One pair of jeans is everything you need – this is why

The trends from skinny to barrels, ultra height to low hair, jeans are constantly changing.

There are very few garments that are as iconic and ubiquitous as jeans. In silhouettes that define the era that capture the cultural moments of the era, jeans are a wardrobe staple. But they are also one of the most contaminated categories of fashion, prone to a high-trend cycle, which in turn does not hang in our wardrobe.

We’ll take the trends of this season. Last year, Vogue reported that skinny jeans are Make a comebackI just call it a A fleeting moment 12 months later, and now Go back again – and Princess Wales As a poster girl. The “Slim” silhouettes are also motivated by the belt, and are lined up in seasonal shapes. Barrel Leg Jeans: Connects to a slightly enormous amount of legs and adjusts the waist that tapers at the ankles. There are as many fits and trends as there are body shapes and preferences, so how do you invest in the perfect pair?

Personal stylist Alexandra Fullerton says the barrel leg silhouette works with most bodyships. “They should have a permanent place in their wardrobe as they sit comfortably and relaxed across their legs and around their true waists,” she tells the BBC. “They are babies who are separated from their boyfriend Jean and are now perma trends.”

However, Fullerton emphasizes that buying a pair of jeans should be a marathon rather than a sprint, and advises clients to build a potential list of styles based on their research. What kind of cleaning do you like? Which brands do you respect? Who has a similar figure that you can get hints?

“To do some work — it’s a few hours in a real store where you’re bright fitting rooms and ideally friends — you’ll ensure the best purchase,” says Fullerton. “A department store with a dedicated denim shop is the perfect place to start, and no matter what your budget, jeans need to be an investment.

Fullerton warns that extremes (skinny and super wide, or low rises on the skyscrapers) tend to cycle in and out of the fashion. “It’s better to choose a silhouette that lasts longer than any fashion, like straight legs and modestly wide jeans, with a classic rise for years, that is less serious than any fashion that lasts longer than any fashion,” she advises. “Mid Blue is always the best option for cleaning.”

Jean had not stood the test of time like Levi’s 501. Patented in 1873 by Levi Strauss and Jacob David. In the United States, it was originally created as durable, hard 100% cotton overalls for miners and farmers. However, in the early 1950s, after both Marlon Brando and James Dean wore Levy 501s in the wild and rebels without any cause, blue jeans came to mean young rebellion. And you can forget about Susan Sarandon and Gina Davis denim in 1991 in Thelma & Louise high-waisted jeans.

“When Japanese selvedge denim replaced the mid- to late 90s ultra buggy, hip-hop fit, the denim landscape changed forever when Levi launched a red collection of twisted ergonomic jeans.” “Since then, denim has been taller and has appeared in catwalks and designer brand collections. I was working at Pringle at the time.

Today, jeans are part of the fashion mainstream. It is difficult to find clothing brands that are not sold in your collection. And most jeans contain synthetic stretches within a cotton mix. It is usually elastane, and it is derived from fossil fuels and sagging over time, resulting in reduced durability.

As a result, some of the sparkle has fallen out of the iconic pants and its Hollywood heyday. united nations One pair of jeans requires 1kg of cotton, and it estimates that it requires about 7,500-10,000 liters of water to grow. As an industry, Fashion produces 20% of all wastewaterand denim Chemical Dyeing Process It can be harmful to both workers and the environment.

“There’s a reason Levy’s 501 has gone over time. They are made from 100% cotton and made from natural stretches,” explains Professor Dyris Williams, director of the Centre Centre at the London College of Fashion at UAL. “But I’m not used to wearing clothes without synthetic stretches because they’re more comfortable selling. So it’s about training yourself. Do you need synthetic stretches?

A sharp cyclist, Williams tends to drill holes in his jeans. Rather than buying a new pair, she proudly patches her existing jeans, reflecting her fashion identity and lifestyle. “Each pair tells a story about what happened while wearing it. The colour fades away depending on the colour, creating a unique patina,” Williams tells the BBC. “But this great element is being hampered. Many jeans are aging using harmful chemical processes, usually using harmful chemical processes, in countries with no strong health and safety checks. Jeans have a faster lifespan and faster customer identity.”

Choosing raw denim is another way to minimize the environmental impact of jeans. Unlike most jeans today, they are not experienced in the production or shrinking process, as well as other than Dry Denim. The result is dark, hard jeans that can fade and soften naturally over time.

“It may be difficult to switch to such a dark option, but in a few months, we won’t look back,” says Sajid. “The slight slab-like defects from the spinning and weaving process can turn it into a bespoke jeans and it can turn into a huge decline. Try to keep the jeans down for the first few months. Don’t wash them regularly if necessary.

Sajid adds that a great pair of long-lasting jeans is a mixture of high-quality denim (ideally 100% recycled cotton) using bio-based indigo (no oil-based dye) at a weight of a medium 12-13 oz (about 354g). For even more comfort and stretch, look for brands that use hemp or soft fibers, such as Tencel Lyocell or Tencel Modal.

Since the early 2000s, new jean brands have entered a market that helps address the environmental impact of denim. There are no signs of innovation.

In March, Los Angeles-based Luxury Denim Brand Agolde, owned by civic humanity, presented its spring collection in collaboration with Lycra, featuring plant-based stretch fibers made from industrial corn in a mix of regenerated cotton and Ecoindigo dyes.

Amy Williams, CEO of Citizens of Mankind, says Agorde’s signature silhouette (high-rise building leglen and straight leg harper) has remained a customer’s favorite since the material changes. Meanwhile, the annual Swedish organic cotton brand Nudi Jeans Sustainability Report This month we offer free repairs with repair shops on-site. Last year, the brand repaired 68,342 nudi jeans.

And Elv Denim, who debuted at London Fashion Week earlier this year, is pioneering new, luxurious models based on waste. All jeans are made from upcycled materials.

“Our jeans are designed with generous seam allowances to adapt to the wearer’s body as the wearer evolves,” founder and creative director Anna Foster tells the BBC. “We even had a client who took out the seam allowance when she got pregnant and put in something a little more resilient so she could wear them all while pregnant.

Branded jeans are designed to be modular so if some parts are damaged, the brand can replace that single part rather than having to buy a new pair. The still-young brand Elv Denim was launched in 2018 – Foster has great hope. “My ambition is not just for the denim, but for the entire fashion industry. I want to see an industry that values ​​the quality and personality of technology and style rather than profit and mass production.”

Perhaps this is the next chapter in the jeans story. It combines individual styles and responsibilities. Like other clothing items, jeans don’t have to be a disposable option. Maybe your perfect pair is already in your wardrobe, calling for patches, upcycled to something new, or falling in love again.

That’s the key to great jeans. Understanding which style makes you happy. Spend your time on denim, try different pairs, experiment with boldness, then create a denim blueprint. Adding durable quality to your mix will make your pair of jeans your forever favorite, regardless of the season.

Three Things That Help You Heal the Planet by Ana Santi are published by Welbeck Balance.