Denim is a fashion staple that can never really go out of style. Its unmatched versatility gives an edge to any look. The word ‘denim’ itself comes from a type of fabric that originated in the French town of Nimes, serge de Nimes. Its rugged and durable nature made denim handy for rough jobs like mining, but ordinary people started to see its intrinsic value as a fashion item over time. It’s an iconic and versatile fabric, but sometimes it can be challenging to work with, along with other concerns.
The Pros and Cons of Denim
Denim has a bad reputation among environmentalists, and for good reasons. Making denim requires carcinogenic dye and gallons of water. The dye can become a pollutant for nearby waterways. To make a single pair of jeans requires 8 gallons of water, which is what an average household uses in three days.
The cotton in denim uses a lot of water to grow as well; it can take up to 25 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton. It also needs pesticides that are harmful to the environment, particularly water sources, even if they are miles away. The heavy reliance on fertilizer and pesticides can also make the soil salty and detrimental to organisms.
The mechanical processes of spinning and weaving jean fabrics require a lot of energy. The facility also needs constant temperature and moisture levels to produce quality jeans, which also adds to the facility’s energy needs.
Although making denim can be environmentally damaging, it has some upsides. Denim is durable; a quality pair of jeans can last a long time without the need for replacement. Additionally, manufacturers of denim are switching to new technology that uses less water and harmful chemicals.
The feel of denim depends on whether it is raw or washed denim. Raw denim tends to feel stiff, rough, and generally uncomfortable to wear. On the other hand, Washed denim is soft and a pleasure to wear.
How the denim feels on your skin can depend on the quality of the denim. Low-quality denim tends to remain stiff and uncomfortable for long periods, even after several washes. Higher quality denim softens up after you wash them; hence the term washed jeans. You can buy prewashed jeans that will be soft and comfortable right off the rack.
Using fabric softener on denim will start to have a sandpaper feel to it over time. That’s because the chemical additive will build up over time on the surface of the jean.
If you want to make your jeans feel less sandpapery, tumble dry them. You can use the low heat or no heat setting if you are worried about shrinkage.
Accessorizing Denim
Denim comes in various forms, most popularly jeans, shorts, skirts, and jackets. Depending on what you are wearing – e.g. baseball mom shirts – and the look you are going for – e.g. James Dean or Marlon Brando – you can use accessories to add a splash of style.
A small bag can act as a statement piece that adds a layer to your outfit. It can add a splash of color or patterns to what is usually a single-color denim outfit. They also add to the leisurely look synonymous with jeans because small bags don’t carry much but look great.
Denim is a heavy fabric, so add more heavy items to your look. Men and women can use chunky multiple armbands and bracelets for a chic look. Denim usually goes well with iron-colored wrist bands. The iron harks back to the days when denim was for hard labor. Simplistic gold or silver jewelry can add some shine to your clean jean look. The contrast works well on solid colors and gives you a cool veneer.
You should consider wearing tinted sunglasses or eyeglasses to top any jeans look. You can pull off the nonchalant style with rimless glasses men’s fashion or add to your street cred with suave aviator sunglasses. The choice is yours. To add mystery to your outfit, you can use baseball caps. People will be tempted to focus more on your outfit than your face if you wear a cap.
It’s in Your Jeans
Whether you want to look cool or leisurely, jeans can work for you. You may have some difficulty with the comfort of the material at first, but after a few washes, it should be fine; if you have trouble styling a jean outfit, don’t forget you can always rely on the right accessories.
