Honeycombs are a fade pattern that forms in the crook behind the knee of jeans, where the fabric folds and creases every time the leg bends while walking or sitting. The repeated compression at these fold lines wears away more of the surface indigo than the surrounding fabric, leaving a cluster of light, interlocking lines that resembles the cells of a honeycomb.
Like whiskers at the hip, honeycombs develop naturally over months of wear on raw denim that has not been pre washed, since the dye needs to be gradually abraded away by movement rather than removed all at once by washing or distressing. The exact shape and density of honeycombs varies with an individual's gait and how tightly the jeans fit at the knee.
Because honeycombs are one of the clearest signs of denim that has been worn and cared for over time, they are often mentioned alongside whiskers as a hallmark of a good, personal fade. See fades for the broader picture and our raw denim guide for how to encourage even fading through wear.
