PageDump: Denim Buying Guide

Preview: Page dump of Denim Buying Guide

Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 19:51:47 -0700
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Produced by PhpWiki 1.3.12p3)
Message-Id:
<1312p3-1175827907-0800-PhpWiki%3ADenim%20Buying%20Guide@www.productdose.com>
Content-Type: application/x-phpwiki;
  pagename=Denim%20Buying%20Guide;
  flags="";
  author=johnnyb;
  version=14;
  lastmodified=1175827907;
  created=1175827907;
  author_id=johnnyb;
  markup=2;
  hits=10549;
  charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary

!!General Description
----
There may not be any more contentious and subjective topic in fashion
than denim. Countless brands that look identical to the uninformed and
offer dizzying options to those who follow the trends. One thing that
everyone can agree upon: there are a lot of options out there. Given
a few basic principles, everyone can find the perfect jean. Because
everyone knows how and where to get a pair of [Gap] or Levi's jeans,
this wiki will instead focus on more niche-market, designer-oriented
jeans.
<br><br>

!!History and Recent Developments
----
[Upload:robert/9ee98216e2db085b157ee6c8e2fa0861_tn.jpg align=right
hspace=5 vspace=5 pop=yes]Denim is a durable cotton textile primarily
used in work clothing, particularly by farmers and ranchers in the US
through the first half of the 20th century. (While denim is one
textile (among a handful) that jeans can be made from, the word
"denim" in fashion has come to be somewhat synonymous with jeans.) In
the 1950s, denim jeans became popular with both niche groups
associated with motorcycles and proto-hippie Beat culture. In the
1960s, both groups informed what would become the Hippie cultural
movement, heralding in a new norm of casual dress--jeans and tee
shirt--that has lasted ever since.

The 1970s first saw what would become known as designer
jeans--fashion brands (as opposed to traditionally work-wear brands)
producing jeans at premium prices, with more elaborate detailing and
increased attention to luxurious comfort. The trend continued
throughout the early '80s, but began to wane by the end of the
decade. A renewed and far larger interest in designer denim erupted
in the early '00s with an unprecedented number of brand struggling
for attention in an increasingly demanding youth market, not to
mention healthy growth in both children's and adult markets.
<br><br>

!!Key Features
----
Like with any type of clothing, what you wear is a matter of personal
taste. Before approaching denim, figure out what you want in a jean.
Most designer jeans these days are made for durability and
comfort--although, obviously, you will find some brands more durable
(over time) and comfortable than others, recognized designers, almost
across the board, have learned to create jeans that are considerably
comfortable and long-lasting. So, cross those issues off your basic
list of what to look for. Focus instead, first, on broad themes like
whether you want a classic, understated look that won't turn any
heads but will probably still be wearable in five or ten years; or,
on the other hand, whether you want something that will make you look
fashionable and of-the-moment, but may or may not look so great in a
couple of years. Because jeans are so expensive these days, this last
issue is a big consideration.

Once you've figure out whether you want to play it trendy or safe,
these are some of the relevant features you need to consider when
looking for denim:

1. Wash: The particular method used to to prewash a jean, giving it
its unique look, including specific wear (distressing, whiskering,
etc.) and coloring.

2. Cut: Generally refers to how tight or loose a jean fits; commonly
used in reference to the width of the bottom hem, at the foot.

3. Inseam: Distance from the crotch to the hem.

4. Rise: Distance from the crotch to the waistband.

5. Raw or Dry Denim: Made from denim that has never been washed or
treated.
<br><br>

!! Major Brands
----
Jordache is largely recognized as first popularizing the concept of
designer denim in the late '70s, while Diesel is recognized as having
been at the forefront of denim's resurgence in the early '00s. [Seven
for All Mankind] is the most recognizable designer denim brand in the
US in recent years.

Other significantly popular and influential designer denim brands
currently include [Chip & Pepper], [Citizens of Humanity], [Earnest
Sewn], [Rock and Republic], and [True Religion], in addition to
smaller, more niche-oriented brands like the Japanese label [Evisu],
Swedish label [Nudie Jeans], and NY-based [Rogan].
<br><br>

!! General Pricing
----
$100+ for designer denim seems to be the low-end these days, with
price tags climbing toward and surpassing $500 not uncommon. As a
rough goal for designer denim from a brand recognized as trendy,
expect to pay $250.
<br><br>

!!Category
----
CategoryBuyingGuide

!! External Links
----
[Photo Credit | http://www.flickr.com/photos/85494010@N00/99918704]