Thread: Any raw denim gents? Or just denim gents?

When growing up I always wanted a pair of Levi's. My parents thought that $15.00 was way to much to spend on kids pants. I couldn't even tell you what the other brands were in the 60's and I still don't care. I got my first pair in 1969 and I have worn nothing but ever since. I have seen disco cowboy jeans come and go and I have watched Levi degrade to the wear a short while and toss culture we have become. And that's what I wear now. Same size as then almost :<0). I am going to try a pair of these old style stiff as a board 200.00 jobs just to see if they are the ones I remember lasting me 3 years instead of 1. I'm not too sure I would be happy breaking them in as we used to get them wet and drag em around the desert behind our motorcycles for an hour or so just so we could bend at the knees, which was the first thing to wear out. Was common in the day to have iron on patches to fix those knee holes. Of course I don't have to be on my knees so much anymore, being single and all, so who knows I may switch to the high dollar ones someday soon. Other brands never did fit me right so I quit trying anything other than Levi. 517 boot cut or forget it. I have a denim suit too and working on a tuxedo to go with my Levi's. I can't decide on the long coat or the short but leaning towards the short. Maybe I should start a new thread but here is the look I am putting together.

Circle S Long Tuxedo Coat - Reg, Tall - Sheplers

Circle S Short Tuxedo Coat - Reg, Tall - Sheplers

Either way from the waist down will be Levi's and black Tony Lama's

I've been collecting and wearing raw denim for several years now. My first pair was a set of RRL straight legs (beautiful japanese selvedge denim jeans made in the USA). I wore them daily for over a year, and they saw many miles of trails and city streets. I still wear them out when the occasion calls for a more "broken in" looking pair of jeans. I also have gained a pair of Japanese greenline selvedge levis as well as a pair of Canterburry of New Zealand jeans made with American Cone Denim.

My most recent acquisition was a pair of heavy weight selvedge levis that I am just beginning to break in (that's them standing up by themselves after the first soak in the picture above). The heavier weight denim interests me greatly. My brother recently purchased a pair of japanese 21oz iron heart jeans that are beastly to say the least (in weight and price). Motorcycle riders wear them in lieu of lower body armor.

The great thing about raw denim is that each pair is unique and wears slightly differently. My jeans reflect different years of my life and each fade and repair has a story behind it.

I have one pair of pants that are not denim and if you want to see me in them get married or die. But that is not guaranteed because I have attended plenty weddings and funerals in jeans.

If I have spent more than $25 on a pair it hasn't been much more. The best deal I have ever found is free. At least no out of pocket expense. I am required to wear them as part of my uniform at work and the uniform service is provided by my employer. The reason is the FR or fire retardant rating. Which leads to the idea that for me clothes are just another tool I use. They protect me and keep me warm I don't care about much else. I use and abuse them and can't imagine spending enough on them to give it a second thought.

On second thought I think about years past when if the clothes didn't fit something was wrong with the clothes. Nowadays if the clothes don't fit something is wrong with you.

Enough to have the thought enter my mind but not pay more.

I just thought of my racing suit. Those pants are fire retardant and not denim. That makes 2 pair!

I have three pair of pants that aren't denim. I preach in denim...we're a blue collar town and Jesus never told people to change their clothes before they could come to him.

Point is, I buy my denim at the local farm supply store. The last pair I bought was on sale for $9.00 (That's American money too!). Usually they're $15-16. My two nicest pair are reserved for times when I need clean, nice jeans. My more broken in pair are daily drivers and usually I buy about one pair every six months. I don't know anything about weight, etc. but I figure I spend about $30/yr on jeans. So if a $100 or $200 pair survives daily use for 10yrs, I guess that's a better deal. But it's a bit of a gamble too!

Interesting...

Peace,
Jim

Plain denim for me.
I have a little trick, winners carries a lot of designer brand jeans for pretty cheap. When my wife manages to drag me in there (rarely) I go straight to the clearance rack (likely 2 seasons old by then) and buy all the pants that fit right.
I have about a dozen pair that would retail at $1500+ but cost only maybe $350, likely the same price as Wal Mart Levis.
Sometimes I feel a little ashamed in the clearance dept, but like Bob said, Family and house come first.
Eric.

You guys make way to much money... American Eagle slim cuton sale $30 bones..

I only wear Levis 501. I have 4 pairs, 3blue and 1black. I only buy them on sale or at the outlet mall. $40 or so per pair and i fine they last.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Once upon a time, Levi jeans WERE made of real denim, I hate all these prewashed faded garbage. Did you know that they actually DESIGN jeans to last only approx 5-6 months? (was told this by a person who worked in the industry)

Really? Well they're failing miserably in my case then....most my jeans last for YEARS.

Here's a massive NecroPost....Arise from The Dead Thread!!

Won a few pairs of selvedge raw denim off eBay the last couple of months, been giving some new jeans a try since I can't remember the last time I bought myself a pair of jeans, and nice jeans.

So I've got a couple pair of Gustin Selvedge jeans, lower end of the cost scale, but some very nice jeans, 12 ounce, light, incredible fit all the way up to my new absolute favourite jeans - Iron Heart, a pair of 21 ounce and a pair of 25 ounce jeans, very stiff to start, but are probably the most comfortable jeans/pants I've ever worn.

Couldn't believe the win on eBay as well for a pair of Anniversary Samurai Selvedge 25 ounce jeans, not nearly as rugged as the Iron Heart, they feel lighter, but an incredibly comfortable jean.

Also managed to grab two pairs of Naked and Famous jeans, turns out they're a Canadian company that like Gustin and Iron Heart, source their denim from Japan - another great pair of stylish and incredibly comfortable jeans.

Turns out a nice pair of jeans, well fitted with the fantastic weave of Japanese denim are all they were cracked up to be, I'd swear to the Pope himself, that although the first couple of days the jeans were pretty stiff, they now feel like a ferkin' pair of pyjamas, never want to take them off.

When I've cold soaked the Iron Heart 25 ounce pair, they actually will stand up on their own!!!

Seriously, though, if you're looking for an incredibly comfortable pair of jeans with some style....check out a raw denim selvedge jeans, you won't regret it.

Last post in this thread February 5, 2013, 6 years since the last comment...has to be close to a record for a NecroPost!!

yep i remember levis standing on their own after me mum washing them iv always worn levis but dont fit how they used to my size aint changed 32 too small 34 too big i went shopping the other month for jeans couldnt believe wot was on offer some had holes some had all the colour faded out and some had crinkles in em all i wanted was a bloody pair off jeans i was even thinking of coming over for a city break with the missus just to see if i could get something decent had a couple a pair of caterpillar jeans about 20 years ago they were good