You can’t go wrong with a denim jacket. Also known as a jean jacket, it’s a classic form of outerwear that’s perfect for men and women alike.
Denim jackets have been around for centuries. The world’s first denim jacket was released in the early 1800s as part of the German Historical Commission of the Rhineland. In the United States, denim jackets were commonly worn by cowboys, ranchers, railroad workers and miners. Little has changed regarding their design since then. Denim jackets are still made of the same denim material, and they are available in the same styles. If you’re thinking about buying a denim jacket, however, you should follow these tips to make a last a lifetime.
Choose a High-Quality Denim Jacket
The quality of your denim jacket matters. While they are all made of denim, some denim jackets are of higher quality than others. They feature better denim materials and craftsmanship, resulting in a superior level of quality compared to other denim jackets.
High-quality denim jackets are better protected against premature wear and tear than low-quality denim jackets. They can withstand greater stress without succumbing to the hands of time. Therefore, if you want to get the most use out of it, you should choose a high-quality denim jacket, such as those sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans.
How do you know if a denim jacket is high quality exactly? Here are some telltale signs of a high-quality denim jacket?
- Pre-washed and pre-shrunk
- Made of 100% cotton denim
- Mid-weight (12 ounces) construction
- Side welt pockets
- Chest pockets
- Premium, non-plastic buttons
- Buttons on the cuffs
Unfasten Buttons When Washing and Drying
Assuming you choose a denim jacket with buttons on the front, you should unfasten the buttons when washing and drying it. Most denim jackets have a column of buttons on the front. If it’s cold outside, you can fasten these buttons to lock in your body heat. If it’s hot outside, on the other hand, you may want to leave the buttons unfastened. Regardless, you should always wash and dry denim jackets with the buttons unfastened.
Washing or drying a denim jacket with the buttons fastened may result in damage. Washing machines and clothes dryers are aggressive. They will knock around your denim jacket while attempting to clean and dry it. If a button gets snagged, your denim jacket may rip. You can prevent this from happening by unfastening the buttons beforehand. Washing and drying your denim jacket with the buttons unfastened will protect it from damage.
Preserve the Shape With a Clothes Hanger
You probably won’t wear your denim jacket every day — and that’s okay. When you aren’t wearing it, though, you should consider storing it on a clothes hanger. Don’t just toss your denim jacket on the floor, and don’t tuck it inside a drawer or cabinet. To preserve the shape and protect it from deformation, store your denim jacket on a clothes hanger.
A clothes hanger will allow your denim jacket to fall naturally. This, in turn, will preserve its shape. Your denim jacket won’t become deformed when stored on a clothes hanger. As long as you use a heavy-duty hanger that can fully support its weight, your denim jacket will retain its shape.
Consider Line-Drying Instead of Machine-Drying
While most denim jackets can be dried in a clothes dryer, line-drying is a safer drying method. It will protect your denim jacket from both heat and mechanical stress. Clothes dryers work by producing heat, and too much heat can damage cotton garments, including denim jackets. By line-drying your denim jacket, you can protect it from the heat and mechanical stress of a clothes dryer.
You can line-dry your denim jacket indoors or outdoors. Line-drying simply involves hanging up your denim jacket so that it can dry naturally. You can hang it on a shower rod in your bathroom, or you can hang your denim jacket up on an actual line outdoors. Either way, your denim jacket won’t be exposed to severe heat or mechanical stress; line-drying will only expose it to air.
Avoid Bleach and Bleach-Based Products
To make your denim jacket last a lifetime, avoid using bleach and bleach-based products on it. Denim jackets are typically dyed during production. You can find them in many of the same colors as jeans, including light blue and indigo. You can also find denim jackets in alternative colors like black, red and yellow. Denim jackets receive their color from the dye with which they are produced.
The problem with bleach and bleach-based products is that they neutralize dyes. Bleach consists of hypochlorous acid. Aside from being very acidic, hypochlorous acid is an oxidizer. It will oxidize dyes, thus making those dyes lose their color. If you use bleach or bleach-based products on your denim jacket — even in small amounts — you may inadvertently damage your denim jacket. It’s best to err on the side of caution by avoiding all bleach and bleach-based products.
Brush Off Lint
Like most garments, denim jackets may attract lint. Lint consists of small fabric fibers that stick to the surface of garments. While you can’t always prevent lint from accumulating on your denim jacket, you can brush it off.
There are brushes designed specifically for lint. They feature shallow teeth that collect lint on the surface of garments. For a cleaner, better-looking denim jacket, brush off the lint.
Choose the Right Size
Your denim jacket will last longer if it’s the right size. Denim jackets, of course, are available in different sizes. They typically all have a similar design consisting of a long-sleeve denim jacket, but some of them are bigger than others. Choosing a denim jacket in a size that’s too big or too small for your body may result in premature wear and tear.
For a longer-lasting denim jacket, make sure it fits. You can order a custom-sized denim jacket. Custom-sized denim jackets are bespoke. They are designed using your own measurements. As long as you provide the correct body measurements, a custom-sized denim jacket will fit perfectly.
