How Jeans Are Made: Why Denim Is More Complicated Than It Looks

Denim is not simply blue fabric but a complex textile created through a sophisticated weaving process where blue-dyed threads cross white threads, creating the characteristic dark exterior and pale interior; jeans were originally designed as durable workwear for laborers like miners and farmers, featuring copper rivets (patented in 1873) to reinforce stress points, and their production involves a global supply chain spanning cotton cultivation, spinning, dyeing, weaving, cutting, sewing, washing, and finishing across multiple countries, with modern manufacturers competing on durability, authenticity, and craftsmanship rather than just price.