5 Raw Jeans for Beginners

In the past few years, raw denim has become quite popular. Jeans have been a must-have item for decades, but before denim worked its way into everyday fashion, jeans were only produced unwashed, dry, and raw.

These days, denim manufacturers are getting back to their roots, producing denim as bulletproof and raw as the workwear of yore. But with the raw denim market getting so big, one has to ask:

“Where is the best place to start when getting into raw denim?”

For those who are just learning about raw denim, we recommend that your first jeans be unfussy, easy jeans to break-in and wear. They should also be as comfortable as possible, since they will more than likely become a second skin.

There are many more than just these five options to choose from, but if you want to begin your journey into the world of raw denim, check out these suggestions if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

1. Unbranded 101 Indigo Skinny – $82

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Unbranded was created to serve those who were eager to enter the raw denim world but unable to due to the price of a typical pair. The copper-top hardware is unbranded, the leather patch is blank, and there is no extraneous sewing anywhere.

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The UB101 is the slimmest fitting denim among all the Unbranded models, but not to the point of being skin tight. Be sure to check out their Tapered and Straight cuts if you like the details but want a different fit.

See how they can evolve and fade with some of our Fade Fridays.

Details

  • Name: Unbranded 101
  • Denim: Sanforized, 100% Cotton Japanese Selvedge Raw Denim
  • Weight: 14.5 Oz.
  • Fit: Skinny straight
  • Other Details:
    • Chain-stitched hem
    • Rope-dyed indigo denim
    • Blank buttons, rivets and leather patch
    • Two-tone stitching
  • Available for $82

2. Naked & Famous Weird Guy Indigo Selvedge – $135

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Love ’em or hate ’em for it, Naked & Famous has a knack for out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to raw denim. While this tends to draw the ire of many pretentious seasoned denim-heads, their basic jeans are still some of the most reasonably-priced, low-maintenance jeans on the market. This makes them a fine candidate as entry-level raws.

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The Weird Guy Indigo Selvedge jeans are made from Japanese selvedge denim and taper slightly through the leg. They feature tonal stitching and a selvedge coin pocket.

Details

  • Name: Naked & Famous Weird Guy Indigo Selvedge
  • Denim: Sanforized, 100% Cotton Japanese Selvedge Raw Denim
  • Weight: 13 Oz.
  • Fit: Low-rise, tapered leg
  • Other Details:
    • Tonal stitching
    • Selvedge coin pocket
    • Made in Canada
  • Available for $135

3. Williamsburg Garment Co. Grand Street – $160

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If you prefer your jeans on the skinnier side, Williamsburg Garment Co. is your best bet for a reasonably-priced black raw jean with a dramatic taper through the knee and calf.

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The Grand Street Raw jean is constructed from durable 13 oz. non-selvedge denim and features a five-pocket styling so you know they’re officially no-frills. There’s not even a logo patch on the waistband. Check out our full review of the Grand Street for more info.

Details

  • Name: Williamsburg Garment Co. Grand Street Raw
  • Denim: 100% Cotton Raw Denim
  • Weight: 13 Oz.
  • Fit: Mid-rise, tapered leg
  • Other Details:
    • Minimal styling
    • Unique coing pocket
  • Available for $160

4. A.P.C. New Standard – $185

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In the 1980s, when denim was being bleached, acid-washed and dyed every shade of fluorescent, Jean Touitou created a classic jean inspired by Levi’s iconic 501 model, audaciously naming his creation the New Standard.

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Touitou kept his jeans dyed in deep indigo and unwashed so the consumer could do with their jeans what he or she wished, and over two decades later, the A.P.C. New Standard is that same perfectly-proportioned, clean and raw jean.

See how they break in and fade here.

Details

  • Name: A.P.C. New Standard
  • Denim: 100% Cotton Selvedge Raw Denim
  • Weight: 12 Oz.
  • Fit: Slim straight
  • Other Details:
    • Minimal styling
    • No leather patch
    • APC branded buttons and rivets
  • Available for $185

5. Left Field Cone White Oak Greaser Jean – $180

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Left Field claims that their jeans are “tougher than steel,” and on top of being brutally tough, they are also 100% American-made. From the denim itself, which is woven in North Carolina at Cone Mills’ White Oak Plant, to the construction itself, the Greaser Jeans are conceived and born in the United States.

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The fit is an easy slim-straight, not too tight and not too loose, so they can be worn with boots, sneakers or anything in between, and at $180 they won’t punch you in the wallet.

Details

  • Name: Left Field NYC Greaser Jeans
  • Denim: Sanforized, 100% Cotton Selvedge Denim from Cone Mills
  • Weight: 13 Oz.
  • Fit: Slim-straight
  • Other Details:
    • American-made Scovill tack button fly
    • Universal rivets
    • Bandana pocketbags
  • Available for $180