What is Denim? | Denim vs Jeans | Types of denim

The continuing appeal of denim apparel, especially jeans, has ensured that the demand for denim fabric remains robust. In turn, robust demand has resulted in sizeable trade flows in denim fabric across markets. The top exporting countries of Denim fabric are China, Hong Kong, the USA, Italy, Turkey, Japan, India, Brazil, Spain and Pakistan.

The term “Denim” has originated from the city of Nimes in France where “ serge de Nimes” was manufactured. Denim fabric is dyed by Vat or Indigo dye, which is applied to cotton fabric in loosely held form in layers. In manufacturing process of denim , it is similar to that of Grey fabric up to the process of weaving with the only difference that in case of Denim fabric, it is dyed at the stage of sizing where as in case of Grey fabric, the decision regarding dyeing stage depands upon the finished product. Generally, denim fabric are 3/1 warp-faced twill fabric made from a yarn dyed warp & an undyed weft yarn. Normally dyed & grey ring or open- end yarns are used in warp & weft respectively. Traditionally speaking, the warp yarn is indigo dyed. Now a days Indigo, Sulphur black, Blue black(dyed both in black & indigo color) & various Colored denim in both stretch & nonstretch form are widely used world wide.

Denim is a very versatile fabric, and is very popular for a variety of shade,looking & handfeel on same fabric for different types of wash. Actually wash is known as ornament for Denim fabric.

Denim vs Jeans

Denim and jeans are words that are confusing for many people because of the use of the word denim for many different garments made for men and women. In some parts of the world, the word denim is used interchangeably with jeans in such a manner that people refer to jeans as denim. However, the two words refer to two different things and the use of the word denim for jeans is wrong as will be clear to the readers after reading this article.

Jeans

Jeans is one garment worn by people of all ages around the world that needs no introduction today. Introduced by Levi Strauss as a copper riveted cotton trouser in the 2nd half of the 19th century, jeans has today become a type of trouser that is seen in the wardrobe of most men and women across the world. It has a universal appeal and a very youthful and rugged image.

Jeans is considered casual wear and worn by men and women outside workplaces. Students cannot live without their basic 5 pocket jeans and have many pairs of jeans in their wardrobes to be ready for all occasions. Jeans are preferred by people over other formal trousers as these can be worn without the need for press. Jeans also do not require washing frequently like other formal trousers. Blue is the color that gives jeans their unique identity though today they are available in many over dyed colors.

Denim

Denim is the name of the fabric that is used to make jeans. It is a fabric made of cotton twill that is 100% cotton and very comfortable. This fabric is used all over the world to make jeans, jackets, shirts, purses, bags, and many other accessories for men and women of all ages. However, ‘jeans’ is a garment that has given this fabric an identity. This fabric is woven with warp yarn that is blue cotton and a filling yarn that is white cotton to create twill that has diagonal running parallel lines. Denim is so commonly used to make readymade garments and accessories that today it is found in all stores selling readymade apparels.

What is the difference between Jeans and Denim?

1. Denim is the fabric whereas jeans is the trouser that is made of denim cloth
2. Denim is used to make not just jeans but also shirts and skirts apart from many other accessories
3. Denim is made of heavy twill
4. All jeans are denim, but not all denims are jeans
5. Denim is a fashion fabric used to make many things, whereas jeans is just one of the garments made from denim