This could be interesting.
I have always been a fan of Levi 501, which I enjoy more as they get faded and worn
I have also found great comfort on Tommy Hilfiger jeans but don't find them as durable as their Levi counterparts
On the back of a couple of related threads I've started to take an interest in denim this year, or more specifically, jeans.
I've always loved a good pair of jeans and have been buying labels (Paul Smith, Armani, Levi etc) for the last 20-odd years thinking they were the best denim to buy but wondering why none of them really fit me as well as I'd hoped.
I know there are proper denim geeks out there and I'm not remotely one of those but, having bought my first pair of jeans possibly ever that genuinely fit me, I now see what the fuss is about.
So I wondered if there would be the appetite for a thread where people could post pics of their new pair and then update pics at intervals during the breaking in period?
If there is then I'll start it off with pics of my Nudie Steady Eddies that are now two weeks into that process and getting more and more comfortable by the day. They're an 11.5oz dry organic denim that I intend to wear for at least 6 months before washing them for the first time.
I find the wearing-in and fading process fascinating in respect of every pair will wear and fade differently based on the shape and usage of the owner.
So, any interest?
David
Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 23rd November 2014 at 21:46.
This could be interesting.
I have always been a fan of Levi 501, which I enjoy more as they get faded and worn
I have also found great comfort on Tommy Hilfiger jeans but don't find them as durable as their Levi counterparts
I bought two pairs of Hiut's in April this year, one Hacka and one Works. I alternate between them each day and so far so good on the breaking in process. Love their fit and will probably try to go longer than 6 months, or 12 months due to having two new pairs, before I do the first wash.
Is the search function not working?
Great idea, I hopped on the bandwagon with Hiut in April too, I have a pair of Hack Organics.
I wore them almost daily (albeit often only in the evening after work) for 6 months before the first wash, and am now waiting for the next on the first aniversary.
I have some photos knocking around somewhere and also some video; I really wanted to document the process even if only for my interest. I haven't edited the washing video together because it is rather dull and the fades weren't that notable. I was a little disheartened at the time, but they seemed to get stronger quite quickly after this first wash.
One thing to note, is that raw denim feels very stiff to begin with but not only breaks in but also does stretch. So do consider buying small or tight jeans as these I think will end up fitting best. My Hiuts are 33 waist, but are now needing a belt, I am looking for a slimmer cut and also downsizing on my next purchase, probably the modestly priced Levi's 511 Selvage in 32.
If you want serious fades, check out "swissjeansfreak" on instagram; quite loopy!
Regards
Chris
Oh Christ here we go again with the denim thread, £300 pair of jeans anyone?
I am very fussy about my jeans - live in them. For most of my life it had to be zip fly Levi. No other brand would do. But, in recent years, my shape has changed (not for the better I might add!) and it now has to be Wrangler Texas Stretch which are just incredibly comfortable and fit me perfectly :-)
Not at all, my Nudies were £89. And I don't recall anyone saying "oh Christ here we go again with the watch thread, £5k watch anyone?"
Double standards for sure.
Anyway, I started this thread so here are mine with 10 days worth of wear and they were very stiff on day one. I'll be back after three months with an update:
David
Does everyone avoid washing their premium denim?
Whilst I appreciate a general faded look I can't stand the creased knees etc which to me just look scruffy. Just old I guess.
Always used to be Levi 501's.........Now it is Wrangler Texas (Non stretch).
I usually buy Diesel or Replay but still love Gstar. At 43 is my time limited ?
Last edited by MFB Scotland; 23rd November 2014 at 21:50.
The main attraction of raw denim is the fades coupled with the enhanced fit, I have a pair that haven't ever been washed, they are a bit rank but a night in the freezer usually makes them bearable again to wear on the bike etc.
Regarding the comment by number 2 please bore off if you have something useful to say then please contribute but dont do what you always do and what is arguably ruining this forum and hit the 'negative troll' button everytime you are bored, people spend what they like on what they want.
Not fancy the challenge of some 25oz Samurais?
If they fit me well enough I'd be up for it.
I had a pair of Carhartt full-front-double-trap 18oz'ers a few years ago (10 years ago) and I loved them. I was talking to the owner of the place I get my jeans from (indy denim specialist in Newcastle) and he doesn't even remember having them in it was so long ago. I wore them until they fell apart.
I'm assuming you don't know how the search function works
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...ighlight=jeans
I would love a decent pair of heavy jeans, all the ones I seem to find in the normal shops seem really flimsy.
Where do you guys buy your jeans from, specialists/online etc etc.
