Why Choose Pre-Loved Jeans? A Guide to Sustainable Denim

The great thing about jeans is that they last and last and last. That’s why they’re a perfect piece to buy pre-loved. From vintage 501’s to seventies flares or baggy skater jeans, some styles will never go out of fashion. And the hard-wearing nature of denim fabric means that if we look after them, our jeans can last us generations.

And that’s great, because making new jeans from scratch is actually a very intensive process - it uses a lot of water and a lot of technical labour. Perfecting a pair to be faded and worn in all the right places can mean using chemicals, lasers and all sorts of tricky and even environmentally harmful processes. We’ve already written a pretty in-depth account of why denim is impacting the planet here, so check it out.

Buying pre-loved jeans is an easy way to save a pair from landfill and reduce your environmental impact. Buckle up, we’re about to explore the benefits of shopping for pre-loved jeans and how to find the right pair.

Benefits of Shopping for Pre-Loved Jeans:

Opting for pre-loved jeans comes with a ton of advantages, making them an attractive choice for savvy shoppers.

1 - Positive environmental impact. When you pick pre-loved jeans over buying something new, you’re reducing the demand for new jeans to be made - which means lowering the consumption of natural resources and energy.

2 - Less waste. Choose something second-hand and you’ll be extending its lifespan, meaning it stays out of landfill and doesn’t turn into textile waste.

3 - You’ll be serving uniqueness. Buying pre-loved means you get to transcend the current fashions and stand out from the crowd in the style that flatters you most. Whether that’s making a statement in patchwork flares or rocking ripped up skinny jeans, choosing pre-loved denim means expressing your individuality, which is pretty cool.

4 - Bargain prices. In a cost of living crisis, you can’t beat a bargain, and when we pick pre-loved, we can grab great brands and styles at a fraction of their original retail price. That means better quality, more special pieces for less money.

Types of Pre-Loved Jeans:

There are a few different ways we identify pre-loved jeans, but the most important differentiators are either vintage jeans or pre-loved jeans. Vintage jeans tend to be older than 20 years old and have historical value.

Because the way we make a lot of washes is different now, these can be very valuable and sought after by collectors. So if you’ve got old jeans you’ve not worn for a while, it might be time to dust them off and see what they’re worth!

Technically, vintage jeans can be pre-loved (most of them are) but we usually call any pairs that are less than 20 years old pre-loved jeans. These can be worn once or twice, or loved for years, but usually are ready for a new owner, and could even go through five or six different homes in their lifetime.

How to Shop for the Right Pair of Pre-Loved Jeans:

There are a few tips and tricks to finding the perfect pair in the ultimate fit. Once you know them, you’ll be able to shop pre-loved with confidence.

First, you need to know your style. Before browsing pre-loved, check out denim brands to find the type of jeans you’re looking for. Do you prefer high or low waisted, stretchy or rigid denim, light or dark wash? It can help to try on different fits and see how you feel, you could be surprised that a style you didn’t consider is actually one that makes you feel great! 

You might find boyfriend jeans suit your style, or you prefer a wide leg fit. Lots of people opt for mom-jeans for a high-waisted eighties vibe, and some prefer a slim or bootcut for a more streamlined style.

Once you know what fits and styles you love, and the ones that don’t make you feel your best, you’ll be able to find them pre-loved more easily.

When you’ve found a pair of pre-loved jeans that you’re considering buying, you need to check the quality. Inspect all the seams for signs of wear and tear. Pay special attention to the knees, seams and hem, because that’s where things start to fall apart first.

If something has a rip, hole or stain it doesn’t mean that it’s the end! We love visible mending as a celebration of keeping something in circulation.

Another thing to check is the zip fastening - sometimes older jeans will start to rust, so you might need to get the zip replaced.

TOP TIP: Run a grey pencil over a stiff zip a few times to loosen the teeth.

When you’re choosing pre-loved jeans, think about what wash and colour will work best with your wardrobe. More casual dressers might want to go for light washes, whereas if you’re on the lookout for something business casual, a dark indigo could be more wearable for you.

There are so many colours and washes of denim, so don’t be afraid to experiment with prints and patterns if you fancy a change. It’s all about knowing your personal style, and buying things that compliment it.

Finding the Right Size in a Pre-Loved Pair of Jeans

Because pre-loved jeans could be from last year or ten years ago, there can often be discrepancies between sizes. That’s why it is really important to check measurements before you buy a pair - especially if you’re shopping online, so you don’t end up disappointed.

Measure your waist, hips and inseam (the inside of your leg from crotch to ankle), and compare with measurements provided online. Most good pre-loved or second hand sellers will provide these measurements. You can also measure the rise (which is from the centre point of the crotch to the back waistband) to find the perfect fit and reduce the risk of saggy bottom.

Remember that pre-loved jeans might have been worn or stretched, so the measurements on the label could be inaccurate.

When you know which brands you love, and the size that fits you best from them, it’s easy to pick up pre-loved bargains that you know will be perfect for your body.

If you can, the best thing to do is try them on, so don’t be shy! 

Pricing of Pre-Loved Jeans 

The reason we love pre-loved is that you can get bargain prices on your favourite brands and pieces. 

Pre-loved jeans are typically priced lower than the original retail price - especially if they aren’t vintage. That means you can get a great deal on something compared to buying new.

Some vintage jeans can be more expensive than the original price because they’re collectors items, or very rare. These will tend to retain their worth, or even be worth more over time, so if you take care of them they could be a great investment piece!

What to do with your old jeans?

Send them to us of course!

Our brand partners E.L.V. Denim accept back any jeans in any condition, and will offer you a reward voucher to spend on their site. They’ll give you up to £40 off of a pair of their upcycled jeans, which are made out of post-consumer waste.

That means your old jeans could be turned into a cool new creation, and you could even be buying a pair made from jeans belonging to someone you know.

Check out there takeback here.

So why buy pre-loved jeans?

Choose pre-loved because you can limit your water waste, and be more sustainable.

There are tons of bonuses to picking pre-loved jeans instead of a brand new pair. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, but you can also get bargain prices, and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

By finding the right fit, understanding what the types of jeans are, and exploring styles that work for you, you can embrace a fashion forward and eco friendly approach to dressing, while being a part of the sustainable fashion movement. 

And if you’re wondering whether you can put your jeans in the freezer - let us put the rumours straight here. 

Shop pre-loved fashion on Reskinned here.