Hey, guys!
I am an English teacher and I have a doubt: what is the difference between denim and jeans? I know denim is what the fabric is called and jeans is the name for pants made of that fabric, however, I was wondering whether jeans could be another name for denim. I have heard of “denim jacket” and “jeans jacket”. I understand both examples as the same. Could you help me out? Thanks a lot, F.
I’d think they are interchangeable when the former refers to denim trousers made of a denim cloth.
“Denim” is the name for the fabric, because in the old days it was imported from Nîmes, France, and the crates said, “de Nîmes” on them. The word “jeans” comes from “Genoese”, i.e., from Genoa, Italy. Maybe some of the fabric also came from Genoa.
“Jeans” can’t be used to refer to the material alone. For that, we either say “denim”, or you will find people who call it “blue jean material” or just “jean material”. Those would be the rare people who don’t know the word “denim” or don’t have it as an active part of their vocabulary.
You will find people talking about a “blue jean jacket” or a “jean jacket”, but not because “jean” is the word for the fabric, but because the jacket is constructed and styled like blue jeans are. After all, there are other types of jackets made from denim or similar twill material that would not be called “jean jackets”, because they are not in that style.
Haihao and Jamie (K), thank you very much!
F.
There are W:32 and L:30 on the back of my jeans. Do these abbreviations mean width and length? Obivously they do. I’ve never thought of it before (especially in English). Some reason I assume ‘W’ means weight but it doesn’t make any sense.
W is the waist measurement - a circumference if your body is round.
L is the length of the leg as measured along the inseam. Basically, the distance from your crotch to the bottom of the leg.
What makes pants “jeans” is the style. You have patch pockets on the back, rolled seams with two rows of stitches on the outside of the leg as well as the inseam.
Wrangler uses a different construction for the inseam that is flatter, making it more comfortable when your legs rubs a saddle for hours. I don’t think Levi’s makes any jeans with that flat seam. Other brands may be either style. Levi is a registered trademark, but levis is also a generic term for jeans made of blue denim.
The pockets open both at the top and side of the pocket, and there is a small pocket suitable for a pocket watch i the right pocket. There way or may not be rivets protecting the patch pockets - and the pocket watch pocket. At the top of the fly, the fly is closed with a button rather than a hidden fastener.
“Blue jeans” are made with blue denim, but just “jeans” can be any color, and may br made of broadcloth instead of denim.