We asked 3 customers to start with a raw jean, wear it for a minimum of 200 days within one year, wait at least 100 days before washing, then detail the process. Here are their thoughts at the end.
The purpose of this experiment
There’s an allure to raw denim jeans. But raw denim has pros and cons. The purpose of this experiment was to provide real customer accounts from people who went a year wearing raw denim jeans.
What are raw jeans?
Raw denimjeans are unwashed jeans. They’re stiff. Denim mills add a starch-like substance to make it stiff. The stiffness makes it easier for the denim mill to handle. The stiffness will wash out and the denim will soften.
People who choose raw jeans over washed jeans do so because they want to break-in the jeans themselves. Raw jeans provide a blank canvas or clean slate, that can pick up fades better than washed denim.
Raw denim jeans can pick up fades better for two reasons: 1) the stiffness of the denim creates more defined creases, and 2) a raw jean has experienced no color loss from washing – allowing for greater contrast between faded areas and non-faded areas.
The journey of 3 customers and their raw jeans
At the end of Denim Month 2020, we threw out a challenge. A free Pro Original Raw jean to any person in exchange for them sharing their raw denim experience with our community the following year during Denim Month 2021.
We set some guidelines. Wear the jean a minimum of 200 days throughout the year. Wear at least 100 days before washing (yes, raw denim generally comes with unusual washing rules, read more about that here). And detail the process. 4 guys accepted the challenge.
The 4 raw jeans shipped the first week of March. Then Covid hit. By May, we told the guys to not feel obligated to the challenge. One guy actually made it to 200 days. Two almost made it. And one had his weight change, making his raw jeans no longer fit (until they do again one day).
We asked each following questions about their experience.
Denim Month is an annual event each February when we experiment with and showcase different denim.
Adam from Colorado
Was this your first raw jean ever?
Yes.
Did Covid-19 affect your plans for wearing your raw jeans?
Yes, sat a lot more and walked/traveled a lot less.
How many days do you estimate you wore the jeans?
200 days over the period of 3/23/20 – 1/30/21.
How many days before your first wash?
104 days worn.
How many times have you washed?
2
How long did it take for the jeans to noticeably break in?
At about 30 days worn they started getting lose and a little baggy.
How long did it take to start seeing fades?
I don’t really recall, maybe 2-3 weeks?
Would you adjust your fit profile for rawjeans compared to other TS jeans or pants?
I think the same.
Did anything surprise you about raw jeans?
How stiff they are at first and then how they mold to your body. Also, how long you can go before washing pants was a surprise. Before this, I would always wash my pants/jeans after maybe 6 wears at the most.
Would you recommend raw jeans over dark jeans?
If you have the time and patience, I definitely would.
What would you say to TS customers considering raw jeans?
It takes a commitment but it’s worth the investment in the end because you wind up with jeans that have a lot more character and “tell a story” of sorts because of all the creases, fades, and wear marks. You can see where I keep my cell phone and wallet in my back pockets and my pocket knife in my front left pocket, there’s extra fading on my knees from getting down on the floor to play with my daughter when she was a baby who’s now a toddler, etc.
My raws are also more comfortable than my pre-washed jeans since the raws come in a “blank slate” and then conform to your body and movements over time. In fact, I’ve spent so much time in my raws that they now feel like bespoke pants made just for me that fit like a glove. I wore my TS darks yesterday for the first time in almost a year and the difference was night and day. I almost felt like I was wearing trousers/chinos due to the uniformity in color and lack of creases and fading. It was kind of like wearing some other guy’s pants. My raws, on the other hand, are like an old familiar friend when I put them on, especially since we’ve been through this crazy pandemic together.
I like to cook so to use that analogy, raw denim is like cooking a great meal from scratch: there’s a lot more prep and work required but when the finished product is done and ready to enjoy, it’s a lot more tasty and you can take great pride in the work you put into it. Pre-washed jeans, on the other hand, are more like fast food: quicker and a lot more convenient but the finished product doesn’t taste/look quite as good and is a lot less special
The best part is that my raws areonly going to get better with time!
Clay from Virginia
Was this your first raw jean ever?
No, I’ve had raws from Sugarcane and Left Field.
Did Covid-19 affect your plans for wearing your raw jeans?
Maybe a little less. I got furloughed from my job for the spring and summer, so I did a lot of hiking/finding places to swim/etc., with my kids where denim wasn’t an option instead of wearing them to work, but still wore them more than 180 days. It really changed how I wore them. They just got less movement overall – no travel, way less driving, no walking around an office or out to lunch. Those are things that lead to awesome fades, which I had on my previous pair of TS jeans. These were worn for more days but didn’t get the same level of “wear” given I was mostly at home.
How many days do you estimate you wore the jeans?
About 180.
How many days before your first wash?
