Why do your jeans wear out so quickly? - Madhavi Venkatesan

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  • Опубликовано: 29 ноя 2021
  • Trace the life cycle of a pair of denim jeans, and discover the labor and environmental costs of this fashion staple.
    --
    The first pairs of jeans were designed for durability; denim was constructed as a sturdy weave worn by sailors and miners. But over the course of the 20th century, as the demand for jeans has gone up, their durability has gone down. Today, most pairs last no longer than a year. And each new pair you buy has a much higher cost than you might think. Madhavi Venkatesan traces the life cycle of jeans.
    Lesson by Madhavi Venkatesan, directed by Sofia Pashaei.
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Комментарии • 692

  • @youknowwhat4851
    @youknowwhat4851 2 года назад +323

    0:46 most jeans last only for an year
    me who uses the same jeans for nearly 3 years: I beat the system

    • @GregorWSky
      @GregorWSky 2 года назад +9

      Probably 100% cotton :)

    • @vedantsridhar8378
      @vedantsridhar8378 2 года назад +4

      wow I see you comment on Mr Scientific too!

    • @youknowwhat4851
      @youknowwhat4851 2 года назад +5

      @@vedantsridhar8378 wow good to know that you too watch his content

    • @Patrick_919
      @Patrick_919 2 года назад +9

      Clearly they don't know guys. We get every penny's worth out of our clothing.

    • @kotor1357
      @kotor1357 2 года назад +13

      @@Patrick_919 Most Jeans*
      People like you and me use clothes for years
      But most people, especially young people use their clothes for an year and sometimes less!

  • @logeshk.t7740
    @logeshk.t7740 2 года назад +450

    "When price tag on your clothes seem like a steal, it's important to consider who's actually been robbed"
    DAMN

    • @logeshk.t7740
      @logeshk.t7740 2 года назад

      @@dryzalizer thanks

    • @Udhwjzjsnxjs
      @Udhwjzjsnxjs 2 года назад +12

      "When the price tag in your clothes seems like a steal, it's important to know who's actually being robbed"

    • @vg6256
      @vg6256 2 года назад +8

      thats such a powerful statement

    • @12inch_monster
      @12inch_monster 2 года назад +1

      same thing when you buy knock off product

    • @am_i_an
      @am_i_an 2 года назад

      Those people would still get robbed, only companies would make more money

  • @32fps
    @32fps 2 года назад +897

    "Most pairs last no longer than a year" because they're cheaply made. I get that not everyone can afford $100+ jeans, but what I've learned is that quality is SO MUCH more important than quantity. When I was a teenager my mom bought me a $150+ pair of jeans and I freaked out, thinking that was too much. Well it's been almost ten years and I still have those jeans. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I've lost weight so they don't fit me anymore, but I still occasionally wear them when I don't have to look too done up because they are SO GOOD. It's really a mentality about clothes we have to change, because it's better to have 2-3 pairs of quality jeans than needing to constantly rebuy cheap ones. It ends up costing less in the long run anyways.

    • @anabelletalstein2479
      @anabelletalstein2479 2 года назад +10

      I bought some 100 ones a few years back. Jeans last me a year because of their size. I don't fit in them for long so I either have to buy an oversized one or mens

    • @jaiplisagain
      @jaiplisagain 2 года назад +23

      Yup. I buy quality jeans every 5 years at most and it's usually because my body has changed rather than the jeans wearing out

    • @PlasticEel
      @PlasticEel 2 года назад

      Bro i just asked what time is it

    • @jonathanstern5537
      @jonathanstern5537 2 года назад +18

      Price doesn't necessarily equate to quality. I bought a pair of 15 dollar jeans 13 years ago at BJ's, and I still wear them nearly every day. They are super comfortable.

    • @yoshi9358
      @yoshi9358 2 года назад

      But weren't they supposed to be cheap, like for workers

  • @russiandollie
    @russiandollie 2 года назад +400

    The video explained the topic very lightly and focused more on the environmental issues. Not that anything wrong with that but I wanted to know about the durability thing more. I've watched many vids on environment already

    • @bachxuanquang2837
      @bachxuanquang2837 2 года назад +17

      Correct. This video is mostly about the environmental impact of manufacturing jeans with just one little clue of why they wear down so fast.

    • @vipmonicake
      @vipmonicake 2 года назад +7

      The blend with polyester

    • @artnone1257
      @artnone1257 2 года назад

      I dont care about environment

    • @sameeraprasad1242
      @sameeraprasad1242 2 года назад +10

      The video is about the lifecycle of jeans which includes why it isn’t durable as well as its environmental impact.

    • @rafindradzakyatha5551
      @rafindradzakyatha5551 2 года назад +13

      It's okay and all. But definitely not gonna be my favorite Ted-Ed video. I feel click-baited for some reason

  • @champanzee6486
    @champanzee6486 2 года назад +113

    I learned more about the environmental impact of jeans than actually learning about jeans.

  • @louvendran7273
    @louvendran7273 2 года назад +908

    As someone that grew up in the 3rd world, I agree totally with this. The workers work in terrible conditions for minimum wage as they are semi-skilled and lowly educated. The companies make huge profits by moving production to poor countries due to cheaper labour rates and less environmental regulations due to corruption and poverty. They then sell these products in richer countries at greater comparative prices. If you care about the environment and humanity, you will consider your next purchase wisely.

