It’s a common misconception that all jeans are made of the same fabric. Jeans, by definition, are denim trousers. While some of them are made of 100% denim, though, others are made of denim and an elastic fabric. Slight stretch jeans fall under this category. They are still made mostly of denim, but they feature an elastic fabric in their construction as well. With slight stretch jeans, you’ll essentially get the best of both worlds.
What Are Slight Stretch Jeans?
Slight stretch jeans are denim trousers that, as previously mentioned, are made of denim and an elastic fabric. You can find them in different cuts, such as boot cut, straight leg, skinny, high rise, low rise and relaxed. You can also find them in a variety of colors. Slight stretch jeans look like most other jeans. They are simply made of a combination of denim and an elastic fabric.
Slight Stretch Jeans vs Standard Jeans
The difference between slight stretch jeans and standard jeans lies in their construction. Standard jeans are made of 100% denim. Denim, of course, is a warp-faced cotton fabric that features the weft under at least two warp threads. When produced, denim has a twill weaving pattern that results in a diagonal ribbing. All denim is made of cotton. The way in which it’s woven makes it stronger and more durable than plain cotton.
Slight stretch jeans are also made of denim. They are distinguished from standard jeans, though, by their use of an elastic fabric. Standard jeans are made entirely of denim, whereas slight stretch jeans are made of denim and an elastic fabric.
Lycra is a common type of elastic fabric used in the construction of slight stretch jeans. It’s essentially a hybrid fabric consisting of polyester and polyurethane. Polyester, of course, is highly elastic. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is strong and durable. When used in the construction of slight stretch jeans, lycra offers these same properties.
There are other types of stretch jeans available for sale as well. Most of them contain a higher concentration of an elastic fabric than that of slight stretch jeans. A typical pair of slight stretch jeans may contain just 0.5% to 1% of an elastic fabric. In comparison, other types of stretch jeans may contain 2% to 3% of an elastic fabric. Slight stretch jeans offer a minimal amount of elasticity. They aren’t as stiff as ordinary jeans, but they are less elastic than most other types of stretch jeans.
Why You Should Invest in Slight Stretch Jeans
If you’ve never worn them before, you might be wondering what benefits slight stretch jeans offer. For starters, slight stretch jeans are comfortable. They are super soft, so you can rest assured knowing that they won’t irritate your skin when worn.
When compared to other types of stretch jeans, slight stretch jeans are better protected from shrinkage. Elastic fabrics tend to shrink when washed in hot water. The more you wash them in hot water, the more they’ll shrink. Fortunately, slight stretch jeans only contain a very small amount of an elastic fabric.
Slight stretch jeans are still strong. They are typically made of about 99% denim. Denim is recognized for its strength. With slight stretch jeans, you’ll get the best of both worlds. Slight stretch jeans are soft and comfortable, yet they are also strong.
There’s no denying the fact that slight stretch jeans are stylish. As previously mentioned, they are available in dozens of cuts and colors. With the right type of slight stretch jeans, they’ll enhance your appearance with a touch of style.
Another reason to invest in slight stretch jeans is their forgiving fit. They are more forgiving in the waist than other types of jeans. With their elastic fabric, they’ll contour to the shape of your body. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should order slight stretch jeans in the wrong size. Nonetheless, slight stretch jeans are more forgiving in the waist than other types of jeans, including ordinary jeans.
How to Maintain Slight Stretch Jeans
You should maintain your slight stretch jeans to make them last. All jeans can degrade when neglected for an extended period — and slight stretch jeans are no exception. Failure to maintain them may result in fraying, fading or other forms of damage. Fortunately, slight stretch jeans are easy to maintain. And by maintaining them, you can make your slight stretch jeans last a long time.
Always check the care tag after buying a pair of slight stretch jeans. Manufacturers include cleaning instructions on a small label known as the care tag. You can typically find the care tag inside the waistband. By checking the care tag, you’ll know the safest and most effective way to wash, as well as dry, your slight stretch jeans.
To preserve their original color, wash your slight stretch jeans with other garments of the same color. Most slight stretch jeans are blue. Assuming you have a pair of light blue or indigo slight stretch jeans, you should wash them with other blue-colored garments. Doing so will preserve their original color. Your slight stretch jeans won’t be susceptible to bleeding colors if you wash them with other garments of the same color.
You may want to turn your slight stretch jeans inside out before washing them. When turned inside out, the exterior will be concealed. This will protect your slight stretch jeans from fading when washed. You can even go one step further by adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the load. Vinegar acts as a color protectant. It will “lock in” the color of your slight stretch jeans so that they don’t fade.
In Conclusion
Slight stretch jeans are exactly what they sound like: jeans that have a small but noticeable amount of stretchiness to them. They are characterized by the use of an elastic fabric. Most slight stretch jeans have 0.5% to 1% of an elastic fabric in their construction, which is mixed with denim.
