My Jeans 1st Birthday

I took my jeans down to Jean Shop for inspection on their first birthday.  I wanted to know how I was doing on the wearing-in project. 

This is what they looked like a year ago.

And what they look like a year later - after roughly 45-50 wearings.

As I made my way into the shop, I was looking forward to hearing what a great job I had done wearing them in.  It was late in the afternoon and the store was buzzing - literally, I think they had been hitting the tequila they have on display.  I approached the back of the store where the counter is and seemingly interrupted a conversation with what appeared to be a long time and loyal customer.

"Can I answer any questions for you?" the woman behind the counter asked me.  I was startled a bit because I though she'd immediately recognize that I had on their jeans.  And honestly, I was expecting some kind of recognition that I had them on.  I shook off the slight disappointment and took the opportunity to tell her it was jeans' first birthday and I was looking for evaluation on how the break-in was going.

She looked down at my jeans and shook her head from side to side.  Half in disappointment and half in dismissal.  Then pointed to the jeans her friend/customer was wearing:  "Those are only eight months.  You have a long way to go." 

I took a look at his jeans.  They looked nothing like mine.  They were loose, a softer shade of faded blue and he could fit his hands in the pockets quite easily.  It looked like he'd been wearing them for five years. They looked, well, comfortable! 

I had jean envy.  I asked if the jeans he was wearing were raw denim.  "Sure are", he said.  "I've had them for eight months."  "How did you get them to look like that?," I asked.   Turns out he wears jeans every day and rotates between only two pairs.  I did a quick calculation in my head.  He'd worn his around 120 times by my estimate.  He then told me he washed his in the tub a few times.  "Yep, when they get a little bit funky, I put 'em in the tub, let the water run through the legs a few times, then slide my hand down the outside just to brush off any dirt and stuff and them hang them up to dry in bathroom."  This guy is far more expert than me on wearing in jeans, I thought.

The woman behind the counter then called over the other salesperson.  A young guy in his thirties.  He asked me what was up.   By this time I felt like I had done it all wrong.  Like I had failed at wearing them in properly.  So I asked, "What am I doing wrong?  I've had my jeans longer than him and mine aren't nearly as worn in and comfortable."  "Simple, you gotta wear them more.  Wear them everyday.  Wear the heck out of them.  "See these?", he pointed down to the jeans he was wearing, "only six weeks old."  His did look even more worn in than mine. 

The sales lady interjected, "Don't be afraid to just live in them.  Don't treat them so precious, just live in them."  He added "Wear them more.  Wear them a lot.  I Wear mine every day.  Ten hours a day.  There's no substitute for just wearing them."  I thanked them for the advice and turned to leave the store.

I had come down with such high hopes, but I couldn't help leaving a bit ashamed.  Like I hadn't lived up to the store's expectations.  And honestly, like a denim amateur.  A real jeans person, I thought, could have  accomplished so much more. 

On my walk back to my apartment I started to think about how often I wear them, where I wear them and how I treat them.  Obviously 45 wears over a years time isn't nearly enough.  And I guess wearing them just a few hours some days isn't enough to get it done either.  But wearing these jeans 45 days over the course of a year really is a decent amount, considering I have four other pairs of jeans to get into the rotation, I rarely wear pants in the summer, and frankly, they are uncomfortable - still.  The waistband is rigid.  So is the seat and crotch area.  I'm sure if they were more forgiving I'd be more willing to wear them.

They do have a point about being too precious.  I have been precious with these jeans.  Maybe too precious.  I've never gotten them dirty or spilled anything on them or even gotten them wet.  Well, a couple time I did try misting the inside with a spray bottle of water to see if that would loosen them up.  It did for a while but then the next time I tried them on, they went back to being rigid.

The challenge for me is that I'd like to preserve the darkness of the denim, but make them more comfortable to wear. I guess there's still work to do.

Comments

[Misha Cornes]

Fuck those guys! You don't need some precious salesperson to tell you whether you have succeeded in wearing your own jeans right. Would you let a wine shop snob tell you were buying the wrong wine? Or a music store clerk tell you your taste in music was crap? It sounds like the whole experience is designed to make you, the denim mendicant, feel unworthy. If you don't happen to have the time or desire to wear raw denim everyday, then they sold you the wrong pair - it's their fault, not yours!

I'm a snobby urban hipster who wears the same pair of jeans 4-5 days a week, and I hereby pronounce you worthy!

[Rick Liebling]

David,

Are those pictures reversed? In the top photo they look faded, but in the bottom shot they appear much darker.

Oh, and I second what Misha said.

[Dave]

Thanks for the support.

The photos were taken with two different cameras. That could explain the difference in color.

[Ron]

Enjoyed the update. The photos show you are making progress - starting to lose indigo on the honeycombs and back pocket. Don't let the denim stiffness turn you away from raw denim. I actually like the new, shiney stiffness of raw denim, but many people do not. You can do as they do and consider soaking them in cold water (water only, no soap, do not run them through a washing machine cycle). Bathtub or large bucket works well. Soak for a several minutes to remove the starch. No agitation. Sometimes the water will turn yellowish or greenish. You could rinse them after the soak as well. Ideal if you can hang them up somewhere to drip dry without wringing the excess water out (the more you handle the wet denim the more likely you will lose indigo dye). Many think this will ruin the end result, but keep in mind that many raw denim jeans are shrink to fit and must be soaked first because they tend to shrink 2-4 inches in waist and length. And they still turn out fantastic with wear. Caveats. They will lose the new/shiny look. The color will change a little but will still be dark. They will likely shrink back to their original size but will normally stretch back out easier and quicker the second time (or put them on while slightly damp to shape them to your body). They will still feel stiff after drip dry but should quickly become softer without the excess starch. Just try to wear them often. Looking forward to your next update!

[Sam Karp]

I just came across this story with the headline: One year, one pair, zero washes. I think you might enjoy it! Link below...

http://flux.uoregon.edu/2008/the-well/one-year-one-pair-zero-washes/

[Fashion Bug Coupons Chick]

First of all this is a great post. I think I am going to take their advice and live in my 2 favorite pairs to break them in more.

[wholesale womens clothing]

I am a pants addict! I love to collect different kinds of pants in different colors. thanks for the post.

-mikee-

[across jeans]

Nothing beats the feel of worn in jeans. I wear mine everyday. They are actually more comfortable than most of my pants.

[Jaz]

"The challenge for me is that I'd like to preserve the darkness of the denim", can you really do that after years, that would be awesome, cause I had this one jeans superbly worn but is comfy as hell..., it's would be damn awesome if you can do that...