Why Denim?
I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, and simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.
-Yves Saint Laurent
Why Denim, you say? Why not? We owe this essential to a German immigrant who headed west to open a branch of his brother’s dry goods business. Soon, he teamed up with a tailor from Nevada, and the “501” was born. Jeans started out as something worn by the “Marlboro men” of the west. They needed a strong durable fabric, and denim fit the bill. It wasn’t long before jeans spread across the states like a wildfire. Thus, Levi Strauss became a household name.
Jeans are the essential of the essentials. You can wear them to dinner, on a Saturday night, with a blazer. You can rock them with a t-shirt while you’re watching Aaron Rodgers rack up 50 points in fantasy. They’re the most versatile piece in a guy’s wardrobe, period. They can also be the worst looking one. So, here are some pointers for nailing this essential:
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Fit: The baggier they are, the sloppier they look. You want a slim and tapered pair. Reach for a pair that you can move in with a sharp tailored look. Also, reach for a slightly slimmer pair than what you normally wear. I promise, they won’t be as slim as you think.
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Style: The simpler the better. You’re all past the Jersey Shore rhinestone pocket phase, right? Good. Reach for a pair with no frills. Simplicity is the key.
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Wash: This one’s tricky. I prefer a raw pair, so I can break them in myself. Some people don’t have the time or desire to break a pair in from scratch. If you fall under the latter category, you should reach for a pre-distressed pair. Also, if you haven’t been breaking in a pair for the last 8 months, pre-distressed is your friend, seeing that distressed jeans are huge this fall.
Several labels I recommend are as follows:
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APC - This French brand is phenomenal. I prefer their “New Standard Jean.”
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Baldwin Denim - Matt Baldwin & Co. are killing it with these jeans, and they’re located in Kansas City?!
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Imogene + Willie - There aren’t enough good things to say about this label. They stitch all their jeans in the back of their store in Nashville. In other words, you get a custom fit.
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Gap - They know how to do denim. For the price, you can’t beat these.
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Naked and Famous - These guys use Japanese selvage denim of the highest quality. Other designers using this same denim are twice the price.
Christmas is right around the corner, and your mom is still begging you for gift ideas. I think you know what to ask for, now.
