Raw Denim on a Budget

[zriggle]

I'd like to get a pair of raw denim jeans, to see if I like the custom scene. I'm not much of a fashion guy, and have no opposition to wearing factory-distressed jeans. However, before I drop a significant chunk of money on a pair of Nudies (or similar), I though I'd start small, with something I can toss if I don't like the way it turns out.

I found these at Express, but I'm unsure of whether what they state as raw denim will be something that will wear and distress in a similar fashion to higher-end jeans -- or if I'm just buying a pair of jeans that will never accumulate any of its own style.

I apologize if this question seems silly or basic, but like I said -- I've just started to look into the topic.

Also, as far as denim goes in general, here's how I understand it:
1. Wear them. All the time. There are various things that can be done to add personal details (e.g. rust, dirt, sandpaper, bleaching), but the basic idea is to wear them. A lot.
2. Do not wash them until they look the way I want them to look permanently (a few months of wear)
3. In the mean-time, dry-cleaning *is* OK if they start to get smelly

 

[KitAkira]

Levi's 501 STF, can probably get them <$30 (retail $40) Don't use sandpaper/anything artificial or you'll become a laughing stock Wash them whenever you feel like, 6mo. is a general rule, you don't have to adhere to it Dry cleaning is for pussies... was hit if they get disgusting, otherwise air it out in the sun/fresh air, fabreeze it, or steam it in the shower to remove smells PS, you should have searched... there's a "READ FIRST" thread stickied PPS, I jumped right into the whole raw denim thing with KMWs, as long as you do the research and make sure you're getting a good product that will last/fit you and make you happy, don't be afraid to spend. It's pretty hard to mess up something as simple as wearing jeans

 

[dfagdfsh]

No.

Do not buy those jeans.

Here's some questions:

1. How much can you spend?
2. What type of cut do you want?
3. Are you willing to save up until you can afford a nicer pair, or do you want to purchase now?

 

[givemefive]

Originally Posted by Teger

No.

Do not buy those jeans.

Here's some questions:

1. How much can you spend?
2. What type of cut do you want?
3. Are you willing to save up until you can afford a nicer pair, or do you want to purchase now?

just get a nice pair now. you'll be sorry if you don't.

 

[kit99bar]

agreed 100%. If you intend to wear these jeans all the time to get good fades you might as well spend more and get something nice.

Originally Posted by givemefive

just get a nice pair now. you'll be sorry if you don't.

 

[Lovegasoline]

I was in Uniqlo's NYC store this evening and the have their straight leg, raw selvedge jeans on sale for $49.95 (reduced from I think $79.95). Plenty of sizes were in stock. This is about as 'budget' as raw selvedge gets.

 

[givemefive]

Originally Posted by Lovegasoline

I was in Uniqlo's NYC store this evening and the have their straight leg, raw selvedge jeans on sale for $49.95 (reduced from I think $79.95). Plenty of sizes were in stock. This is about as 'budget' as raw selvedge gets.

the fabric is so thin. great it you want an occasional dark jean. not so great if you want to destroy them.

 

[j.chew]

Get sum Nudie Jeans. You'll get a lot of mileage outta them.

 

[onion]

Originally Posted by j.chew

Get sum Nudie Jeans. You'll get a lot of mileage outta them.

If I were going to pay retail for a pair of jeans, Nudie would probably be the last brand I chose.

 

[heyheyhey]

Originally Posted by onion

If I were going to pay retail for a pair of jeans, Nudie would probably be the last brand I chose.

Really? I'm about to buy a pair of Slim Jim's. Why?

 

[xchen]

There are dozens of better choices at the same price point that would be better quality denim and better quality craftsmanship than Nudie, and if you take advantage of one of the SF affiliates you can get them even cheaper.

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by givemefive

the fabric is so thin. great it you want an occasional dark jean. not so great if you want to destroy them.

You sure you're talking about Uniqlo Selvedge? 'em are made of 13 oz denim IIRC, quite slubby too. The fabric is from Kaihara mill, which also makes denim for Oni, some LVC etc.

 

[heyheyhey]

Oh, well the pair I'm buying is less than half the price from the B&amp;S section, so it'll be worth it.

 

[keikun13]

Originally Posted by whacked

You sure you're talking about Uniqlo Selvedge? 'em are made of 13 oz denim IIRC, quite slubby too. The fabric is from Kaihara mill, which also makes denim for Oni, some LVC etc.
I donno... I was the the Uniqlo store in NYC just yesterday and I was about to pick up a pair, but they really didn't seem too great. They felt really crappy to me, but then again, they were pretty cheap (for selvege) and I suppose I was comparing them to the APCs I was wearing at the time.

 

[Robert]

I think the thing to remember is we're not all built the same, financially or in terms of our denim needs/wants. If you have a limited budget and just want a solid pair of jeans for right now, go with Levis 501 STFs or something else you like.