Look, Let’s Talk About Jeans
I’m standing in my closet at 7:30am, staring at my denim wall. It’s a problem, I know. But I can’t help it. I’m a denim addict. Always have been. And let me tell you, this isn’t some casual relationship. This is a full-blown committment.
I was at a conference in Austin last year, right? Heard this guy—let’s call him Marcus—say light wash is making a comeback. I laughed so hard I choked on my coffee. Which, by the way, was terrible. But that’s not the point.
Marcus is wrong. Dark wash isn’t going anywhere. It’s the OG. It’s classic. It’s… well, it’s me in denim form.
My Denim Origin Story
I gotta take you back to 1998. I was 16, living in Seattle, and working at this little record store on Pine Street. My best friend, let’s call her Dave—yeah, I know, but Dave’s not a girl’s name, I don’t make the rules—anyway, Dave dragged me to this vintage shop. Threw a pair of dark wash Levi’s at me and said, “Wear these. You’ll look like a cool grunge kid.”
I did. I mean, I looked like a try-hard, but whatever. That’s how it starts, you know? You try too hard, then you find your groove. Dark wash became my groove.
Fast forward to 2005. I’m in New York, working at a magazine, and this editor—let’s call her Lisa—tells me skinny jeans are in. I’m like, “Lisa, I’m not stuffing my thighs into spandex.” But she insisted. So I tried. It was a disaster. I looked like a tube of toothpaste. Never again.
The Science of Dark Wash
Look, I’m not saying I’m a scientist or anything. But I did some research. Dark wash denim hides more. It’s more forgiving. It’s… I dunno, it’s just better. I read this study—okay, it was an article on immigration policy news update, but it had a sidebar about denim—that said dark wash is more succesfully dyed, whatever that means. I’m not sure but it sounds legit.
And let’s talk about stains. You spill something on dark wash? No one knows. You spill something on light wash? Might as well take a sharpie and draw a target on your crotch.
A Quick Tangent: The Great Bootcut Betrayal
Remember bootcut jeans? Yeah, me too. I had this pair—dark wash, of course—that I loved. Wore them every day for about three months. Then one day, I’m at this bar in Brooklyn, and this guy—let’s call him Greg—says, “Bootcut is so last decade.” I’m like, “Greg, it’s 2012. Decade’s not over.” But no, he had to be all high and mighty about it. So I stopped wearing them. Now I see bootcut everywhere. Thanks, Greg.
Dark Wash in the Wild
I was at this café on 5th last Tuesday, right? Saw this woman—let’s call her Sarah—walking down the street. Dark wash jeans, white tee, leather jacket. Effortlessly cool. I mean, I’m not one to stare, but come on. She was rocking it.
I asked the barista about her. Turns out, Sarah’s a local artist. She told me she always wears dark wash because “it’s just… yeah. It works.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
I tried to ask more, but then my latte arrived. It was cold. I sent it back. The barista looked at me like I was crazy. Whatever. Cold coffee is a crime against humanity.
But What About the Haters?
Okay, so not everyone’s on Team Dark Wash. My colleague, let’s call him Dave—yeah, another Dave—I know, I need to be more creative with names—anyway, Dave swears by black jeans. I’m like, “Dave, black jeans are for people who want to look like they’re in mourning.” He just laughs and says, “They’re versatile.”
Versatile? Please. Dark wash is versatile. You can dress it up, dress it down. It’s the chameleon of denim. Black jeans? You wear them to a funeral or a goth club. That’s it.
And don’t even get me started on distressed denim. I mean, come on. You want to look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards? Be my guest. I’ll be over here in my dark wash, looking effortlessly cool.
Final Thoughts (Or Not)
So there you have it. My committment to dark wash denim. It’s not just a preference, it’s a lifestyle. It’s who I am. It’s… well, it’s me.
And honestly, if you’re not on Team Dark Wash, I don’t even know what to say to you. Maybe we can’t be friends. Maybe you should go hang out with Marcus and his light wash nonsense.
Anyway, I’m gonna go try on my new pair of dark wash jeans. They’re a little tight, but I think I can physicaly make it work. Wish me luck.
About the Author
Samantha “Sam” Davis has been a senior editor at StyleNewser for over 20 years. She’s a denim enthusiast, coffee addict, and self-proclaimed expert on all things fashion. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her closet, staring at her denim wall.
