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denim fades

The Most Common Denim Mistakes

denim

If you’re planning to incorporate denim into your wardrobe, read all about the five denim mistakes some people make, plus easy ways to fix them.

1. Wearing jeans that are too big or too tight

jeans skateboarding

Buying a pair of jeans that do not fit well is one of the most common mistakes people make with denim. Whilst jeans are often chosen for informal occasions in which comfort takes priority, they don’t need to be so loose-fitting that they look like tracksuit pants. And at the other extreme are jeans that fit too tightly, leaving seam marks on your legs at the end of a day’s wear.

Our recommendation is that you choose jeans that hug the body but leave a bit of air space.

While it may take you some time to find the perfect style for you, it is ultimately worth the effort.

2. Buying with only size in mind (rather than measurements)

jeans measuring

Each brand has different sizing, so looking only at the size when buying a pair of jeans does not guarantee success. We recommend that you take the measurements of jeans that fit you well and compare them with the measurements shown on the size chart for the jeans you want to buy. Click here to learn how to take measurements properly.

Also keep in mind that most jeans, and especially unsanforized jeans, tend to give a little at the waist (up to 1 inch), so it is better for them to be a little tight at the waist at the start rather than to fit loosely.

3. Washing them too little, or too often

raw denim jeans crotch bacteria

There is a belief that never washing your denim jeans or washing them only a couple of times a year makes them look better, but you should keep in mind that bacteria created by dirt will eat into the cotton fibre, leading to premature tearing and therefore shortening your denim’s service life. This is the cause behind most tearing.

However washing your jeans too often is a denim mistake made by some people. Limiting yourself to washing them when they truly need it will extend the denim’s life and also benefit the environment. We always recommend that you apply logic :)

4. Not washing them properly

how to wash your jeans water temperature

Your preference as to losing more or less indigo for more or less contrasting fades will determine whether you wash your denim in the washing machine or by hand in the bathtub.

If you give the jeans their first wash after 6-7 months of regular use and you put them through consecutive washes only once in a while and always by hand in the bathtub, there will be very little loss of indigo and you will therefore obtain highly contrasting fade lines, mainly next to the front pockets (fades known as whiskers) and behind the knees (honeycombs).

If, however, you wash the jeans very regularly in the washing machine right from the first month, you will have greater loss of indigo, providing a far more even fade without those highly contrasting lines produced by use.

And the most important thing to remember? Turn your jeans inside out before washing them. This will help to preserve the colour, not to mention actually allow for a proper clean of the inside of the jeans.

5. Exposing them to too much heat

how to wash your jeans

Denim and extreme heat are not a good match, so be very careful before throwing your jeans into the tumble dryer after washing them. To prevent shrinkage and discoloration, air-dry your jeans by hanging them up or laying them out flat. Equally, when washing them we recommend that you always avoid extremely hot temperatures that could damage the leather patch on the garment.

COMMENTS ON THIS POST (7)

Shane

I know it can be risky, but I warm machine wash and hot tumble dry my Iron Heart jeans (inside out) and they look great! I don’t recommend doing this for a first wash, as they can be more inky and are probably more likely to do bleed in a weird way. But once they’ve been washed a few times, I’ve never had any problems.

Ruedi Karrer IG @swissjeansfreak

Great advises indeed.
I would skip the tumbler part and a few hand washes or maschine washes with max 30 Degrees Celsius is usually more then enough. I wouldn‘t recomand washing them with higher temperatures

Rob

Very good info, but…..

Replace the part “be careful trowing them in the tumblr dryer” by: NEVER, EVER, put your selvedge jeans in the tumble dryer.

Tumble dryers most often give those ugly fade-like lines on unlogical places, all over your jeans.

Regards,

Rob

John C.

I avoid the bathtub washing routine and still get good fades without the hassle. I use cold water, gentle cycle in a front load washing machine. I use a detergent made for denim (Railcar offers one) or Woolite for darks. Drip dry the jeans outside in the shade. When they are still a little damp, put them on and walk around a bit before allowing them to completely dry. Do this every 5 to 6 months or about 150 to 180 days of wear is the washing routine I follow.

Eduardo

Thank you very much for your advices ! Three questions came to my mind :
1) I wear the jean i purchased at your website something like once a week, since 3 months now. So at what time would you recommand to wash it ?
2) I don’t have a bathtub so what i should do (except buying a bathtub) ?
3) What product would you recommand to wash the jean ? Is there anything especially dedicated to it ?

ABDUL MALEK

Hello,
Many thank Sharing. About the jeans

Douglas Brooks

There’s a difference worth making—-and I bet you agree—-between a vintage style fit that’s actually quite loose and ill-fitting jeans. I’m older now and skinnier jeans look sorta’ stupid on me. And none of us should look like our jeans are painted on as if we’re Robert Plant in 1968. Vintage looks can also be, well, too vintage, as if you are playing dress up or something but in my case, being vintage means that it can work just fine. Just a thought. Carry on, your shop just rocks.

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