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12 Best Selvedge Denim Jeans for Men
In the world of men’s jeans, you’ve got options. None of those options inspires as much devotion or fandom as selvedge denim, though.
Selvedge jeans are a cut above, with rugged appeal, long-lasting quality and a wide variety of styles and offerings. Do you need a pair? I’d wager yes, you certainly do. Dive into the deep world of denim now.
- Selvedge denim stands out: Selvedge denim takes greater care in production and more precision than jeans produced on a much larger scale – it’s a worthy investment.
- As sturdy as it gets: Selvedge denim is mostly measured by the weight of the cotton denim fabric, resulting in a thick, durable pair of jeans designed to mold to your body over time.
- Selvedge stands the test of time: Selvedge denim pairs remarkably well with other classic pieces, like white tees and moc toe boots. They’re a certified style classic.
When you just want a tried-and-true classic, a pair of jeans to stand the test of time, Levi’s has you covered. The fit is suitable for all body types, the fabric is dependable, the price is affordable for selvedge denim – what more could you ask for?
Try these:
Jack Reacher, James Patterson, Brandon Sanderson
Levi’s Original Fit 501 Selvedge Jeans
The world of selvedge (or selvage) denim can feel daunting at times, but if you want to dip your toe into that world without spending an arm and a leg, and without going too far over the top, you know where to go.
Of course, that’d be denim pioneer Levi’s, which has made its flattering, classic straight-leg 501 jean for decades. The price is agreeable, the fabric blend is a touch lighter than other selvedge pairs (thanks to the denim and hemp blend), and the medium wash is another timeless touch.
Raleigh Denim Dempsey Jeans in Graham Fit
The best men’s denim on the market offers room for experimentation these days: Gone are the days when every pair of selvedge jeans was a deep, dark blue.
The Dempsey Jeans shake things up with a deep gold-and-blue fade, complemented by brown and gold thread, and they even boast 1 percent elastane for a more comfortable, easygoing wearability.
They’re a nice alternative if you want jeans that allow you to add your own character – while giving the aging and fading process an early start.
Kato Pen Slim Indigo Raw Selvage
The destination is really about the journey when it comes to finding – and then breaking in – your new favorite pair of selvedge denim.
Start with rich indigo jeans (made from unwashed raw selvage), then make them your own the more you wear them. Your daily wear patterns will create fades prized by denim lovers, and it’s all the better that Kato’s take on selvedge actually features easy-to-wear four-way stretch fabric.
This pair fits slim, a flattering cut you can easily wear with a casual henley come spring, then a rugged cardigan in cooler weather.
Kato Pen Stretch 4-Way Selvedge
Selvedge denim has earned a reputation as being ultra-dependable and sturdy, but perhaps a bit uncomfortable at first wear. Kato solves that problem in as premium a manner as possible, using a durable 14oz. Japanese selvedge denim in inky black – denim that also features 4 percent stretch fabric.
The result is a pair of black jeans with an edgy look and feel, the kind you can wear with a white T-shirt for a crisp and classic look. And because you’re still getting selvedge fabric despite the use of four-way stretch material, they’ll break in wonderfully over time.
RRL Slim Fit Selvedge Denim Jeans
Ralph Lauren already has a penchant for making true American classics, and his RRL brand takes things a step further.
Think: Insanely high-quality fabric, exquisite designs and investment-level quality throughout the entire line, including this pair of selvedge denim.
The price tag is rather eye-popping (nearly $300), but they’re certainly worth the extra dough. The design is based on classic 1940s jeans (now updated with a modern fit), and they were even made on vintage looms in the United States.
Bonobos Japanese Stretch Selvedge Jeans
Bonobos tends to hang its hat on an expert fit and fabrication of its stellar selection of men’s pants, from chinos to five-pocket pants and now, a stylishly designed pair of Japanese selvedge denim.
The New York City brand accounts for all the proper details of a great pair of selvedge, including a real self-edge finished detail on the coin pocket and lower cuff.
Buck Mason Japanese Loomstate Selvedge Denim
Buck Mason already models its handsome menswear off classic styles, from T-shirts to expertly faded jeans.
These Japanese selvedge jeans go a step further, using tasteful throwback details like a straight-leg fit, a button fly and of course, absurdly beautiful fabric you can break in on your own.
Gustin 75 Okayama Standard Japanese Denim
The world of selvedge denim is a hotly contested one: Enthusiasts of all sorts seem to have opinions on what makes a truly great, reliable pair of jeans, and Gustin seems to have the formula perfected.
It starts with exceptional Japanese denim in a just-right 14.5oz. Fabric weight. From there, you’re free to make these handsome blue jeans entirely your own in terms of fades and wear patterns.
Todd Snyder Lightweight Japanese Selvedge
Breaking in selvedge denim doesn’t have to be a tedious exercise – sometimes, you want comfort and quality out of the box, and Todd Snyder hits the nail on the head with a lightweight pair packed with high-quality details.
Contrast stitching and rich Japanese fabric deliver absurd quality throughout.
Raleigh Denim Graham Original Raw Selvage
The best selvedge denim for men, in my experience, reaches a level of craft and careful attention to detail that simply can’t be achieved by other styles of denim jeans. Raleigh Denim is obsessive, in the best way possible, when it comes to fit and fabric, using a nicely weighted 13.5oz. Japanese denim in its flagship jean.
Taylor Stitch Democratic Jeans
The best selvedge jeans tend to take the wearer (that’s you) on a style journey of sorts. With every wear, they break in more perfectly and mold to your body, and the process is fun – in its own way – to watch.
Taylor Stitch nailed the just right slim-straight fit of this handsome pair, using organic selvedge for a sustainable touch.
Uniqlo Stretch Selvedge Slim Jeans
If you thought it was tricky to find a pair of the best selvedge denim at a highly affordable price, think again. Sustainable, minimal fashion brand Uniqlo once again meets the moment, this time using comfortable yet sturdy stretch selvedge that’s available at a truly standout price. Pair these with a crisp Uniqlo Oxford shirt for versatile everyday style.
What Is Selvedge Denim?
Selvedge denim is a type of cotton denim known for using the self-edge (or self-finished) side of the fabric. This process results in the outseam of the jeans showing a contrasting white-and-red fabric edge, visible at the cuff of the jeans.
This is also why selvedge jeans are commonly worn with a cuff – all the better to show off the hand-finished process. Most selvedge denim is a dark, inky blue, allowing the self-finished edge to stand out even more.
Why Is Selvedge Denim So Desirable?
Selvedge denim is desirable because of the care and craftsmanship that goes into each pair, resulting in a sturdy, stylish pair of jeans. Selvedge is remarkably unique in the denim world, all thanks to the intensive process used to create its hand-finished fabric edge.
Selvedge fabrics hail from denim hotspots like Japan, with different fabric weights lending a sturdier hand feel and long-lasting durability. Each pair also molds uniquely to the wearer: No two pairs of selvedge end up looking the same.
What’s the Difference Between Raw and Selvedge?
While selvedge denim refers to the self-edge of the fabric used in the jeans, raw denim is simply denim that hasn’t been washed or pre-treated.
Most selvedge jeans are crafted from raw, unwashed denim, but some prominent denim brands take selvedge denim and use a garment-washing process before the wearer can put them to the test individually.
Some selvedge denim is also made from 100 percent cotton, but some brands use small amounts of elastane to give selvedge some crucial stretch.
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