You know those jeans that have no stretch and fit like a straight jacket? Yeah, no thanks. Bending and crouching in those types of jeans can be painful. In recent years, stretch jeans have surged as a popular alternative to traditional 100% cotton jeans. Some versions are referred to as “4-way” stretch jeans. What are 4 way stretch jeans?
Four-way (4 way) stretch jeans are jeans made with fabric that is designed to stretch and recover in all four directions (up, down, left, right). This ensures that no matter how you move, the jeans move with you, allowing you to move freely without restriction.
Jeans made from 4-way stretch material provide remarkable freedom of movement, meaning you can comfortably run, jump, and even ride a bike while wearing these jeans. But even though they allow you to be more active, they also make it more comfortable to lounge around the house.
Yes, 4-way stretch jeans are common, but there are other types of stretch jeans (including 2-way stretch) that won’t have as much forgiveness as 4-way stretch jeans. Some companies will refer to 4-way stretch jeans as flex jeans.
In this article let’s take a closer look at 4-way stretch jeans, how they are made, and some of the pros and cons (yes, there are drawbacks). Let’s also discuss other things that can affect the flexibility of a pair of stretch jeans.
What Are 4-Way Stretch Jeans?
As we discussed above, four-way (4 way) stretch jeans are jeans made with fabric that is designed to stretch and recover in all four directions (up, down, left, right). This ensures that no matter how you move, the jeans move with you, allowing you to move freely without restriction.
But are these types of jeans truly unique, or are all types of stretch jeans made with 4-way stretch material?
How Are 4 Way Stretch Jeans Different from Other Stretch Jeans?
As the demand for stretch denim surges, it is becoming increasingly common for stretch jeans to use 4-way stretch material. But it is important to understand, not all types of stretch jeans use a 4-way stretch material.
Yes, there is such a thing as 2-way stretch denim. In fact, 2-way stretch denim is probably still more common than 4-way stretch denim.
As the name implies, two-way fabric is designed to stretch and recover in only 2 directions (either up and down, or left and right). In most uses, 2-way stretch jeans will stretch when pulled left and right, but not up and down.
Although 2 way stretch denim is still more forgiving than traditional 100% cotton, 2-way stretch jeans do not provide as much range of motion as 4-way stretch jeans.
How Are 4 Way Stretch Jeans Different from Traditional Jeans?
4-way stretch jeans and traditional jeans are made from varied materials, so they not only fit differently but also look, and age differently. 4-way stretch jeans and traditional jeans also have different textures so they will feel different against your skin when you wear them.
Traditional blue jeans are made from 100% cotton. These jeans have some stretch to them but no recovery to speak of. Meaning that while a pair of traditional blue jeans may fit you perfectly when they are new, they will stretch out quickly and will not regain their shape leaving them loose and formless.
Because traditional blue jeans are made from 100% cotton, they are usually somewhat stiff and can be starched and ironed. They also tend to feel rougher against your skin until they have been worn in. For those who bend and crouch a lot either at work or playing with kids, traditional jeans can be painful.
Four-way stretch jeans are made from varying blends of cotton and stretch materials. The stretch materials include:
- Lycra
- Polyester
- Spandex
- Elastane
In the past, 4-way stretch jeans were typically a cotton/polyester blend while newer versions are generally cotton/lycra, cotton/spandex, or cotton/elastane. Because 4-way stretch jeans are made from blended material and designed to stretch, be careful using an iron.
Not only are 4-way stretch jeans (and all stretch jeans) more forgiving than traditional jeans, these jeans also tend to have a much softer texture and retain their shape longer than traditional jeans. Just beware, there are a few drawbacks to stretch denim.
Pros & Cons of 4 Way Stretch Jeans
Pros of 4 Way Stretch Jeans
4-way stretch jeans are all about comfort and functionality, therefore, the advantages of these jeans are also centered around these two qualities.
- Freedom of Movement: 4-way stretch jeans offer more freedom of movement than both traditional jeans and other types of stretch jeans. With the ability to stretch both length and widthwise and still retain their shape, 4-way stretch jeans make it possible to bend and twist comfortably in any direction.
