PURCHASING POWER
HE 433
JEANS
Buying Jeans? If so, know the facts before you shop.
Lois M. Gotwals
Fabric
At one time jeans were always made of heavy cotton denim. These fabrics “wore like iron” and shrank a lot—about 12%. Today, many fabric improvements have minimized the shrinkage problem, improved the feel or hand of the fabric, made blends of fibers more appealing, and eliminated puckered seams.
Whether you purchase the longest wearing jeans or another type, depends on your life style and the amount of wear you expect from each pair of pants. Read the garment labels for clues of wear and care before you make another jeans purchase.
■	14 oz. denim of 100% cotton is a heavy weight fabric with excellent wearing qualities and resistance to abrasion. Jeans made from this fabric can be expected to shrink 3-5% unless given a shrinkage control treatment, so purchase 1 to 2 sizes larger than you normally wear.
■	10 oz. denim of 100% cotton is a lighter weight fabric with good wearing qualities. Shrinkage may also be a problem unless the label describes a shrinkage control finish, so purchase jeans 1 to 2 sizes larger and expect them to shrink.
■	Sanfor Set1 is a shrinkage control finish for 100% cotton jeans which guarantees that the jeans will not shrink more than one percent when laundered properly. Thus the jeans may be purchased in the size which fits. The finish also eliminates twisting of the pant legs, minimizes puckered seams and ironing.
■	Maximum shrinkage 1 or 2% is a non-branded shrinkage control finish that is guaranteed to limit shrinkage to the stated percent. If the label states maximum shrinkage of 3% or more, it means that the
jeans may become at least one size smaller after one or more launderings.
■	Shrinkage process 6862 is a 3% shrinkage control treatment which indicates that the jeans may shrink up to 3% or become one size smaller after laundering. Thus, jeans with this shrinkage control treatment should be purchased a size larger or with a looser than desired fit.
■	Indigo Plus3 is a 65% cotton and 35% high tenacity Dacron polyester blended fabric with the feel and wearing qualities of 100% cotton. Jeans made of this fabric should not shrink more than 1% if laundered correctly and the legs should not twist after laundering.
■	Dura Plus4 is a 64% cotton and 36% polyester blended fabric with the feel and wearing qualities of 100% cotton jeans. The jeans are guaranted to shrink no more than 1% after proper laundering so they will fit essentially the same as when purchased.
■	Toughskins5 is a blended fabric of Dacron Type 59 polyester, DuPont 420 nylon and cotton which creates long wearing, durable jeans.
■	Permanent press, Perma Prest6 or Sta-Prest7 are terms indicating wrinkle resistant finishes which minimize puckering of seams and the need for ironing after laundering.
■	Pre-washed jeans have a faded or worn look and a soft feel.
Besides checking the label, handle the fabric to determine the closeness of the weave. Most jeans are made of a closely woven twill weave. Slacks of loosely woven fabric which have jeans styling will not wear as well as traditional jeans. Some knit fabrics have a look of woven denim, but they tend to snag easily and are less durable.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907