Pure Blue Japan (Denim) - Official Thread

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

I currently have a new pair of PBJ XX-007's in size 34 raw. Been wearing them for about a month. Off the shelf and unwashed, they fit pretty good. The only thing is, the rise is a bit tight in my crotch. But I can deal with it. I have yet to wash/soak them as I don't want them to shrink at all. I know they are unsanforized, but if they shrink any, they'll be too tight. I didn't get a size up because if I did that and then shrunk them, the waist would be too large (even with shrinking).

I'm 6'2", 190 pounds and I generally wear a 34 or 35 tagged size.

I'm thinking about getting another pair of PBJ since I like them. But, I'm looking at the 009's since they're supposed be just like the 007's but a slightly looser fit, especially in the rise.

My question is, this time around should I go with a 36 raw and actually hot soak them like you're supposed to? Get another pair of 34's and not soak them like I've done with the 007's. Or go with a 36 one wash?

It's all very confusing to me.


yeah, it is confusing at times.

but remember, when you wash your 007s they will shrink but they will stretch back out to their current state. when i first got into japanese raw denim i was afraid of them getting to small too but they will stretch back out. they might come in 2" in the waist after a wash but i promise you they will stretch back out within a day or two of wear

as to your question about going up a size, personally, i wouldnt. im 5'11" 185 lbs and i were a 33 in the 007s and most other pbjs. i guess you could try the 36 o/w but i bet you would find they would be a little to larger. the 009s in size 36 could possibly stretch out to 38" in the waist, which would be way to big for you. i know it sounds crazy but i bet you would be a 32 or 33 in the 009s. if you find the rise is a little to low on the pbj styles, which is entirely possible, you might want to look at a cut with a little higher rise. the problem your going to run into if you go up to much is they will stretch out to point of them being to big.

could you take a pic of how the 007s fit on your now so i have a better idea of what your talking about?

 

[hobojones]

^ Well, for one thing I think you should soak your 007s first. Otherwise, when you eventually do wash them, all of your combs and whiskers will shift and it'll just completely ruin the denim (unless you don't care about fades). Also, PBJs stretch a lot, and I'm fairly certain that they'd stretch back into the size they originally were, or at least close to it. You should do that first, and see how things work out, and afterward you could consider getting the 009s. For those, I'd say go TTS as well.

 

[El Argentino]

To the above as well ^^^^ (46&2)

I was in a similar situation - about 6'1" and 190. I ended up going with a 33-raw (sized down 1 from my waist of 34-in) in the 007s, with the plan to soak them down in the bathtub while wearing them just to assure that they didn't get too tiny. The measurements provided by BiG assured me that they'd fit alright beforehand, but raw denim can be a pain like that.

But Whatever123 is right about the stretch. I've had mine for maybe a month now, and they stretched back out to about where they were when I bought them - which was fitted, but comfortable. They're my favorite pair of denim, even having unseated my LVC'47s which I considered impossible beforehand.

I'd soak the 34-waist you have now to get it over with and then wear them until they feel right again. It really does take only a day or two to get comfortable. Or, you could do the tub-soak method just to be sure. Takes a little more time, but I absolutely love the results.

Either way - I think sizing up would be a mistake. The waist would surely become too large as you continued to wear them.

 

[FourT6and2]

Thanks, guys. I'm just a little weary of hot-soaking them. Because the measurements on the BIG site show pre and post wash are very different. If they will stretch back out to where they are now, then I'll hot soak them. But if they become too tight, I've had just thrown $200+ down the toilet. What about the length/inseam? It's not like that will stretch back out. BIG hemmed them in-store. And they're perfect right now.

Right now, they fit PERFECTLY (except the crotch is just a little too tight). If they shrink after I soak them, they'll be unwearable. When I do wash them, the plan was to cold soak them in the tub. So they'd never shrink. Is that a bad idea? I guess I'll try hot soaking them to shrink 'em and see what happens... Oh, and I'll post some fit-photos when I get a chance.

Oh, and I tried on a 34 one wash in-store to see what they'd be like after a wash and I honestly could NOT get them past my thighs, let alone button them up.

I was under the impression that you should size-up with unsanforized denim since they'll shrink a lot when you wash them. If the 34's fit right now, off the shelf. Then I assume I should have gotten 36's and hot-washed them.

