You see someone walk by in expensive-looking jeans that are full of holes. It seems strange to pay good money for damaged clothes. You wonder if this is just a passing trend that you will never understand.

Yes, many people find ripped jeans¹ attractive because they project a confident, rebellious, and casual style. The holes and tears break up the solid fabric, adding texture and visual interest², which is a key element of modern fashion³.

For over twenty years, I have been making jeans. For a large part of that time, I have also been perfecting the art of destroying them. It sounds backward, I know.

But the process of ripping, sanding, and distressing denim is a craft. The attraction is not just about the holes themselves. It is about the story and the attitude those holes represent.

Why do people wear jeans with holes⁴ in them?

You want to express your unique style, but a basic pair of blue jeans can feel a little plain. You want something with more edge and personality, but you are not sure how to get it.

People wear jeans with holes for several reasons: to show a rebellious or non-conformist attitude, as a conscious fashion choice for style, and, as my insight suggests, for simple comfort and coolness in warm weather.

In my work, I see the "why" behind every design. As my insight says, ripped jeans look more fashionable and can feel more interesting. They turn a simple garment into a statement. But the reasons go deeper than just looks. It is about a feeling.

A Form of Self-Expression

The origin of ripped jeans in fashion comes from subcultures like punk and grunge. In the 1970s and 80s, bands and their fans would rip their own jeans to signal that they were against the polished, mainstream culture.

It was a visual protest. Today, that spirit lives on. Wearing ripped jeans is a way to say you are relaxed, a little edgy, and you don't play by the formal rules. It adds personality to an outfit without you having to say a word.

The Fashion Element

Designers use distressing to add texture and a focal point to a garment. A plain blue jean is a flat canvas. Rips, frays, and fades add depth and character. They make the eye linger. In my factory, we have a whole department dedicated to this.

We use high-speed grinders, lasers, and hand-sanding tools to create these effects. Each ripped jean is a small piece of wearable art, designed to look perfectly imperfect.

Simple Comfort

The most practical reason is also true. Denim with holes in it is more breathable. On a hot day, it is simply more comfortable. The distressing process also softens the cotton fibers, making the jeans feel broken-in and much softer against the skin from the very first wear.

Are jeans with holes in them still popular?

Fashion trends seem to change every week. You see ripped jeans everywhere, but you wonder if they are already on their way out. You do not want to invest in a style that will look dated next season.

Yes, jeans with holes⁴ are still very popular and have become a permanent staple of casual wear. While the style of the rip changes over time, from huge holes to subtle scuffs, distressed denim⁵ itself never goes out of fashion.

I have seen fashion cycles come and go for two decades. Some trends vanish completely, but ripped jeans are different. They just evolve. From my perspective as a manufacturer, the demand has never gone away; it just changes focus.

The Trend Cycle

The core idea of distressed denim is constant, but the execution changes. In the early 2000s, designers asked me for styles with huge, blown-out knees and messy frayed threads.

Ten years later, the trend shifted to delicate, clean, horizontal cuts across the knee, like a ladder. Today, I get a lot of orders for a more subtle look: small abrasions near the pockets and light fraying at the hem of the ankle.

The level of destruction goes up and down, but the concept remains a bestseller year after year. It keeps my job exciting because we are always learning new techniques to create the next popular look.

A Permanent Part of the Wardrobe

At this point, ripped jeans are not just a trend; they are a classic category of denim, just like "skinny fit" or "bootcut." They represent a specific attitude: relaxed, casual, and confident.

As long as people want to express that part of their personality, there will be a strong demand for jeans with holes in them. They have earned their place as a modern wardrobe essential.

Are jeans with holes appropriate?

You have a favorite pair of ripped jeans that make you feel great. But you have been invited to a family dinner or a casual work event, and you're not sure if they are the right choice. You worry about looking disrespectful.

The appropriateness of ripped jeans depends completely on the situation. They are perfect for most casual settings but are not appropriate for professional offices, formal events like weddings, or any place with a strict dress code.

"When Ripped Jeans Are and Are Not Appropriate")

This is all about context. The same pair of jeans can send two completely different messages based on where you wear them.

Part of my job is helping brands design jeans for specific customers and occasions, so I think about this a lot. The key is to match the clothing's message to the event's expectations.

When to Wear Them

Ripped jeans are in their element during your personal time. They are perfect for concerts, weekend trips, barbecues, coffee with friends, and running errands. In these relaxed environments, they signal that you are off-duty and comfortable.

The level of destruction also plays a role. A pair of jeans with a few small scuffs and a frayed hem is much more versatile than a pair with huge holes that expose a lot of skin.

For most casual outings, a slightly distressed style is a safe and fashionable⁶ choice.

When to Avoid Them

The rebellious, undone vibe of ripped jeans is exactly why you should avoid them in formal or professional settings. I would never wear them to a business meeting with a client. It would look unprofessional.

The same rule applies to most corporate offices, job interviews, religious services, fancy restaurants, and family events like weddings or milestone birthday parties.

In these situations, your clothing should show respect for the occasion. Choosing a clean, non-distressed pair of pants, whether they are jeans or slacks, is always the better choice.

What do you call jeans with holes in them?

You want to buy a pair of jeans with that worn-in look, but you are not sure what words to type into the search bar. "Jeans with holes" sounds too simple. You need the correct terms to find exactly what you want.

The most common terms are "ripped jeans" and "distressed jeans." For more specific styles, you might search for "destroyed jeans⁷" for heavy damage, "frayed jeans⁸" for unravelled edges, or "thrashed jeans" for an all-over worn look.

Inside my factory, we use a very precise vocabulary to talk about destroying denim.

A designer might send me a photo and say, "I want this exact level of abrasion on the thigh, with a 3-centimeter frayed rip on the left knee." Knowing the language helps everyone get the final product right.

For a shopper, knowing these terms helps you narrow your search and find the perfect pair.

The Language of Destruction

Let's break down the most common terms you will see when shopping.

• Ripped Jeans: This is the most popular and straightforward term. It usually refers to jeans that have actual cuts, holes, or tears in the fabric, most commonly at the knees.
• Distressed Jeans: This is a much broader category. A distressed jean looks aged and worn. This can include rips, but it also covers other techniques like sanding to create faded areas (whiskers), grinding on the pocket edges, and fraying at the hems. A pair of jeans can be distressed without having any actual holes.
• Destroyed Jeans: This term implies a more extreme, heavy level of damage. Think large, gaping holes, a lot of shredding, and a look that suggests the jeans have survived a very tough life.
• Frayed Jeans: This refers specifically to the practice of letting the threads on an edge unravel. This is most common on the bottom hem (a "frayed hem") but can also be seen on pocket edges.

Term	Description	Key Feature
Ripped Jeans	The general term for jeans with cuts or tears.	Visible holes, often at the knee.
Distressed Jeans	An umbrella term for any aging process (rips, fades, frays).	Looks generally worn-in.
Destroyed Jeans	A term used for very heavy and extensive damage.	Large holes and significant shredding.
Frayed Jeans	Specifically refers to unravelled threads at the edges.	Unfinished, shaggy hems or pocket edges.

Conclusion

Ripped jeans are an attractive fashion staple, not just damaged clothing. They add visual interest², express a confident personality, and offer a way to make a casual outfit more unique and stylish.

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