ATWM

Where in Michigan were you? This is honestly one of my favorite times along the lake, for this very reason. I’ve been making pictures of it whenever I can the last few years. I couldn’t get there this year and was really gutted about it.

2 months in the 611. These are a little contrasty due to the direct sun, but I wanted to see where the fading was coming in. Also, after a Michigan winter you stand directly in the sun when you can. Coin pocket fade is my favorite so far.

Not looking ready for this full sun out here. Mostly the same..ish. Warehouse, WMJ, Redwings (in the shadows)

I definitely have had that same thought, would be happy to buy again. I really do like these jeans a lot. Would love if he had his own denim, maybe tailored towards his favorite / most popular model. That would put it over the top for me. Candiani makes nice stuff, maybe he could work with them? Who knows. Probably too much of a stretch for an operation of his scale so far?

I’ve probably seen a good amount of this, but yea - I haven’t seen (much) that I really wanted to actually wear. And that’s the thing in the end right? I don’t need repro jeans specifically, but it’s tough finding something that has the same charm and potential. Honestly, perhaps the biggest hurdle is finding cotton thread construction. From a business standpoint, I can see why they don’t do it. Probably a slew of complaints from customers not finding its traits desirable and not worth the durability tradeoff. I think if I didn’t care about that, my options would expand. Not that I need any right now. Maybe I haven’t looked hard enough yet - maybe that will be my goal next year.

Hits close to home. Social very much changed the career I loved (I would argue it ruined a lot of it, though I know others have a different take), and finding ways forward in it has been a really interesting path. There’s a wide world of stuff we have access to now, but a higher percentage of it than ever is just pure shit - whatever it is you’re talking about whether it’s music, clothes, art, etc. There’s arguably also, from an absolute standpoint, more of the good stuff than ever. I don’t want to overlook all the talented people making their thing and doing so with passion. But it so often gets drowned out, and the impetus for creators to be a business also is something that I’ve seen kill far off far too much good talent - but it will just drain you. Some sort of skill in relationship building has always been important for most people, but the landscape is so different now that it’s like you need to be a salesperson/internet marketer first. For me, no thanks. More power to all that can do it and keep their creative vision in tact. There’s a cultural critic named William Deresewiecz who has written well about this, now some years back. To answer your question more specifically, I don’t know why the hell Raleigh can’t figure out how to make a good pair of repros. I’m sure they can, but clearly they’re not interested. Not that I would cough up the $500 or whatever they would end up asking for them. I know they have some skilled people working there - or at least they did. Or maybe Tellason or Mister Freedom can get it done. Whatever LA factory MF uses, they have people who know how to make a good pair of jeans there. I don’t find the quality lacking at all versus Japanese made pairs for the most part. There are potential outlets. Maybe I’m even missing one that has done it. Maybe now that @rodeo bill is stateside he can ponder the potential of such a thing!?

I saw this. I’m really bummed about this, but not surprised really. I think the idea was good, the vertical integration, but the market just wasn’t there - or if it was then yea the operation was too messy. I only ever handled Vidalia denims a few times but to my mind I just didn’t love it, or even like it all that much. I didn’t need it to be White Oak, but I never was able to find anyone making stuff that I liked that also used unsanforized stock. I know I was too picky in some ways, especially as I first got in to good denim by being exposed to white oak and local supply chains. In a lot of ways I really want to get back to that mentality, supporting more local makers/stores etc - but the cost vs availability proposition takes a real adjustment. I still occasionally check in with what’s using Proximity stuff, but nothing has gotten me yet, and it’s so limited. Someone let me know when they see a good American maker sew up some good jeans with unsanforized Proximity stock using all cotton thread in a nice cut. Again, I’m too picky, I know. Thankfully I’ve got about 16 more months (I hope) in my current pair!

OA / WMJ / Shitkickers (blundstones).

@LoneWolfWelding I had that exact same damn boot not 3 months ago, only for a few weeks and hated every minute of it. Not directly from skateboarding but from an aggravating an old injury that originated skateboarding. 20 years with no big injuries is a heck of a run. Here’s to a speedy recovery.

Don’t think so. I think the 507xx ‘51 is the only one really, though others who know better I’m sure will say.

Perhaps that’s the deal with the 611.

I *think* the only unexpected detail (outside the model/size stamps) on my pair is that one of my twill pocket bags is selvedge (which is a favorite detail on my FW 601xx). I could be missing something though.

Nope.

I bought 2 pairs 2 years ago. Looks like that’s the best investment I’ve ever made.

I saw you googled but just wanted to give some peace of mind that it’s pretty accurate with my pair. It shrinks enough to hem after wash, but just barely. Seems to be on par with how sanforized jeans can shrink a little.