Not all jeans are made using the same technique. Some are designed in different washes, including vintage wash. Featuring an aged appearance, vintage wash jeans have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are now worn by men and women of all ages. But if you’re looking to buy a new pair of jeans, you might be wondering whether vintage wash jeans are a smart investment. In this post, you’ll learn more about this aged denim style and the benefits it offers.
What Are Vintage Wash Jeans?
Vintage wash jeans are denim jeans featuring an aged, semi-worn appearance. To better understand vintage wash jeans, you must first familiarize yourself with the term “vintage.” Not to be confused with antique, vintage refers to any garment or item that’s between 10 to 30 years old. In comparison, antique refers to any garment or item that’s at least 100 years old. Therefore, vintage wash jeans are designed to look like they are 10 to 30 years old.
Although there are exceptions, most denim wash jeans feature the following characteristics:
- Light tone (typically blue)
- Areas of fading
- Whisker marks
- Soft texture
- 100% denim construction
- High-quality fasteners
Why Should I Choose Vintage Wash Jeans?
There are literally dozens of styles of jeans, each of which has its own unique characteristics. So, why should you choose a pair of vintage wash jeans instead of another style?
Vintage wash jeans offer a variety of benefits, some of which may surprise you. First and foremost, they feature a unique appearance that’s not found in new, modern styles of jeans. You can always wear a new pair of jeans for 10 to 30 years to achieve a vintage wash appearance, but an easier solution is to simply buy a pair of vintage wash jeans. With their aged appearance, they offer a genuine vintage style that looks great no matter how they are worn.
In addition to their unique stylish, vintage wash jeans offer a superior level of comfort. This is because they are intentionally worn down during production. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to stonewash their jeans during production to achieve a vintage wash style. Stonewashing, of course, involves placing the jeans, as well as rocks, in a tumble washing machine. The rocks will then bounce against the jeans, thereby making them softer and more comfortable to wear.
The benefits of vintage wash jeans don’t end there. Because they are intentionally worn during production, vintage wash jeans are less likely to fade than other styles. Stonewashed jeansalmost always feature a light tone, with light blue being the most common. This is because the way in which they are made causes them to fade to a slightly lighter tone. And as a result of this intentional fading, vintage wash jeans are less likely to fade when worn and used.
How to Choose Vintage Wash Jeans
Now that you know the basics of vintage wash jeans, including their benefits, you might be wondering how to choose the perfect pair. Like when shopping for other types of jeans, you should choose a pair of vintage wash jeans in the right size. You can’t always rely on traditional waist and length measurements created by the manufacturer. Even if you wear a particular waist and length size in one brand of jeans, you may wear a completely different size in another brand.
By ordering your vintage wash jeans here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you can rest assured knowing that they will fit perfectly. We offer custom sizing on all our jeans, including vintage wash styles, at no additional charge.
In addition to choosing the right size, you should also pay attention to the color when shopping for a pair of vintage wash jeans. As previously mentioned, most vintage wash jeans feature a light blue color. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that vintage wash jeans are only available in light blue. You can find them in other colors as well.
Finally, look to see what materials the vintage wash jeans are made. Most vintage wash jeans are made of 100% denim, which is essentially cotton with a warp-faced weaving pattern. In recent years, though, some manufacturers have begun to produce and sell vintage wash jeans using stretch denim. Stretch denim is actually a combination of denim and an elastic fabric, such as spandex or polyester. It’s called “stretch denim” because it’s more elastic than 100% denim, allowing the jeans to bend and stretch without breaking.
Wearing a Pair of Vintage Wash Jeans: What You Should Know
After purchasing a pair of high-quality vintage wash jeans, you can now include them in your outfits. When wearing a pair of vintage wash jeans, though, there are a few things you should know. First, consider the color of your vintage wash jeans and whether or not they match the rest of your outfit. If you’re wearing a pair of light blue vintage wash jeans — the most common color in which vintage wash jeans are made — avoid wearing a t-shirt or top in the same light blue color. Instead, choose a shirt or top in a different color that contrasts with light blue.
Don’t Forget to Clean and Maintain Vintage Wash Jeans!
To get the most use out of your vintage wash jeans, you’ll need to clean and maintain them. Failure to do so will likely result in a shorter lifespan for your new jeans. The good news is that vintage wash jeans are incredibly durable — even more so than other styles of jeans. With that said, they still require regular cleaning and maintenance.
You can typically clean vintage wash jeans just like any other pair of jeans. Unless otherwise stated on the care tag, place your dirty vintage wash jeans in the washing machine and set the machine to the cold water setting. With a little laundry detergent, this should easily clean and revitalize the appearance of your vintage wash jeans.
