Understanding the Difference Between Denim and Jeans

Denim is a strong cotton fabric made using a twill weave, which creates a subtle diagonal ribbing pattern. First produced as serge de Nîmes in France in the seventeenth century, the cotton twill fabric is warp-facing, meaning that the weft threads go under two or more warp threads. The warp yarns are more prominent on the right side—these diagonal parallel lines make denim fabric different from other sturdy woven cotton fabrics like canvas or cotton duck. Many manufacturers produce denim fabric made from a mix of cotton fibers, polyester, and elastane to create stretch denim or increase durability.

Denim is usually colored with indigo dye, resulting in its characteristic blue-cotton color. After denim is colored, manufacturers can wash, rinse, or distress the fabric to produce a wide array of denim, from dark-wash to light. Manufacturers use a different dyeing process to create black or white cotton denim.

What Are Jeans?