    • @drsin6856
      @drsin6856 2 года назад +16

      I agree if these people who make jeans 👖 were less pore they could think about the environment instead of worrying how to feed their children

    • @tibontibon5772
      @tibontibon5772 2 года назад +33

      I've personally seen these fields up-close (in Maharashtra), the labour belongs to lower casts and are paid just enough to feed themselves, nothing is left for savings, education or healthcare.
      and ground water depletion is on another level, government knows it but will take action only when it becomes an environmental disaster

    • @drsin6856
      @drsin6856 2 года назад +6

      @@tibontibon5772 and the government is complicating these policies

    • @YA-hm5zy
      @YA-hm5zy 2 года назад +14

      @@tibontibon5772 they pay less so that these people cannot send their kids to school. Therefore, these companies have an endless supply of cheap labour.

    • @VictorMartinez-zf6dt
      @VictorMartinez-zf6dt 2 года назад +9

      @@tibontibon5772 these countries need tule of law and property rights for the locals

  • @MissKittieMo
    @MissKittieMo 2 года назад +386

    i thought this was HOW to make jeans, not a whole video about environmental hazards. i was genuinely interested in the former, i'm already well aware of most of the points in the latter.

    • @mr.minnesoulja1257
      @mr.minnesoulja1257 2 года назад +55

      Yeah I stopped watching half way through after the fourth guilt trip statement

    • @izayoi2006
      @izayoi2006 2 года назад +56

      Yeah the information is interesting, but the title feels slightly misleading

    • @HIFLY01
      @HIFLY01 2 года назад +37

      Unfortunately thats how this channel is turning out to be for every video. Want to learn about red eye tree frogs? They live in trees but did you know their habitat is being destroyed? Let me explain for the last 80% of the video about that

    • @DannyBPlays
      @DannyBPlays 2 года назад +25

      The title says "the life cycle of jeans" so yeah, expect environmental info

    • @vash9852
      @vash9852 2 года назад +2

      Right

  • @MiffoKarin
    @MiffoKarin 2 года назад +273

    Several points brought up by this video is why I try to buy second hand clothing as much as possible. It keeps them out of landfills, they don't have the same amount of plastics in them and thus last much longer, and I don't contribute too much to the "fast fashion" industry. The fact that it's usually a lot cheaper is a nice bonus!

    • @PelagiMilitis
      @PelagiMilitis 2 года назад +12

      I still buy new clothes, but I make sure to wear them out completely. Even when a hole starts to emerge I'll just sow it up or put a patch on it; the majority of my socks have been restitched. It's sad that some people will discard clothing just because they don't like that style anymore or for similar reasons.

    • @itsourlife
      @itsourlife 2 года назад +1

      Yuk!

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      @@PelagiMilitis 100% the same. I begrudge myself new instead of used clothes, but I will buy it thoughtfully. How is the material quality/zipper? Will it last? Is it versatile enough to be able to go with many outfits or occasions? Do I see myself wearing it well into the future? Am I 100% happy with it? If I cannot confidently say yes to any of these things I simply walk away - eventually one of those annoyances/issues will catch up to me, so I may as well only buy if I truly know it will be in my wardrobe for many years into the future.

    • @orangiseng3155
      @orangiseng3155 2 года назад +2

      I've done this since 2010, a tips from me is always boil/sterilize your second hand clothes before you use it, you never know what kind of person who used it before, just to make sure it safe from bacteria/virus/fungi/any kind of diseases

    • @rebeccawalker4387
      @rebeccawalker4387 2 года назад

      I love this idea and do buy many clothes second hand. However, buying plus sized jeans, or any pants is almost impossible. They wear out waaaay too quickly on the inner thighs

  • @jonclarke5568
    @jonclarke5568 2 года назад +22

    Interesting video. Now could you actually do one on why my jeans don't last as long instead of why labourers are getting screwed?

  • @coolcool2375
    @coolcool2375 2 года назад +135

    "Today, most pairs last no longer than a year". My older jeans are only 5 years old because I hadn't already finished growing up (they are a little bit small now) and I didn't pay more than 40€. The quote of this video is really weird because we don't wear the same pant every day in a year, but I can say : I have worn this jeans more than 500 times.

    • @AirQuotes
      @AirQuotes 2 года назад +9

      Yer that "fact" was a little sus. Maybe they meant 365 wears 🤔 I have jeans I bought about 8 years ago. I haven't worn them that much but they look practically the same as they did back then.

    • @dashdots
      @dashdots 2 года назад +6

      It’s really about the amount of times they are washed (cause of the spandex). I think they’re thinking about wearing and washing them weekly.

    • @coolcool2375
      @coolcool2375 2 года назад +3

      @@dashdots May be you're partialy right. Having sources will be usefull.
      Except for chidlren, I can't imagine how cheap is a jean usable only during this short time.

    • @MitsukotheDarkAngel
      @MitsukotheDarkAngel 2 года назад +1

      I go through a couple pairs of jeans a year and I hardly wear jeans (I think they are very uncomfortable). Inevitably, they all rip due to friction and low quality. Normally I spent about $20-40USD on them. I just spent a little more on jeans for the first time and the difference is already incredible in how they feel and the overall construction.

