Jared_Lee

Quick pic of a washed and tumbled comparison between NOS White Oak and new Vidalia. Not sure if rag & bone used the same Vidalia that Left Field is using, but a sharp contrast in look to these fabrics. The White Oak does not shrink nearly as much as the VIdalia (both sold as Sanforized). But in looking at the textures of the fabrics, it appears that the Vidalia is less processed after weaving (there are a few more steps other than just Sanforizing that White Oak did to their fabrics) so it would make sense. Vidalia is hairier, but nothing compares with that in-house dye of White Oak. It's so warm, so rich, so red. It's exactly what I want from American blue jeans. Looking forward to giving these LF a run while I wear my Vidalia's at work. Cheers.

Play the game by the rules you choose, @bartlebyyphonics. Looking good.

That's what I'm talking about, @Yot!

Hello everyone! Some beautiful jeans in this contest. Honestly, these are the best, most widespread quality pairs I think I've ever seen in a contest. Well done, folks. Mine were sent off to Self Edge for a second round of repairs today. I took some update pics after the wash.

Thanks, @bartlebyyphonics. The last few years have felt more like, "Ok, I'm ready for 40 already." Haha. 20s were for drinking my face off. 30s for growing tired of it and eventually drying out. More recently, it's been actually being present for life and engaging with living it. I'm looking forward to these 40s.

Thanks, @MJF9!

Many photos coming, be warned. I turned 40 this last week and took a motorcycle trip through some of the Eastern Seaboard. We rode into Mystic, CT from Brooklyn and stayed the night. We visited the historic seaport along with their little old town village where we had very contemporary vegan donuts and coffee. It was nice to see that they recognized the singular history they had been telling and had erected a series of "The Sea Unites Us" plaques to tell stories of the ocean not belonging to exclusively white men. Met an old timer there with a great old time Americana tattoo. Our second stop was Provincetown, MA. Just gorgeous everything: food, people, queerdos, bungalows and weather. We stayed for two nights and could easily have stayed longer. After that it was a pit stop overnight in Springfield, MA where we blew the opportunity to get pictures of the bikes in front of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame that was literally across the parking lot from our hotel. *face palm* It was a lovely way to usher in a new year. I think the 800 or so miles whipped a bit of indigo out the jeans. I'll be washing and documenting again soon. Loving the updates everyone! So many gorgeous pairs. I wouldn't know where to cast a vote.

I picked up a pair of 710s at Blue In Green on Monday. My initial impression was confirmed on comparison today - the size 33 710 is nearly identical in fit and shape to my size 30 Full Count 0105 from 2013. I know the 0105 has now become a true relaxed cut, but back then it was still pretty slim. I think the 1108 now is more similar to the 0105 from back then. Anyway, lovely pair of jeans. I've really been enjoying a lower slung slim fit as my alternative to so much high, straight and wide in my S40s and Rickson chinos. I'm excited to start wearing in the fabric and seeing how it compares with the Warehouse and Full Count softer, more subtle fabrics than the slightly bolder TCBs and Devi's. I've been eyeing them for a few years and stoked to finally take the plunge!

I don't know how current banner denim compares with 2013 banner denim. It could be the same for all I know. I have both Warehouse and Full Count stock fabrics from back then that I've worn a lot. While they are very different fabrics, some of the core qualities that I love about them are shared. Can't wait to hear what you think!

And one with jeans from the Hawk's Nest last weekend.

Some rainy day bicycle work. I roached my drivetrain riding through the snow sludge during the winter and it was time to replace it. I used some spare parts first just get clear that the drivetrain was the crunchy issue, not a bottom bracket or wheel hub. First picture is the spare parts setup ugly as sin. Second is a little creativity getting the 1/8" master link to work with the old 3/32" chain. Not an ideal fix, but slip an extra plate on the 1/8" link and snug goes the snap clip. Replace the rear cog and clean the hub. Replace the sprocket and clean up the filth around it. Degrease and grime the chainring bolts. Measure the chain out for the new drivetrain and break the link to fit. Good as new 46/16 drivetrain for decent top-end fixed, but manageable for up and over the bridges every day. Might be time now to switch back to some aluminum toe clips.

In order of a mix I've been listening to a lot lately:

A little prewash update.

@cause4pause - this was a post in the Deviant thread from May 2020. Years later the jeans live on. I've never been super consistent with wearing these. Initially, the size was too big for my taste (32 where I'm a true 30). I've since grown to like them oversized, though not for every occasion. Been off and on about the length, but never wanted to hem further as my taste always changes and I didn't want to shorten these to a point of no return. Thankful I didn't as I learned to ride a motorcycle in these jeans and the extra length is needed for boots in the seated position on the bike. I've put a lot of miles in with them, but not a lot of labor. So here they are today.

@cause4pause, the other thing we haven't discussed is taste over time. Personal tastes change and evolve. Don't sell them just because you don't like them now. Keep them even if you don't like the fit at all right now. In two or three years, it may be the exact fit you're after. If they weren't Roy's, I don't think it would be so worth it. But similarly, I held onto Deviant contest jeans for years before I fell in love with the cut. I did that because I was never, like never ever, more never than finding those 30 Peanuts never, ever going to be able to buy them again. Now they're one of my favorite jeans I own.