Denim is the fashion fabric best known for jeans but can also be used to make shirts, skirts, and jackets. It is thick and sturdy, with a stiff drape that softens over time.
It is woven with a 3×1 right-hand twill pattern, meaning there are three weft threads for every two warp threads. This creates a subtle diagonal ribbing pattern in the fabric.
Cotton
Cotton is a sturdy textile that’s most famously used to make blue jeans, but it can also be found in jackets, shirts, and bags.
Denim is woven using a twill construction, which means the yarn that runs across a piece of fabric—known as the weft—goes over and under the threads that run diagonally—called the warp. The warp threads are traditionally dyed with indigo, giving the finished product its classic blue color. However, it is possible to find denim in various colors and stonewashed, striped, faded, or crushed fabrics.
Notably, most denim is created from natural and synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. This is because growing and processing cotton requires petrochemical fertilizers and other chemicals that release dangerous environmental toxins. These toxins poison ecosystems, including plants, animals, and human beings—and may cause health complications in humans who work in the industry.
If you want to avoid this, choose products made from organic cotton or recycled fibers, and look for brands that use fair trade practices and sustainable production methods. You should also check that the label shows that the denim is 100% cotton—and not some lower percentage, like 50%, as is sometimes the case with clothing.
Polyester
Denim is one of the most recognizable fabrics in the world. It has a unique, rugged texture and is used to make jeans, jackets, dresses, overalls, and more. Its popularity and versatility have made it a symbol of American culture, with many types of fit available, from wide-leg jeans to slim-fit styles.
What makes denim fabric so unique is the way it’s woven. It’s a tightly woven cotton twill fabric characterized by diagonal ribbing. Traditionally, the fabric is dyed blue with indigo, but it can be made in every color imaginable and blended with other materials to create different effects. For example, stretch denim is a blend that adds a bit of lycra or spandex to the mix, giving the fabric its stretchiness.
Unlike cotton, polyester is a synthetic fabric. It can be dyed any color and has a lot of uses, including in clothing and other accessories. It’s also more durable than cotton, as it can withstand heat and bleaching without losing shape or strength. However, it’s important to note that polyester can shrink if washed too frequently. It’s also hydrophobic, meaning it doesn’t absorb sweat as much as cotton. Because of this, it’s better to wash polyester fabrics less often. This will prevent them from getting worn down quickly.
Rayon
Denim is a durable fabric that gets its strength from both the material and the weave. It’s woven with solid cotton thread in a diagonal twill pattern. Lighter-weight denim uses a 2×1 twill, meaning it has two warp threads for every weft yarn, while heavier-weight denim has three warp threads for each. This makes it more dense and resistant to tearing.
The weaving process is what gives denim its distinct look and texture. The warp threads are colored with indigo dye, and the weft threads remain white. The twill weave also helps to hide any stains, so you don’t see any snags in your jeans after wearing them for a long time!
Another benefit of denim is that it’s highly breathable. This means it will be warm to wear in warmer climates. It’s also hypoallergenic and easy to wash, making it an excellent choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
While cotton is a natural material, its production process can harm the environment. Chemical fertilizers and petrochemicals are used to grow cotton, which can poison ecosystems and cause health complications in plants, animals, and humans. This is why buying organic cotton and choosing brands prioritizing free trade is essential. While most people know that rayon is a synthetic fabric, we’d wear two types of rayon, and both materials are incredibly soft and silky and drape well.
Silk
Denim is a sturdy fabric that has gained fame for its rugged strength and worn-in texture. It is woven from cotton fibers but can be mixed with elastane to introduce stretch. The fabric can be dyed in indigo or any other color imaginable, making it versatile for various garments. It offers moderate breathability as the cotton allows air to pass through the fibers, but its tight weave and thickness limit its ability to do so as effectively as nylon.
The name “denim” derives from Nimes, France, where the fabric was first created. Weavers then attempted to replicate the popular cotton corduroy produced in Genoa, Italy, but only once they developed this special fabric. The fabric was initially called serge de Nimes (or jeans in English), but this was shortened to denim.
Regarding sustainability, the most crucial factor is how the cotton used in the fabric is grown. Growing cotton uses pesticides that are harmful to the environment and require much water for production. It’s also important to consider whether the cotton is organic or conventional and where it was grown (whether in your backyard or halfway around the world). In addition, some sustainable brands use recycled fabrics to make their denim products more environmentally friendly.
