Jean Distressing & Finishes
Distressing is the deliberate wear and fading added to jeans to give them character. This hub explains the main distressing and finishing effects, so you know what a product description means. Browse men's jeans (/collections/mens-jeans-denim).
Fade effects
Whiskers
Fine fade lines that fan from the hip and fly.
What defines it
Whiskers are the light, radiating creases that form at the top of the thigh where denim naturally folds when you sit.
Who it suits
It suits a realistic, worn-in look. Browse men's jeans (/collections/mens-jeans-denim).
Honeycombs
Fade marks behind the knee.
What defines it
Honeycombs are the criss-cross fade patterns that form behind the knee from repeated bending, named for their shape.
Who it suits
It suits vintage-style jeans.
Stack Fades
Fade rings around a longer, stacked hem.
What defines it
Stack fades are the horizontal fade lines that build up where a longer leg bunches over the shoe.
Who it suits
It suits raw and heritage denim.
Wear effects
Abrasions
Light surface scuffing that thins the fabric.
What defines it
Abrasions are gentle scrapes that thin and lighten the denim surface without breaking through, for a soft worn look.
Who it suits
It suits casual, lived-in jeans. Browse men's jeans (/collections/mens-jeans-denim).
Sandblast Fading
An even, all-over faded surface.
What defines it
Sandblasting, or its modern laser equivalent, evenly lightens the surface to mimic long sun and wear fading.
Who it suits
It suits a uniformly faded finish.
3D Creasing
Set-in creases that hold a worn shape.
What defines it
3D creasing sets permanent fold lines into the denim so jeans look naturally broken in straight away.
Who it suits
It suits a ready-worn casual look.
Damage effects
Rips & Tears
Open holes and frayed slashes in the denim.
What defines it
Rips and tears cut through the denim, from small frayed openings to larger distressed holes, for a bold casual look.
Who it suits
It suits fashion-led, casual outfits. Browse men's jeans (/collections/mens-jeans-denim).
Repairs & Darning
Visible stitched patches over worn areas.
What defines it
Repairs add contrast darning or patches over distressed areas for a crafted, well-loved appearance.
Who it suits
It suits characterful, vintage-style jeans.
Frequently asked questions
What are whiskers on jeans?
Whiskers are the fine, fanning fade lines at the top of the thigh, around the hip and fly, where denim naturally creases when you sit and move. On raw denim they appear over time with wear, while on pre-distressed jeans they are added to mimic that natural pattern.
Are distressed jeans still in style?
Distressed jeans move in and out of fashion, but subtle fading, whiskering and light abrasions are a lasting, versatile look. Heavier rips and tears are more of a trend piece, so if you want jeans that stay wearable for years, choose gentle distressing over dramatic damage.
What is the difference between fading and distressing?
Fading is the lightening of the indigo colour, whether natural or added, while distressing is the physical wear such as abrasions, whiskers, rips and repairs. Most worn-in jeans combine both, using fading for colour and distressing for texture and character.