Is SELVEDGE Denim BETTER?

Is selvedge denim better? I get asked the question a lot . And to be honest, there is no easy answer. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't... it is entirely dependent on what you are looking for in a pair of jeans. With this video, I hope to give you a little background knowledge along with some questions to ask yourself to help you decide if selvedge denim is better for YOU.

What makes selvedge denim, selvedge denim? 01:20
Myth Busting non selvedge denim: 05:18
Myth 1. The Self Edge doesn't fray: 03:26
Myth 2. Denim woven on shuttle looms is more tightly woven: 04:18
Myth 3. Selvedge Denim is more durable: 05:12
The questions to ask yourself when deciding on selvedge or non selvedge denim: 07:46

Twitter: @ropedye

[HereForTheStories]

Think this is your best video yet? Extremely coherent, great structure and clear conclusions. Superb job.

[PlazDreamweaver]

Finally, I have my question answered. And the answer is as expected. I recently bought a pair of selvedge jeans from Kato, as I, around 2 months ago, found out and did some studying on selvedge denim. I found that if I'm looking for quality denim, looking at selvedge will filter out a lot of the crap. Selvedge doesn't directly imply higher quality, but it does correlate with it. And I was really pulling out the wallet after my nightmare with luckybrand's black jeans. That brand makes their clothes out of chewed up wet tissue paper, and their jeans are the worst offenders. They came de-threaded on the hems and pockets, stitching freyed and appearing as if someone's cat got to them. And they faded to white around the points of tention within a few months. Absolute nightmare. But hopefully with Kato, I'll have a black pair that's well-crafted. My blue pair from The Buckle are the highest quality, best fitting, and most comfortable jeans I've ever own or tried on. And they look like they did when I bought them brand new 5 years ago. I hope these jeans from Kato can meet, or at least come close meeting, those expectations.

[TamTran-nyol]

so i would put it this way:

the best regular demin is as good as the best selvedge

on the spectrum of denim, selvedge ranges from good to best.

on the spectrum, regular denim ranges from worst to best

so in a double blind test, if you were presented a selvedge jean, you can rest assured its at least a good pair of jeans

but with regular jeans you dont know what end of the soectrum you're at

[BrierJacobson]

I’ve been a selvage denim fan for a few years now, lots of nudie jeans and vintage redline Levi’s in the collection... but if we’re talking favorite denim in a fabric sense, it would be my pair of raw denim Kevlar blend jeans from Mr. Clarke x The Shop Vancouver. Fades really nicely and the denim is dense, plus the Kevlar will make them last really long. If you’re looking for the heritage, classic, nostalgia route, Left Field NYC makes great reproductions of jeans from the 50s in both styling and fabric choice. But there are many non-selvage jeans that have those same great qualities!

[xCreepyKidsx]

I have some heavyweight selvedge 21.5oz and 18oz that I know are durable and will hold up well because of my time in them, BUT I also have some lighter Cone Mills selvedge that got a hole in the thigh from a tiny abrasion when I picked up some firewood. I have Levis I've worn for 10+ years that are still looking brand new without a single rip or hole to be found. To that end I've also had other mass produced jeans that the bottom cuffs ripped from walking, had holes from pocket carry, etc. It all boils down to the amount of effort and quality they decide to put into the denim.

[Kaybee]

Prison Blues are non selvedge Raw Denim priced at 50 bucks. The use a double chain stitch on the inside and a folded overlock on the outside. Made in USA. Fabric is second to none at the price point. They are popular here in the pnw with loggers, partly because they come with suspender buttons. I've seen amazing fades from their "rigid" series. They also offer washed.

[igylan]

I would still say it's better so I can justify it to my wife why Im paying so much more than if I just bought regular denim. hehe..

[unknownff]

Awesome video. Selvedge denim to me is a heuristic I use to find quality denim. Obviously it’s a lot more nuanced like you stated in the video, but it’s a good starting point if you’re getting into nicer denim

[brianfindlay]

Nice honest breakdown. The selvedge doesn't have to be utilised when using selvedge denim, the edges can be overlocked or doubled over like carpenter work jeans, but it's the same fabric. I wonder how may people would know it's actually selvedge denim with the absence of the selvedge? Asket makes jeans from non selvedge raw Japanese denim that's overlocked using brown/orange thread like the early '80s Levi's. The denim fades nicely and looks as good as a lot of selvedge denim out there. I like the fact that they've taken this approach.

[darrenhall]

Fabulous video. Honest, informative and very interesting. You’re totally right, we love to display our cuffed selvedge so those in-the-know know we know. 😁

[rtt]

Never knew of this. Now I do. Thanks for the lesson. Most likely I will never come across this because I always look for the least expensive product. But now my curiosity is peaked and I will be looking at this stitching that I was never aware of before.

[ricecakeboii]

I like how you know the weight of selvedge denim. It’s a key difference. If you prefer a heavyweight or lightweight you know what you’re getting into.

[Gothic_Bondage]

also recommend Neuw. They're a flawless fit.

[Known-unknowns]

One of the things I enjoy about selvedge denim is buying the different brands. In my ‘collection’ I have, Iron heart, Pure Blue, Brave ⭐️, Momotaro and Jo&Co . I’d like a pair of Samurai next 😀

[ianwoollard]

I’m late to the chat but this is very interesting. Got my first pair of Japanese jeans last week (Samurai’s). The history and attention to detail is what I liked. Just got some new boots and thought I’d step up my denim game and down the rabbit hole I went. 👖🐇 🕳️

[BruceWayne-sfde]

Great video.
I like Selvedge because of its heaviness—I like the feel of it. I agree that Selvedge isn’t better than a regular denim.
Show me a non-Selvedge heavy jeans and I’ll buy one.

[j_freed]

This all helps me understand my humble mint-condition late 90s boot fit Gap jeans are not selvage, are not bad quality, are far from being like new $400 jeans today & are regardless a robust and well-made product compared to anything affordable made today.

I will check out the whole next level selvage thing simply for the weight and character of these… with an idea of owning some pairs a really long time, not creating landfill.

[colmcgillveray]

I read recently one of the Osaka5, , I think it was the Resolute dude was saying that some brands are damaging the looms buy slackening them off to make super slubby fabric and this will shorten the lifespan of the already rare looms!

[maximusaugustus]

I have a 21 oz Iron Heart indigo denim jacket, started to fade like a dream.

[blackentrepreneur]

My Selvedge Denim Collection Includes:
GAP
2 pair from H&M (From a few years back when they actually sold them for around $70)

Uniqlo is on my list next