Levis Selvedge Denim - Page 4

So, again, I have the "raw" Cone selvedge 505s - which I believe we've confirmed as being non STF, even though the raw Cone 501s apparently are STF - how should I best fade these?

I've been wearing them alot and they're definitely breaking in. Lots of creases in all the right places with a tiny bit of fade occurring (much more fade than the Kaihara or that heavier gauge "Japanese" denim from around March 2010).

Should I do the tub soak?

Should I cold wash them? (Inside out?)

Wear them for another month/year before even thinking of either of the above?

EDIT: FOUND THE RELEVANT THREAD DISCUSSING ALL THESE ISSUES (just hope these jeans of mine are actually sanforized!)

The 505'w are sanforized. You don't have to soak them before you wear them. The 501's are different cone fabric, having handled both there is a slight difference. They won't shrink much when you soak them, probably 1/2 inch in the length and less in the waist. Just wear them for a long time then wash and you'll be fine!

Johnny, Did you sell those 505's yet?

Yup they sold really quick.

Here's some pics of my kaiharas: washed a few times in the tub, worn for 3.5 or so months 5-6 days a week. Way lighter in person.

Those are much more beat up than mind. And they still have a lot of the original dye left. I am not encouraged. But yours look good!

Wow, I've got to get to work on my Kaihara's!

Let me throw this out there since I've been unable to unearth a discussion: if the raw 505s end up a bit short in the length after wash, is it completely inadvisable to rip the seam on the hem and go unfinished? Will a strategically placed stitch or two keep the denim from completely unravelling? Or is this just a fool idea?

you will look retarded.

try hang drying them by the hem to reduce inseam shrinkage.

So "fool idea" didn't quite capture the full-on idiocy of this course of action?

Ricardo, If the jeans are a bit too short, you can wear them with sandals for a perfect summer combo. What looks like "high water" jeans when worn with shoes and socks actually looks fine with sandals. Granted, if they get into capri territory you may have to slice them at the knees and have yourself some shorts.

I don't think having frayed bottoms is too terrible if they're being worn in a casual manner. Casual in this case meaning the beach. Beer, bonfire, and hot dogs cooked on the end of a stick. Frayed bottoms demand either sandals or just plain barefoot. Just remember that frayed jeans will end up fraying an inch (or more) from where you make the initial cut, so cut as close to the hem as possible.

I've cut jeans off before (teenage grunge years) and none have ever unraveled completely. As stated previously, you can expect to lose an inch or so over time. Maybe more depending on your washing and drying choices (i.e. hot wash and thrown in the dryer will fray the jeans more).

I hope to naturally distress and fade these jeans to a maximum - and definitely wear them casually. I'll likely only do cold wash and hangs, so hopefully not too much shrink-up. Once I get them where I like them, they'll get washed once a year at most.

Thanks for the help!

With the 30 percent deal going on, I'm going to kop some 511 raw. I'm curious what's the deal with sizing and shrinkage.

http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10952315

^ Also interested in this.

I wasnt really pleased with the levis selvedge 501s I got. Id go for a pair of naked and famous for reasonably priced selvedge.

Agreed. Returned them right quick.