    • @AirQuotes
      @AirQuotes 2 года назад +1

      @@MitsukotheDarkAngel where do you buy your jeans?! I've never spent more then 40 bucks on jeans and they last me years

  • @Mu51kM4n
    @Mu51kM4n 2 года назад +16

    Since clothing production is bad for the environment, Let's start a new movement to just not wear any clothes at all.

  • @katiekingsman6635
    @katiekingsman6635 2 года назад +26

    Prof. Venkatesan is a wonderful teacher at my university! This is a great example from her class, taking a look at the life cycle of a product and it’s impacts on sustainability

  • @tigrerojo9685
    @tigrerojo9685 2 года назад +12

    "Why do jeans wear out so quickly?" proceeds to avoid the topic entirely to talk instead about how jeans are literally Satan incarnate.
    Thanks I guess...

  • @tsukikotsutsukakushi9339
    @tsukikotsutsukakushi9339 2 года назад +23

    i got into wearing raw denim jeans after high school when i found out about it from presentation from a classmate. they've lasted me much longer than jeans people would buy at hollister, gap, h&m, etc. i own more than few pairs and never washed them until i've fully broken them in after wearing them day in day out for at least 6 months. the natural fading and distress you would get out of a pair is truly 1 of 1 and can't be beaten by purchasing a pair of pre-distressed jeans. the only regret that i have is that i wish i had the intelligence of getting the pairs i've worn until i got a crotch blow-out repaired at an alteration place.

  • @sirnate9065
    @sirnate9065 2 года назад +53

    Broke: Not doing laundry is unhygienic
    Woke: Not doing laundry saves the world

    • @Taklsdjw093
      @Taklsdjw093 2 года назад

      I know right, I was waiting for them to say “then they punch a kitten”

    • @solar0wind
      @solar0wind 2 года назад +2

      Americans do wash their clothes too often though. Unless you sweat so much or roll around in dirt, you definitely don't need to wash your clothes every day. Especially not the pants. The only thing you should change almost every day are your underpants.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      @@solar0wind god don’t advocate for people to be more unhygienic and smelly than they already are. A trip on public transport tells you all you need to know. I do agree that you don’t need to wash jeans every single use, but it’s important to air them out in the sun and fresh air if you are going between washes.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад +1

      @@solar0wind almost every day? Every day, full stop. Same with your socks. T-shirts in the summer fall into this category as they absorb sweat smells very quickly. Doesn’t need to be a long hot wash in a top loader which can put unnecessary wear on clothes, a quick warm wash in a front loader is enough to lift sweat and then just dry it out on the line in the sun.

  • @mbanerjee5889
    @mbanerjee5889 2 года назад +49

    I wear the same jeans for 4-5 years and I've never paid more than $30-$40 for a pair. (And I wear them everywhere). Where are you people buying your jeans and what are you doing that makes them degrade so fast?

    • @perplexingperceptions8888
      @perplexingperceptions8888 2 года назад +4

      Same here. I have some jeans I bought at Walmart back in 2011 & they're still perfectly intact & I frequently wear them.

    • @ERRYKA09
      @ERRYKA09 2 года назад

      They buy these fancy upmarket
      jeans and pay through their noses for the brandname.

    • @jmckendry84
      @jmckendry84 2 года назад +1

      I'm thinking the same thing! In fact, I'm struggling to think of any item of clothing that I've ever bought that lasted less than a year, with the exception of items that got accidentally damaged.
      I don't tend to buy particularly expensive clothes, either.

    • @borkbork4124
      @borkbork4124 2 года назад +7

      Not having a thigh gap, the constant chafing of the fabric causes the fabric to wear and eventually create a hole.

    • @emilyharkness9685
      @emilyharkness9685 2 года назад

      I am wondering if they mean when workers use them. Like, the original intent of jeans was to provide a study pant for miners, so maybe now if you used them for a similar purpose, they won't last as long?

  • @Roy-vn8wh
    @Roy-vn8wh 2 года назад +36

    God dam it I can't even wear cloths without killing the planet

    • @ERRYKA09
      @ERRYKA09 2 года назад +4

      We can't wear clothes, we can't eat, we can't express our opinions, we even can't breathe. We're worse than slaves in ancient Rome.

    • @jmckendry84
      @jmckendry84 2 года назад +11

      @@ERRYKA09 OK boomer

    • @solar0wind
      @solar0wind 2 года назад +7

      @@ERRYKA09 You must be pretty privileged if you actually think that you have it worse than slaves at the whim of their owners, abducted from their families to never see them again.

  • @NSalonen
    @NSalonen 2 года назад +12

    All my jeans wear out on the crotch area, and were I provided with the solution to that problem I could easily wear a pair for years, saving the environment and a pile of money.
    Instead of a solution or even some tips and tricks I was given a guilt trip lecture how my thicc thighs kill people in developing countries. Wonderful.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      thicc thighs 😂 no I hear you, a few of my family members face the same issue. I’ve always wondered if it’s possible to sew a leather patch to that area to prevent the two sides of the fabric from creating friction.

    • @joewillis6283
      @joewillis6283 2 года назад +1

      You can always sew patches on to fix. I just found an abandoned pair of jeans ripped at the crotch and am in the process of stitching them up - they're gonna look better than the originals when I'm done!

