Dumb Raw Denim Questions

[Douglas]

So I own a pair of 5EP LDBs that I have finally learned to like. I've owned them for more than one year, but I've probably only worn them 20 times or so, if that. I'm finding that I enjoy wearing them more than I used to - maybe I've gotten used to the look or something, or maybe I just look a little better in them since I've dropped a couple of pounds.

I don't know how much longer I can go without washing them - I guess I'm impatient but I want them to be less stiff and uncomfortable, and I suppose I'd like to see some fading. It's not like they stink or anything, though. 3 questions/issues:

1) Am I going to get no fading because I haven't worn them enough? Will I see any fading before washing that will show me where fading will develop?

2) I had them hemmed a little long - I'm wondering if it will be impossible later to hem them shorter. Should I just do this now and keep wearing them for a while longer so I get good hem fadez? I likely won't be able to have fancy chain-stitching or anything done - can I just get a cheap dry cleaner tailor to do this for me (obviously, with specific instructions not to clean them!).

3) Is this just a bad idea? Are they not going to soften up so I might as well keep wearing them?

 

[constant struggle]

Originally Posted by Douglas

So I own a pair of 5EP LDBs that I have finally learned to like. I've owned them for more than one year, but I've probably only worn them 20 times or so, if that. I'm finding that I enjoy wearing them more than I used to - maybe I've gotten used to the look or something, or maybe I just look a little better in them since I've dropped a couple of pounds.

I don't know how much longer I can go without washing them - I guess I'm impatient but I want them to be less stiff and uncomfortable, and I suppose I'd like to see some fading. It's not like they stink or anything, though. 3 questions/issues:

1) Am I going to get no fading because I haven't worn them enough? Will I see any fading before washing that will show me where fading will develop?

2) I had them hemmed a little long - I'm wondering if it will be impossible later to hem them shorter. Should I just do this now and keep wearing them for a while longer so I get good hem fadez? I likely won't be able to have fancy chain-stitching or anything done - can I just get a cheap dry cleaner tailor to do this for me (obviously, with specific instructions not to clean them!).

3) Is this just a bad idea? Are they not going to soften up so I might as well keep wearing them?

First off (I have a jean stickied up top is good for this sort of thing) but since you are from the other side of the fora, i'll answer...

1. Waiting to wash will only increase the contrast in fading, but the overall fading still mostly has to do with how hard you wear your denim. You will definitely see fading once you wear these a few hundred times.

2. When you wash they may shrink in the inseam slightly, so I would definitely wait till all possible shrinkage is gone.

3) They will soften up with washes/wear as well.

 

[AntiHero84]

Try giving them a warm soak in some soapy water. It should soften the denim a bit, shrink them (especially in length), and would come out cleaner. Definitely keep in mind the non-washing is all about contrasting fades. If that's what you want, you may want to wear them more often. They'll eventually soften up over time.

 

[LA Guy]

I'm giving this a by inspite of the obvious "Ask a Question thread" above, if only because so many people see to have the same question. But seriously, in the future, check out the pinned threads before starting a redundant thread.

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

I'm giving this a by inspite of the obvious "Ask a Question thread" above, if only because so many people see to have the same question. But seriously, in the future, check out the pinned threads before starting a redundant thread.
I don't know Guy, you let this one go and next thing you know you get this: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=150255 or this: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=150247 or this: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=150076

 

[somatoform]

Originally Posted by Douglas

I don't know how much longer I can go without washing them - I guess I'm impatient but I want them to be less stiff and uncomfortable

I find with every pair of raw denim I own, there's a minimum (more or less) one month straight wearing process before they start to feel nice. At the 3 month mark I forget that my still unwashed jeans began raw at all.