Jeans are a wardrobe staple, so buy smart and make ’em last
Whether they’re our flashest denim or a favourite, rumpty old pair for around home, jeans are a wardrobe staple. But jeans come at a big cost to you and the environment, so use these tips to buy smart and make them last
Comfy, flattering jeans are a wonderful thing. Like bodies, they come in all shapes and sizes, so take your time choosing your next pair and be prepared to pay for quality. Think fabric, design and workmanship (look for clues like well stitched buttonholes and wide seams). Here are our tips:
Go organic: Workshop, Untouched World and Descendant Denim are three local jean-makers that use organic cotton. Levis also offers an organic range.
Fair trade jeans are increasingly available overseas—the challenge is finding New Zealand stockists with a style and price that suits. Try the Southland-based ethical online store Micah Clothing (www.micahclothing.co.nz).
Check out second-hand jeans online or at your local op shop. When buying online, compare measurements against a favourite pair of jeans. The greenest garments are the ones you already have, so make sure you get really good wear out of the jeans you already own. One of the best things about jeans is that you can wear them until they turn raggedy—and then some. Refresh faded denim by re-dying it with a cold dye wash. It’s a great way to breathe new life into kid’s hand-me-downs.
Trust your instincts when picking a style that suits you. Don’t be intimidated by pushy shop assistants—despite their enthusiasm, some of us really don’t look good in super-low-rise or skinny-leg cuts. Take a friend along whose opinion you rate. If in doubt, go for dark denim as it’s the most versatile and always in fashion.
The clothing industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and denim—made from cotton—is no exception. The pesticides used to grow cotton cause an estimated one million cases of poisoning and 20,000 deaths each year. Jeans also get a bad rap for the poor working conditions and low wages of the people who sew them together. Garment workers’ wages can be less than one percent of the final retail cost.
Washed with love
A great pair of jeans should look and feel terrific to wear—and with proper care they should last for ages. Follow these tips for keeping your favourite pairs in the best shape possible.
1 Soak new blue or black jeans in a vinegar and salt solution (approximately quarter of a cup of each) for 15 to 30 minutes before their first wash to set the dye, reduce fading and shrinkage.
2 Wash new jeans by themselves, to avoid staining other garments.
3 Empty pockets and turn the jeans inside out before washing.
4 Wash in cold water on a delicate cycle.
5 Remove as soon as the wash has finished and hang, inside out, on a line to air dry. Avoid direct sunshine though, which can cause fading.
6 Avoid heat. A hot water wash or hot dryer can cause irreversible fabric damage, causing the denim to go saggy.
7 If the waist of your jeans is a little snug, stretch the waistband while the jeans are still wet. If you can stand the feeling, put them on while they’re wet to stretch them. (Take them off to finish drying!)
8 If possible, always wash jeans with other jeans: no more than five pairs per load, with the washer set on its largest load setting.
