by MakeYourOwnJeans | Jackets
Featuring a denim construction, denim jackets are a popular choice of outerwear worn by men and women of all ages. They usually feature a light blue color resembling that of jeans. But even if you’re familiar with the basic design of denim jackets, there are probably some things you don’t know about them. #1) Denim Jackets Were Invented in the 1800s You might be surprised to learn that denim jackets have been around for over a century. According to Wikipedia, Levi Strauss was responsible for creating the world’s first denim jacket in the 1880s. Levi Strauss originally produced denim jeans, and about 10 years after he invented jeans, Strauss produced a jacket using the same denim fabric. #2) Wearing a Denim Jacket With Jeans is a ‘Canadian Tuxedo’ While denim jackets are considered casual wear, wearing one with denim jeans is actually known as a “Canadian tuxedo.” The term “Canadian tuxedo” was coined during the 1950s after American singer and actor Bing Crosby was seen wearing a denim jacket with jeans. Even after all those years, the term “Canadian tuxedo” is still used to describe an outfit consisting of a denim jacket with denim jeans. #3) Denim Jackets Were Popularized During the 1970s Although they were invented in the 1880s, denim jackets didn’t become truly popular until the 1970s. During this time, people began to explore new ways to enhance their personal style, thus leading to a newfound popularity for denim jackets. By the end of the 1970s, denim jackets were a mainstay garment worn by millions of men and women. Today, denim jackets remain one of the most...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Have you discovered unsightly piles of lint stuck to your jeans? When initially manufactured, jeans shouldn’t have any lint. Over time, however, these fine strands of textile fibers can accumulate on the surface of your jeans. Lint won’t necessarily harm your jeans, but it can still affect the appearance of your jeans nonetheless. The good news is that you can protect your jeans from lint by taking a few precautions. Choose Jeans Made of High-Quality Denim If you choose jeans made of high-quality denim, you shouldn’t have a problem with lint. Lint itself is either comprised of textile fibers from other garments, or it’s comprised of denim fibers of the jeans. If your jeans are made of cheap, low-quality denim, the denim fabric will degrade more quickly, resulting in the accumulation of more lint. To avoid the hassle of cleaning lint off your jeans, choose jeans made of high-quality, durable denim, such as those sold here at MakeYourJeans. Cut Back on Washing Your Jeans How often do you typically wash your jeans? While washing is essential to cleaning and removing stains, you should use caution to avoid washing your jeans too frequently. The more you wash them, the greater the risk of lint. Each time you wash your jeans, the denim fabric will wear down a little more. It’s not a substantial amount of wear, but it can still cause small denim fibers to release from the surface of your jeans. As these denim fibers collect inside the washing machine, some of them will stick to your jeans to form lint. To protect your jeans from lint, consider washing...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Since their origins back in the 1800s, jeans have been made almost exclusively using denim. Whether you’re shopping for a pair of straight-leg jeans or relaxed-fit jeans, you’ll probably discover that they are made of 100% denim. It’s the “go to” material for companies that produce jeans. Unless you’re familiar with denim, though, you might be wondering why it’s used to make jeans. Overview of Denim: What You Should Know To better understand why denim is used to make jeans, you must first familiarize yourself with the material itself. Contrary to what some people believe, denim isn’t a specific type of fabric, such as wool. Rather, it’s a form of cotton that’s characterized by a unique design in which the weft goes under multiple warp threads. The end result is a twill weaving pattern consisting of diagonal stitching. Denim Is Sturdy and Durable Even though it’s technically cotton, denim is a sturdy and durable material that’s able to withstand significant stress without ripping, tearing or otherwise sustaining damage. When jeans were first invented, they were designed for hardworking men and women in laborious jobs, including gold prospectors who spent countless hours panning and mining for gold. As a result, companies needed to produce jeans using a strong material. With its twill weaving construction, denim was the perfect material for the job. Companies discovered that denim jeans offered a superior level of strength and durability when compared to conventional textiles. Consumers could wear denim jeans while working in laborious jobs, and unlike with other pants, jeans wouldn’t tear or sustain damage due to their sturdy and durable construction. Denim Is...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
If you’re like most people, you probably wear jeans on a regular basis. One study found that the average American woman owns seven pairs of jeans. Of course, men wear jeans just as frequently — if not more frequently — than women. Their classic style combined with a superior level of durability makes them an excellent all-around choice of pants. Even if you wear denim jeans on a regular basis, though, there are probably some things you don’t know about this classic garment. Most jeans, for example, are designed with a “yoke.” Unless you’re familiar with the term, you might be wondering what a yoke is and why it’s included in jeans. In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at the yoke on denim jeans. Overview of the Yoke No, the yoke isn’t part of an egg (that’s the yolk). Rather, it’s a pattern of fabric found on the back of jeans that’s used to enhance the jeans’ appearance when worn. Not all jeans have yokes. Some are designed with a plain back. If you inspect the back of denim jeans the next time you go shopping, however, you’ll probably discover that most jeans have a yoke. The yoke doesn’t offer any functional purposes; it’s used strictly for aesthetic purposes. When adding to a pair of jeans, it can complement the wearer’s body to create a more attractive look. How to Find the Yoke To find the yoke on a pair of denim jeans, flip the jeans over and look at the area directly below the waistband. Assuming the jeans have a yoke, you should see...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Not all jeans feature the same traditional light blue color. While light blue is arguably one of the most popular — if not, the most popular — colors in which denim jeans are made, you can find this classic garment available in dozens of other colors, including light and dark colors. If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with a new pair of denim jeans, you need to choose the right color. Neglecting to choose a stylish, versatile color will only restrict your ability to wear them. To make the process a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of seven awesome colors for denim jeans, which should set you in the right direction. #1) Light Blue Let’s go ahead and get the most common color out of the way: light blue. When jeans were first invented over a century, they were made almost entirely in a light blue color. It’s an attractive, simple color that looks great no matter how it’s worn. Of course, there are different shades of light blue in which jeans are made, so choose a shade to match your personal style and preference. #2) Indigo For a more formal appearance — though still casual — you can choose denim jeans in an indigo color. Indigo is technically a type of blue, but it’s significantly darker than traditional light blue colors. And because of its darker tone, indigo is considered more formal than its light blue counterpart, making indigo jeans an excellent choice for semi-formal occasions in which traditional light blue jeans are too casual yet a suit is too formal. When in doubt, you can’t...