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Home · Homekeeping · How to Make your Jeans Last Longer!

46

How to Make your Jeans Last Longer!

Jill Nystul  ·  April 11, 2013

Today’s guest post is from Alicia Richmond, founder of Chic on a Shoestring (www.chiconashoestring.com). Alicia and I go back a few years. We worked together on a local television talk show called “Good Things Utah” where Alicia had a weekly wardrobe segment. Even though Alicia has worked with “famous” stylists, such as Clinton Kelly from “What Not to Wear” fame, I’ve always admired her practical approach to fashion.

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Her philosophy is that our clothes are a significant investment so we should make sure that they fit and flatter our body-type so they don’t become regrets hanging in our closet. Here’s a short video (http://bit.ly/10D9KgO) where she shares her wardrobe philosophy. I hope you enjoy her advice and please let me know your thoughts. Next month she’ll be helping us to choose a swimsuit that is flattering for our unique and different body-types! Take it away Alicia…..

MY LATEST VIDEOS

Okay, so anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a fabric nerd. My bachelor’s degree is in Clothing and Textiles and I loved playing scientist in the textile labs when I was a student. One of the most practical lessons that I learned in my three semesters of textiles chemistry is the value of caring for your jeans and denim.

Any woman who has shopped for jeans knows that the entire experience is not only an investment in money, but also time. Jeans have become such a staple in our wardrobe that we are willing to go through the entire ordeal of shopping for that perfect pair.

But once you find the perfect pair of jeans, you will want the jeans to last for as long as possible.

Here are a few of my tried and true tips for keeping your jeans and denim looking as “new” as possible.

protect your jeans

  1. For the “first ” washing of the denim, especially with dark wash jeans, always wash in cold water. We are going to “set” the dye. Remember to keep your jeans looking new, only wash your jeans every three to four wearings.
  2. Use one cup of distilled white vinegar, pour in the washing machine and let it distribute well in the water before placing the jeans in the washer. NO LAUNDRY SOAP for the first washing. Then I alternate using vinegar or laundry soap to clean my jeans, after I have “set” the color in my denim after the first washing. Use only a small amount of laundry soap with denim.
  3. Turn your jeans inside out before placing in the washing machine (you can wash more than one pair at a time, but the dye lots must be similar). Always turn inside out to preserve the “face” of the denim.
  4. Jeans will release the largest amount of dye in the first wash cycle. The vinegar will set the dye and prevent it from transferring onto other clothing items and onto your skin.
  5. After the jeans are finished washing, the first time and every time, take out of the machine and re-shape the jeans. Make sure that you pull the legs down to give you a little more length in the hem. Make sure to zip up the zipper and lay flat on a drying rack to dry. NEVER put jeans in the dryer, the heat breaks down the stretch fiber (Lycra content) and the finish on the denim. The jeans will be a little stiff after you grab them off the drying rack. Loosen them up by rubbing them with your hands.

protect your jeans

The jeans above are mine and my favorite. They are some of my more expensive jeans, although I rarely pay full price for anything, but when you consider cost-per-wearing, these jeans have been a good investment; a staple in my wardrobe. These jeans are three years old. You treat your jeans well and they’ll treat you well.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR BODY-TYPE IS CRITICAL TO FIND THE PERFECT FITTING PAIR OF JEANS: Two women can be the same height and weight, yet have very different body-types.

  • Are you long or short-waisted?
  • What’s the ratio between your waist and hips?
  • Where is your natural waist?
  • How does your inseam relate to your torso?
  • Where do you carry your weight?

These factors affect the rise of the jeans, the width of the waistband, the wash, the style of the leg, etc. for the perfect pair of jeans. If done well, you shouldn’t have muffin-top and back-gap and the cut will truly flatter your assets.

When I work one-on-one with clients, without fail, they all want a great fitting pair of jeans. For 15 years I’ve been analyzing women and their body-type to teach them how to recognize that perfect pair of jeans that flatter their assets and minimize their challenges.

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When you find that perfect jean, you want to make it last and look great as long as possible.

For more of Alicia Richmond’s REAL fashion advice for REAL women…visit Chic On A Shoestring!

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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Terry
Terry

Do most or all of these apply to men’s jeans as well? I don’t wear jeans if I can help it as I’ve never found denim to be comfortable, but my husband wears jeans almost every day. We haven’t noticed the fabric fade or wear out but we usually get him a couple of new pairs every year as the hems have started to fray.

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4 months ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

Terry, this would apply to all denim!

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4 months ago
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5 years ago
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5 years ago
Ayesha
Ayesha

Can someone tell me why my jeans always wear out between the legs? This time I ot smart and as oon as my brazillian brand Mango jeans started to wear, I took them o a tailor to get a patch sewn on under the worn areas. I do wish I could delay that process. I don’t even carry much weight on my thighs, but I think may be that I walk too much. I hate using the car for small errands and spend most of the day walking with my son every where.

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6 years ago
Katie
Katie

Great tips for not drying and pulling on the legs… Will this help keep the pant legs the original length or is that just a sign my butt is getting bigger??

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6 years ago
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Aanel
Aanel

Do all of these comments on dye retention apply to colors other than blue? Do they apply to black jeans as well?

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