Design Your Own Jeans

Finding the perfect jeans is probably the biggest shopping challenge in existence. From the nightmare of limited sizes and retail inventory to unflattering trends, we all have our denim disaster stories to tell. Custom jeans certainly help the situation drastically, but whether shopping or designing the perfect jeans there are some key tips to always keep in mind:

1. Dress Your Body Type: Nothing is more upsetting than trying to dress a trend that just doesn’t work for your body. Whether you are pear-shaped or apple-shaped, take a look at your proportions and learn what works best for you. This tip alone will get you well on your way to finding the perfect jeans. Learn how to dress your body type here.

2. Know Your Measurements: Jean sizing, as you’ve probably experienced, varies from brand to brand, especially between premium and mainstream brands. Knowing measurements like your natural waist, your pant size, your inseam, etc. are key factors in getting perfect-fitting jeans. Learn about the different measurements here.

3. Flatter Your Frame: While it’s important to know what doesn’t work for your body, it’s just as important to know what does. Flatter your finest features. For example, pear and hourglass shapes can accentuate their small natural waists with a mid to high rise pant.

4. Make Trends Work For You: Before you try wearing a trend you have to have, say skinny jeans, know which skinny jeans will work best for your body. Skinny jeans made from stretch fabric, for example, give a slimmer look and more comfort for any body type. Whether designing or buying, have a specific type of skinny jean in mind like “stretch fabric, dark wash, mid-rise skinny jeans” and you’ll get a much better result.

5. Determine your Price Per Wear (PPW): When buying jeans it’s important to make a good investment. Price per wear (PPW) means how much you spend on a jean for each time you wear them. By investing in a good pair of jeans up front, you greatly reduce your PPW. For example, if you bought a jean for $60, washed it 3 times, and it:

A/Doesn’t fit anymore
B/Becomes stiff
C/Deteriorates

Then you may only get 6 or 7 wears from them, which is not a great investment. That’s practically $10/wear! Be smart and invest in a jean made from quality fabric and with premium construction.

posted by: evan on July 26, 2010 at 12:15 pm
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TAGS: design your own jeans, jeans, the perfect jeans

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Free jeans got your attention?

Good. Now listen up.

indiDenim has gone through a lot of changes in the past month (we’re growing up, aww, we know). No our voice isn’t deepening, nor our body maturing. Our technology is what has grown with leaps and bounds. And as of this week, you can SEE your jean as you BUILD it and then SHARE it with all your friends through Facebook (or your other favorite social media site) and in our public gallery called the Design Vault!

Now here are the deets on how to score free jeans from indiDenim:

All you have to do is design your perfect jean and add it to our Design Vault during the month of October, and you’ll be entered in our jean giveaway to win a free pair of custom jeans!

So help us celebrate, will ya? Start designing your jean today!

posted by: abigail on October 9, 2009 at 9:48 am
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TAGS: design your own jeans, jeans that fit, free jeans

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Building your own jeans is about to get a little cooler.

At indi, we are all about bringing the most revolutionary technologies to the fashion industry. Accordingly, we’ve spent the past couple months developing *the* most awesome UI (objectively speaking, of course) out there. In just a few short days, not only will you be able to build your perfect jeans down to the smallest details at indiDenim, but you will be able to see it configure and morph—right in front of your eyes! Check out the screenshot of our new jean builder below:

And once you’ve perfected your jean designing skills, you can:

* Proudly spam all your contacts with all the jean masterpieces you’ve created
* Post your jean designs on your Facebook wall and start a jean designing war with your friends
* Save your jean to our design vault (gallery) and rate your design from various IP addresses to make sure your jeans come up as “highest rated”

... Really, the possibilities are endless.

posted by: abigail on September 21, 2009 at 7:54 pm
filed under: Happenings at INDi | comments (1)
TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans

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Fact: there is a buzz going around about indiDenim.

It appears our new fabrics and finishing treatments have been well received, and the influential blogs are talking. And yesterday both DenimBlog.com and TheFrisky.com did a feature on indiDenim and our new creative destruction treatments.

So check out what swell things they had to say about us at DenimBlog.com and TheFrisky.com.

And when you’re done reading, you can design your perfect jeans and then destroy them at indiDenim.com.

posted by: abigail on August 12, 2009 at 4:28 pm
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TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans, destroyed jeans

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We know, we know. It isn’t enough to just build your own jeans. You want to destroy them, too.

