Denimology

To Wash Or Not To Wash

Yesterday I wrote about the detrimental effect that regularly washing your jeans is having on the environment. Now I am one of those unusual people that washes their jeans as infrequently as possible. That's not because I am a smelly old tramp but because I love my jeans to look as dark as possible. This article on denim care tips from the experts shows that I am not alone in my obsession. Christine Rucci, co-founder/designer of 5EP Jeans recommends that you "do not wash your jeans...wear them ‘til they’re stanky. Then, you can either rub a dryer sheet on them or spray Febreze" whilst Donwan Harrell, owner/designer of PRPS Jeans says "I don't wash my own jeans. I always start with a pair of raw denim and wear them down to what looks ‘washed’ naturally." I couldn't agree more.

Dirty Jeans Save The Planet

According to a study by France's environment agency your favourite jeans may are not doing the environment any good. Over the period of a year washing and tumble drying a pair of jeans uses up 240kWh of energy a year, equal to using 4,000 lightbulbs, each of 60 watts, for an hour. So why not wash your jeans a little less often, they may smell a bit but you can comfort yourself with the fact that your are doing your bit for the planet.

Ask The Jean Genie

Are you having trouble finding the perfect pair of jeans? Then I recommend that you try the Glam.com Jean Genie - it will help you find the right pair of jeans to make your legs look longer, your waist look smaller and your butt look perkier.

The Denim Design Lab

The Denim Design Lab is a unique set of tools and instructions to enable you to age and customize your jeans exactly how you want them. The kit comes in a selvage denim carry case and contains tools such as the DDL Grinder which are similar to those used by professionals denim finishers.

The Jeans Pocket Project

Do you ever see someone wearing a pair of jeans and wonder what brand they are but are too shy to ask? Now there is a great new site to help you discover the maker of a brand of jeans from the back pocket design. The Jeans Pocket Project contains photos of the back pocket designs from over 50 premium denim brands. In case you were wondering the brands above (clockwise from top left) are Chip N Pepper, True Religion, Rock & Republic, Earnest Sewn, 7 For All Mankind and Joe's Jeans.

Spotting Fake Diesel Jeans On eBay

EBay is a great place to get premium jeans at a reduced price but one thing you have to be extra careful about is fakes. EBay does not actively police every auction and therefore it is reasonably easy to put counterfeit items up for sale. Here (courtesy of eBay) is what to look for if you want to be sure you are buying genuine Diesel jeans.

Micro-Stitching: Below the 'Made in Italy' marking, there is silvery white stitching that when you look closely will say 'Diesel'.

Small Numbers: Tiny, hard to read numbers appear above the Indian head tag inside authentic jeans

Distress and rip marks: Authentic Diesel jeans are hand-distressed while fakes are typically created by machine. Due to this, fake jeans distress marks may appear less-realistic and more like scratches or precise rips.