A.P.C.

[jeepster]

So, because the original APC thread has fallen to pieces, I (with tweedlesinpink permission) have restarted the thread fresh. The original thread will be locked, so please, use this thread as the starting point for all your APC denim needs. Also, feel free to post pictures of your APC's, faded and otherwise, but please - do not spam/flame this thread. I created this for the boards benefit and it should be used as such. Thanks!

[jeepster]

OK, here goes:

-APC New Standard: Normally, people like to size down between 1-3 on these. They are a straighter legged cut, wider leg openings, and a very standard profile - this is not to say that they are not tapered and slimming; they are, but less so than the NC. This has a lot to do with how much you size down on them: the more you size down, the slimmer the leg will be from the knee down. While they can be worn baggy or tight, that is to the wearer's discretion. New Standards are selvage denim, and if you refer to any picture of them, they will tell you so. NS now come in indigo and black raw denim, so you can go either way. The sizing on the black is a tad bit different due to the denim by affected by a different dye, but it should not affect the overall sizing. YES, these jeans do stretch, that is why you size down considerably from what your real waist is. Knee bulge will happen if you get them sized down considerably, but will not ruin your jeans. If you soak them, they will shrink some and assume a form closer to their original shape. Many dispute whether the indigo and raw black have sizing differences - I believe the raw black are a bit tighter due to the nature of the dye, but because they are APC's, the stretching property of the denim remains the same, and you can safetly assume that the jeans will stretch in time to conform to your body.

-APC New Cure: New Cures are very similar to NS, save for the fact that they do not have a visible selvage line and have a tapered leg opening. The silhouette is much slimmer and generally tighter. Most people size down only 1-2 (I sized down 2) on these. But, like other APC jeans, they stretch considerably after a couple weeks of wear. APC NC's have been made in indigo and a prewashed grey denim, and there has been no indication that they will be doing black, as of yet. The different between New Cures and Cures is just that, one is a more recent version of the other. The Cure, generally, has been the women's version of the NC, but APC seems to make jeans on a unisex level, so they can go either way.

-APC Rescue: I personally have not ever owned one of these, but from what I hear they are a fuller, straighter, and more utilitarian cut. Compared to the NS, the thigh is considerably wider, and from the knee down, the cut is very straight and accomodating. I have been told this is the cut for people with wider quads or thighs or even calves because it is cut to fit a fuller individual. It seems that many people size down 1-2 sizes from the tagged to achieve a comfortable look. Dunno if you can go tight with these like NS's or NC's, but if Rescue warer's want to chip in some info, I'll be happy to add it. They have a much wider leg opening, little to no taper across the board. Rescues are selvage with the visible selvage line like NS's.

DO NOT WORRY IF THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY STIFF WHEN YOU GET THEM, THAT IS THE NATURE OF QUALITY RAW/DRY DENIM. THEY WILL SOFTEN UP IN ~30 WEARS (2 WEEKS IF YOU WEAR THEM EVERY DAY). THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL BE FLIMSY, IT MEANS THEY WILL ADHERE TO YOUR BODY AND BECOME MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE. APC DENIM IS TOUGH AS NAILS AND THE ONLY REAL WAY TO RIP THEM IS TO DO SPLITS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL THAT IS.

SO, what have we learned:

-NS: size down between 1-3, if you're unsure, go 2 or 1. These are tapered-straight leg, and have a wider leg opening than NC's - selvage

-NC: size down between 1-2, if unsure, just 1. These are a tapered straight leg, and have a slimmer opening below the knee than NS's - selvage (selvage line is not visible due to taper)

-Rescue: size down between 1-2, more if needed. Straight leg, fuller thigh and calf area. Full leg opening, little to no taper - selvage

-APC inseams are usually as such: waist 25-30: 32-34" inseam/ waist 31-36: 34-36" inseam

-Many are confused why you size down from the tagged size with APC's - this is known as vanity sizing. This entails that the jeans are cut usually a size or two bigger than what they are tagged as, and because APC denim is normally raw, that they will stretch considerably from the tagged size. DO not fear sizing down, it is your friend!

-When soaking your APC's, it is generally best to do a 2 hour soak in hot water. I am prone to add ~2 small gobs of Woolite Dark, and when they are finished, rap them in a towel, pat till excess water is out, hang to dry, wear if you want them to stretch a bit.

-When washing your APC's, just wash them as you would any regular pair of jeans, but DO NOT put them in the dryer if you are afraid they might shrink too much. Cotton will always shrink when exposed to heat for extended periods of time.

-If you jeans do shrink a bit, do not fear, you can always just stretch them by hand. One handy method is when they are out of the dryer, get a clamp hanger, bring them somewhere where you have enough space to hold them out horizontally, make sure the clamps on the hanger are tight, and pull. This will stretch it a bit, but the most effective way to get your denim to stretch back out is to wear them dry. This may take a couple of hours, so consider washing your jeans on a weekend when you have nothing to do.

