Blue Jeans

[MntnMan62]

When I was a kid, I wore Levi's exclusively. Jump ahead a bit, get married, etc. My now ex-wife bought me some Gap jeans which I actually really liked. But I learned that they don't fit as well as the Levi's and they didn't wear as well in terms of lasting. I did try some Levi's from the outlet in Woodbury Commons (NY) but the fabric was thin and I didn't like them. I found out from someone who was a denim expert and said that the jeans sold in outlets are different from the brand's offerings sold in regular stores. For this reason I was wary about buying the Levi's I saw at Costco. But I decided to give them a try. And glad I did. Fabric is what I always expected from Levi's. I've bought a few pair and will be buying more.

 

[Twelvefret]

When I was a kid, I wore Levi's exclusively. Jump ahead a bit, get married, etc. My now ex-wife bought me some Gap jeans which I actually really liked. But I learned that they don't fit as well as the Levi's and they didn't wear as well in terms of lasting. I did try some Levi's from the outlet in Woodbury Commons (NY) but the fabric was thin and I didn't like them. I found out from someone who was a denim expert and said that the jeans sold in outlets are different from the brand's offerings sold in regular stores. For this reason I was wary about buying the Levi's I saw at Costco. But I decided to give them a try. And glad I did. Fabric is what I always expected from Levi's. I've bought a few pair and will be buying more.

I also like raw denim Wrangler jeans 13mwz. These have a tampered “boot cut” hem. Since they are made for horse back riding, the waist is higher than my Levi 501’s.

 

[Twelvefret]

Just an update on the raw denim 501's I got last Winter. I wore them without washing for a long time. Then, at some point, I turned them inside out and began to wash them after several days of wear. The new portable bidet really helps...LOL!!

Anyway, I lay them out the enclosed garage until they dry. While they are stiff at first, they turn super soft quickly.

 

[Twelvefret]

I’ve been washing inside out and drying in the garage over the Winter months. The 501’s raw denim retain a dark indigo. While wrinkled it first, they disappear within an hour of use. Love the golden thread that made in Mexico Levi’s uses.

 

[Twelvefret]

Just watched a video of a seasoned carpenter discuss how his Levis and Carhartt pants with double fronts changed for the worse over his career. He is now using Key brand.

Summer is coming so my jean days are coming to an end and soon I'll be using hiking shorts most days. One pair of my Wrangler 13MWZ are nearing 10 years old. What I have learned by direct experience is that a raw denim is that after wearing them for 2-4 days they get super soft.

 

[DesertIguana]

Most of the brands be they Levi, Lee, Carhtartt are being build to last lees time. Corporate GREED.

 

[Twelvefret]

Most of the brands be they Levi, Lee, Carhtartt are being build to last lees time. Corporate GREED.

I know that is an often-repeated reason, but I think there is more to it than profits. I recall maybe ten years ago the fashion was more for a light blue worn denim look which seemed to suddenly change to a dark raw denim look. Since jeans are widely used and for varying uses, it is probably difficult to give everyone what they want which probably puts the professional who uses denim because they need a durable pant at a disadvantage.

I still use the Levis 501 and prefer the raw denim shrink to fit type. I suspect the person making the video is buying preshrunk which are made more for fashion than function.

 

[Vacumatic]

There used to be a phrase when I was a teenager, don't know if it is still employed, for proper Levis, 16 ounce denim. I took this to mean a mark of quality and thickness, as in 60-120 gm per square metre for paper or the thread count on Egyptian cotton, simply a gauge of quality.

I was surprised when I weighed my jeans to see that they weighed one pound.

 

[Twelvefret]

There used to be a phrase when I was a teenager, don't know if it is still employed, for proper Levis, 16 ounce denim. I took this to mean a mark of quality and thickness, as in 60-120 gm per square metre for paper or the thread count on Egyptian cotton, simply a gauge of quality.

I was surprised when I weighed my jeans to see that they weighed one pound.

I've read the weight refers to the how much a yard of fabric weighs. Mid weight is 12-16 ounces per yard according to some resources I checked.

 

[DesertIguana]

I know that is an often-repeated reason, but I think there is more to it than profits. I recall maybe ten years ago the fashion was more for a light blue worn denim look which seemed to suddenly change to a dark raw denim look. Since jeans are widely used and for varying uses, it is probably difficult to give everyone what they want which probably puts the professional who uses denim because they need a durable pant at a disadvantage.

I still use the Levis 501 and prefer the raw denim shrink to fit type. I suspect the person making the video is buying preshrunk which are made more for fashion than function.

Think 501's and my Wranglers are both 100% Cottn Denim. But like most thing today not made like in g.O.D. = GoodOldDays

 

[Twelvefret]

Think 501's and my Wranglers are both 100% Cottn Denim. But like most thing today not made like in g.O.D. = GoodOldDays

I didn't like twisted leg "bell bottoms" when they were selvedge loomed. So, for me, this is the good old days and especially if you can find some Levis made in Mexico. Those are rated best.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well the Wrangler are not Cowboy Cut, they are Re,axed Fit 5STAR. Retail about 22 bucks USD, I get discount, etc., f\so 4 paid on my door is 67-75 BUCKS USD.

 

[MntnMan62]

The Costco Levi's that I had bought were straight leg jeans. And I like how they fit better than most pairs of jeans I've tried. But the last time I went to Costco they didn't have the same jeans I had purchased previously. I guess that's what we have to expect when buying at discount clubs like that. Sometimes they have what you want and sometimes they don't. I'll keep looking and will snap up a few pair if I see them again.

 

[Twelvefret]

The Costco Levi's that I had bought were straight leg jeans. And I like how they fit better than most pairs of jeans I've tried. But the last time I went to Costco they didn't have the same jeans I had purchased previously. I guess that's what we have to expect when buying at discount clubs like that. Sometimes they have what you want and sometimes they don't. I'll keep looking and will snap up a few pair if I see them again.

Amazon had the raw denim shrink to fit 501’s for $37 two years ago when I got mine. They vary, but much more today.

 

[Twelvefret]

Well the Wrangler are not Cowboy Cut, they are Re,axed Fit 5STAR. Retail about 22 bucks USD, I get discount, etc., f\so 4 paid on my door is 67-75 BUCKS USD.

Yes, I like Wrangle jeans also. I use the 13WMZ boot cut. I really like the boot cut because of the taper at the ankle. I get the raw shrink to fit an wash inside out. Good product.