Extend The Lifetime Of Your Jeans
Jeans are like your best friend. The more time you spend together, the stronger the bond will grow between the both of you. And investing time in your jeans, as in wearing them the most, they will become more and more beautiful each day. Especially when you’re wearing a pair of rigid (unwashed) jeans from scratch. But even with a pre-washed (factory-washed) pair of jeans, you will experience this yourself. But how to enjoy your jeans the longest as you want to keep your favorite pair alive forever? Here are a few tips on how to achieve this and how to give your best friend the right treatment they deserve. 5 easy tips that can be used to keep them looking good as long as possible.
1. Buy Quality Jeans
One of the main tips is to invest in a well-made, read quality-made, pair of jeans. A pair of jeans that is made with a quality denim fabric and trims. And that is produced with care and time. Also known as a ‘durable jeans’. Most of the time, a high-quality pair of jeans lasts longer. Of course, this always depends on how many you will wear it. How you wear it. And how you will treat it in the end.
2. Wash Less
The best is to wash your jeans not too often. They don’t need a refreshing after just one single wear day. Neither after a few. In the previous article ‘The ultimate wash guide’ you could already learn that it is better for your jeans to wash them every now and then. This is to avoid rips and tears. But, wash only when your jeans need a wash. Below are some washing tips;
- Clean a spot on your jeans by hand as you don’t need to put your jeans in the washing machine immediately.
- When washing, turn your jeans inside out.
- Choose the option between a machine wash (30 degrees) or a handwash. Always wash it in lukewarm water, so not too warm.
- Pick the right gentle detergent when washing.
- Don’t iron your jeans when they’re still wet, this can weaken the fibers. Just lay them flat and let them dry first.
- Skip the dryer. This will shrink your jeans and will damage the fibers of your jeans. Let time do the work to dry your jeans.
Washing your jeans less means that they will stay the best in shape, and keep the original color (original state in general) the longest. Again, washing your jeans on a regular base is highly recommended!
3. Rotate Your Jeans
The best is to rotate a few pairs of jeans in your wardrobe to enjoy each the longest. It gives them some time to ‘recover’ and get them ready for the next wear day. It is also a good option to style yourself differently when picking for example different colors of denim. Mix blue jeans in your closet with a black one (very rock and roll!) and an ecru one, for example, made with a fine bull denim fabric. This looks also great during Winter ; )
4. Your Activities
Denim fabric is a super sturdy fabric. Therefore they started using this fabric to make workwear garments for miners during the ‘Gold Rush’ period in the mid-1800s. Although it is a strong material, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be broken while doing certain activities over and over again. Therefore it is recommended to take care a bit of what you planned to do while wearing your most beloved pair. On the other hand, some people actually do wear their (new) jeans while doing the garden, construction work at home, or repairing their car or motorcycle. All to fasten the aging process of your jeans for a more rough and worn-out look. In the end, it’s all about what you love the most when it comes to the look of your jeans. Remember, there is no accounting for taste, right?!
5. Patch And Repair Your Jeans
When your jeans show some rips, repair or patch them. For repairs, you can let them be fixed by a repair master, or do it yourself with the old Japanese Sashiko stitching technique. With this technique, you will stitch each stitch for stitch. That’s also what Sashiko means. Very mediative to do and it will give your jeans a unique character. You can also patch your jeans with a different color denim fabric for a special look. Or use a woven patch for that authentic hippie vibe!
Conclusion!
Follow these 5 basic rules to enjoy your jeans for a long time. Just like your best friend. Make memories together. Go on an adventure. And enjoy every moment!