This week, I gave the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide a full overhaul. It’s now more than ever the best place on DH to start your fade journey with a budget-friendly pair.

I’ve written previews of all pairs on the list below. But first, there’s something else I need to tell you:

Production of the ‘First Edition’ of my Weirloom WL-001 jeans is underway, with shipping (still) set for the end of June. A few jeans are still available from stock (they’re not technically ‘on stock’ yet, of course).

Meanwhile, the Second Edition is already in motion!

Same fit. Same features. Same 14.25 oz. Candiani selvedge. But with one change: the Second Edition will be offered as raw (unwashed).

Candiani is weaving the denim right now. The jeans will be made in Portugal before the summer shutdown, and ready to ship in mid-August—just in time for Year 5 of the Indigo Invitational.

I’d be ecstatic to see some WL-001s in this year’s fader lineup. One-washed or raw, your Weirlooms will be eligible to join!

I’ll share more about it here, but if you think you might be interested in getting a pair, CLICK HERE (and sign up for my Weirloom newsletter).

Okay, now to the Budget jeans update:

Gustin – Crowdfunded Selvedge Jeans (from $89)

Gustin’s selvedge jeans come in slim, straight, and skinny fits, made in the USA from rotating Japanese, American, and Italian denim.

The pre-order model keeps most pairs under $150, making them a smart pick for value-focused buyers who want quality without the retail markup.

Wholesale-Style Selvedge, Made in the USA

• Direct-to-consumer model with no retail markup

• Made in the USA from global selvedge (mostly Japanese and Cone)

• Slim, straight, and tapered fits with simple, modern lines

• Most pairs under $150, with rotating fabric drops

• Pre-order and in-stock options available

Read more about Gustin in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Brave Star – Made in LA (from $118)

Brave Star’s selvedge jeans are sewn in Los Angeles using Cone Mills and Japanese denim, with entry-level pricing that makes made-in-USA jeans more accessible than ever.

Their wide fit range and rugged construction offer standout value for denimheads chasing durability without the markup.

American-Made Jeans With No-Frills Value

• Made in Los Angeles from Cone Mills and Japanese selvedge

• Entry-level pricing with classic American authenticity

• Slim, straight, tapered, and wide-leg fits available

• Heavyweight options up to 25 oz.

• Chain-stitched hems and tucked belt loops as standard

Read more about Brave Star in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

SOSO – Raw Denim, Your Way (from $209)

SOSO’s selvedge jeans are custom-built in their Bangkok workshop using mid- to heavyweight fabrics from Japan, Europe, and beyond.

With tailor-made sizing, a wide range of fits, and full control over details, they’re an ideal choice for denim fans who want something truly personal—without the retail markup.

Custom Selvedge Built to Your Specs

• Tailor-made selvedge jeans starting at $209

• Choose from ready-made fits or submit your own measurements

• Mid- and heavyweight selvedge from Japan, Italy, and deadstock mills

• Customise rise, fly, pockets, thread, hardware, and more

• Built in-house by SOSO using vintage machines

Read more about SOSO in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Benzak – European-Made Selvedge (from €178)

Benzak’s EU line delivers clean fits and strong fades without the premium markup. Sewn in Portugal using Japanese and Italian selvedge, these jeans combine Dutch design with rugged construction—ideal for denimheads who want heritage fabrics in refined, everyday silhouettes.

Signature Fits and Fabrics Without the Premium Price

• Four core fits: slim tapered, regular straight, regular tapered, relaxed tapered

• Sewn in Portugal using selvedge from Candiani (Italy) and Collect (Japan)

• Chain-stitched hems, tucked loops, and custom hardware

• Signature denims include Special #2, Kojima Selvedge, and RCI

• Built for comfort, character, and long-term wear

Read more about Benzak in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

TCB – Repro Jeans at Honest Prices (from ~$175)

TCB specialises in vintage reproduction jeans inspired by mid-century Levi’s, built entirely in their own Kojima-based factory.