- Comfort: It is unusual to have the same item on both sides of a pros and cons list but when it comes to jeans the simple truth is that no two people are alike. While the softer material of 4 way stretch jeans may be uncomfortable for some, it is exactly what many people like the most about these types of jeans.
- Athleisure: Athleisure is comfortable and casual clothing suitable for both exercise and leisurewear. 4-way stretch jeans are the ultimate example of athleisure apparel. Having both the comfort and style of blue jeans, as well as a fabric flexible enough to perform athletic activities or exercise.
- Improve Slim Fits: 4-way stretch jeans can really improve the comfort of skinny and slim pants. One drawback of these tighter fits is they can really feel restrictive and tight, and a stretch fabric helps reduce that drawback.
- Versatile: 4-way stretch jeans have the unique ability to be both casual apparel, dress attire, and athletic garb, basically giving the wearer the feeling of wearing their lounge pants to work. This versatility is what makes 4-way stretch jeans truly unique.
- Winter Pants – No, stretch denim by itself is not a warm fabric. But if you’ve ever worn fleece or flannel lined jeans in winter, you know that one drawback for lined jeans is they can be tight and restrictive. Winter pants that use stretch fabric (especially 4-way) can find a nice blend between warmth and flexibility.
- Less Stress: Okay, no these jeans won’t necessarily take your stress away, but they do help take stress off the seams of your jeans. Although (as we discuss below) stretch jeans are not as durable as regular jeans, one thing they do provide is less stress on crotch seams, and may help prevent seam ripping. This is a benefit of stretch work jeans.
Cons of 4 Way Stretch Jeans
The disadvantages of 4-way stretch jeans have to do mainly with the material that is used to make them.
- Durability: Because 4-way stretch jeans are made of a thinner, softer material than traditional jeans they are less durable. 4-way stretch jeans will wear out more quickly in high friction areas such as the knees and inner thighs.
- Washing and Drying: Most 4-way stretch jeans have extremely specific cleaning instructions in order to help you get as much life out of your jeans as possible. Because of the stretch material in these jeans, they do not respond well to heat and should be washed with cold water and air-dried if at all possible.
- Ironing: Not all 4-way stretch jeans can be ironed, again because of the material that they are made from. Spandex tends to shrink when exposed to high heat so ironing these jeans is difficult.
- Comfort: While 4-way stretch jeans are designed specifically for comfort, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to their jeans. People who are accustomed to the firm fit and thicker material of traditional jeans may find the softer material of 4-way stretch jeans less than ideal.
What Else Affects How Much Jeans Stretch?
We’ve established that 4-way stretch jeans provide you with increased range of motion, but what else can affect how much jeans stretch? Here are the three main things to consider:
- Fabric Blend – Pay attention to the fabric blend in your stretch jeans. Although, as we discussed earlier, there are several types of materials used to add stretch (lycra, spandex, etc.), the amount of stretch material used with differ from jean to jean, and can greatly affect the amount of stretch. Many stretch jeans use 1 or 2 percent stretch blends, so if you want even more stretch, look for jeans that have a higher percentage of stretch material mixed with the cotton.
- Elastic Waistband – Yes, some jeans will have full elastic waistbands that help maximize your range of motion through your hips. Although all stretch jeans have stretch waistbands, these full elastic waistbands won’t use a cotton blend. Many of these types of waistbands are hidden on the inside of the pants, so from the outside you cannot tell a difference. These LEE jeans are a perfect example of this:
- Crotch Gusset – Jeans that have a built in crotch gusset make it a bit easier to bend and stretch with comfort. Although these crotch gussets don’t affect the makeup of the fabric, they can increase comfort, and might be something you’re interested in. To read more, visit our article about the best gusseted crotch jeans. Here’s what a diamond crotch gusset looks like:
The main takeaway is that 4 way stretch jeans are designed to move in all directions, and provide you with maximum comfort and forgiveness. Just don’t expect these jeans to be quite as durable as traditional 100% cotton jeans.