Dating back more than 140 years ago, denim styles, more popularly known as jeans, have evolved. According to historyofjeans.com, “Jeans are pants made from denim or dungaree cloth. They were invented by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873 and a worn still but in a different context. Jeans are named after the city of Genoa in Italy, a place where cotton corduroy, called either jean or jeane, was manufactured.”
Beyond the usual pants or trousers style, there are more ways to look classy in jeans. The trick to working with denim is to understand your body shape, have an eye for colour, invest in quality, get creative, and most importantly, accessorise appropriately.
As jackets/shirts
Beyond the usual jackets/shirts that have come to characterise the denim market, there are more ways to style jackets with denim. You can use cut-outs from other fabrics as a stylish addition to the denim jacket. For shirts, whether for men or women, go for the lightweight denim fabrics and get creative with styling. Mix with a variety of fabrics, including Ankara, to achieve unique styles.
As blouses, dresses
More women have found ways to use the denim for as many styles of blouses as possible. Styles range between sleeveless dresses or shirts, peplum blouses, shirt dresses, pinafore dresses, among others. For gowns, you can choose between short and long dresses.
As skirts, jumpsuits
The special thing about denim skirts is that they are unique in every way. Whether short or long, you have the liberty to get creative when it comes to styling. For jumpsuits, because of the nature of the fabric and the style, they are always a good choice. Durability, fit and comfort are necessary when it comes to styling jumpsuits and denim usually serve as a very good option.
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7 ways to make your denim last longer
Get the right size
Different brands fit differently (some run big, some run small). By the same token, some brands will shrink after your first wash and others will give with wear. If your jeans are too small, it will lead to more abrasion and quicker blowouts, not to mention threaten your unborn children. It’s really important when you’re shopping around that you speak with sales assistants that are personally familiar with the nuances of fit associated with the brands they represent.
Buy raw
At the risk of preaching to the choir, you should buy raw denim. If you want long-lasting denim, there’s no sense in buying a pair that’s already had a year of life sandblasted off of them.
Go heavyweight
If you really want to put your jeans through the ringer, go heavyweight (anything above 16oz). More cotton simply means there’s more for you to work through.
Wash your jeans
You should most certainly wash your jeans (if you want them to last longer). If you don’t, your denim will absorb all the dirt, grime, and sweat that comes with wear, creating harmful friction, that will wear down the cotton. When it comes time to wash your jeans, spot-clean first, as not all stains warrant an all-over wash. Also, be sure to wash them using cold water, with a non-abrasive detergent (if necessary at all). Select the gentle or delicate cycle setting if you choose to use a washing machine or put them in the tub.
Hang dry them
You shouldn’t put your jeans in the dryer! Subjecting your jeans to high heat causes shrinkage (which increases stress points), expedites the breakdown of the cotton fibers, and can cause some really funky new creases. Once you’ve finished washing, be sure to either: hang dry, roll, or lay your jeans flat.
Be diligent about repair
Crotch blowouts, busted button-holes, pocket bag wear, and frayed hems are all common plights associated with well-worn denim. Just be sure to take them to someone who knows what they’re doing.
Keep ’em in rotation
Don’t succumb to the urge to wear the same pair of jeans week-in and week-out. You should do your best to avoid wearing the same pair for days or weeks at a time. It will give your jeans a chance to wear and dry out.
Even if you follow all of these tips, your jeans will eventually fade away, but hopefully this info will help you slow down the process.
Source: www.heddels.com
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