 

[commodorewheeler]

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

Thanks, guys. I'm just a little weary of hot-soaking them. Because the measurements on the BIG site show pre and post wash are very different. If they will stretch back out to where they are now, then I'll hot soak them. But if they become too tight, I've had just thrown $200+ down the toilet. What about the length/inseam? It's not like that will stretch back out. BIG hemmed them in-store. And they're perfect right now.

Right now, they fit PERFECTLY (except the crotch is just a little too tight). If they shrink after I soak them, they'll be unwearable. When I do wash them, the plan was to cold soak them in the tub. So they'd never shrink. Is that a bad idea? I guess I'll try hot soaking them to shrink 'em and see what happens... Oh, and I'll post some fit-photos when I get a chance.

Oh, and I tried on a 34 one wash in-store to see what they'd be like after a wash and I honestly could NOT get them past my thighs, let alone button them up.

I was under the impression that you should size-up with unsanforized denim since they'll shrink a lot when you wash them. If the 34's fit right now, off the shelf. Then I assume I should have gotten 36's and hot-washed them.

If you don't have room to spare on the raw inseam, I would recommend that you do not hot soak them. Even if you cold wash them, you can lose up to an inch in the inseam from shrinkage, so make sure you have enough extra length to account for shrinkage in the inseam before you let them touch water.

If you don't want the legs to get shorter at all, you'll have to keep these dry.

 

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

Thanks, guys. I'm just a little weary of hot-soaking them. Because the measurements on the BIG site show pre and post wash are very different. If they will stretch back out to where they are now, then I'll hot soak them. But if they become too tight, I've had just thrown $200+ down the toilet. What about the length/inseam? It's not like that will stretch back out. BIG hemmed them in-store. And they're perfect right now. Right now, they fit PERFECTLY (except the crotch is just a little too tight). If they shrink after I soak them, they'll be unwearable. When I do wash them, the plan was to cold soak them in the tub. So they'd never shrink. Is that a bad idea? I guess I'll try hot soaking them to shrink 'em and see what happens... Oh, and I'll post some fit-photos when I get a chance. Oh, and I tried on a 34 one wash in-store to see what they'd be like after a wash and I honestly could NOT get them past my thighs, let alone button them up. I was under the impression that you should size-up with unsanforized denim since they'll shrink a lot when you wash them. If the 34's fit right now, off the shelf. Then I assume I should have gotten 36's and hot-washed them.
yeah, if you had them hemmed you will not want to wash them, at all. why on earth would you do that? no, the length will of course not "stretch out." ill assume you were kidding with that comment. but yes, the waist will indeed stretch back out ... but your jeans can never get wet because you hemmed them to much. either sell (and yes, you need to tell the seller you never washed them and please provide accurate inseam measurement) or keep them and never get them wet ... avoid rain, snow, wind, hail, sleet, etc

okay, so moving on to the new jeans ... try a different cut, maybe one that has a slightly higher rise and larger thigh ... something from momotaro, fullcount, oni or sugar cane. and dont say you only like pbj. there a ton of other cuts out there that will work better for you. you need to move on from pbj

why on earth would you have them hem a pair of jeans to a perfect length ... you had to have known they were going to shrink. you need to start over sir. your going to have the same issues with your new jeans unless really start to understand this concept ... THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BE TIGHT AND WILL STRETCH OUT.

 

[tropics]

sounds like a bit of a breakdown in communication with BIG if they hemmed your pants before washing? would it be reasonable for them to assume you would keep them dry? particular if FourT6and2 is a nit of a denim noob, i would have thought BIG might have given him a heads up.

 

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by tropics

sounds like a bit of a breakdown in communication with BIG if they hemmed your pants before washing? would it be reasonable for them to assume you would keep them dry? particular if FourT6and2 is a nit of a denim noob, i would have thought BIG might have given him a heads up.

im certain they would have. he must have said he wanted to not wash them. there is no way they would have hemmed them if they had known what he was trying to do.

 

[IIIrd Icon]

^^well, you just have to be more specific when you want your jeans hemmed in-store. if you're getting RAW & you want 'em hemmed @32 post soak/wash, then you tell them exactly that. if your instruction is to hem @32, then they'll be hemmed @32 [RAW

].

@Four: as for the 007s, don't sweat it man, you're good. the denim seems/looks unforgiving, but it will stretch out once it gets soft&pliant from wear down the line. i'd focus more on the inseam__ if you got about 1.5-2 inches for cuffing left, then salvageable. if not, FS is a helpful tool.

 

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by IIIrd Icon

^^well, you just have to be more specific when you want your jeans hemmed in-store. if you're getting RAW & you want 'em hemmed @32 post soak/wash, then you tell them exactly that. if your instruction is to hem @32, then they'll be hemmed @32 [RAW

].

