Making a new item look old appeals to many. “Antique” furniture, for example, often is made to look old with fading, distressing, and coloring techniques to give the otherwise brand-new furniture character. The same goes for jeans with sanding - they look like you’ve loved them for years.
Some different sanded jeans from indi
It is estimated that 3.2 billion jeans are manufactured worldwide annually and of that amount, 1.2 billion jeans are sanded to replicate a worn in look. People love sanded jeans not only because of the visual appeal, but the sanding process also causes the fabric to soften, thus adding to the comfort of the jeans.
Sanding process can be done with a sand blaster or by hand with sandpaper or with power tools. The difference between the two processes depends on how much sanding denim manufacturers would like the jean to have. A sandblast is great for controlling big sections of the jeans they want sanded. A sandblaster could also be used to produce many different patterns. The sandblasting process starts by blasting a very abrasive substance through a nozzle at the denim at high speed and pressure. Hand sanding on the other hand, allows denim manufacturers to be very precise on what gets sanded. It is done with a fine grain sand paper, a sanding block or a palm sander similar to the ones used by carpenters.
Some of our new denim fabrics here at indi contain anywhere from subtle sand blasting over the entire jean or some heavy blasting in selected areas of the jean in order to give you that worn in custom look. Keep in mind that sanded jeans do emphasize curves, so if you don’t want to showcase you legs, we recommend you opt for light to no sanding. But whatever you decide, your sanded jeans will have a truly authentic and well-loved feel.
posted by: Eunice Tanos on January 27, 2011 at 10:59 am
filed under:Denim 101
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For all you ladies with an hourglass shape, we created a video to help you better understand which styles look best on your bodies. This video will take you through the process of designing the best looking jeans that will accentuate your hourglass shape. Enjoy!
Transcript:
HOW TO: Design a jean for an HOURGLASS Shape.
Hi everyone! My name is Alena and, today, I’m going to show you how to design a jean for an hourglass shape. An hourglass shape has symmetrical shoulders and hips, a full bust, defined waist, and shapely legs. To start, go to indiCustom.com and select Design Your Own from the drop down menu under the women’s tab.
Now we’ll choose the fit of your jeans. For an hourglass shape we recommend either our SoMa, our most popular fit, or our Presidio trouser jean. Trouser jeans have a classic look that flatter hourglass figures by offering plenty of room in the thigh and elongating your figure. Our SoMa fit is great for hourglass figures as well because it has a flattering fit through the hips and thighs and has a contoured waistband for comfort. I’ll go ahead and choose the SoMa.
Next, we’ll choose the fabric. We recommend a stretch fabric to accentuate your legs it’ll be more comfortable and flattering on an hourglass shape especially around the hip area. I’m going to choose our Pacifica light weight stretch denim which has 2% stretch. Our next choice is the denim wash. By hovering over each swatch, you can see a more detailed view of the fabric you have chosen and the wash it comes in. Also our visualization tool to the right will display the jeans in their selected fabric. Click “zoom in” for a closer look. Darker washes are the most slimming and they will also serve to balance your hips with your smaller waist. If you don’t want to go quite as extreme as our rinse wash, the dark choice is still deep enough blue to be flattering on hourglass shapes.
Next choose the rise for your jeans. We recommend a low to average rise as this will sit on your hips and help avoid gaping. As an hourglass figure I’m sure you’ve experienced gaping before. It’s that undesirable gap between your lower back and the back waist of your jeans. You can also wear a high rise as you have a smaller waist but make sure to accurately measure your natural waist to ensure no gaping. Stay away from that super low rise, ladies, to prevent that muffin top.
Now, chose either zipper or button fly closure. This is a matter of taste not shape. Time to choose your leg opening style. For an hourglass shape a bootcut is always safe. However, if you want to try something more adventurous we would recommend the wide leg, which gives plenty of room in the thigh and will emphasize your small waist. Stay away from extreme skinnies as these can make you appear top heavy. Choose whichever hem style and coin pocket fit your personal style.
