First: care
That’s right, jeans require us to take exceptional care to keep them looking and lasting for years to come. The first and most important rule is to minimise the number of washes. It’s best to wash jeans as infrequently as possible to avoid rapid colour fading. If washing is necessary, it is advisable to do it by hand in cold water, using a mild detergent for dark fabrics and adding a little vinegar, which helps stabilise the colour. Jeans should be washed on the left side, which prevents the fabric from fading.
What’s more, they should not be dried in a tumble dryer, as the high temperature can cause the fabric to shrink and change colour. Instead, it is best to dry jeans in the shade, hung up on a hanger, which prevents deformation and excessive fading. In addition, to prevent rubbing and excessive discolouration, jeans can be occasionally rinsed in a solution of salt and vinegar, which will further stabilise the colour. By caring for your trousers in this way, you can enjoy their perfect condition for many seasons.
Second: emergency services for cuts
Of course, jeans, like any other garment, deteriorate over time. Tears, seam rips or cuts are the most common damages. Well, not all of them make a pair of favourite trousers a new style direction. What’s more, not every cut of jeans looks striking with holes. However, that doesn’t mean you should write them off. There are methods by which you can easily remedy these problems while maintaining your original look and wearing comfort.
Appliqués are a great way to repair holes or tears on pockets. You can use them in a self-adhesive version for a quick repair or iron them on for greater durability. Choosing interesting appliqués will further embellish your trousers, giving them a personal touch.
When wanting to repair your jeans, you can also use a patch – a piece from an old pair of similar trousers or a piece of any durable cotton fabric that best matches the colour and texture of your jeans. Turn the trousers inside out. Pin the patch from the inside of the jeans so that it completely covers the hole and sew.
Third: the classics with a touch of creativity
Although holes in jeans can be a conscious choice, they are often the result of natural wear and tear on the material. If the hole is not too large and the jeans have a special sentimental value, creative repair methods can be used. One option is to have embroidery done on them. You can choose a design that emphasises your style and hides the damage at the same time.
Using the chosen design, embroidery is made using different sewing techniques, such as cross stitch or chain stitch, which further reinforces the fabric structure and adds a unique touch to the repair.
Another solution is to repurpose jeans into a new piece of clothing. You can easily create stylish short shorts from torn trousers. All you need to do is cut off the legs at the desired height and fray them a bit. What length you choose is up to you.
Torn jeans, although they were and still are an expression of freedom and rebellion against convention, do not always fit every situation, nor does everyone feel comfortable in them. That is why the alternative is to repair them , especially if they have sentimental value In this way, we will not only keep our favourite trousers for longer, but also effectively help the environment.