Doh! 👍
Denim specialists are best but that doesn't mean they have to be silly-expensive. I use Union in Newcastle which has been a denim specialist under the same ownership for as long as I can remember and the guys really know what they're talking about. I've found that it's virtually impossible to buy the right jeans online as you have to try them on and take advice about stretch, fit etc. They have an online store but their advice is to try before you buy.
For example when I bought the pair I'm wearing today I must have tried more than a dozen on, taking the advice of the shop-dude where I needed it. It really is worth the effort though.
Hope this helps.
love the idea but a few things put me off
don't mind greases on the bike but if im going out 1/2 decent they look terrible
also with these jeans do they not get knees in when not washed or are they ok being thicker denim ?
also I go commando as I hate my nuts being twisted and tight ( unfeasibly large testicles) lol
do they not stink after 6 months ??
I've got some hiuts - 2 selvedge (regular fit) denim and a couple of pairs of organic (1 slim, one regular). In fact I have two pairs from their very first batches... (ooooooh).
My current faves are the slim fit. And I was pondering getting the selvedge version. But will probably wait.
Very impressed with them and their customer service. The 'free repairs for life' is ace - and I've already benefitted from it.
They're probably are many other makers jeans I'd like - but having found one that fits, I can't be bothered to try any others....yet :)
obviously not one to follow fashion.....but I need to save for my redwing boots :)
Last edited by Tomw2000; 24th November 2014 at 18:25.
Recently obtained a pair of 1955 Levi 501's and Edwin 39 Regular's which were fairly hard work, I also found a pair of Over Works Factory which are made by Edwin and they are just so super soft. Spend a long time looking to find some jeans I liked the fit of, I don't really care if others say they don't fit. I like my space for some 'men's movement' if you know what I mean.
I've owned Diesel, other Levi's and a few other brands, but usually end up getting multiple pairs when I'm over in the US.
Fish
Okay, Ill start by saying I very rarely wear jeans (more a chino wearer) so dont really get the whole denim thing.
But when you chaps dont wash them for months on end what are you aiming to achieve - is this all about the way they fade (or dont if not washed) or something else?
I bought a pair of Gustin 18oz slim fit denim jeans a few month ago. These are true to size so don't try to go small. They are quite hard work for the first times you wear them but they're just bedding in now and starting to take shape. Ive usually bought Edwin which are a really nice denim
I was given a pair of Edwins last year and they are by far the best jeans I have ever had, lovely and comfy and fit perfectly.
I also have some Momotaros and recently added a pair of Nudie jeans. Another new convert to '300 quid' raw selvedge etc.
I've never worn anything except US made Levis, which I can usually pick up from eBay or Etsy for £10-30. I've just found a pair of new with tags Orange Tab 505s, and the first thing I'll be doing is washing them. None of this walking round with cardboard legs/putting in the freezer for six months for me.
I've just received a pair of Uniqlo's raw selvedge Japanese denim jeans.
Not had much wear as yet so can't comment on how well they break in. They are a fantastic fit on me but do have a low rise. http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/130083
I've got some Samurai jeans I bought in Japan, I've been wearing them I'm for about a year and a half now with two washes, heavy and slubby. Comfortable now they have been broken in with some decent fades.
Also have some Momotaro smarter jeans that I also got in Japan, hand made with a pink selvedge and inner leg line. Smoother cotton (the chap in the shop said Zimbabwean instead of the rougher Texan) and they're quite smart by comparison to the Samurai ones.
Like the idea of raw denim but the reports of getting the sizing and shrinkage wrong puts me off when I'm forking out that sort of money.
I agree that the sizing thing can be off putting but with the distance selling rules, you can order what you fancy and if they don't fit, the retailer is legally bound to refund your money provided you return the goods within 10 days (I think) of receipt. Yes you might have the hassle of parcelling them back up and paying a bit of postage but if you live somewhere which doesn't have a selection of raw denim available, it is your best choice.
I'm guessing if modern selvedge is still shrink-fit that you have to walk about in jeans two sizes too big?
A lot depends on whether you want jeans to fit you or are just happy to wear them regardless. I've not got much of an arse (although I'm told it's perfectly formed ) so jeans tend to reveal a bit of crack once they're worn in if I'm not careful.
When I bought this pair of Nudie I actually went in for the Edwin ED-55s purely based on the feel, cut and weight. But try as I might I cannot get a pair of Edwin to fit me well enough, or any other brand other than Nudie for that matter. Nudie seem to be more about fit than other brands and offer more fit options. I need jeans with a higher back pocket and yolk to sit much higher around the bottom of my back and these Steady Eddies are the best I've ever owned.
I know you're thinking Simon Cowell jeans!
David
Has anyone tried Lawless Jeans? I saw they are apparently doing 50% off with the code: blackfriday2014