Is your wardrobe ready for the fall season? As the temperature begins to drop, you may want to change up your outfits. You can still wear jeans, but you should choose the right type of jeans. Some jeans are better suited for the fall than others. Here are seven essential features to look for when choosing jeans for the fall.
#1) Hard Washed
Hard-washed jeans have become increasingly popular. They are characterized by a production process in which the jeans are submerged in hot water. Known as hard washing, this production process protects the jeans from shrinkage and fading. Manufacturers make hard-washed jeans by soaking them in hot water for a short period. The jeans are then removed, dried and sold as hard-washed jeans.
You can’t go wrong with hard-washed jeans for the fall. They offer all of the same benefits as other, “unwashed” jeans, but they are protected from shrinkage and fading. If you’re tired of buying new jeans, only to discover that they shrink or fade just a few weeks later, hard-washed jeans are the answer. With their unique production process, they don’t suffer from shrinkage or fading.
#2) Dark Color
You may want to choose jeans in a dark color for the fall. Jeans, of course, are available in dozens of colors. You can find them in light colors, and you can find them in dark colors. Dark-colored jeans, however, are a better choice for the fall.
Like all dark-colored garments, dark-colored jeans absorb more heat. The color of a garment will determine how much heat it absorbs from the sun. If you wear light-colored jeans outdoors, most of the sun’s heat will be reflected off the surface. Dark-colored jeans, conversely, will absorb most of the sun’s heat. You can beat the cool fall weather by choosing dark-colored jeans, such as indigo or black.
Another benefit of choosing jeans in a dark color is stain concealment. Ideally, you should avoid spilling drinks or food items on your jeans. But if you happen to spill something on them, it may not manifest as a stain. Dark-colored jeans conceal stains better than light-colored jeans.
#3) Boot Cut
If you’re going to wear them with boots, you should choose boot-cut jeans. Boots, of course, are a popular choice of footwear during the fall. They are taller than athletic shoes and sneakers, and with their thick construction, they offer greater protection against the cold weather. Boot-cut jeans are designed specifically for use with boots.
Boot-cut jeans feature a tapered shape that’s wider at the bottom of the pant legs. This tapered shape allows them to slide over the top of your boots. Your jeans won’t be bunched up. Instead, you can slide them over the top of your boots.
#4) Cotton-Based Denim
Something else to look for when choosing jeans for the fall is cotton-based denim. All jeans are made of denim. Denim is what distinguishes jeans from other types of trousers. But there are different types of denim. For the fall season, you should choose jeans made of cotton-based denim. If the denim consists entirely or mostly of cotton, you can rest assured knowing that the jeans will be warm.
Cotton-based denim is known for its soft yet durable texture. It’s not scratchy, nor is it rough. Cotton-based denim is a soft material that’s gentle on the skin. At the same time, it’s very durable. Cotton-based denim doesn’t easily rip or otherwise sustain damage. Even when washed and dried dozens of times, it should retain its original appearance. Therefore, you should look for a cotton-based denim construction when choosing jeans for the fall.
#5) Zipper Fly
For the fall, you may want to choose jeans with a zipper fly. All trousers have a fly — and jeans are no exception. While some of them have a zipper fly, though, others have a button fly. Of those two styles, a zipper fly is the preferred choice for cool weather, such as the fall.
Jeans with a zipper fly are typically warmer than those with a button fly. They will trap more of your body heat. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with a button fly, but it doesn’t offer the same level of thermal protection as a zipper fly. With a zipper fly, you can completely close the front of your jeans. The end result is greater protection against the cold weather, making a zipper fly ideal for the fall and winter seasons.
#6) Stretch
While not essential, you may want to choose stretch jeans for the fall. Stretch jeans are a popular choice for the cooler months of the year. They are still made of denim, and they are available in many of the same styles as traditional jeans. But stretch jeans are made of a hybrid material consisting of denim and an elastic fabric.
Polyester or lycra is oftentimes used in stretch jeans. They are elastic fabrics that, when added to a pair of jeans, change the jeans’ physical properties. Elastic fabrics like polyester and lycra allow the jeans to stretch without breaking.
Many people will agree that stretch jeans are more comfortable than other types of jeans. Even with just a small amount of polyester or lycra, they are more elastic. You can pull and bend stretch jeans without breaking them. Other types of jeans, conversely, feature a more rigid construction that doesn’t allow you to pull and bend them.
#7) Metal Buttons
You may want to look for metal buttons as well. Buttons are available in different materials. Some buttons are made of plastic, whereas others are made of metal. While metal buttons tend to cost more, they offer several advantages over plastic buttons.
Plastic buttons are susceptible to damage. Something as simple as washing your jeans in a tumble clothes dryer could damage the plastic buttons. This isn’t a concern with metal buttons. Metal buttons are incredibly strong, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking in the washing machine or dryer.