And who can blame you? That’s the most fun part.

Well, luckily for you, sometime around 24 hours from now, indi will be releasing our ten new destruction treatments. We’ve been slaving away for the last few months, perfecting these destroyed denim treatments for their grand release this week. And since some of us (not going to name any names) have been sporting these new, unreleased treatments at parties and harassing our friends with the “my jeans are cooler than your jeans” number, we’re excited to report that our new treatments have received an overwhelming positive response.

We’re certain that you will welcome our destroyed jeans with the same outstretched arms.

So go ahead and take a glimpse into the future: customized destroyed jeans. A future where you get to pick exactly how and where you want your jeans destroyed.

Creative destruction is just a few clicks away.

posted by: abigail on July 30, 2009 at 3:57 pm
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President Obama took a quick break from solving the world’s economic, energy, Middle East and health care crises to throw out the first pitch at the All Star game this week. A man who knows how to dress for the occasion, Mr. Obama correctly selected the quintessential American wardrobe item for this event. He paired his blue jeans with his beloved Sox jacket (clearly he’s not trying to make any friends in St. Louis, anymore).

image from Kyle Terada/US Presswire

Mr. Obama rarely fails to impress; however, we think his denim look could use a slight fashion upgrade.  While appropriate attire for a baseball mound, white running shoes are a big no no paired with blue jeans.  We think the Pres could do better with some trendier kicks… perhaps a retro look with another American favorite, Converse.  Just like at indi, you can even design your own Converse shoes.  And while we’d like to see the President in a less baggy jean and maybe a darker wash, our denim philosophy is you have to make it your own. Unfortunately, the pres did commit one unforgivable faux paux. Someone should have advised him against those highwaters before he left the (white) house.  We recommend custom jeans, Mr. President. 

posted by: Marybeth on July 16, 2009 at 3:52 pm
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TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans, american denim, blue jeans, presidential jeans

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We are well aware that designing your own jeans can be ever so slightly scary, but if you look at custom and immediately come down with severe denim designer’s block, rest assured that you are not alone.  Every denim design showcases the details of the denim designer. Each pair has its own flare that makes the wearer unique and you are no exception. 

Ordering custom jeans for the first time can be like jumping off a cliff (our money-back guarantee gives you, like, 45 lives, but I digress…)!  If you need some inspiration, visit our recently launched Custom Fit Collection where you can see different looks available at indi.  You can use these Collection styles as a starting point for your own design or simply order the styles you see to be custom fit to your measurements.  If all else fails, browse some spring 2009 collections out there for inspiration and then come back to design your own jeans with your next big fashion statement in mind.  Thanks to indi, you don’t need a degree in denim design to create your own jeans.  Design your own jeans on indidenim.com today!

posted by: Amy D on January 30, 2009 at 7:41 pm
filed under: Denim 101 | Add a comment
TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans

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Know Your Seat Shape

The female backside comes in all different sizes in shapes, but we’ve broken it down into four basic types: flat, average, prominent, and full.  For each seat shape you can customize your jeans to use visual tricks to your advantage, whether your goal is to minimize the booty or play up a luscious look.

Type 1- Flat Seat

For a flat seat, create the illusion of curves with prominent backside styles.  Pocket flaps are in high demand right now, and you’ve got the ideal shape to rock this fashion.  We recommend indi’s standard pocket with flaps for day-to-day classic style.  If you want achieve a sexier look, the curved pocket with flaps can round out a flat rear in a way you never imagined possible.

Type 2- Average Seat

If you have an average seat, the world of premium denim is yours to play in and the sky is the limit.  Whether your preference is for simple pockets or cutting edge embroidery, you can pull off any look.  For the no-frills chick, we recommend indi’s take on modern vintage with sanded and distressed pockets.  If you’re looking for some fabulous flair, check out the emblem embroidered pocket in your choice of four different colors.

Type 3- Prominent Seat

Be proud of your curves, and don’t be afraid to show them off!  But remember, no elaborate pocket styles are needed to draw attention to your derriere.  A standard pocket shape works best with your figure, and subtle embroidery can go far to accentuate a round seat.  Two of our favorite styles for this body type are the orchid embroidery in a two-colored scheme and the scroll embroidery in navy for those feeling flashy.

