Have you heard of stretch jeans? Whether you typically shop for new clothes locally or online, you’ve probably seen stretch jeans for sale. Countless retailers throughout the country and abroad sell them as a comfortable alternative to traditional denim jeans. Over the past few decades, in fact, stretch jeans have become more and more popular.
What Are Stretch Jeans?
Stretch jeans are characterized by the use of an elastic material, such as lycra, polyester or spandex, in their construction. The presence of this elastic material — even in just small amounts, such as 3% to 5% — allows the jeans to bend and stretch without breaking or otherwise sustaining damage.
Most jeans, of course, are made entirely of denim. If you look at the care tag on a typical pair of jeans in your wardrobe, you’ll probably discover they are made of denim as well. Contrary to what some people believe, denim is an actual textile; it’s essentially cotton that’s been woven together in a unique weaving pattern. The end result is a super-strong and durable material that’s become synonymous with jeans.
In addition to denim, though, some jeans contain an elastic material. The 3% Stretch Custom Jeans sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans, for example, contain 3% lycra. They are still made primarily of denim, with denim accounting for 97% of their total composition. However, they feature a small amount of lycra, which is classified as a synthetic elastic material. WIth lycra used in their construction, the jeans are more elastic and, therefore, can stretch more easily without breaking or otherwise sustaining damage.
Why Stretch Jeans Are Popular
While stretch jeans have been around for decades, they are currently more popular than ever. Unless you’ve worn a pair of stretch jeans, though, you might be wondering why, exactly, so many people prefer them over traditional denim jeans.
For starters, stretch jeans have a natural form-fitting construction that hugs your body when worn. What does this mean? Well, they don’t fit baggy or loose. Instead, they offer a narrower fit with little to no excess material. The end result is a better fit that makes you look slimmer and taller in the process — something you won’t find with traditional denim jeans.
Stretch jeans are also popular because they are comfortable to wear. Granted, all high-quality jeans are comfortable to wear. Being that denim is cotton, you can rest assured knowing that jeans won’t cause irritation or discomfort when worn. With that said, most men and women will agree that stretch jeans are even more comfortable to wear than traditional denim jeans.
When jeans are made with an elastic material, they become softer. It’s difficult to describe the softness of stretch jeans without feeling a pair firsthand. The next time you go shopping for new clothes, look for a pair of stretch jeans and rub the fabric between your hands. Now compare that texture with the texture of traditional denim jeans. You’ll likely discover that stretch jeans have a softer and suppler texture than traditional jeans, which is one more reason why they are so popular.
Of course, stretch jeans are also attractive when worn. There are two primary things to consider when shopping for new clothes: appearance and comfort. With stretch jeans, you’ll get the best of both worlds. They are super soft, making them extremely comfortable to wear, yet they are also incredibly stylish and attractive. You won’t find this combination of qualities in other pants or trousers.
Why Stretch Jeans Will Always Be Popular
You can rest assured knowing that stretch jeans will always be popular. They’ve been around for decades, offering a unique alternative to traditional jeans. While other fashion trends have come and gone, stretch jeans have only become more popular since their origins several decades ago.
It’s also worth mentioning that fashion trends are shifting away from loose-fitted clothes while focusing more on tight-fitted clothes instead. As a result, stretch jeans will remain popular for many years to come.
How to Shop for Stretch Jeans
Considering that they are available in so many colors and styles, you might be wondering which stretch jeans you should purchase. For starters, you should consider whether they are made of raw or washed denim. What’s the difference between raw and washed denim exactly?
Raw denim refers to denim that isn’t washed during production. It’s made by weaving cotton in a specific pattern, after which it’s used in the construction of raw denim jeans. In comparison, washed denim refers to denim is that is washed during production. The denim is submerged in water after being woven together, allowing to shrink and fade just slightly.
Don’t forget to choose a pair of stretch jeans in an appropriate color. Like traditional denim jeans, stretch jeans are available in a myriad of colors. You can find in common colors like light blue and indigo as well as less-common colors like red, yellow and green.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when shopping for stretch jeans is the size. If they are too big, they’ll have excess fabric that negatively affects their appearance and comfort. If they are too small, on the other hand, they may constrict your legs and waistline when worn. You can avoid these and other related problems by ordering your stretch jeans from MakeYourOwnJeans. We offer custom sizing on all our jeans, including stretch jeans, to ensure you get the perfect size each and every time.
In Conclusion
Stretch jeans feature a similar appearance as traditional denim jeans. The only difference is that while traditional denim jeans are made entirely of denim, stretch jeans are made of both denim and an elastic material. If you’re thinking about investing in a pair of stretch jeans, though, you need to choose the right type. As mentioned above, you should consider whether they are made of raw or washed denim, the color and the size when shopping for stretch jeans.