Do you know why your jeans are also known as pieces of denim? It is because they are made out of a fabric known as denim. This post will help us understand the meaning and the various types of denim fabrics used in making jeans.

What is Denim?

Although denim primarily consists of 100% cotton fabric, modern denim fabrics may contain small quantities of polyester or lycra. The predominant presence of one color on the surface characterizes the denim fabric. It is precisely why you see one color on the front of your jeans and another inside. Denim is strong, versatile, and durable, making it perfect for manufacturing jeans and other work clothes that you can wear for long without worrying about any wear and tear. In this regard, you can go with Silailor, a ladies tailor in Dwarka, which stitch all type of ladies cloths.

Types of Denim Fabric

Primarily, you can classify denim fabrics into 13 types. Let us look at each of them to understand them better.

  1. Raw or Dry Denim – Raw or dry denim is a type of denim that has not been washed or treated after dyeing. Therefore, one must wash raw denim before stitching or wearing it on the body. It is stiff to wear because it is left untreated and can last for a long time if you do not wash it frequently.
  2. Sanforized Denim – Sanforized or pre-shrunk denim is nothing but raw denim that is processed or treated to prevent shrinkage after washing. If denim is not sanforized correctly, you may need to buy jeans one size bigger to account for the shrinkage. Most denim fabrics apart from raw denim are sanforized.
  3. Colored Denim – There are essentially two types of colored denim. Indigo-dyed pieces of denim are dyed in blue or colors close to blue, and sulfur-dyed denim pieces are dyed in other colors like pink, red, black, mustard, grey, green, and so on.
  4. Selvedge or Self-edge Denim – Selvedge denim fabrics are colored along the edges to prevent them from fraying. The color could be red, orange, or any other color, depending on the manufacturer. This type of denim fabric is widely considered to be of better quality. Japan is the leading producer of Selvedge denim. It is most affordable or cost effect cloth.
  5. Acid Wash or Marble Denim – Acid wash or marble denim is a denim fabric that is given an abrasive and faded effect to provide an attractive contrast to the blue color. The material is first scrubbed with a pumice stone soaked in chlorine, after which it is washed and left to dry.
  6. Stretch Denim – Stretch denim fabrics are infused with spandex or lycra to provide elastic qualities. This type of fabric is comfortable and mainly used in manufacturing skin-fitting jeans that could otherwise be tight.
  7. Crushed Denim – Crushed denim is a type of denim fabric woven, processed, or treated in a manner that lends it a permanently wrinkled, crumpled, or crushed look.
  8. Poly Denim – Poly denim is created by adding polyester fibers to sanforized denim. Polyester fibers help add durability, softness, smoothness, elasticity and finish. Poly denim fabrics are primarily used in manufacturing jackets, hats, shirts, etc.
  9. Bull Denim – Bull denim is made from 100% cotton. It is tough, sturdy, durable, and heavy because of its 3-in-1 twill construction. It is evenly dyed in various colors, is soft on one side, has a distinguished weave, and is available in different weights. Bull denim is primarily used in manufacturing upholstery, curtains, and home decor items.
  10. Ecru Denim – Ecru denim is nothing but denim fabric that has not been dyed. It is available in pale cream, which is the natural color of cotton.
  11. Thermo or Double Denim – As the name suggests, thermo or double denim is a type of denim fabric with another lightweight fabric material glued to it. It is done to provide a lined look to garments.
  12. Waxed Reverse Denim – Waxed reverse denim is a type of denim fabric with a wax coating on the reverse for waterproofing. Apart from manufacturing jeans, waxed reverse denim is used for manufacturing travel gears and bags.
  13. Organic Denim – Organic denim is a healthy alternative to regular denim and is extracted from organically-grown cotton plants or chemical-free manufacturing processes.

One example of organic denim is the denim obtained from fox fiber. This type of denim fabric is produced using naturally grown colored cotton that is developed, patented, and distributed by the Californian cotton breeder Sally Fox.