denim

[Brienneoftarth]

can anyone make a suggestion for a great pair od denim jeans. I am not into the faded, diesel, rogan etc look. I want a high qaulity pair that will last a long time. I'm not really interested in evisu as I dont want to look trendy but price is no object.

any help would be greeeatly appreciated!!!

[FRESH]

APC--> good price ($110); quality denim, good fit: Can't go wrong...

http://www.designwrk.com/

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

Price is no object? Get one wash R by 45rpm Aihiko's.

[Brienneoftarth]

where do I get those? and how much>?

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

R by 45rpm store in Soho (if you're in the US). They're about $750. If that seems a little crazy, they also do a line called Sorahiko at about half that price.

http://rby45rpm.com/aihiko.html

[Brienneoftarth]

damn that is intense, the most ive ever spent on a pair of jeans was 450 on some evisus like 3 years ago. Do you have a pair? in your opinion, are they worth it? whats so special about em?

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

I bought a pair of Sorahikos a few months back and I love them, but I felt they were overpriced to begin with so I couldn't see myself paying $750 for the Aihikos. (I guess if money really were no object I'd pick em up though, because they are fucking nice.)

The supposed big deal about the Aihikos is that they are dyed using vegetable indigo. After a couple of years worth of washing this creates a really unique green/blue color. If you have a chance to get to the store you should check them out as they have a bunch of different washes on display. The 45rpm cut is very classic so a lot depends on what you're looking for.

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

Oh yeah, one thing that the price tag on the 45rpms a little easier to take is that they'll repair any damage to the jeans for a couple years after they've been purchased. There was a guy visiting the store who had ripped the shit out of his by carrying a deck with the grip tape facing in and they were going to fix them up without charging.

[Brienneoftarth]

that sounds awesome...do u consider them to be your favorite jeans? or theyre not that great>? I loove the idea of them fixing them cus i try and bring jeans to a tailor sometimes with rips in the seat or inseam and they turjn me away. thanks for the info.

[peteyross]

Your philosophy on jeans sounds like this UK brand called Howies. They make a sweet 14oz selvage jean that is tough as hell. Check em out and order online at www.howies.co.uk (I don't work for them btw, I just think their website is cool if you read the material on it).

[Serge d Nimes]

for about $600 you can get some late 60's big E Levis in damn near deadstock condition. I would go that route, because they will go up in value. I've seen 45 Rpm jeans sell for less than $100 on the used market. Big E levis will alway be woth a lot of money and I think they look way cooler than 45 RPM.

Live is too short for bad denim!

[Brienneoftarth]

where could I get those bigE's?

[Brienneoftarth]

my other problem is im a big guy. i would prob want a size 38 for shrink to fit.

[johnmc]

Quote:

for about $600 you can get some late 60's big E Levis in damn near deadstock condition. I would go that route, because they will go up in value. I've seen 45 Rpm jeans sell for less than $100 on the used market. Big E levis will alway be woth a lot of money and I think they look way cooler than 45 RPM.

--- Original message by Serge d Nimes on Jan 27, 2005 10:59 AM

I agree - you can't beat the original synthetic indigo dyes

[poly800rock]

I agree too. Nothing better than a good pair of levis. Just get a pair of 501xx selvage ones and break them in.....in 6 months, you'll be fresh as hell.

I'm wearing nudie jeans now, they're really comfortable. the regular ralf.

[Serge d Nimes]

Ebay is the cheapest place to get vintage levis. vintage stores will usually charge quite a bit more than you would spend on ebay. I have a pair of beat up really dark big Es from the mid 60's that I wear to rockstar parties when I am in LA and I get a lot of compliments on them.

Live is too short for bad denim!

[Brienneoftarth]

hate to be a nuisance, but what would I search for in ebay to geta good pair and how can i tell they're legit>?

[johnmc]

A low number on the back of the top button (<u>6</u>, 5, 2) is a good indication - LVC repros have 555. search for vintage levi, highest price first, you'll have to sort through all the LVC stuff to find the real ones.

[Serge d Nimes]

exactly. usually if there is a single digit number on the back of the top button, the jeans will have single stitching on the tops of the back pockets. Single stitch jeans (even little e) have better looking indigo (darker) than later jeans. I think the last of the big Es have a 6 on the back of the top button, and you will find them in small e as well. Look for 2 color stitching and black bartacks (flags) on the back pockets. repros will have the following numbers: 555, 554, J24, 886, R and probably more. 555 denotes the SF factory(closed for good,) J ones are from Japan, R ones are contracted out. I've seen some hidden rivet jeans with W and J, but most have no number. The holy grail of levis are hidden rivets with a real leather tag (not to mention bucklebacks.) Levis were not real popular till about 1955, (due to Brando and Dean) and that is when quality went on its downhill ride till 1982, when the jeans became garbage.

Live is too short for bad denim!

[Serge d Nimes]

Sorry for taking up so much bandwith but here are some pics of some nice Levis jeans. the ones on the left are Big E from about '66, witha 2 on the back of the top button. These are the coolest jeans I have vever seen. They look worn to hell and hardly ever washed. They are true Hippy jeans. they have major drags and I repared the crotch with selvage denim form an apron. the middle is a pair of 2 wash, no soap 1947 repros that are 3 years old. on the right are the 1966 Pillion repro from LVC. I have owned about 60+ repro Levis and these are the coolest. What a bargain at $200. oh, and the red tab on real levis big e is made of viscose hich is a really nice red color and soft, the repros have thirs made out of some type of rigid nylon, and it doesn't curl like the real ones.

Live is too short for bad denim!

[ringring]

very nice.

[johnmc]

My current favourites - late 60's 501. Other things to look for are single stitching on the waistband, V stitch by the top button and selvage in the coin pocket

[wild_whiskey]

NICE collection Serge.

[jamie]

big fan of ICR Vs. Deth Killers. Mine are really hanging in there and taking a beating without wearing out too fast. Solid cut and straightforward, no fake wear and tear. The hot items in the line can be tough to find if you don't jump on them when the collection comes out. Hear the new lines rolls out this weekend or next or there abouts.

[wild_whiskey]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52882&item=6739076399&rd=1

take a look at those, might be around what youre looking for.

Edited by wild_whiskey on Feb 1, 2005 at 04:10 PM

[rhythmandsound]

whoa, nice one ww: hadn't seen a pair of the rigid 1955's...

[johnmc]

they have them cheaper here: http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/webapp/aeroleather/servlet/AeroViewPage?page=displaysubcatlist&subcatid=106 they also have the japanese lee 101 repros which imo are better quality

[Serge d Nimes]

thanks for the aero site! they make the reproduction leathers for levis vintage clothing. their work is flawless. thats a nice pair of big E's you got there! I see the V stitch, you have hidden rivets on those?

Live is too short for bad denim!

[johnmc]

no rivets but they have selvage in the coin pocket - from'66-68

Edited by johnmc on Feb 4, 2005 at 07:44 AM