I've been wearing my 0105ss' (size 33 purchased from Bears) for the past couple of weeks and the waist has stretched out quite a lot. I was curious to see how a 32 would fit me and since Bears was sold out, I purchased a size 32 from Rodeo Bros. I figured I'd just sell whatever pair I didn't end up choosing.
When I first got my 33's from Bears, I noticed the leather patch was hard as a rock, truly super stiff, and crinkly. I thought, hmm they must have a pretty aggressive factory wash. They were lots of hard creases throughout the fabric everywhere as well, like someone washed and tumble dried them on hot. Minus the patch, I figured any creases would come out with another wash, and not handling any FC denim before, I thought this was maybe the norm for jeans with their one wash treatment.
I got the 32's from Rodeo Bros yesterday and I was a little surprised at the difference. The patch is very supple, no visible creases anywhere, and even the hand feel is slightly different, perhaps slightly more rigid.
I'm not upset or anything, I just think it's interesting. Is it possible Bears did an additional wash to try and squeeze out any further shrinkage? Or perhaps it was returned by a customer who did their own wash, but then that means they would of had to attach the pocket flasher and tags? Curious to know if anyone else has experienced this.