From Greta Garbo to James Dean, the illustrious blue jean have long represented American style, freedom, and quality — and as a result the cool jean culture has undeniably spread around the world.
Today, as we search for the perfect pair of jeans, the secret starts with raw denim. Blue jeans made from raw denim fit perfectly to the body throughout wear (before/after image on right).
Plus, raw denim cuts out additional toxic washes that create a pre-worn or vintage look — so you authentically create your own.
From Raleigh Denim in North Carolina to Tellason in San Francisco, California — read our full round up of best Made in USA jeans on Ecosalon.
image: second narrow
When you’ve finally found your favorite raw denim jeans, care and proper upkeep is crucial, but it’s not your usually laundry cycle. Understanding how to take care of raw denim is what gives the jeans their undeniable look. Like a vintage car, patience and attention is what keeps them special.
First, is the preliminary soak. Soaking your jeans when you first get them first will allow shrinkage of about 3 – 10%! Fill your bathtub with about 3 inches of warm water, and allow the new jeans to soak for about an hour. Then, hang the jeans to dry — folding them will add unwanted creases.
Next, don’t wash your raw denim jeans for 6 month, but no longer than 12 months at a time. It might seem absurd not to wash regularly but raw denim is a science. A little to gross for your taste? Place your raw jeans in a paper bag in the freezer for about 24 hours and this will kill the bacteria. Rawr Denim has a detailed guide on how to properly wash your raw denim jeans. For minor spills, use spot treatments. And once that 6 months is up, hand wash in a bathtub of warm water.
Fun fact: Did you know that in the sixties and seventies people used to wear their jeans wet or jump into the ocean to get them to be the perfect fit?