  • @ridhiimas
    @ridhiimas 2 года назад +87

    we can really find hazardous facts like these in almost all products that we use. even using internet. I don't get why the focus is on only particular things. anyway waiting for next video

    • @darklyger64
      @darklyger64 2 года назад +4

      They only want to target those that may mean little to them. I think it's good information to know but hard to be implemented. I wish they would focus on sustainable solutions while allowing those that work in the industry to find their next occupation with ease or translate their current skills to complement their transition to the promoted sustainable solution.
      I find it that most people like to complain but doesn't provide a potential sustainable solution (not talking about you just something I see in current social media)

    • @elenapashaeva1
      @elenapashaeva1 2 года назад +1

      I don’t get the speech about water. What happens to water? Our planet is a closed ecosystem. It can’t disappear from the Earth. And it can be filtered if needed. 🤷🏼‍♀️

    • @Ikajo
      @Ikajo 2 года назад +1

      @@elenapashaeva1 Microplastic is very difficult to filter. And you really think water is being filtered in poor countries?

    • @J.5.M.
      @J.5.M. 2 года назад +2

      Maybe because it's a 4 minute video? I don't really understand your complaint
      Just because other products have environmental and social issues doesn't mean we can't talk about jeans?

    • @erik2602
      @erik2602 2 года назад +1

      Fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce, and more and more countries are dealing with the deficits. Sure, there's plenty of salt water, but that's mostly unusable for both consumption and industry. We definitely need to be more cautious with all the water we use.

  • @Py687
    @Py687 2 года назад +8

    Jeans from 100% cotton denim last year's and years, I've never thrown a pair away. I wonder if the writer behind this video mostly wears jeans with elastane (or jeggings), which do wear out sooner, but still last longer than a year.

  • @benjaminholcomb9478
    @benjaminholcomb9478 2 года назад +4

    I think a grand total of 2 sentences out of this whole video were actually about the title (why jeans wear out so quickly).
    And they weren't even at the beginning.
    Btw, The answer is because they put synthetic materials mixed in with the cotton for flexibility sake.

  • @saras6588
    @saras6588 2 года назад +46

    Very informative, but other alternatives to secondhand options would be helpful as well. We all can't shop secondhand as someone has to buy it new first and then donate it. Are any ethical brands making jeans the old-school, artisan ways?

    • @Ikajo
      @Ikajo 2 года назад +1

      If you don't mind shifting from jeans, I have pants in velour that has lasted for years. They are more comfortable as well.

    • @VermontConnection
      @VermontConnection 2 года назад +5

      Levi's has an ethical or environmentally-friendly line that costs less or the same than their regular stuff and last me for years too

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад +1

      Look at Everlane. They have a focus on quality and also are transparent about the factories they use and the working conditions. Sometimes you need to look outside of the big brands to find the best value and quality. Someone above said Levi’s I guess they’re easy to find globally compared to some smaller brands, but you will be paying extra for the brand heritage compared to the same quality from a smaller brand.

  • @Alyenbird
    @Alyenbird 2 года назад +6

    I wasn't aware this was going on because all my jeans come from the thrift store. If they aren't sturdy, they don't make it to the second hand market. So the jeans I have are lasting for years.

  • @austingergen
    @austingergen 2 года назад +56

    "Most pears last no longer than a year" I call BS. I have the same 3 pairs of $15 H&M Jeans I bought 5 years ago. If that's actually the case then people need to take better care if their clothes. I wear these jeans almost every day, and the only consequential damage is a broken belt loop on one pair from a bad skateboard crash. Unless the fit changes (congrats if you lost weight) I can't imagine killing a pair of jeans in 3 years let alone 1. Also for the point about buying used, this can be extremely difficult, I'm 6' 145lbs (183 cm 66kg) so finding pants that are slim enough (28-30 inch waist) and long enough (34-36 inch inseam) is quite difficult. I think the bigger problem is the systemic ingratitude that westerners have for the clothes on their back, or in this case legs. I don't mind having an impact of driving a car 70 miles 4 times a year for a cheap and still relatively high quality good.

    • @justsomeone7883
      @justsomeone7883 2 года назад +4

      Keyword: "most"

    • @borkbork4124
      @borkbork4124 2 года назад +7

      When you do not have a thigh gap, the inside of the pants rubs constantly, eventually busting a hole. Noraml wear and tear is normal, and wearing the pants for many days in one year is more than enough time for a hole to occur.

    • @priscillajimenez27
      @priscillajimenez27 2 года назад

      *pairs 💁‍♀️

    • @veryberry39
      @veryberry39 2 года назад +1

      @@borkbork4124 This. Although I expect the OP will probably come back with "lose weight then, that's your fault too" as if genetics doesn't exist.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      @@borkbork4124 I’ve had family members had this issue and it’s unfortunate as it ruins a otherwise good pair of jeans. Is it possible to stitch a durable leather patch to that area?

  • @DennisJohnsonDrummer
    @DennisJohnsonDrummer 2 года назад +6

    I've never had an issue with Levis. They last a long, long time and are washed
    frequently. I remember back in the 60's and 70's when the jeans we wore had
    to be washed several times before we could wear them. They were so stiff.
    And mom would have to bleach them so they would be cool and faded.
    Memories of a time gone by. Bell bottoms!!