@Four: as for the 007s, don't sweat it man, you're good. the denim seems/looks unforgiving, but it will stretch out once it gets soft&pliant from wear down the line. i'd focus more on the inseam__ if you got about 1.5-2 inches for cuffing left, then salvageable. if not, FS is a helpful tool.

um ... yeah, assuming you know what your doing. i dont think the guy did and thats the problem. i know for a fact they would have never hemmed them if they knew what he was trying to do.

 

[El Argentino]

Yeah, 46&2 -

Sad story on you denim. You'll pretty much have to start over. Knowing it was dry denim and will shrink like crazy as soon as it touches water means you can't even wear those outside in the snow, especially with the inseam "perfect" right now. I'd turn them around in B/S Forum ASAP to try to recoup some cash, and use it to invest in something that will fit you better long term.

Most everyone on here has made mistakes, so while it may sting the pocketbook for a while, it's not a cardinal sin you've committed. Take it as a learning experience and move on.

 

[aaronxxx]

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

Thanks, guys. I'm just a little weary of hot-soaking them. Because the measurements on the BIG site show pre and post wash are very different. If they will stretch back out to where they are now, then I'll hot soak them. But if they become too tight, I've had just thrown $200+ down the toilet. What about the length/inseam? It's not like that will stretch back out. BIG hemmed them in-store. And they're perfect right now. Right now, they fit PERFECTLY (except the crotch is just a little too tight). If they shrink after I soak them, they'll be unwearable. When I do wash them, the plan was to cold soak them in the tub. So they'd never shrink. Is that a bad idea? I guess I'll try hot soaking them to shrink 'em and see what happens... Oh, and I'll post some fit-photos when I get a chance. Oh, and I tried on a 34 one wash in-store to see what they'd be like after a wash and I honestly could NOT get them past my thighs, let alone button them up. I was under the impression that you should size-up with unsanforized denim since they'll shrink a lot when you wash them. If the 34's fit right now, off the shelf. Then I assume I should have gotten 36's and hot-washed them.
hot soak them. while they are still damp, put your feet on the leg openings and pull up as hard as you can from different parts of the jean (by the knees, by the crotch, etc). just like every other part of the jean, the inseam can stretch back out. since it won't get force applied to it like most areas of the jean (the waist, the thighs), you have to do it yourself.

 

[FiveFiveFive]

Just to share......

Since I don't cuff I like my jeans inseam to be about 30", so the Blue in Green guys recommended I hem my raw PBJ's down to about 34" when I first bought them, just to be safe. It shrunk to about 32" after the initial soak, I wore them for a couple of months and gave them a wash/dry, and brought them back to get hemmed down to 30".

They'll hem your jeans for free as many times as you'd like, by the way, so long as you bought the jeans at BiG.

 

[whatever123]

Originally Posted by FiveFiveFive

Just to share......

Since I don't cuff I like my jeans inseam to be about 30", so the Blue in Green guys recommended I hem my raw PBJ's down to about 34" when I first bought them, just to be safe. It shrunk to about 32" after the initial soak, I wore them for a couple of months and gave them a wash/dry, and brought them back to get hemmed down to 30".

They'll hem your jeans for free as many times as you'd like, by the way, so long as you bought the jeans at BiG.

totally, they are good like that.

i had them hem the same pair of jeans 4 times once. this was way back when they first opened. they were always glad to do it at n/c.

 

[commodorewheeler]

Originally Posted by tropics

sounds like a bit of a breakdown in communication with BIG if they hemmed your pants before washing? would it be reasonable for them to assume you would keep them dry? particular if FourT6and2 is a nit of a denim noob, i would have thought BIG might have given him a heads up.

Originally Posted by whatever123

im certain they would have. he must have said he wanted to not wash them. there is no way they would have hemmed them if they had known what he was trying to do.
Actually, that isn't true. If you tell BiG to hem to a specific length, they will do it with no questions asked, at least if you are ordering online. The first pair of jeans that I ever ordered from BiG, I made the same mistake as FourT6and2, and nobody from BiG contacted me to make sure that I knew what I was doing. They just hemmed them and shipped them out to me, and I had to keep that pair dry as a result. Maybe it's different if you order by phone, since they have you on the line and can tell you more easily. I do agree that they are great about the free multiple hemmings, and now that I am a repeat customer of theirs, they are much more communicative with me about product details when I order.