How to Choose, Rigid vs Stretch Denim
We are frequently asked to recommend the “best” fabric for a pair of custom jeans. But it’s not that cut and dry. Different fabrics offer different benefits, and it really comes down to personal preference. Read on to learn what you can expect from Detroit Denim standard denims.
Rigid Denim
The word “rigid” might sound scary, but it just means that the fabric is woven from 100% cotton fibers. Our standard rigid denim is a beautiful 12.25 oz. denim, milled at Cone Mills in Greensboro, NC.
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Pros of Rigid Denim
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Conform to Your Body and Maintain Their Shape They’ll break in to give where you need it, providing an extremely flattering fit and you’ll never have to deal with saggy-bum or stretched-out-knees. |
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Longer Life Span Although improvements in synthetic fiber technology are happening all the time, you just can't beat 100% cotton for durability and longevity. Rigid jeans are stronger and less susceptible to damage. |
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100% Natural Cotton fabric breathes beautifully and is fully biodegradable. |
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The Break-In Experience It’s kind of like the experience of a new leather coat or a sturdy pair of boots. There's something really special about it that's hard to describe. After a while, they just feel like yours, and putting in the work to get them there means a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your jeans. <3 |
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Truly OG Denim The look, the feel, the wear - you just can’t beat the authenticity of 100% cotton denim. |
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Cons of Rigid Denim
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The Fit Has to Be Just Right Without the forgiveness of stretch, the cut of the jean has to be just right for your body in order to be both comfortable and flattering - otherwise they can be baggy or constricting. This is why we offer multiple body shapes. We’ve perfected our patterns over the last 10 years in order to offer the benefits of rigid denim for all shapes and sizes. Check out our Body Shape article to learn more. |
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The Break-In Experience Not everyone loves the delayed gratification of breaking in rigid jeans. They can be a bit uncomfortable at first, especially in tighter leg styles. You'll notice a significant improvement in comfort after the first full day of wear, but it can take up to 10 wears before they really start to feel like yours. Check out our How to Break in Your Jeans article to learn more. |
Stretch Denim
Stretch denim is woven from threads made up of a combination of cotton and synthetic fibers. Our standard stretch denim is a sturdy 11 oz., Japan-milled denim, made from a 98% Cotton and 2% Elastane blend for just the right amount of give. Don't be fooled by the word "stretch" - this is still a raw, mid-weight denim for a seriously robust pair of jeans. If you're looking for jeggings, this ain't it.
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Pros of Stretch Denim
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Comfort From the Get-Go Unlike rigid denim, stretch denim will be more forgiving during the initial break-in period. |
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Closer Fit You can achieve a more form-fitting silhouette with stretch denim than you can with rigid. |
| Cons of Stretch Denim |
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Lack of Shape Recovery Stretch denim can tend to "sag out" after many wears (the more stretch, the more the eventual sag, and the quicker they'll get there - this is why we stick with only 2% stretch). |
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Shorter Life Span Stretch jeans will wear out more quickly and are more susceptible to damage than rigid jeans. |
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Synthetic Fibers Synthetic fibers don't breathe as well as natural fibers, and can introduce plastic micro-particles to the water cycle through laundering. |
When it comes to picking your fabric, there is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your personal preference, lifestyle, and how you utilize your jeans within your wardrobe.
Still need help choosing your fabric? Reach out to our team of denim experts with a call, chat or drop us a line here.
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