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Have you noticed some of the dye from your jeans bleeding onto your shoes? Well, you aren’t alone. Countless men and women experience this very same problem. When their wear their favorite pair of jeans, they discover that it changes the color of their shoes. If you wear indigo jeans with white shoes, for example, it may turn your shoes to a bluish color. Not only is this frustrating, but it can cost you serious money when you’re forced to replace the discolored shoes. To prevent this from happening, though, you must first understand what causes it. Dye Is Released From the Jeans The reason your jeans are staining your shoes is because they’ve released some of their dye. Whether it’s a pair of skinny, straight-leg, boot-cut, high-rise, boyfriend or stretch, all jeans are processed with dye. Dye is responsible for giving the denim its color. Without it, denim would simply be white because it’s a type of cotton, which itself is white. Dye doesn’t always stay locked inside the denim fabric, however. In many cases, it may leach out, allowing it to reach other garments or accessories like your shoes. As your jeans release some of their dye, the colored liquid will travel down your pant legs before reaching your shoes. And being that most types are shoes are made of leather, their porous nature will naturally absorb some of this dye, thereby changing their color to reflect that of your jeans. Choose High-Quality Denim Jeans There are a few steps you can take to prevent your jeans from bleeding onto your shoes, one of which is to...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Not all jeans are made of the same type of denim. Some are made with a special type of elastic denim. Known as stretch jeans, they’ve become a popular choice among men and women alike in recent years. Stretch jeans look like regular jeans, but they contain an elastic material like spandex or polyester in addition to denim. As a result, they can flex and stretch without breaking or otherwise succumbing to damage. If you’re thinking about purchasing a pair of stretch jeans, though, you should follow these dos and don’ts to choose the perfect pair for your needs. Do Check the Label When shopping for stretch jeans, check the label to see what exactly they are made of. True stretch jeans are made of both denim as well as an elastic material. If a pair of jeans says “100% denim,” they aren’t stretch jeans, nor will they offer the benefits of stretch denim. You can find out what a pair of jeans are made of by checking the label inside the waistband. Stretch jeans typically have about 3% to 5% spandex or polyester, with the remaining material being denim. Don’t Purchase the Wrong Size A common mistake men and women make when choosing stretch jeans is purchasing the wrong size. They assume that because they normally wear a specific size in jeans, they’ll wear the same size in stretch jeans. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Even if you wear a small, medium or large in other jeans, you may wear a completely different size in stretch jeans. The good news is that you can order custom-fitted stretch jeans...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
All garments need washing and cleaning on a regular basis, and jeans are no exception. Although they are made of heavy-duty denim, jeans will still accumulate dirt and develop stains. The good news is that you can clean your jeans by placing them in the washing machine. With that said, you should avoid making the 10 mistakes listed here when washing your jeans. #1) Using Bleach Never add bleach to your washing machine when washing jeans. Bleach is a highly effective whitening agent that can revitalize the appearance of your white shirts and garments. When used on non-white garments, though, it can cause permanent discoloration. To protect your jeans from such damage, avoid using bleach or products containing bleach when washing them. #2) Leaving the Zipper Down Try to get into the habit of pulling the zipper up on your jeans before washing them. While leaving the zipper down sounds harmless enough, it may cause the waist to overstretch. As a result, your jeans may no longer fit after removing them from the washing machine. It only takes a few seconds to pull up the zipper, but doing so could prolong the life of your jeans, allowing you to get a little more use out of them. #3) Pouring Detergent Directly On Jeans Most washing machines have a compartment in which you pour the detergent. For whatever reason, though, some people pour detergent directly on their clothes. If you pour detergent directly on your jeans, it could stain the denim fabric. Therefore, it’s recommended that you use the detergent compartment when washing your jeans. While speaking about detergent, avoid...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Jackets
Jeans aren’t the only denim garment featuring a distressed style. You’ll also find denim jackets featuring the same aged, worn-in distressed style as jeans. During the 1990s, distressed denim became a popular alternative to new, pristine denim. While distressed denim was originally limited to jeans, it’s since become a popular style used in denim jackets. You can find distressed denim jackets available for sale at countless retail and department stores. They usually cost the same — or about the same — as traditional denim jackets. However, another idea is to give your existing denim jacket a distressed look. By wearing down the denim fabric and “breaking it in,” you can create the same distressed appearance in which many jackets and jeans are sold. Below are seven actionable tips on how to make your denim jacket look distressed. #1) Wear It Outdoors The more you wear you denim jacket, the more it will look distressed. But wearing your denim jacket outdoors is particularly beneficial because it exposes your jacket to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light. Over time, sun exposure will cause your denim jacket to fade to a lighter color, which is good since fading is a telltale sign of a distressed jacket. By wearing your denim jacket outdoors, you’ll encourage it to develop a naturally faded, distressed appearance. You can still wear your denim jacket indoors, but wearing it outdoors will have the greatest impact on creating a distressed appearance. Whether it’s spring, summer or fall or winter, put on your denim jacket before heading outdoors. #2) Rub With a Pumice Stone Another way to make your denim jacket...
