When most people think of denim, they envision jeans. The term “denim” has become synonymous with jeans. For over a century, clothing manufacturers across the globe have used denim to make jeans. Denim, however, is now used to make other types of garments, such as shorts and capris. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, you may want to invest in a pair of denim shorts or capris. To learn more about denim shorts and denim capris, including how they differ, keep reading.
What Are Denim Shorts?
Denim shorts are exactly what they sound like: shorts made of denim. They aren’t full-length trousers. Like all shorts, they are partial-length trousers.
Also known as jean shorts, denim shorts typically extend to the knees or slightly above the knees. You can find them in regular denim and stretch denim. Regular denim consists of 100% cotton with the weft passing under at least warp threads. Stretch denim is similar but with a small amount of an elastic material. Stretch denim consists primarily of cotton, but it’s mixed with an elastic material like lycra or polyester. Regardless, you can find denim shorts in both regular denim and stretch denim.
What Are Denim Capris?
Denim capris are longer partial-length trousers made of denim. They aren’t classified as shorts. With their longer, albeit still partial, length, they are classified as trousers. Denim capris are always longer than denim shorts.
Denim capris are available in plain denim and stretch denim as well. Plain denim is the most common material in which they are made. Nonetheless, stretch denim has become increasingly popular for denim capris in recent years. Whether they are made of plain denim or stretch denim, though, all denim capris are longer than denim shorts.
Differences Between Denim Shorts and Capris
While they are both made of the same material, denim shorts and denim capris aren’t the same. Denim shorts live up to their namesake by featuring a shorter length than capris. The exact length of denim shorts may vary. Some of them will extend to the knees when worn. Other denim shorts may stop 2 or 3 inches above the knees, or they may stop 2 or 3 inches past the knees.
If you compare denim shorts to denim capris, you’ll notice denim capris are longer. Also known as denim crop pants, denim capris are characterized by their long length. They aren’t full-length trousers. When wearing denim capris, they won’t extend all the way to your ankles. Nonetheless, denim capris are still significantly longer than denim shorts. Most of them will extend to about the calves when worn, making them noticeably longer than denim shorts.
Benefits of Denim Shorts
You can’t go wrong with a pair of denim shorts. Denim shorts are highly versatile. You can wear them with t-shirts, button-up shirts, blouses, halter tops, tank tops and more.
Like jeans and other garments made of denim, denim shorts are easy to maintain. They won’t sustain damage in the washing machine. If you notice your denim shorts are dirty, you can toss them in the washing machine to clean them. And when they are finished washing, you can transfer them to the dryer to dry them. You don’t have to dry clean denim shorts, nor do you have to hand wash them.
For the summer, denim shorts will keep you cool. They’ll leave your legs exposed to the surrounding air. All denim shorts have a short length. Therefore, they won’t cover your legs while trapping your body heat. Denim shorts will leave your legs exposed while subsequently keeping you cooler and more comfortable during the summer.
Denim shorts are available in dozens of colors. Not surprisingly, blue is the most common color in which they are made. You’ve probably seen blue denim shorts before. They look like blue denim jeans, except they feature a shorter length. But you aren’t limited to choosing blue denim shorts.
Maybe you prefer black, or perhaps you want a more eye-catching color like red or yellow. Regardless, denim shorts are available in most colors. You just need to know where to look. Here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you can choose from dozens of colors when shopping for denim shorts.
Benefits of Denim Capris
Denim capris, on the other hand, offer a more unique style than denim shorts. They essentially fall somewhere between shorts and full-length pants. If you’re tired of wearing the same denim shorts day after day, denim capris may be the answer. They are still made of denim, but they offer a unique style thanks to their length.
You may discover that denim capris offer a more form-fitting appearance than denim shorts. Denim capris typically have a closer fit than shorts. As a result, they are commonly worn by women. If you’re a man, you may want to stick with denim shorts. If you’re a woman, you can choose either denim shorts or denim capris.
While denim shorts are ideal for the summer, denim capris are a better choice for the fall and spring months. Temperatures are oftentimes mild during the fall and spring months. You may discover that denim shorts leave you feeling cold, however. Denim capris will cover more of your legs so that you stay comfortable during the fall and spring months.
Of course, denim capris are easy to maintain as well. You can wash and dry them — just like denim shorts. Denim capris are safe to wash and dry. Neither of these activities will damage them. You should still read the care tag, but denim capris are safe to wash and dry. As long as they are made of either plain denim or stretch denim, you can wash and dry denim capris without fear of damaging them.
In Conclusion
Denim is used to make more than just jeans. You can find shorts and capris made of denim as well. Denim shorts are simply shorter than capris. With their short length, they are a better choice for the warmer months of the year.