  • @AdityaRaj-hd9jr
    @AdityaRaj-hd9jr 2 года назад +8

    I completely disagree with the statement " Jeans are expensive and and wont last more than a year". As I am using 10 -15 dollar jeans and all those are in wearable condition even after 4 years.

    • @paulcharpentier7095
      @paulcharpentier7095 2 года назад +2

      Try working construction or another real job and see how long they last.
      No worker who actually works has his cloths for long. If you do see someone on a job site with new looking cloths that have been worn for a time he certainly hasn't been working like his coworkers.

  • @eronpetri1049
    @eronpetri1049 2 года назад +17

    Now I ll fell bad every time i wear my jeans, thanks TED-Ed you never disapoint me

  • @Optimusprime809
    @Optimusprime809 2 года назад +11

    I've still got clothes that I bought over 6 years ago, I still wear them 😂

  • @adammcinnes5615
    @adammcinnes5615 2 года назад +7

    I always wonder about figures thrown out like it takes 10,000 l of water to grow 0.7 kg of cotton. Where does all that water go? It's not all broken down through photosynthesis and cellular metabolism (these reactions break the water molecule apart), but it's also obviously not all present in the plants. I expect that there is water lost to transpiration, runoff, evaporation, and into groundwater, but how much of that water is really consumed in the process and how much gets recycled through the water cycle? Throwing out a figure like this means nothing unless you understand where the water goes (and yes, agricultural use of water is concerning for the shear volume and buildup of salts in soil and how this affects watersheds and aquatic ecosystems, but explain that instead of being sensationalist).

  • @Xloi63
    @Xloi63 2 года назад +6

    It is important to note that the source of these problems are not 'poor countries with poor labour and environmental regulation' but Export Processing Zones that are areas of countries that have been deliberately deregulated by american economic imperialist organisations (The IMF and the World Bank), that exempt these areas, where manufacturers and speculators will build their factories and shipment processing facilities, from local laws on labour, the environment, land use, and export duties.
    This makes the land, the people working, and the entire labour chain extremely unstable and easy to exploit at a massive profit.
    Poor practices are NOT the result of poor countries, they are a direct result of american foreign and economic policy which is incredibly harmful to communities, traditional ways of life, and the value of even american labour. Same goes for Free Trade Agreements and NAFTA.
    The border is a tool for filtering out people and accumulating capital. It is a construction meant to immobilize and extort the working class.

  • @johnbagley5341
    @johnbagley5341 2 года назад +2

    I thought you were going to tell me why they supposedly don't last very long, not try to shame me for wearing them.

  • @flargarbason1740
    @flargarbason1740 2 года назад +2

    When I can’t wear something anymore I just use the fabric for sewing projects.

  • @GRosa250
    @GRosa250 2 года назад +3

    Knowing how much trouble my jeans have caused makes me appreciate them more.

  • @mylifeisguitar100
    @mylifeisguitar100 2 года назад +1

    Ive work at a denim store for over 5 years now, it all about brand and materials made in the jeans, I have jeans that I wear multiple times a week for years and they still fit great! You have to get a higher quality Jean to have them last longer than a year.

  • @Buttercup697
    @Buttercup697 2 года назад +2

    100% cotton denim Levi 501’s from college, boot cut… still wearing them. I graduated in 1990.

  • @lowify1
    @lowify1 2 года назад +2

    Pick a pure cotton jeans with no fancy acid wash or worn out look (i.e. tears) and it will last you for a very long time.

  • @mculbert1467
    @mculbert1467 2 года назад +1

    Good thing that I still get use of my '80's and '90's jeans, then ...

  • @Alex-theez
    @Alex-theez 2 года назад

    My first ever proper high quality pair of jeans i bought cost me $200 and lasted me about 6 years of constant wear, they were my favourite pair and so comfortable.

  • @scottpostma4384
    @scottpostma4384 2 года назад +6

    While there may be legitimate concerns for human health and the environment--the video's main assertion--it is not the subject the title promises to address, which is why do your jeans wear out so quickly. Though the video makes a brief allusion to the title's promise, it is misleading. Certainly you can do better than this.

  • @AscendedStark
    @AscendedStark 2 года назад +7

    This made me guilty for purchasing Jeans 🥺 But I don't have a choice. There are no Regular pants which are flexible. I don't want to expose my rear someday 😔

    • @FLStelth
      @FLStelth 2 года назад +1

      Look into chinos. I switched from jeans and don't miss my Levis at all. Wal-Mart sells chinos that are cotton and a small percentage of spandex. They are more comfortable than jeans, look better, and are inexpensive.

    • @AscendedStark
      @AscendedStark 2 года назад +1

      @@FLStelth Well I'd definitely try it out. I'm from India (& actually semi-urban area) so here we have less choices right now so I'd have to find a little harder. Thanks though 😊

  • @amith2316
    @amith2316 2 года назад +3

    People under 18 have to get jeans frequently because we all keep growing until we stop. In fact, in some years I had to get jeans every 3-4 months because I'm a tall guy and I keep growing.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      That’s understandable as a part of growing up, and I think they probably must’ve included kid figures in there. I think the issue lies when there is no necessity to throw something away, your size hasn’t changed but the purchase decision was hasty or the quality isn’t that good, that you chuck them away sooner than you should.

