Ways Denim Could Go Wrong And Surprising Ways to Fix It

We all love wearing jeans, but they can be problematic. From fraying and tearing to blowouts, there are plenty of ways that your beloved denim can go wrong.

Luckily, there are ways to fix them so you can still wear your favorite pair of jeans! These fixes vary depending on the size of the hole or tear. Some will hide the damage completely, while others can highlight it with decorative stitching or contrasting fabric colors and patterns.

Sagging

Sagging jeans can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, especially if you’re walking. This is why some cities have banned the trend.

The most common myth about sagging is that it originated in the prison system, where it was believed to signal sexual availability.

Snopes, however, has determined that this story is not valid. Instead, sagging pants were a fashion trend in the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. Over time, stretch jeans will actually have less expansion. Lycra is an elastomeric stretch denim fabric that can be figure-hugging but won’t sag as much as conventional denim.

Fraying

Several things can cause jeans to fray. Thankfully, there are also a few ways to fix them!

First, you can try a simple straight stitch. This stitch is solid and will help hold up the fabric.

However, it can’t stop the fraying completely. You need to place the stitch line well above the areas where you want to prevent fraying.

Another option is to use pinking shears. These shears cut a zigzag line that will soften as the jeans are worn.

Tears

Ripped jeans are a real problem, especially if you’ve been wearing them for a while. There are several ways to fix ripped jeans, including hand stitching and iron-on patches.

If your rip isn’t too big, you can mend it by hand using an overcast stitch. This approach works well for straight tears that don’t lose much fabric, but it’s best to repair long tears with patches.

To start, mark the ripped areas with chalk or a pen. The density of the denim will dictate which type of marker to use, but chalk is the safest option.

Discoloration

Discoloration can be a problem with most clothing, but it can be particularly frustrating on dark-colored denim. Fortunately, you can use several tricks of the trade to keep your denim looking fresh.

Avoiding using the incorrect detergent for your jeans is the best way to ensure the best results. Try to stick with a specialized dark detergent to help lock in your color. It also pays to consider how you wear your pants, which can affect how long they last. Avoid wearing them when you’re exhausted and hot if you want to prevent this.

Buttonholes

Buttonholes in jeans get frayed and tear with use. This can be especially problematic on tight-fitting jeans and jean jackets, where buttonholes are at the thickest part of the garment.

It’s easy to fix a frayed or torn buttonhole in jeans. You can either use a machine or do it by hand.

Using a seam ripper or a buttonhole cutter, open up the buttonhole at the top of the jeans, then carefully cut just half of it out. This will give you a clean cut without cutting into the stitching at the other end of the buttonhole.

Buttonholes That Don’t Stay Closed

Buttonholes can be challenging to get right, especially when working with thicker fabrics. They can be hard to keep closed due to the different layers of fabric shifting during sewing.

To ensure your buttonholes are accurate, mark the correct buttonhole length onto the fabric before sewing. This can be done with a fabric drawing pen or an expanding sewing gauge.

The markings need to be long enough to be seen at the machine, so you don’t end up with buttonholes that need to be in the correct place. Also, you need to add extra allowances for the thickness of your buttons.

Oversized Seat

Like any other garment, jeans can get damaged from wear and tear. To keep your favorite pair of denim for as long as possible, you must know what common problems can occur to avoid them.

One of the most common issues with jeans is an oversized seat. A too-large seat can make it difficult to tuck in your pants and lead to a baggy rear view.

Bottoms That Drag on The Ground

It’s no secret that wearing the wrong footwear can make any outfit look and feel much less put together. Luckily, a few tricks ensure your feet stay comfortable without sacrificing style points.

Examples of the best shoes to wear with your favorite pair of jeans include sports wedges, ankle boots and a high-end pair of heels. To ensure you don’t end up in a pool of blood, choose a pair of boots on the shorter side for your height and keep the heel off the ground.

Too Tight in The Stomach Area

When jeans are too tight in the stomach area, it can feel painful or make you look bigger. This problem is usually related to your bowels or a hormonal condition, so it’s best to see a doctor for treatment.

If your butt is at the front or eye level, you can check your jeans for this problem by looking at them from the front and the back. If you see diagonal drag lines radiating from your abdomen, they’re too tight for you.

You can fix this by cutting off a small length from the front inseam and letting out a little in the front crotch curve.