Denim vs Cotton: What’s the Difference?

Denim and cotton are two of the most common fabrics used in the construction of new clothes. Whether you’re buying a shirt, trousers or even a suit, you can probably find it in these two fabrics. There are other fabrics used in the construction of new clothes, but few are as common as denim and cotton. With that said, denim and cotton aren’t necessarily the same. By understanding the differences between these two fabrics, you can determine which one is right for your fashion needs. What Is Cotton? Cotton is a soft and fluffy fabric consisting of the fibrous material of the cotton plant. Statistics show that roughly 2.5% of the world’s arable land — land that’s dedicated to growing and harvesting crops — is used for cotton. In any given year, about 25 million tons of cotton are harvested from this arable land. Cotton is simply the fibrous material that’s found around the seeds of the cotton plant. After harvesting cotton plants, farmers will typically separate the cotton from the seeds. The former is then packaged and sold as cotton. Cotton is used in countless products, though its primary use involves clothes. From t-shirts and dress shirts to suits, trousers and sweatpants, many different types of clothes are made of cotton. What Is Denim? Denim is a type of strong and durable fabric that consists of cotton with a twill weave. When many people hear the word “denim” they assume it’s a particular type of fabric that’s derived from a different plant other than cotton. The truth is that denim is still made of cotton. Denim differs from...

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Jeans

Jeans consistently rank as one of the most popular types of trousers. Research shows that most people own over a half-dozen pairs of jeans. Regardless of the season, you can’t go wrong with a pair of high-quality jeans. They offer a unique combination of style, comfort and durability — three qualities that aren’t found in many other types of trousers. There are certain mistakes, however, that you should avoid making when buying jeans. #1) Choosing Secondhand Jeans What’s wrong with choosing a pair of secondhand jeans? Like all secondhand garments, they are preowned. You can find secondhand jeans available for sale at many consignment stores. Consignment stores are retailers that purchase secondhand clothes from their customers so that they can resell them. You may save a couple of bucks by choosing secondhand jeans, but it could cost you more in the long run. With secondhand jeans, you really don’t know what to expect. You might get lucky and find the perfect pair of secondhand jeans. Alternatively, you could end up with a pair of damaged or degraded secondhand jeans that you’re forced to replace just a few months later. For the greatest value, stick with new jeans rather than secondhand. #2) Overlooking the Cut Don’t make the mistake of overlooking the cut when choosing jeans. The cut refers to the way in which a pair of jeans are designed to rest against your body when worn. Jeans are available in dozens of different cuts. There are boot-cut jeans, for instance, that feature a tapered design with a wide opening around the bottom of the pant legs. There are also...

How to Make Your Stretch Jeans Last a Lifetime

Stretch jeans have become a popular alternative to traditional jeans. All jeans are made of denim. Stretch jeans, however, are made of a special type of denim consisting of cotton and an elastic fabric. Known as stretch denim, it increases their elasticity. You can bend and pull a pair of stretch jeans without breaking them. To make your stretch jeans last, however, you’ll need to care for them. Wash Less Frequently Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to wash your stretch jeans each time you wear them. Like traditional jeans, you can typically wear them multiple times before washing them. Washing your stretch jeans less frequently, in fact, will make them last longer. They’ll be exposed to less heat and stress, so they won’t succumb to the hands of time. If you want to get the most value and use out of your stretch jeans, consider washing them only when they are visibly dirty. Use Cold Water When you do wash your stretch jeans, use cold water. Most washing machines allow you to control the temperature of the water. You can typically choose from cold, warm or hot water. While warm and hot water is more effective at removing stains, it can wear down your stretch jeans. Exposure to heat will cause the elastic fabric within your stretch jeans to contract — and it may not return to its original size and shape. You can make your stretch jeans last longer by washing them in cold water. Cold water doesn’t have the same shrinking effects on elastic fabric as warm or hot water. It offers a safe and...

What’s the Best Way to Pack Jeans in Luggage?