  • @niharikarai5099
    @niharikarai5099 2 года назад +2

    After watching this I would strongly recommend the Denim episode of The World According to Jeff Goldblum . There is loads of trivia around denims in that episode and they have covered it in detail.

  • @eliagrosso420
    @eliagrosso420 2 года назад +19

    The jeans material was originally used in Genova (Italy) by the naval port for transports thanks to its durability and steghtness

    • @toto123456ish
      @toto123456ish 2 года назад +3

      Absolutely. Genova in french is Gênes. Which became the "Bleu de Gênes". And was then "copied" in Nîmes -> Blue Jeans Denim.

  • @Jyotikumari-lu7nw
    @Jyotikumari-lu7nw 2 года назад

    Please make more such videos.. Where we can learn so much about our daily use products.

  • @MrAlifee
    @MrAlifee 2 года назад +3

    This is not the type of narrative we need to pursue. For decades big companies have been trying to push the responsibility onto an average consumer rather than addressing the issues themselves. If we are ever to solve issues with pollution and climate change the big boys will have to start taking responsibility for once.

    • @flargarbason1740
      @flargarbason1740 2 года назад +2

      Yeah, but how would you get them to face the consequences of their actions and force them to take responsibility?
      Taking away their income and damaging their profits would do very well. If WE the consumer stop giving them so much money, they’ll have to address the issue.

    • @MrAlifee
      @MrAlifee 2 года назад

      @@flargarbason1740 By putting pressure on the government and electing leaders who would enact the change. There should be no place for companies that exploit people and the environment in a healthy economy. Those companies were allowed to distribute their products after all the supposed checks had been done. We need to hold responsible those who allowed that to happen and not feel guilty when shopping for a pair of jeans.

    • @flargarbason1740
      @flargarbason1740 2 года назад

      @@MrAlifee Ah I see what you mean now. I misunderstood

  • @ameymahajan3885
    @ameymahajan3885 2 года назад +5

    That's why I basically live in sweatpants now :)!!

  • @Newdivide
    @Newdivide 2 года назад +21

    Levi Strauss went to California to make his fortune in gold mining. When he dyed the jeans blue, he ended making a fortune in selling jeans than gold

  • @yamz3713
    @yamz3713 2 года назад

    Really interesting topic and nice animations. Nice! Have long loved these Teded animation shorts.

  • @robsemail
    @robsemail 2 года назад +1

    Washing too often and/or too harshly is one issue. I wear Levi’s jeans, and a good pair will usually last me six to ten years. If I have outdoor work to do I only wear old jeans, and I wash newer ones in cold water and Woolite.

  • @mrbigpp6167
    @mrbigpp6167 2 года назад

    I have jeans older than 4 years old and they still are going well and strong even with regular use

  • @willjan9652
    @willjan9652 2 года назад

    u picked the wrong tittle for this wonderful video

  • @sidharthcj9493
    @sidharthcj9493 2 года назад +4

    So u sayin I'm committing a war crime each time I buy a new pair of jeans

  • @davideabreu6999
    @davideabreu6999 2 года назад

    i have a pair of jeans for 5 years and are still great

  • @adammcinnes5615
    @adammcinnes5615 2 года назад

    In terms of washing jeans, some sources that I have seen say to wash your jeans every six weeks, but there was a case between 2009-2011 where a student at the University of Alberta wore a pair of raw denim jeans almost daily (and sometimes slept in them) for 15 months without washing them. He wiped them off if they got spilled on, he triple-bagged the jeans and froze them every fortnight so that they didn't get smelly, etc. When tested, the jeans were found to have about the same microbial load as they did after only 13 days of wearing.

  • @dbluewh
    @dbluewh 2 года назад +1

    Misleading title.
    This is a video not about why jeans don't last long or to explain the quality of jeans, but about the environmental impact of producing jeans.

  • @MattManProductions
    @MattManProductions 2 года назад +2

    I don't know about only lasting a year, my 501s are 8 years old and still are holding up

  • @SulemanAsghargoion
    @SulemanAsghargoion 2 года назад +6

    How does using organic cotton benefits the process? Bt-Cotton(GMO Cotton) has 80% more yield and requires 70% less pesticides that normal cotton.

  • @ThePipeiper
    @ThePipeiper 2 года назад +1

    Came to find out why jeans break down. Got a whole lesson on the environment, politics, social issues, and human rights. Sheesh.

  • @scuffed_chicken_nuggets7607
    @scuffed_chicken_nuggets7607 2 года назад +2

    Spandex makes them last less good to know I get 99% cotton 1% spandex and I’ll stick with em cause their pretty durable

  • @dmytrozazulin1858
    @dmytrozazulin1858 2 года назад +2

    The caption was to guide me through "Why do they wear out so quickly", but instead I feel guilty for buying them.
    Should I consider feeling myself guilty to be born after all?
    First TED video I disliked.

  • @anna-caringripwall729
    @anna-caringripwall729 2 года назад

    Another aspect of consumption that few people are aware of is the large amount of waste produced during the process to manufacture various products - the “invisible waste”. For a pair of cotton pants it is 25 kilos. On top of emissions, transports, chemicals, water ....

