Raw denim is the term given to denim that has not undergone any finishing treatments, washes or tampering before, during or after being turned into a pair of jeans. To the touch it will feel strange if you’re used to off-the-peg high street models; starchy, perhaps like cardboard and very stiff. The denim will have been woven on old-style shuttle looms, originating from Japan, and will normally have a visible selfedge (to avoid the threads unravelling on these narrow looms) on the outside seam. As a process it takes a longer period of time to create a pair of jeans like this so they will normally cost a little more.
A pair of raw jeans will either be pre-soaked (sanforised), which takes care of any shrinkage you may experience during washing or soaking, or will need a soak to get a pair of jeans to the desired fitting. Many raw denim enthusiasts are incredible precious about the soaking/washing process.Most carry out an initial soak before ‘breaking in’ a pair over many months – where they will not let the pair touch water – to create the unique fades and creasing.
Raw denim’s history is rich and stems back many years should you wish to dig around on the web a little. However, seeing as we’re going to be looking raw denim in a contemporary context we thought it would be good to illustrate a bit of terminology used by aficionados to describe its attributes. Ultimately, to break in a pair of raw jeans is a strangely addictive process but the feeling of wearing a pair that is unique to you, with beautiful fading and wear lines is hugely rewarding.
What is the brand of those jeans?
What is the brand of those jeans?
What is the brand of those jeans?