TLC For Jeans

Once upon a time, denim was worn by labourers, miners and cowboys because it was strong, hard-wearing and didn't tear easily. While Levis and old Calvin Kleins are still made with the same durable industrial denim, the new, designer varieties (think: DKNY, 7 For all Mankind) use a more delicate denim to achieve their perfect, bum-hugging fit.

And while we love how clever designers have become at creating the perfect pair of jeans, the truth is they are no longer as forgiving as their hardy predecessors: thus, the need to handle them with a little more care. Here are some tips for extending the life of your jeans.

Let Them Get Dirty	Stop throwing them in the laundry basket after every wear: nothing ages your jeans more than over-washing them. By contrast, the longer you wear your jeans between washes, the longer they will last and the better they will conform to your body shape. We're not talking months here, but you can easily get away with five wears before they need freshening up. Unless, of course, they're stretch denim in which case they need warm water to tighten up and regain their shape. Stretch jeans are about 3% spandex, so it only takes a couple of hours before they lose their form. Washing them after every wear is essential to keeping them clingy.
Turn Them Inside Out
No Tumble-Drying
Don't Fold
Repair Rips

Author: Susan Hayden