  • @ZaDussault
    @ZaDussault 2 года назад +1

    I've had all my jeans for more than 10 years, the trick is... not to throw them out when they wear just a bit... Changing clothes all the time is some wierd concept I don't get

  • @Abyssal2808
    @Abyssal2808 2 года назад +2

    I buy jeans and pants at a thrift store. Why? It saves money, and, it's been worn before, so it's durable.

  • @zzs3352
    @zzs3352 2 года назад +1

    why is everyone so focused on that one phrase “most pairs don last more than a year??”
    the video was more about the production of clothes overall and the cost of fast fashion.
    okay, there r arguments saying that carbon emission during manufacturing process is not too high (1-2 hours driving) and ppl are okay paying that price, but also think about the other aspects of it. its not only about CO2, but also health of the exploited workers in the developing countries. it is their land that is being damaged by toxic dyes and gasses. the most vulnerable of us are/ will be paying the environmental costs.
    this video is encouraging us to be more conscious of what we buy n what we throw away.

    • @doglover1neo
      @doglover1neo 2 года назад +1

      People also forget there are some extremly wastefully people out there, that do have a drive to wear only on trend fashion OR another reason why people get rid of jeans is because the inner thigh is worn out do to their natural body shape.

    • @ERRYKA09
      @ERRYKA09 2 года назад

      The manufacturers should be more conscious, not us. It's always us - simple folk- who're the biggest culprits.

    • @kok-fh6xm
      @kok-fh6xm 2 года назад

      @@ERRYKA09 the manufacturers won't change unless they start getting scared they won't make money anymore. That's why you need people aware and wanting change

  • @DaxXx988
    @DaxXx988 2 года назад +2

    I don't know what you do to yours, but my jeans last for at least 5 years a piece.

  • @ankitdubey9310
    @ankitdubey9310 2 года назад

    my jeans last longer than 4 years , but i kind of get your point about environmental damage and sustainability issues

  • @brandonchilvers9856
    @brandonchilvers9856 2 года назад +1

    I came here just to say that my $15 jeans last me years - I only need new ones if they no longer fit

  • @ikeekieeki
    @ikeekieeki 2 года назад

    thank you, cool video

  • @disinfect777
    @disinfect777 2 года назад +1

    Jear wear out cause people frequently wash their jeans in a washing machine. Jeans should rarely be washed and if so preferably hand washed with a little bit of detergent. Never ever use softeners and always turn them inside out if you have to wash them in a washing machine.

  • @mohdharis1981
    @mohdharis1981 2 года назад +12

    I have worked over 3 years with leading denim manufacturers of Pakistan and they were damn careful about they drain out into the environment.

    • @louvendran7273
      @louvendran7273 2 года назад +2

      That's probably because someone blew the whistle on them and they decided to become more responsible.

  • @kirbymarchbarcena
    @kirbymarchbarcena 2 года назад +11

    Every product we make damages nature in one way or another, recycling is not the main solution here. Similarly, we can help preventing terrible work-related issued by exposing them exposing

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      A key priority should be forcing the end of unsafe working conditions, and then higher quality goods as the longer they last the less people buy. But of course then they’d lose business, so they aren’t keen to do that. I wish we can use their tactics against them and have their market share affected by brands that produce higher quality goods under fair working conditions like Everlane, which then forces them to act accordingly or be left behind.

  • @MasterCivilEngineering
    @MasterCivilEngineering 2 года назад +2

    Our only knowledge bank is Ted ed!

  • @David-sx7lk
    @David-sx7lk 2 года назад +1

    This video might as well be, " Why jeans are the bane of our existence."

  • @starcherry6814
    @starcherry6814 2 года назад +1

    Make this series about other everyday items

  • @nw_music
    @nw_music 2 года назад +10

    Nice Video. Could you do a video on the manufacturing process of wind turbines and the carbon footprint of them, it's said that turbines cannot replace the energy it took to make them. Not to mention the oil leaks and after their life span has ended they are buried since the materials do not decompose...

    • @ERRYKA09
      @ERRYKA09 2 года назад +4

      They will never do such a video, believe me. Not their agenda.

  • @skarzimabedi100
    @skarzimabedi100 2 года назад +1

    nice now I can give ans to my college professor on why I am coming with underwears

  • @niamhcosgrave9545
    @niamhcosgrave9545 2 года назад +1

    My jeans were bought for like 20€ and I’ve had them for coming on 3 years now

  • @DoctorX17
    @DoctorX17 2 года назад

    You don't really need to wash jeans very much at all, especially if you don't actually get them covered in dirt. I keep my jeans 10+ years in a lot of cases because they rarely get washed. Plus I tend to reuse the fabric when I can

  • @DarylSpykerman
    @DarylSpykerman 2 года назад

    Actually most of my jeans 👖 last 5yrs at least. But I’m definitely gonna buy fewer of them

  • @kimmycassie
    @kimmycassie 2 года назад

    I needed this video a few months ago,, I made a project with a denim cloth and I think I didn't research more that it has severe environmental impacts (it didn't crossed my mind)

  • @foty8679
    @foty8679 2 года назад

    I still use 30 € jeans after 7 years now. You can see that the color from some places is fading out, but as long they dont break apart i dont care.

  • @dukemandu
    @dukemandu 2 года назад +1

    I still have most of my jeans from high school. No piece of clothing has lasted longer, sole survivors before a mass grave of cotton.

