Anyone else hate dark denim? Recommend good light denim here!

sellahi22 · Jan 3, 2011

Seems like all the jeans talk in MC and SW&D relates to the stiff/heavy japanese raw stuff. I find those jeans very uncomfortable and way too slick looking to wear while hanging out on a weekend. I prefer jeans in a medium to light blue, with only a bit of distressing (a couple of whiskers or a bit of fading, no holes), and a fairly slim/tapered fit (no baggy dad jeans).

My favorite jeans are some pairs of Helmut Lang and Armani Jeans that I got a couple years ago, but being relatively flimsy and lightweight they are reaching the end of their useful life. Unfortunately the current models of AJ/HL are either raw/dark or have excessive distressing.

Anyone have some good recs for medium/light colored denim in the aforementioned style?

iamjammin · Jan 3, 2011

what price range are we talking?

Kajak · Jan 3, 2011

Don't know exactly what your previous jeans were like, but maybe Levis 514s in a lighter wash?

patrickBOOTH · Jan 3, 2011

I would look at Earnest Sewn. They have probably the most "nautural" looking lighter denim. They also use very lightweight denim, which seems like what you are after. If not these go with Levi 501's.

sellahi22 · Jan 4, 2011

Thanks for the recs guys. I posted this thread to elicit a bunch of names of designers who put out decent mid/light blue jeans, so people in my position have a starting point when we go jeans shopping.

Originally Posted by iamjammin

what price range are we talking?

I'm willing to pay up to $300/pair. I'm not value conscious with jeans (i.e. I would overpay for the perfect pair), but I would like to make an informed decision. I find that most good jeans shops (such as Barneys) have like a million pairs, and I don't know how to differentiate quality.

Originally Posted by Kajak

Don't know exactly what your previous jeans were like, but maybe Levis 514s in a lighter wash?

Thanks for the rec, I will try those out. I used to have some 501's, but beyond the weirdly high rise (I understand that 514's don't have this issue), I found the styling/detailing to be somewhat basic. Maybe I'm deluding myself due to the high HL/AJ price tag, but I thought the subtle fading/whiskering and stitching details on the more expensive jeans to be more aesthetically pleasing, as though they were catering to a higher end/more discerning market than Levi's.

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I would look at Earnest Sewn. They have probably the most "nautural" looking lighter denim. They also use very lightweight denim, which seems like what you are after. If not these go with Levi 501's.

Thanks I will definitely check those out. "Natural looking" light denim is exactly what I want. Lightweight is not necessary, I just don't want to feel like I'm wearing burlap or metal armor on a hot summer day.

DerekS · Jan 4, 2011

Ive been really happy with all of my Earnest Sewn jeans....great worn in denim....very comfortable and fit is good on me as well. Levis 514s are my other favorite pair...cheap too. I pick em up for under 50 bucks...usually around 30 sometimes. but the ESs in my opninion look and fit better.

Viral · Jan 4, 2011

my Citizens of Humanity jeans are the perfect true blue pair, medium blue, lightly distressed and look like a million bucks with almost anything.

Even better since I snagged them from Barneys for $59 on sale

SpooPoker · Jan 4, 2011

NOBD has some great light denim.

acridsheep · Jan 4, 2011

Did designer for years. Levi's 514s are better quality, IMO.

MBreinin · Jan 4, 2011

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

NOBD has some great light denim.

He does, but I think all of those jeans started dark......

Mike

bobm · Jan 4, 2011

I know I will get some flack here, but $300.00 for jeans is way too dear in my world, especially "hanging around" type jeans. But, I've also spent excessively on some things in my life, so go for it.

Bob

CunningSmeagol · Jan 4, 2011

Handful of companies are doing hand dyed versions of popular models. They are lighter and have really interesting surface patterns and texture. Cost is around $500, but they're very special.

Sanguis Mortuum · Jan 4, 2011

Originally Posted by SilviaTirado

Ermenegildo Zegna ensemble. All light denim, black shoes and gloves! Looks like a serious man!

http://balharbourshops.com/page-128-3.html

I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right image, but the only Zegna pic I can see does not look much like denim...

sellahi22 · Jan 4, 2011

Originally Posted by bobm

I know I will get some flack here, but $300.00 for jeans is way too dear in my world, especially "hanging around" type jeans. But, I've also spent excessively on some things in my life, so go for it.

Bob

By "hanging around" I mean jeans to wear for going to lunch on the weekend and other activities where I want to look both smart and casual. Chinos are also good for this purpose, but sometimes they can come across as too business casual in my opinion.

ManofKent · Jan 4, 2011

I think NOBD's jeans are mainly APC's that have been through the washer a few times.

Personally I dislike 'distressed' jeans - the distressing rarely looks like the person wearing them could possibly have produced fading in those specific places.

Anyone else hate dark denim? Recommend good light denim here!

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