Denim Blunders, Reflections and General Nonsense.

[CSL]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNy2Nfb5M0E/?img_index=1

[reallypeacedoff]

I have always wanted to do a minitruck build inspired by denim. Natural leather for upholstery, ages with wear. Denim for the door cards. Contrast stitching. Copper steering wheel and shift nob. Maybe a deep metallic indigo blue paint with white rims and red brake calipers.

[tooth]

I haven't bought anything from Iron Heart in many years, but still get their emails. In their latest blast, they mention they're going to cover all duty fees associated with purchases made by US customers. Duty fees could be anywhere from 10% - 50%. I've got to say, this is pretty huge and kudos to IH for taking this on. 

[julian-wolf]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Their standard international markup is high enough that they should still be taking in plenty. Even if every other brand’s international partners did pass the tariffs directly on to customers, IH would still be one of the more expensive options, relative to domestic pricing

[efujobu1]

On 8/26/2025 at 8:36 AM, mlwdp said:

Proxy service World Shopping stopped shipping to USA temporarily.

edit: Japan Post.  DHL is fine for now it looks like.

 

I finally found the TCB jacket and ordered this past weekend to avoid tariffs. Now this 😭 It was accepted EMS on 8/26 so we’ll see what happens.

[tooth]

2 hours ago, julian-wolf said:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Their standard international markup is high enough that they should still be taking in plenty. Even if every other brand’s international partners did pass the tariffs directly on to customers, IH would still be one of the more expensive options, relative to domestic pricing

Agree, but it’s not like they have to do this. I thought it was still a pretty cool thing for them to take on.

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

9 hours ago, tooth said:

Agree, but it’s not like they have to do this. I thought it was still a pretty cool thing for them to take on.

They sort of have too. The mark up would likely make their items even more unreachable. 

[OutSider]

17 hours ago, tooth said:

Agree, but it’s not like they have to do this. I thought it was still a pretty cool thing for them to take on.

Yeah it’s so cool they aren’t going to gouge people even more. So generous of them. 
It’s the furthest thing from cool and it’s sad that it’s applauded at all.

Edited 6 hours ago by OutSider

[Cold Summer]

Yeah, I know this is my cynical side talking, but I feel like some brands/retailers are taking advantage of the tariff situation for performative PR flexing.

On the one hand I can't really blame Iron Heart for charging what the market is evidently willing to pay for their products, but it's a bit egregious when it's easy to find that the Japanese retail price is vastly lower than the international markup, beyond what can easily be accounted for by shipping/duties/etc. For myself (and I suspect, most denim fans who don't buy into the "ultra-tough" mythology of the brand), IH doesn't offer me a good value compared to brands like TCB or buying secondhand.

I have enough jeans and other casual clothing to easily last me through the next decade or more (factoring in routine repairs, etc.), so I'm not especially bothered by how this tariff situation affects my clothes-buying habits.

Edited 6 hours ago by Cold Summer