Denim is a fabric made from cotton with a twill weave and a distinctive diagonal pattern. A contraction of "de Nîmes," its city of origin, it is the fabric used, among other things, for making jeans. The tightly woven fabric is made from a warp originally dyed blue and a weft that is either unbleached or white.
DENIM.
denim can take many forms
The regular
Regular jeans fit close to the hips but don't mark the hips. They're straight along the entire length of the legs. Also called straight jeans or cigarette jeans, regular jeans are a standard!
The straight
Straight jeans have a straight cut but with a slightly tapered leg. Less tight than slim but closer to the body than regular, they're a good compromise between the two cuts. Dare we say it, straight jeans are a bit like the new regular...
The slim
Slim jeans are fitted, very fitted. They perfectly hug your curves and enhance them. These jeans define the hips, mold the thighs, and are very narrow at the ankles. Skinny jeans: For those looking for even more form-fitting jeans, skinny jeans are tighter at the calves and narrower at the ankles. They're almost like a second skin!
The skinny
For those looking for even more form-fitting jeans, skinny jeans are tighter at the calves and narrower at the ankles. They're almost like a second skin!
...but also:
The mom
Mom jeans really look like the jeans you might find at the bottom of your mom's wardrobe, hence the name MOM. Its vintage look may put some people off, but it's flattering and sexy, for those who know how to wear it well. It's reminiscent of a boyfriend cut, but it's more fitted and sits high.
The boot cut or flare
Bootcut jeans are fitted at the hips, straight through the thighs, and slightly tapered at the knees, then gradually flare out from the top of the calves to the ankles. These jeans are a good middle ground between regular and flared jeans. They can also be cropped.
The slim carrot
Slim carrot jeans are quite loose around the hips and have a slightly longer crotch, resulting in a lower inseam. With a wide top and a tapered bottom, their shape is reminiscent of a carrot, a fitting name.
The tapered
The tapered jean is a variation of the carrot jean, except that it is even wider at the bottom of the legs and has a shorter crotch, thus a more fitted crotch. It is identified by its conical shape. It is ideal for athletes with muscular thighs.
washes & treatments:
Initially, jeans are defined as "raw", that is to say with the absence of treatments after the production of the fabric, and in particular the absence of washing.
Jeans are dyed with indigo, which is a naturally unstable pigment.
Those who know this know that you should wash raw denim as little as possible so that the raw indigo dye, which will bleed when washed, creates contrasts. Subtle at first, they will become more and more pronounced, making each pair of jeans unique.
small glossary of finishes:
Coated jeans
A layer of silicone or other covering product is applied to these jeans to give a glossy, shiny appearance to the garment.
Overdyed jeans
An additional dye is applied to the finished product, the canvas itself having already been dyed before mounting.
Grey denim or grey jeans
Grey jeans are made from black denim with a grey weave that softens the monochrome effect of black.
Stonewashed denim or worn jeans
It is a fading technique where the color is faded using pumice stones which rub the fabric.
Bleach denim
It is a bleach washing technique.
Used denim
Denim aged by sandblasting mainly on areas such as knees, pockets, buttocks etc.
Brushed denim or brushed effect jeans
Areas such as the knees and buttocks are rubbed with an electric brush, to give the jeans a naturally worn appearance.
Black denim or black jeans
Jeans where the canvas, seams and weave are black, which gives it a total black effect.
Destroyed denim or ripped jeans
Favorite jeans (we all have one…) that are completely worn and full of holes.
At Maison Standards, steam washes wonderfully. We're gradually using this technique for all our denim washes. This saves a lot of water and is significantly less polluting.
