how is the Levi's raw denim?

[nmulax]

I'm looking to get my first pair of raw jeans. Sure my first choice would be a pair of Nudies; but nobody in Metro-Detroit carriers them, and I hate buying clothes online without trying them on first. And since each pair of jeans is slightly different, I really don't want to buy them online.

I was at the mall today and saw the Levi's Capital E line. The store employee said they won't shrink as much as the regular "shrink-to-fit" raw Levi's, and they looked a bit nicer as well. Does anyone have any experience with the Capital E raw denim? Are there any other companys that make quality raw jeans that may be a bit more accessible then Nudie?

 

[Flame]

They are a new line, lauched to replace the old "Levi's Premium". For around 1 bill or so, they aren't too bad. The denim is ok, and their selling point would be more on the fit. (I would belive so, as this was the case with the old Premium)

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

don't have experience with the Capital E's you mention, but my first pair of dry denim was a pair of Levi "hard jeans" circa 1997. It's a good place to begin your journey as all jeans are footnotes to Levi & Strauss dungarees.

 

[Nick M]

Anyone know anything about Levi's Black Label?

Straight leg, non-selvage rigid denim, all black leather label on the back, seen at a couple of local hipster stores.

Just curious, not really intending to buy.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

hmmm... googled black label, but got nothing. I bounce the question back to you, Nick.

 

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by denimdestroyedmylife

hmmm... googled black label, but got nothing. I bounce the question back to you, Nick.
Maybe it's a Levi's Australia thing.

I'll check it out more thoroughly and maybe take some photos tomorrow.

 

[nmulax]

I actually just found a store nearby that has the APC New Standards in dry denim.
What's the better place to start my raw denim experience?

APC New Standards
or
Levi's Capital E

 

[Brian SD]

Originally Posted by nmulax

I actually just found a store nearby that has the APC New Standards in dry denim.
What's the better place to start my raw denim experience?

APC New Standards
or
Levi's Capital E

APC is more european in its style, and Levi's is classic american. Take your pick, the quality of both is B+

 

[cgeezy]

Originally Posted by nmulax

I actually just found a store nearby that has the APC New Standards in dry denim.
What's the better place to start my raw denim experience?

APC New Standards
or
Levi's Capital E

NS are amazing. Sadly i can't compare to levi denim but you surely cannot go wrong with apc. justr make sure to size right

 

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by cgeezy

NS are amazing. Sadly i can't compare to levi denim but you surely cannot go wrong with apc. justr make sure to size right

What's the "right size"?

I like my jeans slim... not so tight I can't move, but slim.
How much will raw denim like the apc's stretch out?
How much will they shrink in the wash? (I air-dry all my jeans, so don't worry about shrinking in the dryer)

 

[tangerine]

Allow me to direct your attention to APC Sizing - The Official Thread.

The short version is that you should buy 1 or 2 sizes down from your "normal" size, depending on how tight you like them. I bought one size down and could easily have gone another. They stretch more than many other brands of dry denim, in my experience.

 

[nmulax]

thanks for the link the the apc thread tangerine.

One last question... then I swear I'll stop.

What's the best way to make sure they wear in at the right places?
Should you just wear them straight off the rack?
Or should you wash or soak them once to take care of the initial shrinking.

I don't want to wash them after months of wear only to have the whiskers move up a few inches.

 

[Brian SD]

Originally Posted by nmulax

thanks for the link the the apc thread tangerine.

One last question... then I swear I'll stop.

What's the best way to make sure they wear in at the right places?
Should you just wear them straight off the rack?
Or should you wash or soak them once to take care of the initial shrinking.

I don't want to wash them after months of wear only to have the whiskers move up a few inches.

With APCs this won't happen because they won't shrink enough to distort the fading at all. The shrinkage will all be in length. You can wear them straight off the rack.

 

[benchan]

Anyone know anything about Levi's Black Label?

Straight leg, non-selvage rigid denim, all black leather label on the back, seen at a couple of local hipster stores.

If I would venture a guess, I don't think that Levis Model you saw is called Black Label. Most likely a knockoff of Levi's Japan Redloop line. That's one of the few Levi's Models that has an all black leather label on the back.

 

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by benchan

If I would venture a guess, I don't think that Levis Model you saw is called Black Label. Most likely a knockoff of Levi's Japan Redloop line. That's one of the few Levi's Models that has an all black leather label on the back.
No, the swing tag definitely says "Levi's Black Label". And they're in reputable stores. I'll get a photo next time I'm in town.

I'm not crazy.