Jared_Lee

@nick682 would love to see some of those worn White Oak Greasers in the Left Field thread

Thanks, y'all. All credit due to TCB for making damn fine jeans and @volvo240thebest for organizing and motivating these contests. I just get the pleasure of living in them for the duration of the contests. For all the glorious fades in this contest, I do miss the more blog-style updates of past contests where it felt more like we were all sharing the lives lived in the jeans throughout the contest as much as we were flexing fades. Things change though and I certainly can't complain about how many folks have seen this contest through and presented so many beautiful examples not only of how well these jeans wear, but also how differently they wear depending on the wearer.

Denim updates, both fit and fabric. TCB has these spurts to its fabric aging. Six month and one year tend to mark a rapid progression in tonal shift and wear for me, both in the '50s and these S40s. Lovely jeans all around.

Thank you! Very much looking forward to a break from getting tattooed. It hurts! Haha. It's also a deeply satisfying feeling to view the complete suit and reflect on the 18-year journey I took to get here. Where are you located? Europe somewhere, right? If I'm ever fortunate enough to be traveling through, I will have to arrange something with you for a little denim nerd souvenir tattoo.

Happy NYE From NYC

Hi everyone! Still loving the updates. So many beautiful jeans in this contest, I'm still so pleasantly surprised. I don't have any pics to share this morning, but wanted to check in with you all anyway. I got my pair back from Self Edge a few weeks ago. It was my second round of repairs - some extensive crotch and bicycle seat darning, heavy wallet and key repairs on the right rear and now looking at some basic seam repairs making themselves known. While I was off these, my Left Field Greasers got a month of heavy wear. It took me a week or so to settle back into this comical rise. Really, really, really not my favorite top block, but the comfort of the fit and the fabric go a long way to make up for it. Hoping to get another trip to Mexico in before the contest is done. Sadly, the jeans missed my trip last month to see family for the first time in nearly two years (out for repair). Rented some motorcycles and rode the beautiful hills and coastline with my partner and my uncle. We made it to two California classics in motorcycling - Neptune's Net and Cold Springs Tavern. Over the last month I also completed my body suit with J Medina finishing up some web work, my partner sticking a little PMA into a gap and Steve Boltz closing it out with dots and stars over my entire lower half. I've attached some of those here for you. Happy Holidays and good health to you all in the coming new year.

You've inspired me, Maynard. I've mainly been listening to early '60s and before lately, but that track brought the Eddie Henderson vibes out.

@srudy my move is usually to wash more the older they get.

I was heartbroken the day I cooked my '50s contest patch (a month after the contest ended). Then I accidentally did the same with my Devi's patch. With the S40s, I have remained vigilant about treating the patch with Obenauf's before every wash. It's worked like a charm. I also recently used the Dr. Marten's tin on my Left Field patch. It also worked very well. But, if patch cooked evo is your thing, looking good! Haha.

What does the waist measure on those? I see you noted for Big measurements, but I don't actually see measurements. Thanks!

@efujobu1 I'm sized up to 33 from my usual 31 and achieved the extra thigh room desired. The waist will stretch to slouch, but not so big that they don't clean up with a belt.

I dropped my pair at Self Edge for repairs in early October hoping I'd have them back mid November for the final push to the end. I still don't have them back and feel the time slipping away! Haha. Been loving these White Oak Left Fields in the meantime though. As for the contest fades, lovely stuff from everyone. Even the middle-worn pairs I'm seeing have such grace in their indigo shades. A great contest with great participants all around. Is someone interested in pulling the Instagram hashtags for a Japan update here? I've seen some lovely stuff there as well.

With anti-theft interior chest pockets.

Is Warehouse running the same fabric as they did in 2012? If so, it's no contest for me. My 1001's from then have nothing to offer my 0105's in terms of faded indigo beauty. It's the warmth of the red caste in FC that I just don't see in fabrics other than the occasional White Oak creation.

@Cold Summer This confirms my opinion that FC standard fabric is the best indigo in the business, by a margin. So, so beautiful.

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.