I love the fact that there's so much to learn about denim. Today I spent some time on Wikipedia, reading up about denim, when I stumbled onto a page on Selvage denim. Made me think of getting my hands on a pair soon.According to Wikipedia, "Selvage denim (also called
selvedge denim) is a type of denim which forms a clean natural edge that does not unravel. It is commonly presented in the unwashed or raw state. Typically, the selvage edges will be located along the out-seam of the pants, making it visible when cuffs are worn. Although selvage denim is not completely synonymous with unwashed denim, the presence of selvage typically implies that the denim used is a higher quality." "The word "selvage" comes from the phrase "self-edge", the natural edge of a roll of fabric. In this case, denim made on old-style shuttle looms. These looms weave fabric with one continuous cross thread (the weft) that is passed back and forth all the way down the length of the bolt. As the weft loops back into the edge of the denim it creates this “self-edge” or Selvage. Selvage is desirable because the edge can’t fray like lower grade denims that have separate wefts which leave an open edge that must be stitched. Shuttle looming is a more time-consuming weaving process that produces denim of a tighter weave resulting in a heavier weight fabric that lasts."
If you want to read more for yourself, the denim page on Wikipedia has lots.
Selvedge denim has been around for a minute. As a matter of fact, that's how they made denim before they started using large looms. It not necessarily better denim, because that still depends on the cotton and indigo dye. It just means it was produced on a smaller loom where the tighter tension creates better textures.
ReplyDeleteVintage selvedge jeans go for a pretty penny, because of the rarity of them, but many Japanese companies create some of the most interesting selvedge fabric in the world. You should check them out.
I had a look at Evisu, and they produce a really nice series of jeans which they call NO.1, NO.2, NO.3, etc. I'm not sure how many styles or numbers, but they're made from Selvage denim, and for sale at my favourite store Red Devil, right here in Gothenburg. Just over 2000kr.
ReplyDeleteGreat to be included in my chinos collection. Since it looks trendy and wearable might as well includes this in my ensemble. Prob is is don't know to mix and match when it comes to denim as compared in what to wear with chinos which i believed i am good at.
ReplyDeleteHi Jake, there's a really nice pair of Dr.Denim chinos called Donk. Search in the right bar. They do one version in denim. So it's a Chino cut with denim material. I have a pair and they're really great.
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