The Denim Encyclopedia by Denimhunters - answers to all denim FAQs

THE DENIM ENCYCLOPEDIA

The Denim Encyclopedia by Denimhunters is a knowledge base with answers to frequently asked questions about denim and jeans and explanations of how they’re made.

Visit our buying guides before your next purchase. We guide you to the best raw selvedge jeans, denim jackets, heavy flannels, T-shirts, denim shirts, and more.

The Encyclopedia is divided into the sections below, each with its own homepage where its entries are listed with brief descriptions and links to read more.

Jeans styling
Jeans anatomy
FAQs

The Encyclopedia listed from A-Z – view page

If you’re looking for a specific term, you can use this A-Z navigation:

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M

N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z

DENIM VOCABULARY – view all

This section of the Encyclopedia lists and explains the most common and frequently used terms from the world and jeans and denim.

Jeans – trousers made from denim, usually featuring five pockets, a fly front, five belt loops, and a back yoke

Denim – a type of woven twill fabric, usually made from cotton

Raw denim – denim that hasn’t been washed or treated

Roping effect – the abrasion on jeans hems sewn with chain stitching

Pre-washing – industrial processes and abrasive techniques that imitate the fading on naturally worn-in raw denim

View all entries in denim vocabulary

Hand-Picked Must-Haves and Essentials

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DENIM EXPLAINED – view all

This section of the Encyclopedia is home to everything that relates specifically to the denim fabric. Below are some of the most searched for terms.

Why denim fades – fades happen because the indigo dye doesn’t reach the core of the yarn. When you wear and wash denim, the indigo gradually rubs off

Selvedge – the self-finished edges of denim woven on shuttle looms

Indigo – the colour that makes blue jeans blue

Cotton – a natural fibre from the fruit of the cotton plant

Right hand, left hand, and broken twill – different types of twill weaves

View all entries in denim explained

DENIM CARE

JEANS STYLING

Looking for the Biggest Bang for Your Buck?

Great selvedge isn’t necessarily expensive. If you’re looking for big value for your money, your safest bets are: TCB 60s Regular Straight (€180), Japan Blue J301 ($185), and Sugar Cane 2009 ($195).

JEANS ANATOMY – view all

In this section of the Encyclopedia, you’ll find entries about jeans, their details, and how they’re made.

Rivets – pieces of metal found at the pocket corners of jeans with the purpose of strengthening these stress point

Arcuates – patterns of stitching on the back pockets of jeans, also known as back pocket signatures

Yoke – the V-shaped section at the back of jeans that give them a curved seat

Coin pocket – a small pocket that’s half-tucked into the left front pocket of jeans

Brand patch – a label found at the waistband of jeans above the right back pocket

View all entries in jeans anatomy

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