8 problems with jeans and how to fix them.
For being such a ubiquitous piece of clothing in our culture, jeans can come with a whole host of problems. From that dreaded broken zipper to the jeans you just can't seem to button, denim has its issues. We'll be taking a crack at solving some of these jeans problems below.
1. The broken zipper
There's no way around it: the broken zipper is an absolute bummer, particularly if it happens to a well-loved, favorite pair that you've broken in through months or even years of wear. It's always tough parting with denim, and it's particularly unfortunate if the cause is a broken zipper. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be the end of the line for your favorite pair: many tailors offer zipper repair services. Or if you're feeling particularly crafty, you can even attempt to do it yourself by removing a defective zipper with a pair of pliers and replacing it with a functional one.
2. The unstitched pocket
It's not just zippers that can come loose: occasionally, pockets can start to lose their stitches, particularly in the corners. If you find yourself experiencing this issue, you can solve it by having the stitching reinforced by a tailor.
3. The too-long leg
When a pair of jeans is too long in the leg, it's more than just an aesthetic concern: all that extra fabric stacking up behind your shoe is likely to drag on the ground and may likely rip if you (or your walking companion) steps on it while walking down the street. You don't want a too-long leg to be the reason your jeans are retired early. Fortunately, you have a few options for dealing with this problem. The first is also the simplest: cuffing. Simply roll the jeans up once, twice, or even three times or more depending on how much extra fabric you have or what kind of look you're trying to create. A double-cuff is a classic way to wear jeans with a cute pair of ankle boots. But if you don't feel like going the cuff route, you can also throw them into the dryer after a wash, which may shrink their length by two inches or more. Lastly, you can always take them to a tailor for shortening.
4. The too-short leg
On the other end of the spectrum are the pair of jeans that come up too short. This is a trickier issue to solve, as jeans don't typically come sewn with extra fabric that can be let out. If you don't want to part with these jeans based on their length, you can reconsider the situations and seasons in which you wear them. The too-short length of a pair of jeans will be evident when they're worn with boots in the winter or a pair of socks and shoes. But if you plan on wearing them sockless with boat shoes or sandals in the summertime, the lack of sock will make the discrepancy in length less obvious. Plus, a pair of shorter jeans won't have to be rolled up should your summer plans bring you to the beach.
5. The too-loose fit
Whether you've lost weight or the jeans came in fitting a little too generously, it's no fun to constantly find yourself hitching up a pair of jeans that just won't stay on your hips. Fortunately, this can be solved by the easiest of all fixes: wearing a belt. But a belt isn't always the answer, depending on just how loosely fitting the jeans are. If the jeans are so loose that your belt seems to float above the waistline, you've got to consider some other options. One can be throwing the jeans into the washer and then drying on hot, which will cause shrinkage. Or for a more controlled route, you can take them to a tailor to have the waist taken in.
6. The too-tight fit
Who hasn't found themselves desperately trying to button that top button on a pair of jeans at some point in their lifetime? And if closing the button requires a great deal of huffing, puffing, and sucking-in, it's just not going to be worth it. Instead, take the pair to a tailor to see if the jeans can be let out. And don't hesitate to make the alternative fix: buy another pair one-size up.
7. The saggy seat
This issue needs no further explanation: no one wants a baggy rear view. A too-large seat can be solved with a hot dry after a wash; alternatively, you can see if sizing down fits you better.
8. The rip
No good thing lasts forever, including jeans. But that first tear doesn't have to mean the end of your favorite pair of jeans. If it happens to be along a seam, a tailor or sewing machine can easily repair it. But if the rip occurs elsewhere, you can have it patched up. Depending on what fabric you choose, like a blue bandana or even an unworn silk tie, you can also add extra personality to jeans that will become uniquely yours.