by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, Fashion
Denim jeans come in dozens of different styles and cuts, each of which has its own unique characteristics. Boot-cut, for instance, has a wider opening around the ankles, allowing the jeans to go over the wearer’s boots instead of clumping up at the top. Another popular type of jeans is slim-fit, which we’re going to discuss further in today’s blog post. Characteristics of Slim-Fit Jeans Slim-fit jeans (also known as skinny jeans) live up the name by featuring snug, tight fit through the legs and end with an opening at the ankle of 9-20 inches, depending in the size. Unlike drainpipe jeans which are straight throughout the leg, however, slim-fit jeans taper off so they look slimmer. The legs are often so slim, in fact, that manufacturers must add zippers to the bottom so the wearer can pull the jeans over his or her feet. If boot-cut jeans are on one spectrum of the denim wheel, slim-fit would be on the opposite end. This is due to the fact that slim-cut jeans feature a very narrow leg that tapers off towards the end, whereas boot-cut jeans are naturally wide and open even wider around the ankles. Benefits of Wearing Slim-Fit Jeans Why are so many men and women eager to jump aboard the slim-fit denim bandwagon? There are a number of factors attributing to the growing trend of slim-fit jeans, one of which is its ability to enhance a person’s natural body type. When you wear baggy, oversized jeans, it creates the dreaded “clothes hanger” effect in which your jeans appear to hang off your body. Such appearances are...
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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Uncategorized
Trying to find the right clothes to wear can be a downright difficult to task. Whether you’re going to work, out to dinner with friends, a business event, or just running errands around town, you want to look your best. There’s always the chance that you’ll run into a long-lost friend whom you haven’t seen in years, which is one of the many reasons why you should dress appropriately for the occasion. So today we’re going to reveal some simple yet effective fashion tips for everyday women. Dress in Layers Some women assume the “dressing in layers” tip only works during the cold winter months, but this isn’t necessarily true. If you work in an office, for instance, you can wear a light cardigan over your shirt for an additional layer of clothing. If you begin to feel hot, you can always remove your cardigan for instant comfort. Of course, this is just one of the many ways in which dressing in layers can prove useful, so feel free to experiment with other layered clothing options as well. One-of-a-Kind Looks If you really want to set yourself apart from the rest of the fashion world, strive for one-of-a-kind looks. I know this is easier said than done, especially considering the countless number of styles out there, but try to create a look that’s entirely yours to own. Be warned, though, you should only attempt this process if you aren’t afraid of failing. Some of your one-of-a-kind outfits may look fabulous, but others may end up on the opposite end of the spectrum. It takes trial and error to find...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims
Who says denim is used strictly to make jeans? While this is probably the most common use for denim, it has dozens of other uses as well, some of which will probably surprise you. Footwear In addition to being used in jeans, denim is also used to produce shoes, boots and other types of footwear. It offers a stylish appearance that’s not found in other materials while preserving the natural characteristics of denim that make it such an attractive fabric. So whether you’re looking for a new pair of everyday tennis shoes, sneakers, or even boots, you can’t go wrong with denim. Accessories You don’t have to search very hard to find accessories made of denim. Some of the most common types of denim accessories include belts, handbags and totes. The denim fabric is used to either encase the accessory’s existing structure, or it’s produced in layers to form a thick sheet of denim. Denim accessories were incredibly popular back in the 1990s, but began to die out in the years to follow. With that said, they are currently seeing a strong comeback, with both men and women wearing them. Clothes We can’t talk about the many uses of denim without mentioning clothes. People have worn clothes made of denim for over a century, which is a pretty impressive feat in itself. What’s even more impressive, however, is that denim continues to be one of the most popular fabrics for clothes. All types of garments are made of denim, including jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, shirts, and jackets. Unlike most other styles of clothes, denim remains just as popular —...