Jeans Explained

I am the love of every one; boy or girl, rich or poor, young or old, Black or White, Eastern or Western. Look at your legs and there I am! Yes – I am the good old Blue Jeans – the most worn garment in the world.

There is no garment in the world that is worn more than the blue Jeans; started in USA, it became symbol of US culture but now found in every person’s wardrobe; no matter how young or old, no matter what nation he belongs to; black, brown or white.

Danny Miller, an author of a book on jeans, writes, I visited many countries; Philippines to Turkey, India and Brazil. I stopped and counted the first 100 people to walk by, and in each I found almost half the population wore jeans on any given day (except rural China & southeast Asia)! So how it all started?

First Jeans Arrive

Mine workers in California were looking for a garment that could bear with the harsh conditions of mining. A tailor Jacob Davis invented a pair of trousers made with Denim cloth around 1850s and then patented it with the help of a merchant Levi Strauss. So Levi Strauss & Co was born. It was sewn with strong thread and strengthened with rivets; the Jean was born! It was an instant hit, and is ever since.

Denim & Indigo

The cloth used to make jeans is called Denim. It is weaved with pure cotton yarn. Denim is made with two yarns – one dyed indigo, the other undyed. Indigo yarn is most visible on the outside, undyed yarn on the inside.

The blue color comes from the extract of a plant Indigo. The dye fades with the use, hence a faded effect appears on a used or washed jeans.

 Oh Boy Levi’s Jeans are Strong!

Levi’s & Co receive a complaint letter in 1917 from a miner Mr Homer Campbell along a pair of torn jeans. He bought jeans and wore it for three years every day except Sundays and it fell apart; he was disappointed. The letter reads:

“I am sending you the garment for the head of fabric department who may determine what is wrong. I have worn nothing but Levi Strauss overalls for the past 30 years and this pair has not given me the service that I have got from some of your overalls in the past. I know that it is your aim to present a superior article on the market and consider it my duty to help you in any way I can. Please consider this and let me know if the fault is mine.”

Why So Popular?

Simply because jeans adapt to whatever you want them to; fashion, trendy, simplicity, cheap, long-lasting, comfort – whatever is your reason for wearing jeans fulfills it gracefully.

Levi’s 501

The company created their first pair of Levis 501 Jeans in the 1890s, a style that went on to become the world’s best-selling item of clothing. 501 is the first & original design.

Which one is for YOU??

While right jean can make you look like Elvis Presley, the wrong one would easily make you look ugly and feel uncomfortable, fat, lumpy, short or boxy. Finding a right pair of jeans is hard work but it is well worth it.

“Try before you Buy” is the Golden rule when buying a jeans. It is best to get length adjusted after one wash to allow shrinkage.

Jeans Cuts & Suitability for Body Types

There are two things you need to be clear about while deciding a suitable pair of jeans:

a- Legs & Opening at Feet: There are three types:

1. Tapered: Wide at top Narrow at feet
2. Straight: These jeans are the most common. Neither tapered nor excessively loose, this conservative style is ideal for those who want their jeans to be simple & classic.
3. Boot-Cut: Narrow at top wider at feet. This slim cut fits closely (but not tightly) with a slight flare (widening) towards the leg opening.

b- Thighs & Hips: There are four types:

1. Skinny: These are tight-fit as name suggests. Skinny jeans are a risky bet for most men.
2. Slim: This cut of jean is tapered in a similar style to skinny jeans but not too closely. Slim-fit jeans is suitable for slim to medium build body.

3. Regular: Good for most men with medium build body.

4. Relaxed: These jeans are loosely cut from waist to leg opening, are great for heavier men. Thin guys should avoid relaxed-fit jeans.

Jeans Rise

 This refers to the length of the jeans from waistline to the crotch (leg opening). Medium rise is suitable for most men.

Denim Washes Explained: Jeans are supplied washed and unwashed:

– Raw Denim: Raw denim jeans are left unwashed after production hence producing a dark look that fades over time creating a look of genuine distress (use).

– Washed Denim: Jeans is washed after construction to rinse away the excess dye. Types of washes are:

a)     Acid Wash: Jeans is washed with bleach to give it a very light or near-white colour.

b)      Dirty Wash: Dirty-wash denim is dyed by combining dark blues dye with slight yellow or brown tinting, creating a jean with a dirty, worn & used appearance.

c)       Stone Wash: Stonewashing is one of the most popular finishes for denim jeans. The cloth is washed with stones to give it a kind of worn look.

Caring for Jeans:

1. Don’t wash the jeans too often to preserve its indigo colour.
2. Wash them with cold water and little detergent.
3. Buy a real good one for occasional use and one for casual regular use.

No, No’s with Jeans

1. Too Tight, Too Loose, Too Long à Too Bad
2. Do not wear formal Black or pure white shoes with jeans; best to wear brown or any shaded semi-formal shoes.
3. Running Shoes are also a no no. These are only good for jogging with jogging suit.
4. Do not wear white or a similar formal shirt.
5. Remember ; Jeans is a casual to semi-formal dress

REMEMBER: Dress represents YOU; so make sure it represents you WELL….