Here in the Midwest denim is everywhere and is a staple in most American wardrobes. Jeans are very versatile and depending on what you wear with it the look can be casual or versatile. For ideas look at a previous post at My Wardrobe: How I Built It.
Today's world of denim is more complicated than it once was. The styles and cuts are different as are the types of washes and finishes available for jeans. In this chapter of Ultimate Guide to Men's Denim, I will show and explain to you the finishes and washes available for men's jeans.
Let me first explain what I mean by the words "finish" and "wash" in the world of denim. A finish is a process that converts the denim into a usable product or in this case the process used after dyeing the denim to improve the look, performance or feel of the denim.
Washing is a process to change the appearance, fashion appeal, and warmth of denim. Washing the jean also gets rid of some of the dyes using during the making of the denim during the manufacturing process and makes the jeans more comfortable for the customer. It also reduces shrinkage.
I will show you each wash and finish below along with an explanation of what each os and the process is used.
1. Raw Denim
Raw denim is denim that is denim fabric that is unwashed, untreated and virtually untouched from the moment it comes off the loom and is sold to you.
Although jeans made from raw denim are more expensive upfront there are many advantages to them. Since raw denim is untreated it is more durable.
2. Acid Wash
This process was created in Italy and patented in 1986. Despite the name of the process acid is not used in the acid wash process.
Pumice stones that are soaked in bleached are added to the wash. This results in denim which is not uniform in color.
3. Rinse Wash
This is the most basic wash. The sole purpose is to make the jeans wearable. Starch is added to the denim during production to make strengthen the warp*. This makes the denim very stiff and uncomfortable to wear. The rinse wash softens the denim and improves the hand feel.
4. Mid Wash
The mid-wash is similar to the rinse wash except that it has a longer washing time. This removes more of the indigo creating lighter blue.
5. Light Wash
The process is similar to the mid-wash with the goal being to create a lighter blue than the mid-wash. This is achieved by even a longer wash time than the mid-wash.
6. Bleach Wash
This wash makes the jeans look heavily faded. Washing with bleach is one method to create this look.
Today there are many other colors of jeans other than blue. Common colors are black, tan, white and red among others.
Thank you for stopping and checking out my blog. Ciao!
Comments