by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims, jeans
When shopping for jeans, it’s important to consider whether they are made of raw or washed denim. Some people assume that “raw” and “washed” refer to specific types of denim. However, these terms actually reveal the way in which the denim was produced. Nonetheless, jeans made of raw denim have different characteristics than those made of washed denim and vise versa. By understanding the differences between these two common types of denim, you’ll have an easier time choosing the perfect pair of jeans. Overview Raw Denim Also known as dry denim, raw denim is denim that’s not washed before it’s sold. Denim is typically produced in several stages. Cotton is spun into a yard, after which the yarn is dyed a specific color, the most common of which is blue. Next, the dyed yarn is placed in a shuttle loom where it’s processed into ready-to-sell denim. When a company makes raw denim, it doesn’t wash the fabric. Rather, it proceeds to sell the unwashed denim to a jean or clothing manufacturing company. Overview of Washed Denim Washed denim, on the other hand, is denim that’s washed before it’s sold. It’s produced in the same way as raw denim, with cotton yard being dyed and then spun into denim. The fundamental difference is that washed denim is literally washed in water before it’s sold. Denim manufacturing companies take the dyed denim and wash it before selling it to a jean or clothing manufacturing company. The end result is washed denim, which many companies and consumers prefer. The process of washing denim is known as sanforization. Sanforization involves more than just...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Want to make your jeans fit tighter? Maybe you accidentally purchased the wrong size, or perhaps you stretched your favorite pair of jeans to the point when they are no longer fit. Either way, it’s frustrating when you go to wear a pair of jeans, only to discover that they are too big. While wearing a belt or suspenders can prevent them from falling down, you’ll be more comfortable and confident wearing a pair of jeans that fit. The good news is that you can make your oversized jeans fit tighter in several ways. #1) Wash Them in Hot Water Washing your jeans in hot water causes the denim fibers to contract and shrink. Exposure to cold water can have similar effects, though to a lesser degree. If you want your jeans to fit tighter, you should get into the habit of washing them in hot water. Eventually, the denim fibers will contract to the point where your jeans fit better around your waist. #2) Use a Steam Iron Steam irons are typically used to smooth out wrinkles, but they can also be used to shrink oversized garments, including jeans. Place your jeans flat on an ironing board and go over the denim surface with a steam iron on the hottest setting. The hot steam, like hot water, will cause the denim fibers to contract, thereby making your jeans fit tighter. With that said, you should constantly move the hot iron around so that it doesn’t singe your jeans. Allowing the iron to sit in any single spot for too long can literally burn the denim. If this occurs,...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Jackets
A jean jacket, or what’s more commonly known as a denim jacket, is a classic form of outerwear that’s characterized by an all-denim construction. As shown in the image above, it features the same traditional denim fabric that’s used to make jeans, which is why it’s called a “jean jacket.” Denim jackets have been around for more than a century. And while they’ve experienced their fair share of ups and downs, they’ve made a strong comeback in recent years. You can now find men and women of all ages sporting a denim jacket. Today, we’re going to look back at the history of denim jackets, revealing how this classic jacket became synonymous with fashion. Origins of the Denim Jacket The denim jacket first appeared around the end of the 19th century. In 1880s California, a fashion designer and entrepreneur named Levi Strauss sought to invent a new jacket that was both comfortable and durable. Being a businessman, Strauss acknowledged the need for functional apparel among working-class citizens. At the time, there weren’t many jackets and coats that hardworking men and women could feasibly wear. Rather, the coats and jackets available were delicate, lacking the strength and durability needed to withstand constant use. This led Strauss to use the same denim materials that he used in jeans to produce jackets, thus paving the way for what would eventually become known as the denim jacket. After inventing the denim jacket, Strauss marketed his product to working-class citizens, including gold prospectors, railroad workers, farmers, cowboys and coal miners. The denim jacket excelled in this regard because of its superior strength and durability....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
If you’re planning to buy one or more pairs of new jeans, you might be wondering which color you should choose. When they were originally invented more than a century ago, jeans typically featured a light blue color. In the years since, however, manufacturers have introduced countless other colors. While blue remains the most popular color in which jeans are made and sold, you can find this classic garment available in black, white, green, red, yellow and pretty much all other major colors. With so many different colors, though, how do you know which one to choose? If you’re struggling to choose a particularly color, keep reading to learn how to choose the right-colored jeans. Casual vs Formal When choosing a color, consider when and how you intend the wear the jeans. If you’re going to wear them as part of a casual outfit, such as running errands around town, light blue may offer the highest level of utility. Light blue, also known as light wash, is a combination of traditional blue and white. The light tone of this color makes it perfect for casual attire. On the other hand, if you plan on wearing your jeans as part of a formal outfit, you may want to choose indigo. Indigo is a darker shade of blue, allowing for a more formal appearance. I wouldn’t necessarily wear a pair of indigo jeans to a black-tie event, but you can dress them up nonetheless using the right garments. For example, you can wear a button-up shirt — or a blouse if you’re a woman — to create a more formal outfit....
