Tip of the Week: Denim 101

Illustration by Mike Davis

Owning a pair of jeans means much more than having the receipt to prove it. Every detail from the fit in the waist to the cuff must meet your needs'you’re the one that has to wear it. So make it yours with these simple denim-related tips. After the jump, get instructions on caring for your denim, what to look for when you’re shopping for denim, and the best way to style your denim.

INSIDE-OUT
Unless you want more fading, always turn your jeans inside-out when washing them.

HANG DRY
Hang drying jeans keeps their shape and allows them to take a natural aging process.

USE YOUR HAND
If you have a pair of jeans that drops perfectly on your sneakers, put your hand inside the leg and stretch out your fingers to check the width. Now you can quickly measure the width of new jeans when shopping.

WALLET WATCH
Slim down your bulky wallet so you don’t wear down a square in your back pocket. Invest in a money clip or a paper-thin card wallet.

HEM IT UP
Launder your jeans before taking them up. Also, have the original hem reattatched.

Related:
Denim-Proof Your Kicks