The Best Slim Fit Selvedge Jeans (and Other Stuff I've Worked On This Week)

Time flies when you’re having fun, right?! It’s been one of those weeks for me.

With fewer consulting commitments at the moment, I’m free to work on other projects. First and foremost, I’m giving Denimhunters more attention (hence this weekly newsletter). I’m also in dialogue with an upcoming Copenhagen-based trade show about helping them sign on more denim brands. Plus I’m working on some promising consulting leads.

It’s all very exciting! And honestly, also a little bit scary. But I’m giving it everything I’ve got to give! Thanks for subscribing and for your support 💙

BUYING GUIDE

Perfect-Fitting Jeans that Also Fade Beautifully?

Fashion’s needle is always in motion. Today, wider legs are all the rage. Tomorrow, skinny jeans might make yet another comeback (though we hope not). 

What remains constant is the slim straight cut, which is neither tight nor loose. It’s the bread and butter of the selvedge scene, and, whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced veteran, a pair of slim-fitting selvedge is an excellent place to start a new fade journey.

Bryan’s scoured the world of well-made selvedge jeans and picked out our absolute favourite pairs. If you’re looking for great fades and great fits, these pairs should be at the top of your list.

MY TOP 3 SLIM FITS

As a father of two, I know it’s impossible to pick a favourite among your children. It’s not all that different when I tasked myself to pick a top three from the list of slim fit jeans that Bryan’s put together.

Still, after thinking long and hard about it, I’ve narrowed it down to these three, which coincidentally represent Japan, the US, and Europe:

Iron Heart 777-142 (14 oz.)

Iron Heart’s slim-tapered cut (one of the brand’s most popular fits) charts a comfortable middle course between their super-slim 555 cut and their straight 634 cut. Following the line of the leg, they taper as they fall towards the cuff, but not so much that they hug the ankle.

The 14 oz. selvedge is the lightest denim in Iron Heart’s line-up. It’s remarkably comfortable, and, with daily wear, you can expect to see your pair fade quite quickly. You don’t need to work construction or ride motorcycles to bring the absolute best out of this denim. 

This denim produces beautiful contrasts, but if you want those thick combs and whiskers, head up the scale with the brand’s signature 21 oz. selvedge or their superheavyweight XHS. 

Benzak B-01 (15.5 oz.)

Lennaert Nijgh, Benzak’s founder, was a denim forum regular until he started his own brand, which he still runs out of a small studio in Amsterdam.

With nearly imperceptible details like the hidden coin pocket and the gracefully curved top block, Benzak’s pairs slide on easily and move easily through polished and rugged spaces. They’re a great entry point for newcomers, but they are just as good for experienced denimheads who want a lot of bang for their buck.

This pair, made from 15.5 oz. selvedge milled in Kojima, are about as unfussy as it gets. Just a great slim-fitting pair primed for brilliant fades.

Tellason John Graham Mellor

Proudly made in San Francisco from Japanese denim, Tellason’s slim straight fit, John Graham Mellor, borrows the name of the lead singer of the Clash (better known by his stage name of Joe Strummer).

The 16.5 oz. selvedge was milled for the brand by Kaihara Mills in Japan. Tellason once used America’s Cone Mills denim for their pairs, but they were forced to look across the Pacific when the legendary mill, who supplied Levi’s during their most iconic years, closed its doors for good.

The no-nonsense pair have been behind some legendary fades over the years. Slim through the thighs and around the knees, you can expect them to produce beautiful whiskers and combs if pushed hard enough.

UPDATE FROM LINKEDIN

20 Years of Brund (12 years and counting for me)

Since 2012, Brund has been a significant part of my professional journey.

I started working there weekly while studying and continued for a couple of years before stepping away to focus on my consulting.

In 2018, I rejoined the team in a smaller capacity—just a shift or two a month—but Brund has always felt like home.

This year, the store celebrates its 20th anniversary. While I haven’t been involved in the product development side of things, I’m creating content for the launch of the upcoming Iron Heart x Brund collab (which will be release on Thursday next week).

Now that I have more time on my hands, I’m excited about the possibility of taking on more projects like this.

If you’re looking for help with content creation, brand storytelling, or creative consulting, I’m open to new opportunities—let’s connect on LinkedIn!