by MakeYourOwnJeans | denims
Are you a petite woman? If so, you probably know how difficult it can be to find attractive clothes that fit. Most brands sell clothes in standard sizes, which are defined according to the average adult’s body type. But petite women have a shorter-than-average height, making it difficult to find clothes that fit. If you’re struggling to find jeans that fit your petite body, consider the following fashion tips and tricks. In this post, we’re going to reveal how to put together an attractive, stylish outfit using denim jeans that compliments your petite body. Choose 100% Denim Jeans It’s recommended that you stick with jeans made of 100% denim if you have a petite body. Why is this necessary? Well, some jeans are manufactured with denim as well as other fabrics like polyester or spandex. Using polyester or spandex in jeans makes them more elastic. Unfortunately, though, it also makes them more susceptible to shrinkage. Even if your jeans fit now, they may feel too small after washing and drying them a few times. You can avoid this headache by choosing jeans made of 100% denim. Stick With a Light Color In addition to being made of 100% denim, you should also choose jeans featuring a light color. Light colors emphasize your body by drawing attention to it, which is good! Dark colors, on the other hand, can draw attention away from your body. So, rather than wearing dark indigo-colored jeans, consider wearing jeans in a lighter color, such as white, beige or light blue. You can still experiment with jeans in darker colors, but you’ll probably find that...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | Jackets
Jeans aren’t the only garments made of denim. You can also find jackets made of this soft yet durable textile. But if you’re thinking about buying a denim jacket, you’ll want to avoid making the following mistakes when wearing it. While denim jackets are versatile and can be worn in dozens of different ways, many people take the wrong approach when wearing one. As a result, they aren’t able to take full advantage of this stylish choice of outerwear. So, what are some of the most common mistakes made when wearing a denim jacket? #1) Wearing a Wrinkled Denim Jacket If you’re going to wear a denim jacket, make sure it’s not wrinkled. Denim is prized for its ability to resist and discourage wrinkles. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s wrinkle-proof. Denim jackets can still develop creases and wrinkles just like any other textile. When you see wrinkles forming on your jacket, hang it on a clothes hanger for a day or so. This is a safe and effective way to remove wrinkles from a denim jacket. #2) Accidentally Shrinking It The secret to creating an attractive appearance with a denim jacket is to ensure that it fits your body. Unfortunately, some people accidentally shrink their denim jacket when washing and drying it. Rather than following the manufacturer’s instructions listed on the jacket’s care label, they simply toss it in the washing machine with the rest of their clothes. Although you can typically wash denim jackets, some have specific requirements that you must follow to protect against shrinkage. #3) Choosing the Wrong Color In addition to getting the...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
What’s your favorite type of pants to wear? If you answered “jeans,” you aren’t alone. According to a survey conducted by ShopSmart, the average woman owns seven pairs of jeans, while one in 10 women owns at least 10 pairs of jeans. As a result, jeans are the world’s most popular type of pants. They are worn by both men and women, young and old. And while there are countless other types of pants available on the market, jeans are preferred because of their unique characteristics and qualities. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at this classic garment, revealing why so many people wear them instead of other pants. Low Maintenance One reason why so many people prefer wearing jeans over other pants is because they require little to no maintenance. Assuming they are made of genuine denim — which most jeans are — the only maintenance required is the occasional cleaning. Even then, you won’t have to invest much time or energy into caring for jeans. Every so often, wash your jeans with water and laundry detergent to clean and remove stains. Performing this otherwise basic form of maintenance will keep your jeans looking like new long after you purchase them. Classic Style Jeans offer a timeless, classic style that’s not found in other types of pants. While most garments come and go, jeans have been around for over a century — and there’s no sign of them fading from mainstream popularity anytime soon. The world’s first pair of denim jeans were invented by Jacob W. Davis, along with Levi Strauss, back in...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Denim jeans are available in a variety of colors, only of which is the traditional light blue color. While light blue is arguably the most popular color in which jeans are made, the second-most popular color is indigo. A type of dark blue, indigo offers a slightly dressier and more formal appearance than lighter colors. Therefore, many hardworking men and women wear indigo jeans to their job. Whether you currently own indigo jeans or are thinking of buying a pair in the near future, though, you’ll want to use caution when washing them. Failure to take some basic precautions when washing your indigo jeans may result in the color fading to a lighter color. So, follow these eight tips when washing indigo jeans to protect and preserve their original dark blue color. #1) Go With Washed Denim Jeans You’ll have an easier time preserving the indigo color of washed denim jeans as opposed to raw denim jeans. The term “washed denim” simply means that the jeans were washed during the production process. Manufacturers wash their denim jeans to help set the color and protect against future fading. In comparison, raw denim jeans have not been washed, so they are more likely to fade. If you’re worried about your indigo jeans losing their color, choose washed denim. Along with the other tips described here, it will protect your jeans from fading and discoloration. #2) Wash With Similar Colors The golden rule of washing garments, including jeans, is to separate them according to color. If you wash your indigo jeans with red- or yellow-colored garments, it may cause discoloration. Some of...
by MakeYourOwnJeans | jeans
Have you noticed blue discoloration on your shoes or footwear after wearing jeans? If so, the problem could be attributed to your jeans bleeding some of their dye. Regardless of the cut, it’s not uncommon for jeans to bleed their color onto shoes. The blue dye essentially leaches from the jeans, at which point it sticks to your shoes and changes their color. You can usually wash your shoes to remove the dye and restore their original appearance. However, it’s recommended that you follow some basic steps to prevent your jeans from bleeding on your shoes in the first place. Choose Washed Denim Jeans Jeans made of washed denim are less likely to bleed color on your shoes than jeans made of dry denim. What’s the difference between washed and dry denim exactly? Washed denim jeans are made of denim that’s been washed as part of the production cycle, whereas raw denim jeans are made of denim that hasn’t been washed. When manufacturers wash their denim, it helps remove some of the loose dye so that it’s less likely to bleed on shoes, garments or other items. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose washed denim jeans to protect your shoes from bleeding dye. Avoid Excessively Long Jeans A pair of properly fitted jeans should stop around your ankles, though without actually revealing any of your skin. If they extend past your ankles, it usually means that are too long and, thus, should be replaced with a shorter pair. Not only do excessively long jeans look bad; they also increase the risk of bleeding dye. When wearing excessively long jeans,...
