Rag & Bone Raw Denim...will it shrink?

[thesternowl]

I've taken my time, done a fair amount of research, made liberal use of the search function, and unless I've overlooked the answer to my following question, in the words of Bono, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

Cutting to the chase. Not too long ago I purchased a pair of Rag & Bone RB6 - Rigid...here is my question: can I care for these in such a way that I can expect MINIMAL shrinking after the first wash? They fit me pretty damn well as they lay and I'm not keen on them straying much from how they fit now i.e. waste and inseam.

Thanks guys!

 

[Ott]

they're one-wash, and they're soft enough so that they could be tumble dried. I think I remember someone saying their R&Bs didn't shrink at all just from washing... I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[evilgeniusdan]

They're sanforized (I think) so they won't shrink too much, and they should stretch back out very quickly.

 

[thesternowl]

Thanks for the quick responses!

I've read that most American raw denim is sanforized but seeing as R&B uses Japanese denim, I was a but unsure as to which of the two characteristics the R&B's would exhibit.

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by thesternowl

Thanks for the quick responses! I've read that most American raw denim is sanforized but seeing as R&B uses Japanese denim, I was a but unsure as to which of the two characteristics the R&B's would exhibit.
A denim's nationality has nothing to do with it being sanforized or not so it's not really a good rule of thumb to gauge shrinkage. Speaking of which, several well-known Japanese brands offer the same models of jeans in raw or one-wash form, much like 501 offering their shrink-to-fit variety. I don't think R&B uses Japanese denim. They're sewn in North Carolina and get their denim from Cone, an American company.

 

[evilgeniusdan]

Originally Posted by whodini

I don't think R&B uses Japanese denim. They're sewn in North Carolina and get their denim from Cone, an American company.
That was my understanding, but if you look at the jeans in their website they specify "Japanese denim". Interesting.

 

[michaeljkrell]

Hey Jay! Good to have another nebraskan on the board

Sounds like the RB6s are working for you...

I got your message. I will give you a call tomorrow. Colby and I have a couple of ideas in mind...

 

[thesternowl]

Again, thanks guys for giving me some insight.

Unless R&B are guilty of false advertisement, the denim is Japanese (it's also stated on their tags) and hand sewn in North Carolina. When I spoke with Denim Bar, they also confirmed that R&B denim comes from Japan.

And thanks for the kind greeting Michael. I'll look forward to hearin' from ya soon...I need to try on a few pieces from your '07 S/S collection

Cheers!

 

[minhi]

Originally Posted by thesternowl

Again, thanks guys for giving me some insight.

Unless R&B are guilty of false advertisement, the denim is Japanese (it's also stated on their tags) and hand sewn in North Carolina. When I spoke with Denim Bar, they also confirmed that R&B denim comes from Japan.
Cheers!

it depends. the tags that came with my RB15s says the denim is from the cone factory which is in the US.

 

[LA Guy]

There are both Japanese and American denim models. In general, Rag&Bone tends to use Japanese denim for their more expensive selvedge jeans, and Cone denim for NC otherwise. The denim is both cases is good, though not stellar (the fit and style is what distinguishes the label, imho.)

 

[thesternowl]

Thanks for the clarification guys.

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

There are both Japanese and American denim models. In general, Rag&Bone tends to use Japanese denim for their more expensive selvedge jeans, and Cone denim for NC otherwise. The denim is both cases is good, though not stellar (the fit and style is what distinguishes the label, imho.)
That explains it. Not really sure how to explain the denim other than I like the quality but I could see how people would have a hard time comparing it to PBJ, SC, et. al. They're simply not meant to be compared to said brands in terms of things like fading contrast or repro design but still have a feeling of craftmanship, great fit, and uniqueness. Two months later I can't regret my purchase.

 

[Ott]

Originally Posted by whodini

Not really sure how to explain the denim other than I like the quality but I could see how people would have a hard time comparing it to PBJ, SC, et. al. They're simply not meant to be compared to said brands in terms of things like fading contrast or repro design but still have a feeling of craftmanship, great fit, and uniqueness. Two months later I can't regret my purchase.
I honestly like the denim better than PBJ/samurai other slubmeisters. I know it won't fade as well and its not as unique, but the colour is rich and goes with everything. Pure Blues look too weird for my tastes. It's like a big selvage barnacle monster has attached itself to your legs

 

[denimgroupie]

I happen to have a pair of RB's with all tags still on. The back pocket tag says: This denim has undergone minimum treatment to preserve the natural integrity of the fabric. All of our denim is sourced from the finest mills in the world, either in Japan or North Carolina. The inside tag reads Handmade in NCarolina in large writing flat on the waistband. Technically you guys are both right... the dangling tag will either read handmade in Japan or handmade on the United States depending on which pair/style and wash/type you have... hope that helps

(My pair is the RB1-1000s... as far as i know they don't make them anymore but they are the girl version of the men's RB6-1000... and selvage of course*)

 

[eternaldrake]

thanks for the update im sure the op has been checking this thread daily for the past 3 and a half years