After you check out the denim wiki, visit our design vault for ideas or design your own denim!

Basic Definition

Denim is the primary fabric used to create the jeans we know and love today. Denim is a strong twill fabric made of cotton fibers (one colored and one white) stitched to produce diagonal ribbing (or lines) on the backside of the fabric. The faded blue shades of denim are created through special washing and sanding processes.

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History

In the 16th century, France and India began producing denim. Originally, miners who wore “waist overalls,” the traditional name for work pants and the initial name for jeans, longed for a sturdy fabric, ideal for heavy laboring. Levi Strauss, the founder of the first company to manufacture blue jeans, met their demands by substituting a twilled cotton cloth from the town of Nimes in France called “Serge de Nimes.”  Originally, denim was a mixed weave of wool and silk. Until synthetic dye came, the traditional dye for denim’s warp yarn came from the durable natural dye called indigo. The fabric later became known as denim and the pants were nicknamed blue jeans.

In the 1930s , Jeans became a popular connection with hollywood western; vacationers from the dude ranch returned home with jeans that they had purchased from “back east.” The waist overalls continued to be popular with the working class of the west all through WWI in the 1940’s. However, since there were shortages, denim made a few changes. The crotch rivet, back cinch and decorative stitching were eliminated from the pants.

During the 1950’s, the skinny jeans originated and came to symbolized youth and rebellion. Because of its negative association, denim wasn’t socially accepted in the 1960’s. Introduction of different denim cuts and washes happened during the 1970s. Consumers began exploring denim personalization, adding panels at the hems to make bell bottoms, or painting statements and images directly onto the garments.  Manufacturers too, played with the idea of customization, experimenting with bright colors, embroidery, lace, rhinestones, and other lavish details.  High end designers started to create and include denim in their line the decade later.

The turn of the new millennium marked the creation of premium denim.  Great body-shaping cuts, the innovative use of fits, fabrics, and finishes and designer detailing are paramount, as retail prices reach new highs for jeans. Today, at indi, we believe the future of denim lies in custom jeans as unique as you. You choose the fabric, you create the style, and you enjoy the fit that is tailor-made for your genes.  Only indi allows you to select your own wash, rise, fly, cut, hem, pockets, embroidery, and distressing effects.
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Denim Talk 101

Lets talk denim, shall we? Here are some conversation starters about denim:

American singer, Toni Braxton was probably so enamored with Denim that she chose to name her baby boy exactly that, Denim. You guys can decide if its cute or not.

California established the first Denim Day in the United States in April 1999.

Jeans were called “waist overalls” or just “overalls” until 1960 when Levi Strauss changed it to its popular name of “jeans.”

indiDenim is the only premium denim company that makes jeans specifically for your body—and your body only—through mass customization.

Check out blog post to learn about the
History of Custom Denim
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Style Advice

Wear denim. Wear it all day, every day. Best Fabric Ever.
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Works Best For

Everyone! Denim Jeans are such a wardrobe staple, so it’s always a good idea to pick up a new pair on a semi-regular basis.
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References

From Denim Trousers to Denim Handbags
http://www.thearticlehome.com/from-denim-trousers-to-denim-handbags.html

Questionable celebrity baby names, http://www.yeahbaby.com/celebrity-baby-names/article.php?page=3

Background- Denim Day
http://supportdenimday.com/page.aspx?NavID=2

Denim Manufacturing and Denim Garment Finishing Workshop
http://www.cottoninc.com/ImporterSupportEducationProgram/?pg=15
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