A good pair of 100% denim jeans can last well over 5 years. Most people have a “favorite” pair that they wear on a weekly basis. Maybe it has the perfect fit that compliments your body shape and figure, or perhaps it has the right wash to match your shirts and tops. Regardless, the bottom line is that everyone has their favorite pair of jeans — and it’s important to follow some basic precautions to protect these jeans from damage.
Denim jeans are known for their unmatched strength and durability, which is why they worn by gold prospectors during the 17th century. While technically cotton, a denim is heavier, stronger and more durable than its counterpart, making it the ideal choice of fabric for pants such as jeans. But even jeans may succumb to damage over time. Among the most common types of damage to denim jeans is frayed fabric. Over time, the fabric on the bottom may fray and wear down, resulting in a distressed appearance. Of course, some people prefer the look of distressed denim, but others don’t. If you fall under the latter category, you should take action to protect your jeans from fraying and similar forms of damage. So, how exactly do you prevent your jeans from fraying?
Choose the Right Style
When choosing denim jeans, pay close attention to the style. As you may already know, some jeans are sold as “distressed,” which lives up to their namesake by offering a naturally worn-in and distressed look. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with distressed denim jeans, but you should beware of their susceptibility to fraying. If the bottom has distressed elements, there’s a good chance of the denim further fraying. For this reason, it’s recommended that you skip the distressed denim and choose a different style — if you are worried about damage from frayed denim.
High-Quality Denim Jeans
Think all denim jeans are made of the same quality materials and craftsmanship? Think again. Some jeans are made using the highest quality denim and craftsmanship, while others are the exact opposite. Nefarious vendors and companies will cut corners by using low-quality denim to make cheap jeans. To the unsuspecting consumer, these low-quality jeans may look similar to high-quality jeans. It’s not until you wear them, however, when you realize this isn’t the case. Low-quality jeans typically have a shorter lifespan, often fraying and experiencing other damage after being worn just a few times.
You can rest assured, however, knowing that all of the jeans sold here at MakeYourOwnDenim are of the highest quality. There’s no need to cross your fingers and “hope” you are getting a good deal. As long as you buy your jeans from MakeYourOwnJeans, you’ll get the best bang for your buck. To further prolong your jeans, though, you still follow the tips listed here, as it will reduce the risk of fraying and similar forms of damage.
Watch the Length
In addition to choosing high-quality denim jeans, you should also choose jeans the right length. Most people are well aware of the importance of choosing jeans in the right waist size, but many overlook the importance of length. In some ways, length is even more important than waist size, as it influences the fabric’s susceptibility to fraying. If your jeans are too long, for instance, there’s a good chance they’ll drag on the ground, which can in turn lead to fraying. And once the bottom fabric becomes frayed, the problem will quickly snowball as the fabric becomes even more and more frayed. Choosing jeans in the right length will typically prevent this from happening, protecting your jeans from fraying.
Wear the Right Shoes
The right shoes can further protect your jeans from fraying. Wearing sandals and flip-flops, for instance, is probably the worst choice of footwear, as it allows your jeans to drag on the bottom. Even if your jeans are just an inch or two too long, they’ll drag on the ground, which causes the fabric to fray and unravel. But if you wear a pair of boots instead, you’ll prevent this from happening. Try placing the bottom of your jeans over the top of your boots for an added level of protection from fraying. This has become a popular fashion trend in recent years, and with winter right around the corner, there’s no better time than the present to sport this look. Just remember to choose boots that match and flow cohesively with the rest of your outfit.
Help! My Jeans are Frayed
But what if your jeans are already frayed on the bottom? Should you keep them or replace them with a new pair? Depending on the extent of the damage, you could possibly fix them. Assuming your jeans are slightly frayed on the bottom, perhaps you could cut off the damaged frayed. For more severe cases of fraying, another solution is to cut off the damaged fabric and re-hem the bottom. Of course, this requires a bit of knowledge regarding how to hem denim. If you are skilled with a sewing machine and familiar with the workings of denim, however, this is a viable solution to get your jeans back into working order.
If fixing your jeans sounds like too much work, you could always take them to a professional tailor. Most tailors can fix common forms of damage such as fraying. You should consider the cost, however, and whether or not it’s really worth it to fix your jeans.
Embrace it!
Who says you have to “fix” a pair of frayed denim jeans? Just because they are frayed doesn’t necessarily mean they need fixing. On the contrary, many men and women prefer this look. Frayed denim jeans offer a unique, one-of-a-kind look that”s simply not found elsewhere. Furthermore, some people may attempt to fray their own jeans to achieve this look. If you want to turn heads while making a bold fashion statement, try embracing your frayed denim jeans rather than fixing them. It’s a fun way to stand out from the crowd, and best of all, it eliminates the need to “fix” your jeans.
