by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, jeans
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....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
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....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Fashion, 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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, Fashion
How many different colors of denim jeans do you own? While traditional navy blue is the most common color for jeans, there are literally dozens of others available, including white. It may sound a little unusual, but white jeans are surprisingly stylish and fun to wear, making them a popular choice among fashionistas who want to set themselves apart from others. But how are you supposed to wear a pair of white jeans? Keep ‘Em Clean Let me first start off by stressing the importance of keeping white jeans clean. One of the perks of wearing navy-colored jeans is their natural ability to hide stains. Unfortunately, this same benefit isn’t offered in white jeans. If you spill your morning coffee in your lap, chances are it will leave a large and noticeable stain, which is something no wants to discover when getting ready for work in the morning. Use caution when eating and drinking to avoid accidentally spilling anything on your white jeans. Don’t Wear White Shoes If you’re going to wear white jeans, try to avoid wearing white shoes. There’s nothing wrong with white jeans, nor is there anything wrong with white shoes, but they shouldn’t be worn together. If you wear them both, your shoes will simply blend into your jeans — and not in a good way. A smarter approach is to choose footwear in a color that contrasts to the color of your jeans. Red, for instance, is an excellent choice that will draw attention to your outfit will really popping against your white jeans. Another footwear color that’s a great choice is dark navy,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, 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...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
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,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
When researching the different types of denim, you may come across a term called “selvage.” It’s certainly not as popular as dry or raw denim, but many companies still use selvage denim in their products. Selvage denim is a type of cotton twill fabric — just like raw or dry denim — that’s woven together to create a stronger, more durable textile. What makes it unique, however, is the way in which it woven. Selvage denim is created through the use of a single continuous cross-yard called the weft. The person or people creating selvage denim weave the weft back and forth through the warp upright warp beams, never cutting or breaking the single weft. In most cases, the edges feature a contrasting warp, such as red, allowing the creator to see exactly where the weft begins and where it ends. While there are several different methods for creating selvage denim, many people prefer to use shuttle looms. This otherwise simple tool weaves a narrow 30-inch fabric back and forth; thus, creating the unique pattern of selvage denim. Because the shuttle loom uses fabric that’s roughly half the size of a shutlleless loom, longer pieces of fabric are required (roughly three yards at minimum. In an effort to produce more denim and eliminate waste, companies often create jeans using wide denim that have a straight outseam. This allows them to utilize the full width of the fabric, including the edges. Selvage denim is frequently used in the production of premium, high-end jeans, as it shows the finished edges in a contrasting color as opposed to the overlocked edges on traditional...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Uncategorized
May 20 isn’t just another ‘spring’ day. It’s also the birthdate of blue jeans (we’re not kidding). Exactly 142 years ago to this day, Levi Strauss and his business partner Jacob Davis were granted a patent for copper-riveted trousers, which later became known as blue jeans. This sparked a growing trend in which men and women of all ages were eager to buy and wear blue jeans. Blue jeans are now the most commonly worn type of pants in the world, and for good reason: they are comfortable, stylish, durable, and can be worn for a variety of different occasions. You can even dress up a pair of jeans for formal occasions simply by pairing them with the right shirt, jacket and pair of shoes. But let’s take a few steps back to reflect blue jeans and how they came to be such as iconic fashion item. Levi Strauss — the proclaimed inventor of the blue jeans — wasn’t some experienced fashion designer, nor did have any special garment-making skills. Instead, he was a savvy businessman and entrepreneur, which he expressed by capitalizing on California’s Gold Rush. Strauss opened a small shop in which he sold supplies to gold prospectors. Reports indicate that one of Strauss’ customers, Jacob Davis, often purchased cloth fabric to make trousers for railroad workers. These trousers were stronger and more durable than other trousers, allowing them to stand up under the stress of railroad work. Here’s the problem, though: Davis didn’t have the time nor the financial means to continue producing these trousers, so approached Strauss with a proposition: the two would patent Davis’...