  • @DougiePlaysSoccer
    @DougiePlaysSoccer 2 года назад

    I buy new jeans every few decades, I’m fine with that. As a consumer there’s not a lot I can do to fix this. It’s up to third-world countries to better their practices and methods with ample nudges from leading countries. I doubt the process will change much. But here’s hoping 🙏🏼

  • @TheMcKenzieHaus
    @TheMcKenzieHaus 2 года назад

    Over washing your jeans is what’s killing your jeans. You don’t have to wash it every time you wear it unless its an obvious stain

  • @howdy111
    @howdy111 2 года назад

    I'm from india and i can say that cotton picking here is a very profitable season for workers. In my village during the season, workers demand goes from 12 to 20 rupees per 1 kilogram of cotton. Which is a lot actually. Regardless the value for cotton at that time of the season.
    It really is a very hectic period for farmers. They literally have to beg for workers to pick cotton in their fields.
    And secondly i have to say that we in india dry our clothes naturally with the help of wind. Air dry as you mentioned. I think it is almost same throughout the world, baring some countries.

  • @dfree159
    @dfree159 2 года назад

    Got a bit off topic of the title all you had to say was newer jeans has spandex while making jeans more comfortable ultimately leads to a quicker degradation over time due to washing and drying damaging the spandex

  • @oWMatt
    @oWMatt 2 года назад

    Clothes on avarage used to be a better quality as long as many other products. I still own a set of tracksuit from the 90's (brand name Fruit of the Loom).

  • @Fredward0216
    @Fredward0216 2 года назад +87

    "the cotton is harvested by hand" *camera pans to people of color* oh boy, here we go again

    • @Boredhell1
      @Boredhell1 2 года назад +14

      I mean it goes on to say that most cotton in grown in developing countries with poor labour practices... Children and forced labour.

    • @theywalkinguptoyouand4060
      @theywalkinguptoyouand4060 2 года назад +3

      @@Boredhell1 well most people in developing countries aren't white. Did you know that?

    • @theywalkinguptoyouand4060
      @theywalkinguptoyouand4060 2 года назад +10

      Are you guys serious? Do you Americans need to insert your racial hangups everywhere?

    • @oscarwind4266
      @oscarwind4266 2 года назад +2

      @@theywalkinguptoyouand4060 Yes. Obviously. 🙄

    • @98Zai
      @98Zai 2 года назад +1

      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Dhaka_garment_factory_collapse

  • @girl1213
    @girl1213 2 года назад

    I stopped wearing jeans years ago after one too many ripped in the most embarrassing places. At least now I know why that kept happening. Now I'm really pissed. Suddenly recycling old jeans makes a lot more sense too.

  • @watir6042
    @watir6042 2 года назад +2

    how perfect that I hate how jeans feel and wear only sweatpants
    next video: how sweatpants are destroying earth

  • @uncolorr
    @uncolorr 2 года назад

    i have a jeans from 3 years ago totally fine
    i cant wear because its obviously small for me now but still fine

  • @michelemaliano7860
    @michelemaliano7860 2 года назад

    My jeans last more than 5 years. I get mine at Walmart and find that the Lee brand fits my body properly. I think maybe it’s the designer jeans that wear out quickly.

  • @corinnerhodes5140
    @corinnerhodes5140 2 года назад +3

    I’m watching this while I’m wearing jeans like: 👖👀

  • @salum6690
    @salum6690 2 года назад +1

    Title: "Why do your jeans wear out so quickly?"
    Content: "*L U N G C A N C E R*"

  • @CountBifford
    @CountBifford 2 года назад +10

    This video annoys me because of its lack of focus. It goes off-topic by discussing environmental damage and labor exploitation. Those are worthy topics for discussion in another video. Here are the reasons why jeans are so flimsy these days: they blend he cotton with plastic to make them more comfortable, they give them acid washes for that fashionable worn look, overwashing breaks down the plastic fires.

    • @ReservoirThing
      @ReservoirThing 2 года назад

      all this environmental fuss is done to make you guilty

  • @gamechep
    @gamechep 2 года назад +1

    My Bosche washing machine has a dedicated Jeans wash setting; probably runs at a lower RPM.

  • @pia31415
    @pia31415 2 года назад

    The thing that kills Denims or other clothes is *Over-Washing* and *Over-Use* of detergents.
    Nah, you don't need to wash your clothes so often OR use so much detergents. If you are a office-goer in a developed country- wash trousers once in 5-6 wears, jeans even less often and use detergents at the lower fill-line for all your clothes.

    • @User-cb4jm
      @User-cb4jm 2 года назад

      I’ve never had issues with jeans wearing out and I wash them after 2-3 uses max to keep them smelling fresh. Instead of getting distressed or ripped jeans and not washing them till they get rank is far worse than getting normal jeans and keep a hygienic washing schedule so you don’t have to baby them.

  • @idkabtuitsgood9819
    @idkabtuitsgood9819 2 года назад +3

    Now,I feel like I committed a crime by buying jeans.

  • @Mike_Toreno
    @Mike_Toreno 2 года назад

    Well, tbh the only time I wear jeans are when I go outside. Since I dress up about 10 minutes before leaving, The jeans are worn out pretty quickly.

  • @finnon7460
    @finnon7460 2 года назад +2

    Buy more jeans to help the economies of developing countries