeans features this extra-small pocket, but many do. If you inspect this pocket, you’ll notice that it’s too small to fit your wallet or other everyday items in. This begs the question, then: what is the purpose of these extra-small pockets on jeans? On the community Q&A website Quora, a user recently sought an answer to this question. Another user responded by revealing the true nature of this these extra-tiny pockets: Levi Strauss came up with the idea of including small pockets in jeans for the purpose of holding a watch. According to the user, cowboys and miners would carry watches attached to chains on their waistcoats. Levi Strauss wanted to prevent people from losing their pocket watches, so he added two small pockets to his jeans. The trend has since stuck, with many other denim makers and companies following in his footsteps. “It’s a watch pocket. Back in the 1800s, cowboys used to wear their watches on chains and kept them in their waistcosts. To keep them from getting broken, Levi’s introduced this small pocket where they could keep their watch,” explained the user. Of course, there are other things for which the small pockets can be used. For instance, you can store your car key or house key inside the pocket, assuming it’s not connected to a large key ring. The pockets can also be used to store coins. Other things that...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Uncategorized
Looking for a slightly more dressier style of khakis? If so, chinos might be the answer. Although they look similar in terms of appearance to traditional khakis, chinos are designed with an emphasis on craftsmanship, offering a cleaner and more formal appearance. However, there are a few things to consider when shopping for a new pair of chinos. Fabric Chinos are typically made of a 100% cotton-twill fabric, which gives them their characteristic soft and lightweight feeling. However, some companies have begun making them in other materials, including polyester and various cotton-synthetic blends. The great thing about polyester and similar synthetic fabrics is the elasticity that it provides. Unlike pure twill, polyester can stretch, adding comfort to chinos. Pleats or No Pleats? Something else to consider when choosing chinos is whether or not you want pleats. Chinos typically come in two different styles: pleated front and flat front. Pleated fronts, as the name suggests, are characterized by a pleat running down the front of each leg. While it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, most men and women today prefer non-pleated chinos. The biggest complaint with pleated chinos is that they look awkward and unflattering when you sit. But if you plan on standing the entire time, this really isn’t a problem. Again, choose the style that you’re most comfortable wearing. Color What color chinos are you looking for? Chinos are available in a wide variety of colors, ranging from white to khaki, tan and dark brown. When choosing chinos, consider the other clothes that you’ll be wearing. If you plan on wearing a light blue button-up shirt with...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans
Who says you can’t wear a blazer with jeans? Blazers are often viewed as a formal style of outwear, with guys typically wearing them with a suit. Just because they are associated with formal wear, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that you can not wear them with casual garments. On the contrary, a blazer is the perfect choice of outerwear when you are trying to achieve a more dressy outfit with denim jeans. So, what’s the best way to wear jeans and a blazer? Choose the Right Jeans If you are going to wear a blazer with jeans, it’s important that you choose the right type of jeans. Because darker colors are associated with formal wear, it’s recommended that you choose a pair of dark-colored jeans, such as indigo for instance. Avoid faded or acid washed varieties, as it may clash with the formal look of your blazer. When in doubt, you really can’t go wrong with dark navy or indigo jeans. Slim Fit Denim jeans are available in several different styles, but if you intend to wear them with a blazer you should stick with a slim fit. Why is this important? Well, slim-fit jeans are designed to hug the body, meaning there’s less fabric flapping around. As a result, slim-fit jeans have a more formal, dressier appearance than most other styles, making them the ideal choice for a blazer. Coordinate Your Blazer and Jeans You have to think of your jeans as the trousers of your suit. This means choosing colors that coordinate with one another. Your blazer doesn’t necessarily have to be the exact same color as...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
When shopping for a new pair of denim jeans, you’ll probably come across different rises. Of course, this isn’t limited strictly to jeans. Trousers and other pants are designed in different rises. Whether you are familiar with the term or not, however, it’s essential that you choose the right rise, as this will play a key role in the fit and overall appearance of your jeans. Low-Rise Low-rise jeans live up to their namesake by sitting lower around the waist than standard jeans. They’ve been around for decades, boasting the highest level of popularity during the 1960s and 70s. The waist is typically larger, which allows the jeans to fall — at least somewhat — around the lower portion of your waist. Low-rise jeans have since made a comeback, however, with many women preferring this style over other rises. Regular-Rise If you are looking for a more traditional look, however, you may want to stick with regular-rise jeans. Also known as mid-rise, jeans of this style generally sit around the middle of your waist. The distance from the middle of the crotch to the top of the waistband in regular-rise jeans is usually 8 to 11 inches, depending on the manufacturer and exact style. Regular-rise jeans are a safe choice, as they can be dressed up or dressed down for a variety of occasions. High-Rise Last but not least is high-rise jeans. We’ve talked about this style before on the MakeYourOwnJeans blog, but in case you missed it, high-rise jeans are basically jeans with a rise of at least 10 inches. Because they sit higher on the waist, they...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims
