American Eagle has launched a new line of clothing that has an unusual composition in its denim fibers. The fabric is infused with 2.25 grams of coffee grounds, recycled and reused for its Denim X Café (women) and Denim Flex Café (men) collections, according to New York Daily News.
The coffee brings antibacterial properties to the jeans, so that they can be worn for several days without washing, and the coffee supposedly helps the denim stay cleaner longer than an average pair, according to The Daily Meal.
"The coffee grounds work to absorb odors and are fast-drying, which results in odor control," said American Eagle senior director of design Helen Kang, via Refinery 29. What's more, Kang reveals that the jeans also deliver protection. "The coffee grounds have microscopic pores that reflect U.V. rays, thereby providing U.V. protection."
Celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Hilary Duff have been seen wearing the coffee-infused jeans around town, which are priced from $49.95 and $54.95
A photo posted by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Sep 29, 2015 at 7:26am PDT
Coffee date with @AustinButler on #NationalCoffeeDay and the best part...our @americaneagle jeans are made with recycled coffee grounds! #notlying #ButFirstCafeX #aeopartner A photo posted by Vanessa Hudgens (@vanessahudgens) on Sep 29, 2015 at 11:31am PDT
But a microbiologist warned that while it does have anti-microbial features, the jeans should never go unwashed. "I find it very hard to imagine that it would be enough (antibacterial properties) to surpass pathogenic bacteria, those that cause disease," said Max Gottesman, according to the NY Daily News.
The jeans won't give a jolt of energy nor keep the wearer awake. They also won't make one smell like coffee as it has been stripped of oils, esters and phenols. "This is just a fiber, your skin is not absorbing any caffeine," said textile expert Deborah Young. "For marketing, it's fabulous. It's kind of sexy to wear coffee. People are interested."