When choosing the back pocket style, avoid the flap. As an hourglass, you already have the curves you don’t need to fake them. But choose any embroidery or embellishment you’d like.
Finally choose your finishing treatment. The best ones for hourglasses are the light sanding or none at all on dark denim. For lighter wash denims more distressing can be used since the contrast will not be as evident. In any case you want to stay away from extreme whiskering, as this will cause your hips to appear wider than they actually are. From here hit continue and enter your personal measurements to customize your perfect jean. For more style tips, go to indiCustom.com or email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
posted by: Jackie on January 24, 2011 at 4:19 pm
filed under:Denim 101
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Here in San Francisco, along with an awesome World Series win (Go Giants!), we are enjoying some lovely 75 degree November days; which then drop to 50 degrees at night. This makes jeans the perfect item to wear at any time of day. I know many other places experience this weather as well, so how do you style jeans to go from one extreme to the other?
Jeans are a current staple in most women’s wardrobes. But, most importantly, it’s about as easy to style jeans as it is a plain white t-shirt. First, choose what style jeans you like best, from there you have a blank canvas on which to create plenty of outfits. I created a few sets on Polyvore to demonstrate how to style jeans several different ways. I chose skinny jeans because I consider them my most basic style jeans, but any pair you prefer will do.
Pair whatever style jeans you choose with a blouse with fun detailing, like these horizontal stripes, and then add heels for height and a neutral jacket for a put together, grown up look. On you way to work you can wear the short sleeve blouse and (since I do a lot of walking) the skinny style jeans are perfect for a little cuff to make them more warm-weather friendly. By the time I head home, the temperature is rapidly cooling, so the jacket and the jeans uncuffed are perfect.
Another way to style jeans to take you from warm days to cool evenings is an oversized sweater over a loose printed tank top. This is one of my favorite ways to be weather appropriate because it is so comfortable. Again you can choose whatever style jeans you prefer, but because of the bulky proportion on top, a leaner look on bottom would be a nice contrast. During the day wear the tank top (long and loose so you don’t look like you’re in high school) with some nice statement jewelry and some polished flats, a nice dark wash-style jeans will also keep this look from being too young. When the weather cools down, pull on the over-sized sweater (I prefer a slightly shorter, cropped sweater to showcase the tank top) and a loose knit cap, and you’ll be ready to go.
Any way you choose to style jeans to be weather appropriate, keep in mind that layers are the easiest and most flattering way to be ready for any temperature. Try designing your perfect style jeans for this time of year at indiDenim.
posted by: Bonnie Coombs on November 4, 2010 at 1:50 pm
filed under:Denim 101Misc Musings
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Knowing the measurement for your natural waist is important when it comes to shopping for all sorts of bottoms. At indiDenim we use your natural waist measurement to create your own pair of custom jeans, so getting this number correct is very important! Enjoy!
Transcript:
Bonnie: Hello, today we’re going to be talking about the natural waist. This is a measurement you hear a lot when you’re shopping for bottoms like pants or skirts. The natural waist is the smallest part of your body and it can be found by looking in the mirror and leaning; where your body creases that is your natural waist.
To measure it all you need is a soft tape measure. You start with zero at the center of your body, and wrap around. Where the tape measure overlaps will be your natural waist. At indiDenim we make this measurement easier by just measuring from your bellybutton and around. And that will be the measurement that you put in on our jean builder online.
For more style tips go to indiDenim.com or email us at service @ indicustom.com.
posted by: Bonnie Coombs on October 26, 2010 at 10:10 am
filed under:Denim 101
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For years petites have had to take their ready-to-wear clothes to the tailor. Problems with petite jeans usually consist of too long an inseam or too much gaping at the waist. Since many mainstream designers didn’t focus on their petite jeans, the stress of finding appropriate jeans for petites was extreme. There are now many more options in the market and petite jeans are thankfully not as rare as they once were.
