Denim Wash Guide

Denim comes in many different shades which are called washes. Manufacturers spend a lot of time to create and achieve washes from your dark to very light shades.  Here are descriptions of the process denim goes through and which attributes will look best on you!

Rinse

• The darkest of denim, called rinse refers to the wash process which is just a quick rinse with water and perhaps some softener in an industrial machine.  Almost all manufacturers attach a hang tag to this type of product to inform the consumer that these jeans must be washed alone and inside out, as the dyes in the denim still remain and will start to release in home laundering.  Always use caution when coming into contact with light fabric or upholstery.  Rinse denim looks great on everyone, but is especially helpful for those who have a pear shape body, as it will NOT emphasize a thick thigh.  Dark rinse denim will also help out the petite woman by making the leg look longer.

Stone Wash

• Stone washed and enzyme stone washed denim can range from somewhat dark to vey light in color.  the lighter it was laundered in an industrial machine at the manufacturing level.  Stones and enzymes are added to the was to breakdown the fabric, to remove color and create softness.  A lighter shade of denim creates a more cohesive lood for a top heavy woman as the light color adds volume to the lower half of the body without adding bulk.
• Here's a fun fact:  The type of stone used for laundering are pumice stones just like the ones used for pedicures.  You can check the front pockets on any newly purchased jeans for small grains of the stone leftover.  Enzymes are used to eat away at any pilling in the fabric that the stones create.

Distressed Features

• Sandblasting  - is a process that is done before the industrial washing process where the jeans are shot with sand in order to abrade them and cause a worn appearance.  Many of the higher end expensive brands individually hand sand each pair!  Sandblasting can be complimentary to the thigh when subtle, avoid heavy (white) sandblasting for thick thighs, but for those lucky few with thim thighs, a nice heavy sandblast can bring attention to those fabulous gams.
• Whiskers - a fading in the hip and crotch area and sometimes the back of the knees, gives the denim the appearance of having been aged.  Whiskers acan accentuate a wide hip, so this detail would look best on someone who has a rectangular boyish type body.
• Abrasion - refers to the scraping or breaking up of the surface of the fabric to give a worn and faded look.  Abrasion adds a very casual feel to denim, therefore should be worn with equally casual tops.
• Grinding - again makes the denim look aged and worn, however is usually applied at hems, seams, belt loops, pockets and waistbands.  This detail again adds a very casual feel to denim, however if subtle can be worn with something a little dressier.
• Baked Creases - are a process to replicate a permanent crease which normally would occur after repeated wear.  Usually a chemical called "Resin" is sprayed on the denim, then they are pinched and baked, (yes baked in an oven like machine) to achieve this worn look.

Now that you have some basic knowledge of what goes into makin your favorite jeans, get dressed up and enjoy!

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