So what exactly is the yoke and what is its purpose? Well, let’s break these questions down. The yoke is located directly below the waistband at the back of the jeans where your butt fits basically. On most jeans the yoke will form a ‘V’ shape; it can range from a deep ‘V’, to shallow to straight, and at times may not be present at all. As to the purpose, the yoke is essential in determining the shape and fit of the jeans. The differing shapes and depths give very different results as to how the jeans will fit on the body. Some body shapes will suit the more aggressive ‘V’, some will suit jeans with no yoke at all. Finding the right one for you will mean that your jeans will fit better and look better. Below is a breakdown of the main yoke styles and what they mean to the fit of a pair of jeans.
What is it that makes jeans so special? The history, the fabric, the durability, the details or a bit of it all. Briefly defined, jeans are made of indigo dyed denim and feature five pockets, twelve rivets, contrast stitching, five to seven belt loops and a zip or button fly. But there’s more to it than that. With a little help from fellow denim enthusiasts (including especially oki-ni), we have set out to investigate and identify the functions of the different components of the generic 5-pocket jean mainly based on the 1915 501XX and 1947 501XX from Levi’s Vintage Clothing. You may not find all these details on most jeans you can buy today, but nevertheless they’re all significant for the evolution of the jean.