First wash was Oct. 19.
How many times have you washed?
Once.
How long did it take for the jeans to noticeably break in?
Actually pretty quickly – the stiffness was gone after a couple weeks.
How long did it take to start seeing fades?
I get really quick fades where I carry my chapstick – I always feel like those show up within a month or so of regular wear. After about two-and-half months I started to see the creases in the thighs and behind the knees become permament.
Would you adjust your fit profile for raw jeans compared to other TS jeans or pants?
No.
Did anything surprise you about raw jeans?
No.
Would you recommend raw jeans over dark jeans?
Yes – it’s way more satisfying.
What would you say to TS customers considering raw jeans?
Do it! Just follow the team’s advice on stretch, etc. when sizing.
Tony from Italy
Was this your first raw jean ever?
Yes.
Did Covid-19 affect your plans for wearing your raw jeans?
Yes. My work travel completely stopped, which impacted the “wear” of the jeans.
How many days do you estimate you wore the jeans?
I sent them back for adjustments after the first wash, and due to being overseas, I missed at least 3 months of wear so technically I’m still working toward my 200!
How many days before your first wash?
100.
How many times have you washed?
1.
How long did it take for the jeans to noticeably break in?
I noticed that they softened up about 2 months/40 wears in.
Would you adjust your fit profile for raw jeans compared to other TS jeans or pants?
Yes. I would size down slightly with future raw jeans. The raw jeans stretch a bit with regular wear and without the regular wash/dry of normal jeans to “shrink” them back to normal, they wear slightly looser than normal.
Would you recommend raw jeans over dark jeans?
If you’re looking for a unique look and have the patience to do it right, then absolutely choose raw!
What would you say to TS customers considering raw jeans?
Size down from normal. And be prepared for the smell…or perhaps that was simply due to my wearing them regularly in the Neapolitan summer lol!
People considering raw jeans can ask themselves 3 questions
How important is comfortable clothing to you?
If comfy clothes are important to you, don’t buy raw denim jeans. Raw denim is stiff and not known for its comfort until it’s broken in, which can take months.
How often do you like to wash your jeans?
If you like to wash often, there’s no reason to buy raw denim, buy a dark wash instead. Because if you buy a raw denim jean, you’ll want to go as long as possible without washing, like a few times a year.
Do you care about the process of breaking in a jean from scratch?
Breaking in a jean from scratch is the only reason to buy raw. If you don’t care about the break-in process, don’t buy raw.
If you’re considering buying raw jeans but have questions first, please contact us at support@toddshelton.com
As a denim enthusiast with a deep understanding of raw denim and its nuances, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article about the experiences of three customers wearing raw jeans for a year. Let's delve into the key elements:
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Raw Denim Introduction:
- Raw denim refers to unwashed jeans that maintain their stiffness due to the presence of a starch-like substance added by denim mills.
- The stiffness is essential for easier handling during the manufacturing process, and it eventually washes out, resulting in softer denim.
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Purpose of the Experiment:
- The experiment aimed to gather real customer accounts from individuals wearing raw denim jeans for a year, emphasizing the allure and challenges of raw denim.
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Advantages of Raw Jeans:
- People choose raw jeans over washed ones to personally break them in, creating a blank canvas that develops unique fades over time.
- Raw denim, with its initial stiffness, leads to more defined creases and allows for greater contrast between faded and non-faded areas.
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The Journey of 3 Customers:
- The customers were challenged to wear the raw jeans for a minimum of 200 days within a year, with at least 100 days before washing, adhering to the unique washing rules of raw denim.
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Customer Experiences:
- Adam from Colorado shared insights into his experience, noting the surprise at the initial stiffness of raw jeans and their eventual molding to the body.
- Clay from Virginia wore his jeans for about 180 days, adjusting his wear pattern due to COVID-19-related changes in his routine.
- Tony from Italy faced disruptions in wear due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, recommending sizing down for future raw jeans.
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Factors Influencing Raw Denim Choice:
- The customers highlighted factors such as the commitment required, the satisfaction derived from the unique fades, and the comfort and personalization achieved over time.
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Considerations for Potential Raw Jeans Buyers:
- Prospective buyers are advised to consider their preference for comfortable clothing, washing frequency, and interest in the break-in process before choosing raw denim.
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Customer Recommendations:
- Customers recommend raw jeans for those with patience and a desire for a unique, personalized look. The comparison is made between the satisfaction of raw denim and the convenience of pre-washed jeans.
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Key Questions for Raw Jeans Buyers:
- Potential buyers are encouraged to ask themselves about the importance of comfortable clothing, washing frequency, and their interest in the break-in process before deciding on raw denim.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable firsthand experiences and advice on wearing raw denim, capturing the essence of the raw denim culture and its appeal to those seeking a personalized and unique jean-wearing experience.
