Nothing beats the superior level of comfort offered by a pair of high-quality stretch jeans. With their increased elasticity, they’ll allow you to freely move and bend your body. Whether you’re getting dressed for a night on the town or simply running your daily errands, you can’t go wrong with a pair of stretch jeans. Not all stretch jeans are made equal, however. To take advantage of their unique benefits, you need to choose the right type. Below are seven important things to consider when shopping for stretch jeans.
#1) Type of Elastic Fabric
Before purchasing a pair of stretch jeans, look to see what type of elastic fabric they are made of. All stretch jeans are made of both denim — a form of warp-faced cotton — as well an elastic fabric. With that said, there are several different types of elastic fabrics used in stretch jeans, some of which include spandex, polyester and Lycra, the latter of which is actually a form of spandex.
To find out what elastic fabric was used in the construction of stretch jeans, check the care label. Here, you should find both instructions on how to clean and care for the stretch jeans, as well as the fabrics from which it’s made. Keep in mind that all stretch jeans are made mostly of denim, but they still contain at least a small amount of elastic fabric, which is responsible for their increased elasticity.
#2) Composition of Elastic Fabric
You should also check the composition of elastic fabric used in the stretch jeans’ construction. Some stretch jeans feature just 1% of elastic fabric, meaning they contain 99% denim. But other stretch jeans, including these custom-sized jeans sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans, feature 3% elastic fabric, meaning they are only 97% denim. With a higher composition of elastic fabric, you’ll experience a greater level of comfort and flexibility when wearing stretch jeans.
#3) Washed vs Raw
Something else to consider when shopping for stretch jeans is whether they are washed or raw. What’s the difference between washed and raw stretch jeans exactly? All jeans, including traditional and stretch jeans, are classified as with washed or raw depending on whether or not they were washed in water during production. Washed stretch jeans, as you may have guessed, are washed during production, whereas raw stretch jeans are now.
Here’s a brief overview of the benefits of washed vs raw stretch jeans:
- Washed Stretch Jeans: Since they are washed during production, washed stretch jeans are less likely to shrink. Some people may find that washed stretch jeans are also more comfortable because they’ve already been washed, which tends to soften the fabrics from which they are made.
- Raw Stretch Jeans: While raw stretch jeans are more likely to shrink, they typically have a brighter, bolder color.
#4) Selvedge vs Non-Selvedge
You’ll find stretch jeans available in both selvedge and non-selvedge styles. Non-selvedge stretch jeans are the most common type. They feature a traditional hem in which the bottom of pant legs has clean edges. Selvedge stretch jeans, on the other hand, have a hem in which the bottom of the pant legs is folded upwards by a few inches and a sew into place. To see exactly what a pair of selvedge jeans look like, click here. They are basically the same as any other pair of traditional jeans, with the only difference being the folded section of fabric at the bottom of the pant legs.
Selvedge stretch jeans are often preferred over non-selvedge stretch jeans because the bottom of the pant legs are naturally protected from fraying. Since the pant legs are folded at the bottom, the bottom shouldn’t fray or otherwise succumb to damage. You can wear selvedge stretch jeans for months or even years without worrying about the fraying at the bottom.
#5) The Rise
Don’t forget to check the rise when shopping for stretch jeans. Rise refers to the area of your waist or hips on which the jeans rest when worn. Most men prefer either low- or medium-rise stretch jeans. Women, however, often prefer high-rise stretch jeans because of the unique appearance offered by this style.
When in doubt, choose a pair of medium-rise stretch jeans. If you’re a woman who’s looking to create a unique appearance, however, you may want to choose high-rise stretch jeans. Since they rest higher around your waist, they are more visible and, therefore, impact on your overall appearance.
#6) Pull-On vs Traditional
Most stretch jeans feature a fly with buttons and/or a zipper, which is used to put on and take off the jeans. Other jeans, however, feature an elastic band without any buttons or a zipper. Known as pull-on stretch jeans, they’ve become a popular alternative to traditional stretch jeans. They don’t have any buttons or a zipper. Rather, they feature an elastic band around the waistband that allows you to easily take them on and off.
#7) The Color
To get the most use out of your new stretch jeans, you need to choose an appropriate color. Stretch jeans are available in dozens of colors. You can find them in traditional colors like indigo and light blue, as well as modern colors like red, yellow, orange, green and more.
There’s no rule stating that you must choose stretch jeans in a traditional color. While many people prefer indigo and light blue stretch jeans, it’s perfectly fine to choose a different color. The key thing to remember is that you need to choose stretch jeans in a color that matches the clothes and accessories with which you wear them. If you regularly wear black shirts, for example, consider choosing indigo stretch jeans.
By considering these seven things, you’ll have an easier time choosing the perfect pair of stretch jeans. Above all else, though, make sure you get the right size. If your stretch jeans are too small or too big, you won’t be able to comfortably wear them.
