Obsession: Worn-out Selvedge Denim Jeans

   

  

I know you're thinking the same thing... Do I cheat and buy a pair of selvedge denim pre-distressed with all the beautiful fading, whiskers, honeycombs, stains and denim patches? Or do I live in these raw ones for another two to five years until they get that aged wabi-sabi style?

I really want a pair with that beat-to-hell look but I'm not totally committed to the work it takes. Unfortunately, you can always kind of tell when the person wearing the jeans didn't do the actual wearing. There's always something a bit off. Know what I mean?... Any thoughts on the conundrum?...

Comments

[Darren S Johnston]

The only acceptable pre-distressed denim is RRL. (Kapital looks cool too though) I have two pairs of ''Baltimore'' buckle backs, american made, japanese denim. I love em'. One has less holes then the other and I wear those more. I hear RRL's droppin' some RAW buckle backs soon, keep an eye out for those.

[greenjeans]

Pre-distressed always kind of feels like cheating. My new standards are only 3 mos. old or so and still look pretty new. It's a catch-22 though-buy predistressed and you feel like a cheater. Buy raw and everyone knows you're a noob for like half a year. But you can't beat whiskers and rips you made, right?

[Michael E.]

45rpm has a custom distressing service: you wear a pair for a while to set the whiskers and creases to your body and then they send the jeans back to Japan to get distressed according to your own personal wear patterns. If you like pre-distressed jeans (I personally only wear raw) this is definitely the way to go. It's hella expensive though.

[Jake Davis]

45rpm's custom distressing sounds amazing. I wonder what they do. I hear of people doing some pretty crazy things to expedite the process.

[Jared]

While I only wear raw, I don't believe in there is such thing as "cheating". We all wear what looks good. Period. If you like pre-distressed, wear 'em proudly.

That said, I'm surprised that you don't have the patience to wear a pair of jeans for over a year. Your whole ethos (or at least that of this blog) seems to be an appreciation of things that are timeless and age well. Buying a new pair of jeans for every season seems to run counter to that premise, right?

[Jake Davis]

I wear denim for over a year... It's the two-five year range and upkeep with repairs (blown out crotches) that's the hard part.

[Jared]

The guy who does repairs at AG Adriano Goldschmied (on Greene St.) is reliable, cheap, and usually will have your shit done in a couple hours.

[Dennis]

Simply, no.

[David]

Blown out crotches sounds like the name of a West Hollywood punk band.

[Jake Davis]

That's funny. Best comment ever!!!

[One Man's Style]

haha Thats great david

for distressed denim I'm a big fan of PRPS denim.

[Eric]

I'm a big fan of thrift stores and goodwill stores, especially in the southern ct/ny area. check through the denim sections, there are usually some nice old levis and wranglers from back when they didnt make prewashed jeans, and breaking jeans in was the norm. while it's harder to find super contrasty fades, because washing was also the norm back then, they're very authentic and usually fit super comfy. with a little tailoring to get the fit right they look super nice and worn in, and the couple pairs I have only cost $7 each. Now, it's good to read up if you get really into it, as there are some levis models that are actually worth a ton of money that usually pop up in thrift stores. wouldn't want to pass any of those up.

[Michael]

I wouldn't trade the APC and Diors I've spent years beating into perfection for any pre-distressed out there. Sure it sucks at times when they are dark as night, but in the end you appreciate the hell out of them.

Buy the raw and live in them for a while. ride a bike if you got it...a lot
No one wants to be the guy with honeycombs on his calves

[JB]

I loves my denim. I would love to take my raws from stiffies to worn-in beauties, but how can I possibly do this when 5 days a week I'm in business wear? Let's face it, I'm no worker on the western frontier.

Thus, I do cheat a bit. I won't go as far as paying for holes in my jeans, but I will buy some lightly distressed stuff.

[sam]

ive bought at least 4-5 pairs of apc's, nudies, shipley and halmos raw denim with the expectation that ill finally do it and just wear the shit out of the jeans...but its just too time consuming and i hate the indigo shade. i just give up and stick with levis...

[Sam]

I'm actually in month 7 with a pair of Levi's STF 501s. While not selvedge, the work is the same...

[jason]

just buy one thing and stick w/ it. it'll pay off. i have a pair of 2+ year old samurais that have pretty much been my default jean when im not wearing chinos or cords, and they look fucking awesome. i'll have these for at least another 5 years and they'll just get better looking. crotch blowouts do suck, but i've found that when you "size-down" they tend to pop up more.

[Corey]

I bought a pair of pre-worn APC New Standards at APC's New York store, and don't feel a bit of guilt. In fact, many of my friends are quite envious that I was able to find a pair of perfectly worn in jeans that fit perfectly. Head to the back room of the APC store and you should be able to find some greatness

[james/10engines]

can i start a service wearing in jeans for people? anyone that needs help give me a shout... only half kidding. that band name killed.

[Jake Davis]

"No one wants to be the guy with honeycombs on his calves." So true...

[Mark C.]

I'm all for breaking in a fresh, crispy pair of dry denim! There's something so satisfying about doing the work yourself.

I'm not opposed to pre-distressed jeans though; just as long as the processing has yielded an *authentic* vintage look!

[Steven]

APC used to do this line called Butler or something where someone would have actually worn the jeans out prior to them being sold. I think they're were pretty damn expensive, but you'd at least get the effect you were looking for. Not sure if they're still available or not.

http://blog.denimtherapy.com/2009/02/a-denim-resurrection-apc-butler-worn-out-series/

[TJ Parker]

I have 2 pairs of 3+ yr old APC's. They both look absolutely amazing but have not been worn for a few months given the blown crotches in both of them and me not wanting to deal with getting them fixed again. I wear apc's nearly every day and get a new pair once a year. I figure at some point I will get them all fixed up at once and have a chronological history of the last 5 years.

[Jake Davis]

Technically I think the Butler series is still cheating. I'll have to check with my lawyer. LOL...

[adero]

great and so true thread. what I fail to get is if the "sender" actually "cheat" and buy already beaten denim or take the time to wear them in? am refering to the 6 jeans on the image. cheers!

[holmes]

The APC butler series are the only acceptable ones

[Rupert]

More than the crotch blowout, my pocket bag always rips out at the top. No fun.

[wholesale mens clothing]

Slim fit denim pants looks always good for men. salvegde denim jeans are good but not all the time, there is an appropriate place to wear that kind of jeans.

-mikee-

[buy viagra]

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[keef@keef.tv]

The faux pre-worn denim product is equivalent to the disposable razor. Both have their place when on the run from the law and you have to assume a new identity. Outside of that, neither will serve you well.

If that which we consume is an expression on who we are, the answer is simple. The disposable razor is either A) for the person who truly can't afford more or B) the cheap person who doesn't discern a difference. If cost is not a factor, do the work on your own and make the denim uniquely yours.

[Lee Dove]

I love wearing distressed jeans when hanging out with friends. I have a pair of Levi's that has been with me for more than two years, and it is my absolute favorite. It fits just right and feels very comfortable.