With proprietary Japanese denim and faithfully old-school construction, these are some of the most authentic repro jeans available—at prices that seriously undercut the competition.

Japanese Repro Denim Without the Repro Markup

• Inspired by 1940s–60s Levi’s patterns and fits

• Sewn in-house on vintage machines in Kojima, Japan

• Proprietary selvedge denim woven in Okayama

• Signature models include the high-rise 50s and straight-leg 60s

• Features like tucked loops, hidden rivets, and paper patches

Read more about TCB in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Japan Blue – Modern Made in Kojima (from $215)

Japan Blue’s Circle line combines classic construction with approachable fits and strong fade potential—designed in Kojima and sewn entirely in Japan.

With proprietary selvedge and silhouettes built for Western body types, they offer top-shelf quality just below the premium price threshold.

Japanese Selvedge with a Clean, Modern Fit

• Fully made in Kojima by Japan Blue Group (makers of Momotaro)

• Proprietary Japanese selvedge with strong fading potential

• Classic and contemporary fits with roomy top blocks and gentle tapers

• Chain-stitched hems and branded hardware

• Great option for under $225 with authentic Japanese build

Read more about Japan Blue in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Sugar Cane – Everyday Repro Denim (from ~$195)

Sugar Cane has been making selvedge jeans in Japan since 1975, blending vintage reproduction with modern-day wearability.

Their core models recreate mid-century Levi’s fits and fabrics, built with true-to-era details—and priced for everyday wear, not just collectors.

Vintage-Inspired Selvedge, Built to Wear

• Inspired by 1940s–60s Levi’s cuts and construction

• Made in Japan using custom-woven selvedge on Toyoda shuttle looms

• One-wash options available; most pairs ~$190–215

• Fan-favourite fits include the SC41947, 2009, 2021, and 1947 Type III

• Features like iron buttons, hidden rivets, and paper patches

Read more about Sugar Cane in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Naked & Famous – Wild Denims (from ~$145)

Naked & Famous is known for pushing boundaries, but their core line is all about solid fades, Japanese selvedge, and made-in-Canada construction.

With a wide range of fits and fabrics—from purist indigo to bold experiments—they’re perfect for denimheads who want quality and character at a fair price.

Japanese Fabrics, Canadian Craft, Zero Fluff

• Mostly made in Canada using Japanese selvedge

• Core fits include Weird Guy, Super Guy, and Easy Guy

• Essentials include indigo classics, slubby textures, and blacked-out basics

• Chain-stitched hems, branded rivets, leather patches, visible selvedge ID

• Limited editions made in Japan also available

Read more about Naked & Famous in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Unbranded – No Branding, All Fade (from ~$100)

Unbranded strips selvedge denim down to the essentials: no logos, no gimmicks—just clean construction, Japanese fabric, and classic fits.

It’s a favourite entry point for raw denim beginners and a reliable daily driver for fade veterans.

Pure Selvedge at an Unbeatable Price

• Made in Macau with Japanese selvedge

• 12.5–18 oz. options in indigo, black, and natural weft

• Core fits include Skinny, Tapered, and Straight

• Chain-stitched hems, hidden back pocket rivets, and YKK hardware

• Minimalist branding: just a blank leather patch and selvedge ID

Read more about Unbranded in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …

Edwin – Japanese Selvedge Heritage (from ~$200)

Edwin has been at the heart of Japanese denim since 1947. Today, the brand balances its vintage roots with global reach—offering both Japanese-made jeans with heritage details and European-designed styles with sharp modern fits.

Two Collections, One Legacy of Quality

• Edwin Japan: rope-dyed selvedge, vintage-style construction, made in Japan

• Edwin Europe: clean silhouettes designed in Europe, often using Japanese fabrics

• Signature fits across both lines, built for comfort and durability

• Strong fade potential with understated branding

• Available globally through regional distribution

Read more in the Budget Selvedge Jeans guide or …