The Etsy Edge – 12 Raw Denim Items That Are Built To Last

Etsy is great. Not only does it have an incredible selection of vintage clothing items, but it is also home to many great handmade goods. Amidst the jewelry and other crafty items, there is also a fantastic selection of goods made of our beloved raw and/or selvedge denim. These goods are as durable as they are good looking, and there are many unique pieces that you won’t find anywhere else and will make you realize that selvedge denim is great for more than just jeans.

Perhaps the best part of buying an item from Etsy is the accessibility of the stories behind the product. The small, intimate market place puts you closer to the seller, who is often the maker, allowing you to learn about the goods and receive personal service when making purchasing decisions. For the price, quality, and service you often really can’t beat Etsy. Thus, below we have compiled a list of twelve of our favourite raw denim items that are built to last to give you a bit of an Etsy edge.

Selvedge Denim and Leather Apron

Etsy Apron

American Native, based out of Fayettville, Arkansas, offer this awesome shop apron made to order such each piece is unique and of top quality. To make this apron the folks at American Native use 12 oz. Cone Mills selvedge denim and top quality leather. A variety of thoughtfully designed pockets allow for the storage of an iPhone, a pencil, pen, sharpie, and the large leather pocket gives you an easy place to put tools for quick access.

The durable design ensures longevity and will help protect your clothes from wood and metal shavings, paint, ink, dye, or anything else that you may come into contact with in the shop. Available on American Native’s Etsy Store for $85.00.

Raw Japanese Selvedge Denim Dopp Kit

Etsy Dopp Kit

The perfect compliment for your raw denim when you are traveling is this Raw Japanese Selvedge Denim Dopp Kit from Selvedge Denim Shop. This Dopp kit features quality leather details and a heavy duty, never-rust, YKK zipper. It is the perfect size to fit the traveling essentials and will fit easily into your travel bag or suitcase.

These Dopp kits are handmade in New York and when you order you can specify the denim weight that your kit will be made with: 11oz, 14oz, or 16oz. Available on Selvedge Denim Shop’s Etsy Store for $25.00.

Selvedge Denim Card Case

Etsy Denim Card Case

This handy little card case from Luxury Death Machine out of San Diego, California is great for making sure you keep only the essentials in your wallet or for when you are quickly running errands and only need a few items with you.

This wallet is made from Cone Mills selvedge denim and each piece is custom made, so when you order you have your choice between 13.5oz denim, or the 14.5oz Black Seed Collection Denim. Available on Luxury Death Machine’s Etsy Store for $12.00.

Raw Selvedge Denim iPhone Case

Etsy iPhone Case

If you have made the investment in the latest smartphone, what better way to protect it then with a Raw Selvedge Denim Sleeve that will wear just like your favourite pair of jeans. These cases are made by Unwashed Denim in New York out of top quality 14.5oz raw Japanese Selvedge denim.

They are thoughtfully designed with an open corner that allows easy access to your smartphone. Each sleeve is made individually by hand on a single stitch machine that ensures both quality and durability. Available on Unwashed Denim’s Etsy Store for $35.00.

Raw Selvedge Denim iPad Case

Etsy iPad Case

Similar to the Selvedge iPhone Case above, this iPad case is the perfect pair with your latest technology investment. Made by fabrixmade, this case is crafted from premium Japanese selvedge denim, with the selvedge being used as a flap for added security and protection.

The inside of the case is lined with a soft, red fleece that will protect the glass screen of your iPad. The form fitting design also provides additional security when transporting your iPad. Available on fabrixmade’s Etsy Store for $35.00.

Medium Selvedge Denim Tote Bag

Etsy Medium Tote

This Medium Tote Bag is made by Horse and Anchor out of Los Angeles, California. The tote bag has 3 pockets and is crafted from Cone Mills selvedge denim. There is a 1″ strip of military green webbing that runs along the interior rim of the bag for added durability, and the interior and exterior pockets all feature a selvedge detail along the pocket openings.