Who says jeans are the only stylish garment made of denim? While most people associate jeans with denim, this versatile fabric is also used to construct shirts. Denim shirts have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they combine the comfortable and durable characteristics of denim with the sleek and stylish appearance of a button-up shirt. So if you’re thinking about sporting a denim shirt, keep reading for some helpful tips. Leave it Unbuttoned Assuming you choose a button-up denim shirts, which is how most are constructed, you can always wear it with an undershirt while leaving the buttons unfastened. A basic white-colored crew-neck shirt paired with a denim button-up is an excellent combination that’s sure to turn heads. The white-on-blue creates a contrasting appearance that will enhance your image. But this is just one of the many different ways that you can wear a denim shirt. Wear it as a Jacket Another idea is to wear the denim shirt as a jacket. Because denim is such a strong and durable material, it makes an excellent choice for outerwear. Even denim shirts will offer a high level of warmth that’s not found in standard cotton or even wool shirts. Keep in mind, however, that thin denim shirts may not be suitable for extreme cold weather, in which case they should be reserved for the slightly warmer spring months. Casual Attire A denim shirt is the perfect choice for casual, everyday attire. When you’re trying to find something to wear and don’t have to time to scour through your wardrobe, grab a denim shirt with matching pair of pants and...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Stretch denim jeans are becoming more and more popular, with men and women of all ages looking to wear this ultra-comfortable style of denim. If you’re still skeptical of stretch denim, keep reading to learn some of the many reasons why they rock. Comfortable to Work in Looking for a pair of comfortable work jeans that aren’t going to restrict your mobility? Well, stretch jeans are the answer. Consisting of both denim and an elastic fabric like Spandex, they typically have a stretching capacity of 15%. This means you can bend over, backwards, and from side-to-side with ease. Easy to Exercise in Another reason why stretch jeans rock is because they are easy to exercise in. With the New Year upon us, many people have made “losing weight” and/or “exercise” a resolution for 2016. The problem, however, is that stylish, functional exercise clothes are hard to find. Stretch jeans solve this problem by providing a soft, comfortable, elastic style of pants. Whether you’re lifting weights, running on the treadmill, or even performing yoga, you can’t go wrong with stretch denim. They Look Great Of course, we can’t talk about the benefits of stretch jeans without mentioning their stylish, flattering appearance. Because they are elastic, stretch jeans have a tendency to hug the body, creating a slim fit that makes you appear thinner. This is in stark contrast to traditional denim jeans, which do not hug the body. So if you’re trying to create a slim appearance, you should stick with stretch jeans for this very reason. Wrinkle-Resistant Like all garments, stretch jeans may develop wrinkles from time to time,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Denim jeans have come a long ways over the years. When they were originally invented more than a century ago, they consisted of little more than rugged denim with a zipper. Today, however, jeans are available in dozens of different styles, one of which being “stonewashed.” So, what exactly is stonewashed denim? Stonewashing Defined Stonewashed refers to a style of faded jeans that’s created via washing or rotating with pumice stones. Even if you are unfamiliar with this style of denim jeans, chances are you’ve seen them before. They are characterized by inconsistent fading in which certain areas of the denim are lighter than others, as well as worn fabric or even holes in and around the knees. The purpose of stonewashing is to create a “lived in” and worn look. Rather than waiting years for your denim jeans to feature this look, you can simply buy stonewashed jeans which are manufactured specifically for this look. The Rise of Stonewashed Jeans Stonewashing isn’t a new trend in the denim industry. On the contrary, stonewashed jeans have been around for decades, experiencing a surge in popularity during the 1970s. Once acid-washed jeans hit the market in the 1980s, however, their popularity began to decline. It wasn’t until the turn of the 21st century when they made a revival — and a strong one. Thanks to new stonewashing techniques involving pre-made holes, frayed denim edges and sandblasting, stonewashed jeans are back with a vengeance. Things to Consider When Choosing Stonewashed Jeans If you are thinking about buying a pair of stonewashed jeans, there are a few things to consider. First and...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
With 2015 officially over, we can finally look back to reflect on the fashion trends that occurred. From the resurgence of denim to the rise of consignment shops, there were several notable trends, some of which we’re going to discuss today. Consignment Shops As noted by LuxuryDaily, many consignment shops experienced a huge increase in traffic throughout 2015. Consignment shops differ from thrift shops in the sense that they only accept name-brand, gently worn/used items. Therefore, consumers can reap the benefits of scoring great apparel at a fraction of its retail cost. The only downside to using a consignment shop is that some of the garments may be damaged or defective. Although rare, damaged garments still end up for sale from time to time. Denim Of course, denim also made strong gains in 2015, with retailers reporting more denim garments sold when compared to 2014. Why is everyone eager to purchase denim again? According to Kimmie Smith, this trend is attributed to the vast array of new cuts and washes. No longer are consumers forced to choose a single style of jeans. Now they can choose from boot-cut, skinny, slim-fit, high-waisted, faded, indigo wash and more. “Denim has elevated from a common man staple to one that is the very basis within our wardrobe,” said Kimmie Smith, co-founder/creative director of Accessory2, New York. “The fact that there is a focus on cut, washes, premium and more makes it an intricate apparel category that allows brands to place their signature fingerprint within the premium and luxury tiers.” Tulle Skirts Tulle has long been associated with ballerina dresses, yet tulle skirts were...
