Sandblasting has long been used to give jeans the fashionable faded look . But practice was banned in some countries after being linked to silicosis . In 2011 , Abercrombie & Fitch joined initiative to boycott the technique . American Eagle Outfitters boast of using 'best practices in workplace safety ' Undercover investigation revealed both companies were still recently sourcing jeans from factory where sandblasting took place .
Sandblasting has long been used to give jeans the fashionable faded look . But practice was banned in some countries after being linked to silicosis . In 2011 , American Eagle Outfitters joined initiative to boycott the technique . Abercrombie & Fitch boast of using 'best practices in workplace safety ' Undercover investigation revealed both companies were still recently sourcing jeans from factory where sandblasting took place .