DENIM
Everything you need to know about denim
Did you know The Netherlands are denimland nr. 1? The average Dutch(wo)man owns 5,4 pairs of jeans, and taking into consideration we can’t live without our jeans jackets and (recently re-added) jeans skirts, we rule the European market. How to explain our denim crush? Top designer Yves Saint Laurent nails it with this quote:
“I wish I invented jeans: they’re the most spectacular, most practical and most laidback garment ever. They ooze the sex appeal, simplicity, modesty and character I thrive for in all my designs.”
We’d like to add that jeans are the most democratic garments worldwide. Whether young or old, rich or poor, men, women, Lhbtqia+: everybody wears jeans.
WHAT MAKES DENIM SPECIAL?
The word ‘denim’ comes from ‘de Nîmes’, as in ‘from Nîmes’. In this French city, textile manufacturers tried to imitate the hard-wearing cotton pants worn by sailors from the Italian city Genoa. This also explains the word ‘jeans’, as Gênes is the French name for Genoa.
Denim is an ‘umbrella name’ for firm cotton based fabrics with a signature slanted twill weave, featuring an (indogo) dyed warp thread and white weft thread. Denim’s basic concept has shifted over the years: nowadays there are many different types of denim, no longer exclusively crafted from stiff, heavy cotton. Stretch denim, coated denim, Japanese denim, tencel denim... these are all newer fashion fabrics with a characteristic denim look, often achieved through technical washes and specialised finishes.
VARIOUS TYPES OF DENIM AT JOSEPHINE & CO
Stretch denim
Added stretchability through ‘regular’ elasthane, or more advanced synthetics like elastomultiester, which improves shape retention and creates a gentle lifting effect.
Coloured denim
This could be classic denim fabric, replacing the indigo blue warp with another colour, but it can also be overdyed ‘greige’ denim. Both pre-production fabric and ready-made garments can be overdyed (garment dyed).
Tencel denim
Tencel denim actually isn’t ‘genuine’ denim. It’s a soft, supple fabric, resembling denim thanks to a series of washes and finishes. Lightweight tencel denim is used for shirts and dresses, heavier types are suitable for loose-fit pants.
DENIM WITH ORGANIC COTTON / SUSTAINABLE COTTON
At Josephine & Co, an increasing number of denim pieces are made with organic cotton, BCI-cotton and/or recycled cotton
DENIM – the everyday hero
Each type of fabric and each type of knit brings its own character. Denim can be firm or supple, bleached or rinse washed, ripped or neatly pressed... it's all about the right look, as fashion and style are constantly in motion. This is why a growing number of items in the Josephine & Co webshop come with a click & learn link that takes you directly to a text explaining the ins & outs of fabrics and knits. We love to see you confidently and well-informed enjoying your ultimate fashion find or timeless new forever piece by Josephine & Co.
JOSEPHINE & CO ♥ DENIM