Streetwear is more than fancy logos and bright hues. The techniques are the keys to creating comfortable and cozy streetwear garments. Stone washing is a fabric treatment that defies cookie-cutter aesthetics. It is more than a fabric treatment - it is a rebellion against stiff and crisp fabric. Stonewashing has become the secret sauce for the effortless, cool, and lived-in aesthetics of streetwear. In this blog, let us learn more about stonewashing - the technique, how it is done, and why stone-washing is important in streetwear.
What is Stone Washing?
Stone washing is a fabric conditioning technique used to give fabrics - primarily denim - a faded, worn-out look. The stone-washing process involves tumbling garments with abrasive pumice stones in industrial washing machines. As the stones grind against the fabric, they end up softening the material, fraying edges, and creating subtle color variations. The result? That iconic vintage feel streetwear lovers crave.
How Stone Washing Evolved?
Stone washing has been in practice since the 1980s when denim brands used the technique to transform stiff dark jeans into soft and faded ones. Faded jeans became an instant hit with people. By the ‘90s, the hip-hop culture embraced stone-washed denim as a symbol of rugged authenticity. With distressed, stone washed jeans becoming a streetwear signature style, worn by several celebrities, it quickly cemented its place in urban fashion history.
The Process of Stone Washing
Stone washing is an industrial process done in cylindrical drums with pumice stones. The stones repeatedly rub against the fabric, making them faded and soft. Let’s take a deeper look.
Prep
Garments like jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies are soaked in water to soften fibers.
Stone Tumbling
Pumice stones are added to industrial washers as abrasives for the fabric. As the tumbling machine rotates, stones pound and beat the fabric, creating the desired fading and softness in fabrics. The duration and intensity of the washing cycle determines the fading and softness.
Rinsing
After the cycle, the stones are removed, and the fabric is rinsed thoroughly, dried, and sometimes treated with conditioners.
Other Variations Used Along With Stone Washing
In streetwear, several techniques are used for fading and softening the fabrics. The other variations used are
- Sand Washing - Sand is used in tumblers to create faded and softer fabrics.
- Enzyme Washing - Uses organic enzymes to break down fibers. This process is eco-friendly and gentler.
- Acid Wash - In this process, chlorine-soaked stones are used for bold, marbled patterns on fabrics.
Pros and Cons of Stone Washing
Everything in fashion can have pros and cons. Let us look at the good and bad of stone washing.
Pros:
- Stone Washing gives unique, one-of-a-kind fading patterns with no two garments having the same patterns of fading.
- It improves the fabric's texture and softness.
- Stone washing gives a timeless appeal that aligns with streetwear’s retro revival.
Cons:
- Stone washing might involve high water usage for rinsing the material. However, with water recycling systems deployed by brands these days, the impact is much less.
- Over-washing can weaken fibers, shortening garment lifespan.
BLUORNG Stone Washed Jeans for Comfort & Style
At BLUORNG, we love comfort, and we love stone-washing our jeans so that you get the best of fading and comfort every time you wear them.
Jeans - Stone washing creates a sloppy, comfortable masterpiece out of stiff denim. You'll be killing the streetwear look if you pair sand-washed denim with shoes and a graphic top.
Tees - Stone-washed tees react differently to prints. The prints pop with vintage vitality, and the colors appear sun-bleached!
Joggers - Stone-washed cargo pants are perfect for a casual fit since they drape like butter and have a faded, military-inspired vibe.
Take Away
Stone washing isn’t just a trend - it’s a cornerstone of streetwear’s DNA. By embracing modern, sustainable methods, we at BLUORNG honor this legacy while pushing fashion forward. After all, in a world obsessed with perfection, a little intentional imperfection is what makes streetwear real!