How many of us loathe the fact that any black item of clothing loses its dark luster after what seems like just a few washes? The washing machine is already tough on premium denim fibers, especially raw denim, stripping it of its ability to flawlessly fade and break in on its own to that perfect vintage appearance and feel (I figured that one out the hard way, with my first pair of designer jeans, a raw pair of the True Religion Billy. Oops). Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some magic washing machine out there just for our favorite jeans? I know some people have found a few of their own special ways to take care of the job, apart from hand washing every few months. Buying any kind of expensive item should, in theory, mean that you are willing to spend the time and money to take care of it, but we all want to look great and have nice things, and so many of us are so short on time! I wear my black jeans so infrequently because I don’t want to deal with washing them and having them fade, so I was fairly impressed when my current favorite brand Level 99 (tied with AG Jeans) came up with “Forever Black,” which is a color-lock technology currently applied to their Liza skinny jean, allowing up to 20 fade-free washes. Remember their Forever White technology, for stainless white jeans? Yeah, I love this brand…Innovation is so necessary for survival in this tough (and currently struggling) denim market.
Level 99‘s anti-fade technology is complimented by the usual luxurious stretch and shape retention in every garment, as well as the insane contouring and slimming effect and super soft feel (thanks to modal/Tencel fibers) which is another few reasons why they are so awesome in my book. Most of their jeans are in the premium price range of course, around $120 (which is lower than a lot out there), but the Liza Mid Rise Skinny in Abyss with this Forever Black technology is just $98. Believe me, you’ll feel it. However, if you’d rather not shell out that much for a pair of jeans, I also read on Real Simple‘s blog that Catherine Ryu, creative director of premium brand Citizens of Humanity, claims that all you need to do is wash your jeans inside out in cold water, with two tablespoons of salt in order to keep your blacks from fading. I’m still wary but…I guess it’s worth a try, right?
I was also excited to stumble across DSTLD and discover that they are doing the same thing! Their Mid Rise Second Skinny Legging incorporates a Forever Black Modal® fabric featuring Austrian beech wood fibers, at 50% polyester, 46% modal, and 4% spandex. This eco-friendly 8.5oz modal twill fabric not only has a super-soft feel, 80% stretch and 95% recovery ability, but also a color lock technology that keeps the rich black from rubbing off on other surfaces or fading in the sun or the wash. I am in touch with this brand and am looking to do a review with these, so stay tuned!
Grab a pair of the Liza Mid Rise Skinny Jeans in Abyss right here.
Shop the DSTLD Mid Rise Second Skinny Legging with Forever Black® Modal here.
I thought I’d share a little more about my own person style on these basic informative posts…a good black skinny jean is a closet staple! Here are some tops that I would definitely pair with them.