-APC's feel a little baggy? Do this to help them form up a bit more: do the steam shower method for removing the smell, take your time in the shower, and then once you are done, let them hang outside. Cotton naturally shrinks in heat, and the steam will tighten up the fibers and make them contract. Hang them outside and let them sit for a bit. When you put them on later, they will be a tad bit more snug than they were, but they will stretch out. This is not a permanent stretching method, this is just something I do to slim them up in the morning's before I put in a full day of wear.

-Smell Tips: As we all know, raw denim requires us not to wash our jeans for 6 months. Well, some of us sweat more than others (I know I do), so our jeans sometimes become a little riper than we want them too - never fear! Here are a few helpful tips to hold of the stench for a bit.

• Soak your jeans: Don't be afraid to give your jeans a nice soak, just follow the instructions I outlined before and they should be fine. If anything, they fade faster after a nice good soaking, and they smell less. They'll be a bit less starchy a stiff, but thats always a plus.
  
• Fabric Deodorants: Febreeze, bar soap, etc. Don't worry, their not harmful to your jeans. Febreeze is pretty self explanitory. For a quick fix, grab a bar of soap, some paper towel and do as follows. Rub the soap on the paper towel until theres visibly some soap on the towel. Add a bit of water if you want to make it less cake-y. Apply to smelly areas. Let hang for 10-15 minutes while they air out, and you're good to go. If you have other not-harmful-to-fabric deodorants, I'm sure you can utilize them they way you want.
  
• Don't be afraid to steam your jeans: Get a clamp hanger, run a hot shower, and bring your jeans in with you. Obviously, try not the get them wet, but sometimes its hard not too, don't worry, it can't hurt. Let the shower steam up, open up the buttons and let the steam get into the jeans as much as possible. This, usually requires a longer shower, so do it on an off day. Let them hang in the shower for a bit after you're done so they can get any exess steam.
  
• Hang them outside: Grab a clamp hanger, and hang them overnight outside. Pretty simple.
  
• Freezer Method: Fold up the jeans, put a little baking power on smelly areas, and let them sit overnight or for several hours. Should help to remove smell. Can't say if it will save your freezer from the smell though.
  
• Just wash the damn things if they smell that bad.[It's not the end of the world.
  
• If you get bugs, then thats kinda gross. You should wash them.

NS's, NC's, and Rescue's are all around $140 at most retailers that stock them. If you are unhappy with them once you receive them, do not worry, you can always resell them. There are plenty of people who would take a brand new pair of APC's w/ tags off your hands for close if not the same price as you paid. Also, do yourself a favor and try and go to a store to try them on, its the only real way to be sure of your purchase. NOTE TO RESELLERS/SECONDARY MARKET BUYERS: Ask for measurements... always! You can never be certain of your waist vs. an APC size unless you have proper measurements or are able to try them on! This is a biggie.

Places to Purchase APC Denim:

• http://www.apc.fr
  
• http://www.contextclothing.com
  
• http://www.barneys.com
  
• http://www.tobi.com
  
• http://helloblackbird.blogspot.com

I hope this will help everyone. I will revise this post every time I feel that there is more to contribute or if something is unclear. Feel free to contribute knowledge or correct me, but please do it in a courteous manner - I'm doing this for your benefit, so don't be a jerk. Thanks!

Good luck and enjoy your A.P.C's!

[tweeds]

^ what he said.

thanks jeepster

[meta]

APC New Standards at 14 months, washed often/ocean washed once.

To celebrate the new thread, I am going to take some good pictures of them and post them. They are at two years now.

[ioscan -fnk]

Anybody notice price increase for new standards on apc.fr....now $155.

[Charlie Delta]

For people who care:

A.P.C. stands for Atelier de Production et de Creation (that's French) and is started and still being designed by Jean Touitou. The label has been around since 1988.

[tweeds]

For people who don't remember:

Refinery29 interviewed Jean Touitou in 2005

read it at http://www.refinery29.com/archives/editorial-features/000211.php

[n0cturnal]

good thread, always wondered wat APC stood for. thanks cotton

[andrewyit]

do apc come in fakes? i went to this store and they have it tad cheaper and said its directly from factories. but she did say its the real deal. however, the tag doesnt say new standards as shown in some NS online. pls help. tq

also. where are APC made in?

[Clench Million]

okay here is a somewhat noobish question.

I have a pair of APCs I've worn pretty hadr and they are getting to that point I need to wash out all the dried up sweat, etc. I sized down 3, but they fit well right now... but won't if they shirnk any.

What should I do to wash them for maximum contrast/color loss but minimal shrinking? Or should I not worry about shrinking cause it will only be in areas that will stretch right back out?

thanks

[jeepster]

okay here is a somewhat noobish question.

I have a pair of APCs I've worn pretty hadr and they are getting to that point I need to wash out all the dried up sweat, etc. I sized down 3, but they fit well right now... but won't if they shirnk any.

