Introducing the WL-001 ‘Second Edition’: Same Jeans, Now Raw

What is up, denim people?! And happy 4th of July!

Okay, let's talk about something that's as dividing for denimheads as Coke vs. Pepsi, Blur vs. Oasis, or Macs vs. PCs (I'm a Coke, Oasis, and Mac guy, in case you care):

Raw denim vs. one-washed denim.

I'll admit—this one has me torn. I love raw denim, no doubt about that. But I'll always soak it before I start wearing it. And I’d never not wash it eventually. So, gun to my head, I’d probably choose one-washed.

That’s also one of the main reasons I chose to one-wash the first Weirloom jeans. I love the idea of breaking in denim from scratch, but I also wanted the fit and feel to be right from the first wear.

Still, I know some folks prefer it raw. At least one guy definitely does …

Back in April, during Kingpins in Amsterdam, I was on the phone with my friend Ruedi Karrer—better known as The Swiss Jeans Freak. He’d known about Weirloom since I first started working on it in 2023. And now that it was finally available, he was ready to place his pre-order.

But, in true Ruedi fashion, he just had one question:

The man has worn nothing but raw denim for five decades—and he never washes it.

I wasn't sure at first, but then I thought, why not?! So I held one pair back. And that got me thinking: maybe others would want the same option too.

So here it is:

The WL-001 'Second Edition' is now available for pre-order. Same jeans as the ‘First Edition’, just raw.

That means:

• Same 14.25 oz. Candiani selvedge

• Same fade-friendly Indigo Juice dyeing

• Same straight-leg, mid-rise fit

... just not one-washed. So you get to break them in from scratch and shape the fades completely on your own. They're shipping in the last week of August, just in time for Year 5 of the Indigo Invitational.

And yes, it’s summer now, I know. Shorts and linen are what you’re reaching for (I am too). But if you’re looking for a pair to break in from Sep 1, the WL-001 hits that sweet spot. The denim is solid and substantial, but still wearable year-round.

What Is Raw Denim?

Raw denim—also called dry denim—is denim that hasn’t been pre-washed or pre-distressed. No fake fades. Just deep indigo and stiff cotton, ready to be broken in by you.

And that’s the beauty of it: raw denim fades where you live, crease where you move, and tells your story over time. The more you wear it, the better it looks.

This new ‘Second Edition’ of the WL-001 is exactly that kind of denim.

First WL-001 Fits in the Wild

Last Friday, after I’d shipped out all the orders, I met up with a handful of local WL-001 ‘First Edition’ customers to see how the jeans fit them.

Same fit, same fabric, different bodies. A mind-blowing experience for me. I’d brought along my photographer, Brian (@oddhunt), to capture it.

The raw ‘Second Edition’ WL-001 will have the same fit.

Thinking About Getting a Pair of SOSOs?

If you’ve ever had SOSO’s website open in a tab for weeks—scrolling, browsing, measuring, but still not buying—you’re not alone. Their made-to-order model offers tons of freedom, but that choice can also feel like pressure.

This week, I’ve published a full breakdown of how to get your first SOSO order right—from picking fabric and fit to understanding the wait time and custom options.

Whether you’re already deep in the rabbit hole or just denim-curious, it’s worth a read:

Stay well,
Thomas

P.S. I’m officially on holiday starting today, and I’ll be out of the office for the next three weeks (we Scandinavians know how to vacation). For the first week, we’re heading to our family summerhouse on the Danish west coast. Replies might be a little delayed, but I will reply to all emails.