For a while, it looks like the best raw denim will remain a fringe in menswear history – or is it #menswear? Look, if you’ve shopped for jeans lately, you’ve probably encountered some great washes. Light washes, medium washes, uneven washes, whisker washes, trompe-l’oeil washes, you name it. You wouldn’t imagine it: Given the rise of the raw denim craze in the 2000s, we’ve entered something of a washed The golden age of denim, equal and opposite reaction Feverqueen It was registered as early as January 2023.
However, you may have also noticed recently that jeans are getting a little darker again, and that the dark blue raw denim of decades past has made a triumphant return, just in time to keep your legs warm this winter. . (For those of you who say selvedge never really left, you’re right, a lot of people stuck with it during the recession years, but die-hard loyalists are never the most refined vanguard of the ubiquitous mainstream.)
When it comes to brands doing it justice, the old guard is still crushing it, but we’re also happy to see new names entering the scene, bringing with them roomier silhouettes and unexpected references. So, to help you sort the wheat from the chaff, we’ve delved into the best raw jeans on the market right now, from mass-market denim to true-blue Japanese go-go jeans. Take it from a group of menswear obsessives who have an unhealthy amount of experience wearing jeans of all shapes and sizes—start wearing them today, and you’ll enjoy a satisfying fade come spring.
The best raw jeans, according to Feverqueen magazine
Are you looking for something specific?
Best raw jeans overall: Levi’s 501 Original Fit Selvedge Jeans
Half the fun of owning a pair of raw denim is what happens to that raw denim over time. And while some smaller brands work with fabrics that can produce amazing results, they can also be somewhat unpredictable. 501s, on the other hand, are tried and true, with 150 years of continuous big fade and proper dial R&D supporting a pedigree that will probably never be matched.
Best budget raw jeans: Uniqlo Selvedge Straight Jeans
We won’t bury the difference: Uniqlo’s original selvedge deal is still $50, which remains the most reasonable price any of us have ever seen for a raw slack. The only thing that has really changed is that the $50 is equal more Impressive now, especially when you consider what you’re getting: a pair of straight-leg jeans made of 100% cotton denim, beautifully ready to wear, complete with hardware, and, somehow, inflation-resistant.
Best updated raw jeans: Buck Mason Selvedge Full Saddle Jeans
Buck Mason may not be known for its jeans, but the brand has every right to be. For example, these full cinch jeans are made with 14 oz. Non-sterile Japanese denim, washed to eliminate a little shrinkage, which can be worn well all year round. They’re also cut with a higher rise and straight leg, which when combined with the feel of the denim gives them a decidedly vintage feel. Simply put: If you still think of Buck Mason as a t-shirt brand, you’re missing some of the best wardrobe workers in the business.
Best raw jeans for men: 3sixteen RS-100x straight-leg jeans
3sixteen has been on a total tear these past few years — just go check out their shoes, or Shearling bomber They sold out in about three seconds – but no matter how wide their network, denim still rules the roost. We’re committed to the relaxed straight fit of the RS-100x, which is made from the same 100x raw indigo denim the brand has been using for the past 15 years, and has a nice wide leg, an easy break, and one of the best indigo colors you’ll find anywhere in the world. (These products sell out with alarming regularity, but they’re also restocked fairly frequently.)
Best raw jeans for denim lovers: Iron Heart 634s-18 Vintage Denim
These aren’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking to throw in the deep end of raw denim, look to your diving board. They are straight cut (are you feeling the theme?), with hidden rivets, and are made in Japan from “vintage style” 18 oz. The denim is indigo dyed, but woven a little looser so it breathes better than other 18 oz denim. Fabrics. (And when you fully surrender to the raw denim lifestyle come June, you’ll be grateful for that airflow.)
Best raw jeans for this particular writer: OrSlow 101 Super Dad Jeans straight leg
The only pair on this list that isn’t made with selvedge denim and has been rinsed, they get the nod because they happen to be some of the best jeans I’ve ever owned. Not too baggy, not too thin, the perfect weight fabric for year-round wear and expertly made in Japan by some of the best doing it right now, which is why I spent a year anxiously waiting for them to make this pattern in the raw or brushed iteration. I’m not sure I’ve ever hit “add to cart” so quickly in my life, and they are better than I could have hoped for.
More raw jeans we love
Capital Crochet Slim Fit Jeans
Complete Number 0105SSW 11.5 oz. Wide straight jeans
Wrangler Rugged Cowboy Original Cut Jeans
Warehouse Lot 1001xx(1000xx) 1947 Denim Jeans Model
Left Field Smoker in New York City, 11.5 oz. Gilt denim jeans
What to look for in a great pair of raw jeans
Ideally, we’re looking for 100% cotton jeans with a decent weight – at least 11 ounces of fabric, although a heavier weight 13-14 ounces is also fine. It’s best to also get the edges cut from this fabric – which means the jeans have their own tightly fitted edges that won’t fray – although this part is not required. This list is made entirely of cotton for two reasons: the fabric lasts longer and lasts better. Finally, more presentable fabrics tend to use indigo dyes, which produce incredible fading, but can also leach onto surfaces (leather sofa owners beware).
You also won’t find many skinny jeans in this guide, but that doesn’t mean the brands we’ve listed don’t offer a slimmer fit with the same attention to detail or high-quality materials. In fact, almost everyone does, if something seems too loose (or tight) for your liking.
How we test and review products
We know that style is personal, and that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the most affordable suits, or the menswear drops you need to know about this week, Feverqueen Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider’s awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find The best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staff doesn’t get to try on every piece of clothing you read about on Feverqueen.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing — from materials and sourcing, craftsmanship, and sustainability efforts. Which is not limited to green washing. Feverqueen’s recommendations heavily emphasize our editorial experience with those brands, how their clothes are made, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: Feverqueen wouldn’t ask you to wear it if we didn’t.
We do our best to cast as wide a net as possible, focusing on identifying the best options across three main categories: quality, suitableand price.
To start the process, we tapped Feverqueen Recommends Braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the people involved worked in retail, offering clothing to the masses; Others have worked hard to acquire small menswear brands; They all spend a lot of time thinking about what’s in their closets.
We draw on this collective experience to guide our research, selecting a mix of household names, indie favorites and craft imprints at the cutting edge of the genre. Then we narrow the selection down to the picks that scored highest in terms of quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team has first-hand experience with the bulk of our picks, but a handful are completely new to us. So, after several months of intense debate, we tallied the votes, gathered anecdotal evidence, and came up with a list of who we think are the absolute best in the category right now, from the proven braves to the contemporary innovators. , affordable hitters to expensive (but worth it) designer pieces.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there’s bound to be an excellent version on this list that suits you. (Read more about the Feverqueen audition process here.)
