How to Sound Like a Jean-ius: Our Denim Dictionary

We’re defining denim terms—and dancing while we’re at it. (Shout-out to our friend with the moves, Kelsey, and, of course, Pat the Cat.) Prepare to become an expert in all things jeans after the quick video guide above, and for more in-depth defs, read on.

WHISKERING
Y’know when you’ve had a pair of jeans for a solid few years and they start to develop those love lines around the front pockets? Turns out that specific kind of fading has a name—true denimheads call it “whiskering.” Certain pairs are made with the lived-in look built in, thanks to special hand-sanding techniques.

SELVEDGE
We’re talking premium denim quality, right here. Selvedge is an extra sturdy weave with a self-finished edge that creates an ultra-clean, polished look. The trick to knowing if a pair is selvedge is all in the cuff—you’ll see a single strip of denim down the middle of your fold and minimal stitching around it.

RIGID
Picture your dream pair of ’90s supermodel jeans. You know the type—substantial and fits close to the body without restricting anything. Rigid jeans are 100% cotton (yep, no stretch) and perfectly mold to your shape as you wear ’em. Luckily, you don’t have to go thrift store hunting to find them anymore.

RECOVERY
Recovery is the amount of bounceback a pair of jeans has, or in other words, how easily it’ll return to its original shape after wearing and washing. Our latest pairs are full of the stuff, so you never have to worry about bagging or sagging (plus, they’re comfy enough to dance in).

LETDOWN HEM
Don’t worry, its feelings aren’t hurt. (You can also call it a drop hem if that sounds nicer.) Think a regular ol’ hem, but with the stitches released. The result is a dark, frayed edge that gives major DIY vibes—though with this pair, we’ve already done the work for you.

COWBOY CREASE
For this one, we’re taking inspo from the Wild West. Old-school cowboys were known for having jeans with a crisp, starched fold running down the middle of each leg—and for wearing them, of course, with a pair of worn-in boots. We love the unexpected bit of visual interest it adds to any look. And tucking a bandana in your back pocket? Perfection.

Let’s put all this newfound knowledge to use. Shop our Denim Bar here.