What should I do to wash them for maximum contrast/color loss but minimal shrinking? Or should I not worry about shrinking cause it will only be in areas that will stretch right back out?

thanks

because all APC denim is sanfornized, shrinking will happen, but only minimally. once you wear them a bunch after the wash they will stretch out again like an unwashed pair. its in the nature of the denim.

[spacemanvt]

as a follow to the previous q, my apcs are 34" inseam. i dont want them to get any shorter.... so when i wash how do a minimize that?

pull on them while they are damp?

[tweeds]

A gift from me to you. It would be good if we could get this on the first post of this thread or something to stop with the repetitive questions that plague this thread.

EDIT: Thanks test and Whodinihimself for checking my mistakes! If anyone has anything else they wanna contribute' date=' just pm me. I did this at 4am so it was bound to have things left out.[/quote']

to recap...

[jeepster]

^thanks for that tweedles. i based a lot of my FAQ off the stuff i learned from that one. mines not a nice jpg though

as a follow to the previous q, my apcs are 34" inseam. i dont want them to get any shorter.... so when i wash how do a minimize that?

pull on them while they are damp?

-If you jeans do shrink a bit, do not fear, you can always just stretch them by hand. One handy method is when they are out of the dryer, get a clamp hanger, bring them somewhere where you have enough space to hold them out horizontally, make sure the clamps on the hanger are tight, and pull. This will stretch it a bit, but the most effective way to get your denim to stretch back out is to wear them dry. This may take a couple of hours, so consider washing your jeans on a weekend when you have nothing to do.

[sleazie ninja number 47]

Anybody notice price increase for new standards on apc.fr....now $155.

I bought a pair of NS a month or so ago at the Mercer store, and i just checked my receipt and it reads: "$170" including tax, is that possible? I thought they were $140. I guess the blacks cost moar?

[modual]

It would be good if we could get some common ground on where to measure your waist so people know what to size down from as i believe people have a different idea on where there true / natural waist is.Obviously ths causes alot of confusion in the denim threads.

For instance the slimmest part of my torso just above my navel is 31". 2 inches below my navel is 32". Lower rise jeans end up on my hips which is 33". So which measurement do i use in reference to sizing down on apc jeans ?

[Clench Million]

because all APC denim is sanfornized, shrinking will happen, but only minimally. once you wear them a bunch after the wash they will stretch out again like an unwashed pair. its in the nature of the denim.

Word, but is it advisable to wash them with hot water or do I risk shrinking up the legs and stuff.

[totally epic]

I bought a pair of NS a month or so ago at the Mercer store, and i just checked my receipt and it reads: "$170" including tax, is that possible? I thought they were $140. I guess the blacks cost moar?

No, my blacks were $140.

[Panda_Bear]

Great idea to restart this thread.

Meta's jeans are excessively sick.

Oh, by the way, incase anyone is interested, I'm trying to get rid of a pair of sz 26 NS, Indigo. Worn semi regularly for three months, and infrequently for three months. washed once. PM me for details and pics

[jeepster]

I bought a pair of NS a month or so ago at the Mercer store, and i just checked my receipt and it reads: "$170" including tax, is that possible? I thought they were $140. I guess the blacks cost moar?

like totally said, i think you got jipped :\ i was just in the APC store in december and all the jeans were still $140 as usual.

Word, but is it advisable to wash them with hot water or do I risk shrinking up the legs and stuff.

hot water will make them shrink more upon washing, but as i said, the nature of the denim is to stretch. cold water will shrink just as much, if not a little less.

before i give mine their first wash next week, i'll take BiG style measurements for pre and post wash. then pics of course.

[headtowall]

New Standard. 2 years. No repairs.

[ichapelle]

real nice my dude. I like how your pair are devoid of that yellowish tinge that alot of APCs develope after hard wear.

btw: how many washes and soaks?

[TonyxTony]

does apc new standard have this on their back pockets?

[totally epic]

No .

[khoiphan92]

New Standard. 2 years. No repairs.

Those are hot. but looks a bit pinched at the whiskers.

[plongin]

does anyone have experience with the apc khaki pants?

any word on whether they expand or not?

and sizing issues compared to the denim of the same models?

[mpcec]

Not sure if this was posted in the last thread, but I was recently in a waiting room and saw an interview with Jean Touitou in Details Magazine.

http://men.style.com/details/fashion/landing?id=content_6273

[synj_greatest]

If i put them in the washer what kind of cleaner/soap/detergent should I use?

[jeepster]

If i put them in the washer what kind of cleaner/soap/detergent should I use?

The APC guide says to use Woolite "Dark" which is Woolite Dark Colors. I've used a bit when I soak them, but I'm just gonna use normal detergent when I wash cause I want some more color to come out of them.

[Clench Million]

After the first wash, what washing schedule do you guys use on your APCs?

I just did my first and I dig how they look, but I could use some more ocntrast and overall color loss. I was thinking of going monthly now?