The leather straps are hand cut and reinforced with leather washers to ensure durability. Hand hammered copper rivets, and red bar tacking details finish this bag off beautifully. Use it to haul books, groceries, or whatever else you need and it will be sure to wear in beautifully. Available on Horse and Anchor’s Etsy Store for $110.00.

Raw Selvedge Denim Bracelet

Etsy Bracelet

Another great way to either compliment your selvedge denim jeans or showcase your love for selvedge denim while wearing other pants is with a selvedge bracelet. This one, from Farmtown Denim in Chicago, Illinois is made of 13.5oz red line Cone Mills selvedge denim. The bracelet closes with a lobster clasp and split ring that ensures it stays securely on your arm.

The ends of the bracelet are finished with a piece of cotton to ensure that no raw edges are visible and to prevent fraying. With wear this bracelet will develop beautiful and unique fades just like any pair of denim. Available on Farmtown Denim’s Etsy Store for $20.00.

Raw Selvedge Denim Keychain

Etsy Selvedge Keychain

Another creation from Unwashed Denim is the Raw Selvedge Denim Keychain. It’s crafted from 14.5oz Japanese sanforized denim and is sure to wear beautifully from daily wear. This keychain has a hand-set copper rivet and a nickel-plated, tempered steel key ring that ensures your keys stay firmly attached. It also features Unwashed Denim’s signature green and yellow stitching. Available on Unwashed Denim’s Etsy Store for $25.00.

Selvedge Denim Railroad Engineer Cap

Etsy Engineers Cap

This artisan cap from Hepville in Lubeck, Germany is based off an original 1940’s engineer’s cap that they used as a design sample. Hepville specializes in reproducing vintage workwear with the highest quality materials, a specialty this cap falls into perfectly.

It is made from 10 oz Cone Mills selvedge denim, features hand-set ventilation eyelets, indigo cotton thread and a selvedge edge inner band. The cap can be customized for your specific head size when you order to ensure you get the perfect fit. Available on Hepville’s Etsy Store for $92.61.

Cone Mills Selvedge Flat Cap

Etsy Flat Cap

Another awesome vintage reproduction from Germany’s Hepville is this “Flat Cap”. Made from 14 oz Cone Mills selvedge denim, this cap will only get better with time and wear. The lining is made from 100% cotton fabric that is produced in Germany, and the interior features a hand sewn cowhide sweatband.

Other quality features include a brass snap closure on the brim and an adjustable buckle back with brass buckle and visible selvedge line. Like other Hepville items, this cap can be custom fit for your exact head size. Available on Hepville’s Etsy Store for $106.53.

Vintage Selvedge Denim Duffle Bag

Etsy Vintage Duffle

This duffle bag from Black House Project is an incredibly unique item that looks like it will stand up to years of wear and tear. Black House Project uses a 14 oz vintage red selvedge denim for this duffle bag and according to their product page quantities are extremely limited because of the vintage fabric. The inside is lined with a 7 oz Chambray fabric and there is a roomy interior pocket to store valuable items.

Other features include 9 oz vegetable tanned leather handles, Levi’s gold top-stitching, heavy duty YKK brass top and side pocket zippers with leather pulls, selvedge detailing at the top, and a reinforced bottom. Each bag is handmade in San Francisco, California and is individually numbered. Available on Black House Project’s Etsy Store for $235.00.

Raw Japanese Denim Dog Leash

Etsy Leash

As the description says, even though summer weather means you might be giving your selvedge denim a break, your dog can still work on a set of fades while you aren’t. This is another item from Unwashed Denim‘s collection of Japanese Selvedge products and is a great way to expand your raw denim repertoire beyond jeans. The leash features a hand-set copper rivet, solid brass clasp and natural vegetable tanned sheep leather that with daily use will develop a beautiful patina. According to the description this leash is intended for use with small to medium size dogs, but custom sizes are also available. Available on Unwashed Denim’s Etsy Store for $55.00.