Denim Essentials and Heavyweights Worth Your Attention This Week

Monday evening this week, I set a new record:

In just a little more than an hour, I hammered out a blog post, a newsletter, and an Instagram post—all about the KATO giveaway (more on that below). So that was the first newsletter this week. On Wednesday, I sent out a reminder.

Normally, I only write to you once a week on Fridays. So if you’ve already seen me pop up twice in your inbox this week (and you feel it’s a bit much), don’t worry, most weeks, I only send out the weekly roundup on Fridays.

And this week, there’s plenty to cover: an oxford shirt review, a refreshed Selvedge Masterlist, a just-published Realign buying guide, and a heavyweight update from SoSo.

Tellason Oxford Shirt Review

The San Francisco brand is surely best known for jeans, but Pete and Tony make pretty great shirts too.

The oxford shirt has always had a split personality; Ivy League preppy on one side, rebellious cool on the other. Classic, but never conservative.

Tellason’s version is Italian-made, built from original basket weave cloth, and has subtle details. It’s versatile enough to go untucked with denim, tucked-in sharp, or layered into a Canadian tuxedo remix.

Bottom line: If you think oxfords are too “bookish,” this one might change your mind.

The Selvedge Masterlist—Now With Fades

We’ve pushed a major update to our Ultimate Jeans Guide. The big win: for nearly every pair on the list, you can now see how they look faded.

That means real-world results, not just raw beauty shots. (Two entries don’t have fade examples yet—one is my own brand, which is still too new to have worn-in pairs.)

Highlights you can jump to without hesitation:

• Iron Heart 634S (21 oz.) — the heavyweight essential.

• Samurai S710XX (19 oz.) — katana-sharp contrast.

• Big John RARE 009 (15.5 oz.) — fast, addictive fades.

• Oni Secret Denim (20 oz.) — texture first, magic later.

• Warehouse 1001XX (13.5 oz.) — vintage feel, everyday wear.

If you’re shopping for a forever pair, this is the place to start:

Realign Guide: A Denimhead’s Dream Come True

You probably know Robin Meijerink from Robin Denim. He’s spent years spotlighting great fades, and a few years ago, he channelled that obsession into his own brand. His jeans are made in Kojima, small-batch, and designed with fading front and centre.

Besides the aura of Robin (which is reason enough to get a pair), what makes Realign worth a closer look is the tight focus: Three fits and a handful of fabrics, all with distinct personalities.

Whether you want a comfortable taper, a sharp slim, or a classic all-rounder, there’s a Realign cut to match—and the denims themselves are some of the best Japan has to offer.

I put together a guide to help you pick your fit and fabric:

Last Call for the KATO Giveaway!

I’ve already sent you at least one email about this giveaway earlier this week, but here’s your last reminder: if you’ve been thinking about it and haven’t entered yet, now’s the time.

The prize pack is worth more than $900—jeans, a flannel, and the denim jacket. Basically a full autumn outfit.

The giveaway closes Monday, so don’t wait around.

SOSO Heavyweight Season Is Here!

The SOSO Brothers are back with fresh heavyweight drops—and a new veg-tanned patch design to go with them. The line-up includes:

• 20 oz. Ghost Selvedge (indigo + black)

• 25 oz. Ghost Selvedge

• 33 oz. TBOL (The Breaker of Legs)

But the real big news? No hidden costs. The price you see now includes everything—no taxes, customs, or VAT surprises.

If you’re ready to put in some serious miles (and fades), this is the season to do it. So what’s the best way to start your journey with SOSO? I guess my buying guide? 😄 

That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading along. As always, reply and let me know what you think, or just tell me what you’re wearing and fading.

See you next week,
Thomas