If you’re planning to go out of town for one or more consecutive days, you’ll probably want to bring a pair of jeans. Jeans aren’t just comfortable; they are versatile. You can wear them in nearly all of your casual outfits without fear of them clashing with your other garments or accessories. With that said, you shouldn’t just toss them in your luggage. To conserve space while simultaneously protecting your jeans from wrinkles, you should follow some basic precautions when packing your jeans in luggage. What’s the best way to pack jeans in luggage exactly? Avoid Sealed Bags When packing your jeans in luggage, avoid using sealed bags. Some people place their jeans inside of a sealed bag, after which they place the bag in their luggage. While using a sealed bag may sound harmless, it’s generally a bad idea. If you store your jeans inside of a sealed bag, they won’t be able to breathe. Sealed bags don’t provide airflow. Rather, they offer an enclosed environment in which your jeans will remain stuck with the stagnant air. If there’s moisture inside of the sealed bag, your jeans may absorb it. Depending on how long you keep your jeans inside of the sealed bag, exposure to this moisture may cause them to develop mildew. You can keep your jeans clean and mildew free by packing them directly in your luggage without using a sealed bag. Wash and Dry Beforehand Always wash and dry your jeans before packing them in luggage. You don’t want to travel with a pair of dirty jeans. If your jeans are dirty, they may stain...

7 Benefits of Scrape Wash Jeans

Can’t seem to decide whether or not to buy a pair of scrape wash jeans? With their uniquely distressed appearance, they offer several key benefits that aren’t found in traditional jeans. Scrape wash jeans are still full-length trousers, and they are still made of denim. They are known as “scrape wash jeans,” however, because they are physically scraped and washed to achieve a distressed appearance. With a pair of scrape wash jeans, you can expect some of the following benefits. #1) Uniqueness No two pairs of scrape wash jeans are exactly the same. They each have a unique appearance that’s defined by their distressed appearance. All scrape wash jeans undergo a scraping process when they are produced. During this process, a textile worker physically scrapes certain areas of the denim with a tool, such as a pumice stone, a piece of sandpaper or a grater. The purpose of this process is to create signs of distressing. As the textile worker scrapes the denim with the tool, he or she will distress the jeans. Some scrape wash jeans may share similar characteristics, but they each have their own unique appearance. #2) Softness You might be surprised to learn that scrape wash jeans are softer than many other types of jeans. Jeans, of course, are naturally soft thanks to their use of denim. Denim is warp-faced cotton that features the weft passing under multiple warp threads. And like standard cotton, denim is soft. Nonetheless, scrape wash jeans are almost always softer than traditional jeans. There’s a reason why they are called “scrape wash jeans” and not just “scrape jeans.” Like other...

What Are Cropped Jeans?

Jeans are available in dozens of different styles, one of which is cropped. Cropped jeans are still made of denim. Denim, of course, is what distinguishes jeans from other types of trousers. Cropped jeans, however, feature a unique design that makes them a popular choice. If you’re looking to change up your daily outfits, you should consider investing in a pair of cropped jeans. To learn more about cropped jeans, including their advantages and disadvantages, keep readings. Overview of Cropped Jeans Cropped jeans are denim trousers that don’t fully extend all the way to your feet or ankles when worn. Rather, they typically extend to your shins when worn. The term “cropped” means “cut off” or “cut short.” Cropped jeans follow this same principle. They are jeans that have been cut short so that they only extend to your shins when worn. It’s important to note that cropped jeans aren’t the same as denim shorts. While they are both made of denim, cropped jeans are longer than shorts. Denim shorts typically extend to your knees or higher when worn. In comparison, cropped jeans always extend past your knees when worn. You can expect most cropped jeans to extend to your shins when worn. Advantages of Cropped Jeans Cropped jeans offer a unique alternative to traditional jeans. Traditional jeans, of course, all have a similar appearance. You can find them in different cuts and colors, but they all have a similar appearance that’s defined by their full-length construction. Cropped jeans are different in the sense that they only shorter. They aren’t as short as denim shorts, but cropped jeans are...