Petites should keep a few basic fit concepts in mind to keep them from looking stumpy or childlike. Petite jean styles should not be too baggy (avoid extreme flares or wide leg jeans), which can make you look like you’re swimming in fabric. Instead choose trouser, straight-leg or even skinny petite jeans with the correct inseam (most petites have around a 29” inseam, unlike the standard 33-35” inseams found in most stores in similar sizes). All of these styles look great with heels, another way to elongate the figure and look taller.
Petite jean styles should not include anything that is cuffed, cropped or flood (a high-rise ankle look) because it makes the leg appear shorter and ill-proportioned. Capri petite jeans also have this affect on the petite’s legs. On the other hand, petite jeans should not bunch around the ankles either, which makes the legs look too short. The perfect length for petite jeans are when they just touch the top of your shoes, making you look taller and well-proportioned.
Now, with all the different styles and washes, it’s easier than ever to find a flattering petite jean in a style you like. There may still be some tailoring or customizing to get the perfect fit, but by remembering what works best, petite jean shopping should become less of a dilemma.
posted by: evan on October 14, 2010 at 2:11 pm
filed under:Fit JeaniousDenim 101
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Calling all pear-shaped women: designing your own custom jeans just got easier. We know how difficult it is for all women to find the perfect jeans for you body type, so we decided to make videos filled with style tips for designing custom jeans based on body type.
Even if you’re just looking for tips on how to flatter your figure, our body shape videos will help you accentuate your best features while balancing out your problem areas. First video: How to design jeans for a Pear Shape, including the fabric, rise, finishing treatments and more that are perfect for your body type. Enjoy!
Not a Pear shape? No worries! We’ve got plenty more videos coming your way. If you have a video in mind, email us at service @ indicustom.com.
posted by: evan on October 12, 2010 at 10:20 am
filed under:Denim 101
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how to,
pear shape
In fashion circles there has long been a fierce debate over the origin of jeans. After all, since jeans are popular almost everywhere in the world, who wouldn’t want to claim them?!?! However, the dispute over the two commonly accepted homeland possibilities for jeans - Nimes, France, “de-Nime” became denim, or Genoa, Italy from the French name “genes” - is heating up. Currently, husband and wife fashion designers, Francois and Marithe Girbaud, are partnering with the Parisian-based Canesso gallery to try and answer this age old denim question. On display at the Canesso gallery is a recently discovered painter from Northern Italy, one who depicts the everyday lives of 17th century peasants as they go about their chores, but dressed in denim! This new painter has been dubbed the ‘Master of Blue Jeans’.
Take a look at the woman’s skirt on the left and the boy’s jacket on the right, according to researchers these are denim
Courtesy of France24
This is the earliest visual record of a jeans-like fabric. Up until then written accounts, like those of a 17th century English tailor, were the only evidence of the existence of a denim-like fabric from Genoa. But the discovery of these paintings seems to prove, once and for all, that the Italian fabric predated the French. While there will continue to be arguments among scholars over the true source of denim, us jeans-wearers can just be content that this comfy, durable material came into existence at all!
It’s safe to say that photo courtesy of Cone Denim
Ring spinning is the traditional way to produce yarns for weaving. But by the 1960’s, new spinning methods were developed to manufacture yarns more quickly and cheaply. Denim experts typically turn their noses up at these new “open end” spun yarns which have neither the quality nor aesthetic properties they crave.
Specifically, ring spun yarns are both softer and stronger than open end spun yarns. Yes, just like fancy cheese, denim can be both soft and strong. Additionally, ring spun yarns have a much desired uneven thickness. When woven into denim, this uneven thickness produces fabrics with delectable variations in texture recalling vintage denims.
Unlike its higher quality counterpart, open end spun yarn is rough, resulting in a denim with a fuzzy/hairy look. So, next time you’re starving for a new pair of jeans, may we recommend a tasteful ring spun denim?
posted by: danielle on September 30, 2010 at 10:15 am
filed under:Denim 101
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ring spun denim
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