Denim

A sturdy cotton twill fabric, traditionally dyed with indigo. The backbone of casual menswear, denim is primarily used in jeans but also in jackets, shirts, and accessories.

Category: Fibers & Fabrics.

In men's style, "denim" belongs to the Fibers & Fabrics family of terminology. For the full A–Z reference of men's fashion and grooming vocabulary, see the Men's Style Glossary.

Related terms

• Fleece — A soft, insulating synthetic fabric made from polyester. Lightweight and moisture-wicking, fleece is used in casual outerwear, pullovers, an…
• Jersey — A soft, stretchy knit fabric (originally wool, now often cotton or synthetic) with a smooth face and looped back. Used in t-shirts, polo shi…
• Muslin — A lightweight, loosely woven cotton fabric. In tailoring, muslin is used to create test garments (toiles) before cutting into expensive fabr…
• Oxford Cloth — A basket-weave cotton fabric with a slightly textured, substantial feel. Oxford cloth button-down (OCBD) shirts are a menswear staple that w…
• Twill — A fabric weave characterized by diagonal parallel ribs, created by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads. Chinos, denim, and…
• Herringbone — A V-shaped weaving pattern resembling the skeleton of a herring fish. Common in wool suits, sport coats, and overcoats, it adds visual textu…