Durable, non-raw jeans

[william]

I want a pair of dark blue, regular-rise, bootcut jeans in a durable denim. I don't want raw denim though. Who should I look for?

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by Chris Rimby

I want a pair of dark blue, regular-rise, bootcut jeans in a durable denim. I don't want raw denim though. Who should I look for?

What is it about raw you don't like, the look, or the fact that it's sometimes hard to size? The reason I ask is that if you don't mind the look, then there are a lot of great one-wash jeans to consider. If you don't like the look, and like something distressed looking, then there are a lot of other jeans to consider. You might want to look at the Nudie Regular Ralfs in one of the washed versions. While the dry selvage ones get the most love here, there are certainly plenty of others. As far as durability, I'm not sure, I think a lot depends on the weight.

 

[william]

I don't like all the effort required to get them to fit right. Like with the Nudie Ola experience I had. I was told to buy them skin tight and they'd stretch a lot. I was also told not to wash them for six months. So...

1 - They stretched a little but not enough...way too tight on me.
2 - I prefer to regularly wash my clothes.

Is most of the shrinking done after one wash? I just need something I can try on in the store and know that's more or less how they'll fit.

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by Chris Rimby

I don't like all the effort required to get them to fit right. Like with the Nudie Ola experience I had. I was told to buy them skin tight and they'd stretch a lot. I was also told not to wash them for six months. So...

1 - They stretched a little but not enough...way too tight on me.
2 - I prefer to regularly wash my clothes.

Is most of the shrinking done after one wash? I just need something I can try on in the store and know that's more or less how they'll fit.

I am the same way, however I like the look of raw jeans left un-distressed. Therefore, I do one of two things: either I buy one-wash jeans, or I wash my dry jeans after one or two wears. I find that this takes care of most of the problems you seem to experience.

 

[william]

Ok thanks. I might go with the one-wash Nudie then. I'll have to check out the selection at my local stores.

 

[jet]

Get yourself some 5ep, rag and bone or similar jeans that I'm sure LA Guy will chime in with. Great jeans, modern cuts, no frills design and beautiful.

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by JET

Get yourself some 5ep, rag and bone or similar jeans that I'm sure LA Guy will chime in with. Great jeans, modern cuts, no frills design and beautiful.


RB was my first thought, but they don't make a bootcut, that I know of. Actually, I'd look into Kicking Mule jeans. They make a bootcut style, I believe, and their denim is supposed to be among the best.

 

[Flame]

If you still can, snap up a pair of Helmut Lang one-wash. Great quality and the bootcut is a subtle, versatile flare.

I would advise to stay from Nudie's non dry-selvage pieces, unless you can get them cheaper.

Or go for the ultimate in the 1-wash Soraihikhos by 45RPM. Full straight leg which gives rise to a bootcut effect.

 

[william]

Thanks again guys. I've got several options to try out now.

 

[Babar]

Originally Posted by DGP

RB was my first thought, but they don't make a bootcut, that I know of.
Well, they have several straight cuts which give the impression of bootcut.

 

[LA Guy]

For instant comfort, RB6 by Rag & Bone is the best way to go. It is a true stright leg. True straight legs (knee and hem the same width) give the air of being bootcut if they have about a 8.5" hem or so, and are worn just a little baggier and with a slightly longer inseam (my Spurrs sort of look like this - I am wearing them, and checking - what a nerd.) LVC also did a seventies jean with a nice bootcut and a darkish wash a few seasons back. You could try your luck on Ebay. Earnest Sewn does some Hutch jeans, iirc. 5EPs are my favorite for the money...

Don't listen to the hype around raw denim, btw. They are all just jeans. Obviously, you are not going to end up with huge amounts of contrast if you wash often, and the color loss will be faster. But that is going to be true of any pair of jeans - raw or processed.

 

[BourbonAndPeanuts]

It's unfortunate that you had a bad first experience with raw denim, but I think the problem was the advice you got, not raw denim itself. There is nothing that says you have to get raw jeans skin tight or that you can never wash them. I think you would find it worthwhile giving raw denim another try and wearing them on your own terms, it really is worth it in the end. That said, I do think you should get them a little snug to begin with (it is true that they stretch significantly, and, after the first wash, very quickly), and I also don't think you should wash them too often (maybe once or twice a month tops).