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Should you air-dry (AKA line-dry) your denim jeans, or should you place them in the clothes dryer? This age-old question has been around for years, with some people believing that air-drying is the best way to dry jeans, whereas others believe that machine-drying delivers better results. While they can both be used to effectively dry jeans, there are some key differences between these two methods. Protection Against Fading One of the benefits of air-drying your denim jeans is the protection it offers against fading. Like all fabrics, denim will naturally fade over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but wearing jeans for months or even years will inevitably cause it to fade. The once dark indigo color may now resemble more of a light blue. The good news is that fading shouldn’t affect the structural integrity of your jeans. The bad news is that it will affect how the jeans the look; many people prefer the look of dark jeans. Air-drying your jeans will help protect them against fading. When jeans are placed in a machine dryer, the constant back-and-forth beating may cause them to fade. So if you are worried about your jeans fading, try to get into the habit of air-drying them instead. Scent A lesser-known benefit of air-drying jeans is the aromatic scent it offers, assuming you dry them outside and not inside. The combination of fresh air and sunshine will leave your jeans with a pleasant aroma. It’s not overwhelming by any means, but rather it’s just enough to make them a little more enjoyable to wear. Don’t take my word for it, though,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Uncategorized
Why Jeans are White on The Inside Ever wonder why denim jeans are white on the inside but colored (usually indigo) on the outside? This is due to the fact that only the warp fabric is dyed, while the weft fabric remains while. So when jeans are produced — with the weft fabric being used on the interior — it creates this phenomenon. Keep in mind that some companies dye both the warp and weft fabric, but you’ll generally find that most jeans only have the warp fabric dyed. Stretch Denim Has 15% Greater Elasticity Unless you’ve worn a pair of stretch denim jeans before, you might be surprised to learn just how “stretchy” they really are. According to some reports, a typical pair of stretch jeans has up to 15% greater elasticity than non-stretch denim. Stretch denim contains a small percentage of spandex (usually about 3%) to give it this unique characteristic. Even though it looks like standard denim, the presence of spandex allows it to stretch far beyond its normal capabilities. Jeans Were Invented in the 17th Century It’s unknown who exactly was responsible for inventing denim jeans. Some people have credited Levi Strauss with this accomplish, but the general belief is that he didn’t invent the jeans. Instead, historians believe jeans originated out of France during the 17th century. This was a time when textile production was booming, and denim seemed to be the most popular choice of fabric for pants. The trend continued, and even spread through nearby countries, at which point denim jeans become the staple choice of pants for both men and women....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, Jackets
Denim jeans have become the de-facto standard for men and women’s pants. They’ve been worn for over a century, and even today they remain the most popular style of pants in the world. But why do so many people choose denim jeans over other styles of pants? Let’s take a look at some of the top reasons to wear denim jeans… #1) They are Durable When it comes to strength and durability, denim jeans are the undisputed winner. They are designed to withstand the stress of everyday wear, offering countless months of use without showing any signs of damage. This is in stark contrast to many other types of pants, which will degrade after just a couple of rounds in the washing machine. #2) More Colors Than Just Blue It’s a common assumption that denim jeans are only available in indigo blue, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While most men and women prefer indigo, jeans are available in dozens of other colors, including white, red, yellow, green, and practically any other color you can think of. So if you’re looking to make a fashion statement, consider wearing a non-Indigo color. It’s a simple way to set yourself apart from the crowd while maintaining a fashion-forward appearance. #3) Jeans are Versatile Okay, saying that jeans are “versatile” is somewhat of an understatement. You can wear them for casual occasions, semi-formal occasions, and more. Regardless of what the occasion calls for, you really can’t go wrong with a good pair of denim jeans. This level of versatility is something that’s not found in other pants, making them a...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your jeans will inevitably attract dirt and stains. Whether it’s spilled coffee, ketchup, mud, or just plain old dirt, you’ll have to wash your jeans at some point in time. Many people avoid washing denim, fearing it will shrink or degrade the fabric. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to wash jeans — and we’re going to reveal the right way. Turn ‘Em Inside Out Try to get into the habit of turning your jeans inside out before placing them in the washing machine. The outer fabric is more susceptible to fading and damage caused by a washing machine, so flipping them inside out will naturally protect them. This alone will go a long ways in protecting your jeans from damage. Use The Cold Water Setting It’s a common assumption that warm or hot water is more effective at cleaning stains than cold water. Granted, it may be slightly more effective, but the difference is nominal at best. Hot water will, however, promote fading, turning dark indigo jeans into a lighter color. To preserve the original color of your jeans, set you washing machine to the coldest setting possible. It will clean them just as well, but cold water doesn’t have the same color-fading effects as hot or warm water. Use The Lightest Setting We talked about this in a previous blog post, but it’s worth mentioning again that denim jeans should be washed on the lightest setting possible. Heavy or even medium settings can yield a little too much power, contributing to the wear and tear...