7 Things to Consider When Choosing Pull-On Jeans

Pull-on jeans have become a popular alternative to traditional jeans. They typically don’t have a standard button- or zipper-based fly. As their name suggests, pull-on jeans are designed to be worn by pulling them onto your body. This allows for a superior level of convenience and comfort. While all pull-on jeans share these characteristics, though, some of them are different than others. Below are seven important things to consider when choosing pull-on jeans. #1) Material When choosing pull-on jeans, check to see what material they are made of. Pull-on jeans typically aren’t made of the same material as traditional jeans. Traditional jeans are usually made of pure denim, whereas pull-on jeans are made of lightweight cotton. Denim and cotton, of course, are very similar. Denim is actually just another name for cotton with a warp facing, resulting in a heavier weight and thicker construction. Pull-on jeans aren’t made of this same type of denim. Instead, they are made of lightweight cotton. If you’re going to buy a pair of pull-on jeans, you should pay attention to the material from which it’s made. While most of them are made of lightweight cotton, some of them feature a different type of cotton than others. The exact weight of the cotton used in their construction may also vary. #2) Waistband You should consider the waistband when choosing pull-on jeans. Most pull-on jeans have an elastic waistband. This is in stark contrast to traditional jeans, which feature a rigid and stiff waistband. With their elastic waistband, you can pull them onto your body without worrying about zipping up the fly. In addition to...

How to Prevent New Jeans From Staining Your Shoes

Nothing compares to the appearance of a new pair of jeans. They offer a stronger, bolder color than old jeans. New jeans, however, may stain your shoes when worn for the first few times. It’s disheartening when you notice stains on your shoes, but it’s even more frustrating when you discover the problem is associated with your new jeans. You can still wear new jeans in your daily outfits, but you should consider the following tips to prevent them from staining your shoes. Choose Washed Denim Jeans While all types of jeans have the ability to stain shoes, those made of dry denim are far more likely to cause this problem. Also known as raw denim, dry denim refers to any denim material that isn’t washed during production. Denim can be classified as either raw or washed, depending on whether or not it’s washed during production. Raw denim isn’t washed, whereas washed denim — as you may have guessed — is washed. Jeans made of washed denim are less likely to stain your shoes because they’ve already been washed. When denim is washed, it’s submerged in water. Exposure to water will encourage excess dye to rinse out of the denim. The end result is a higher level of protection against bleeding. Your jeans will be less likely to bleed their dye onto your shoes, as well as your other garments, if they are made of washed denim. By choosing a pair of washed denim jeans, you can protect your shoes from stains. Cuff the Pant Legs You can prevent your jeans from staining your shoes by cuffing the pant...

The Complete Guide to Denim Skirts

There’s no better time than the summer to wear a denim skirt. It’s a comfortable and stylish garment that’s ideal for the season’s warm weather. Whether you’re headed to the beach, going out to dinner or running errands around town, you can wear a denim skirt. Before doing do so, however, there are a few things you should know. Below is a complete guide to denim skirts and how to wear them. What Is a Denim Skirt? Also known as a jean skirt, a denim skirt is a type of women’s skirt that’s characterized by a denim construction. In other words, it’s made of the same material as jeans. Both jeans and denim skirts are made of denim, which is essentially cotton with a particular weaving pattern. You can find them in different lengths, colors and styles. Regardless, all denim skirts are made of denim. History of Denim Skirts You might be surprised to learn that denim skirts have been around for over a half-century. While it’s not known who originally created them, some of the first denim skirts appeared in the 1960s. Back then, women would cut up their old jeans while converting them into denim skirts. It was a way for women to recycle their old jeans. In the years to follow, clothing manufacturers took notice and began selling their own denim skirts. Today, denim skirts remain popular throughout the world. Benefits of Wearing a Denim Skirt Wearing a denim skirt offers several benefits. First, you can rest assured knowing that it won’t cause discomfort or irritation. As previously mentioned, denim skirts are made of denim. Denim...