Faded denim has become a popular style of jeans worn by both men and women. While some people prefer the classic look of dark indigo, others prefer the vintage look of faded denim. Rather than waiting several years for your jeans to naturally fade, you can purchase them with special fake marks. However, there are several different types of fade marks that you need to be aware of.
Honeycombs
Honeycomb fade marks (also known as “comb” marks) live up to their namesake by featuring honeycomb-shaped areas of fading, which are typically found behind the knees. It’s a small, subtle amount of fading that’s not overbearing. This makes it a popular choice for people who intend to wear the jeans for semi-formal purposes.
Whiskers
Another common type of fade mark used in denim jeans is the whisker. These marks are longer and usually spider off from one another. You’ll typically find whisker fade marks on the waist and crotch of denim jeans, although some brands use them in the thighs and knees as well. Whisker fade marks are prominent than honeycombs, so take this into account when shopping for faded denim jeans.
Stacks
Stack fade marks are usually created by hemming the inseam of denim jeans just a couple inches longer than the leg. This extra denim is then stacked over the shoe, forming an area that’s visibly lighter on the ankle as opposed to the rest of the pants.
Train Tracks
Last but not least, train tracks, which as you may have guessed looks like train tracks. The fading enhancing the selvage of denim by creating two sets of faded area. Train track fading typically stretches down through the leg.
Which Fade Type is Right For You?
With so many different fade types, how do you know which one is right for you? In reality, you shouldn’t worry too much about the “type” of fading used in denim jeans. Instead, take a step back to view the jeans from afar to see how they look. Does the fading look natural? How does it blend with the original color of the jeans? Will the fade marks restrict your choice of shirts and accessories? These are just a few of the many questions that you should try to answer when deciding which faded jeans are right for you.