Type 4- Full Seat

Like the women who fall into the “prominent” category above, you can definitely use denim to show off a shapely feminine figure.  Still, if you’re looking to visually minimize your backside, there are a few simple rules to follow.  Remember to steer clear of pocket flaps, and always avoid curved pocket shapes.  When customizing for your body type we recommend a standard pocket shape, either plain or with subtle decoration like indi’s loop embroidery in your choice of three different color schemes.

No matter what your shape and size, the design is in your hands with indi’s customized denim.  Visit www.indidenim.com to view our entire range of style options and build the perfect jeans for your unique body type.

posted by: Emily H on September 30, 2008 at 4:06 pm
filed under: Fit Jeanious | comments (8)
TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans, womens jeans, back pockets

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Making the Cut

Choose the denim cuts and style elements that are designed to work with your figure, not against it.  In the era of a skinny jean trend, it may be tempting to jump on the bandwagon, but remember that the surest way to stay stylish is to know your own body.  Be conscious of what works for you.  We suggest considering the classic bootcut—its slight flare toward the hem draws attention away from a round belly by balancing out your lower half.  Pair the style with heels to elongate your legs, and you’ve got a thoroughly modern look that can outshine any passing fad.

There are plenty more tricks of the trade to minimize and disguise the belly.  For instance, try a zipper instead of a button-fly to reduce bulk near the waist. And for the average woman, a mid-rise trumps a low-rise because of the coverage it offers and the way it visually divides the torso and lower body.  Fabric and color play a role, too.

Material Girl

Selecting the right fabric can make all the difference.  If you’re left frustrated by stiff denim material that doesn’t forgive even the smallest of flaws, stretch denim may offer the comfort you’ve been missing.

Stretch denim, a blend of primarily cotton and just a touch of spandex lycra, gives you a more accommodating fit and ease of movement.  One word of caution on stretch: don’t go a size smaller and assume the fabric will make up for it.  Clothes that pinch too tight never look sharp, and the wearer may become the unfortunate recipient of dreaded “muffin top” gossip.  Nobody deserves that!

Dark Wash Is the New Black

Darker shades are slimming, so take advantage of the illusion and avoid lighter washes!  We recommend selecting a wash like indi’s own Midnight or Out of the Blue. A dark jean will keep looking chic and new, long after other styles fades.

Jeans That Fit Your Genes

indiDenim is proud to offer the customization options that will help you find your perfect personalized fit for every body type.  If you’re stuck choosing between styles or just looking for some friendly advice, send us your questions .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

posted by: Emily H on
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In the early 1850s, German-born Levi Strauss began manufacturing rugged work pants that would withstand the lifestyle of Northern California’s gold miners.  Levi’s original design was a far cry from the blue jeans we know and love today, most notably because they were made of brown (yes, brown!) canvas intended for tents, tarps, and sails.  The style was loose-fitting with no belt loops, instead held up by suspenders and a waist-cinching buckle in the back.  Over the following decades a number of changes were made, including the addition of reinforcing rivets, more pockets, and top-stitching details.  Most importantly, the signature blue jean fabric came into use.  Called serge de Nimes for the town in France where it was first loomed, we now refer to the fabric as just denim.

Continuing through the early 1900s, jean overalls were the garment of choice for blue collar workers countrywide.  Though it was by no means considered stylish, denim was the prevailing style seen on American streets both during and after the Depression.  Beginning in the 1940s, however, all this changed.  The status associated with denim began to shift, and what was once a purely utilitarian garment evolved into a range of compelling fashion statements.  First through the popularity of the western cowboy films, and then because of rebellious rock and roll idols, denim came to represent youth, sexual freedom, and progressive culture.  Europeans took note, and began to import the American-made fashion in the 1950s.

In the 1960s and 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.  The 1980s were dedicated to developing denim treatment processes; the more extreme styles applied acid washes and skin-revealing tears to the fabric.  Out of these fads came the “grunge” anti-fashion of the early 1990s alternative scene, which matured into more refined vintage and distressed looks in the later part of the decade.  Finally, since the turn of the new millennium, the market concept has been premium denim.  Great body-shaping cuts and designer detailing are paramount, as retail prices reach new highs for jeans.

Now that you are familiar with the history of jeans, what do you predict for the future of denim?  At indi, we believe the future 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.  When you design your own jeans, the future of denim is in your hands.

posted by: Emily H on
filed under: Denim 101 | comments (8)
TAGS: custom jeans, design your own jeans, history of jeans

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