Choosing men’s selvedge jeans
Start with fit, then compare the fabric. This collection includes selvedge denim jeans from Naked & Famous, Nudie Jeans, Unbranded, Levi’s, Lee, ONI and Samurai, with different leg shapes, washes and fabric weights. A pair that fits comfortably through the waist and thighs is a better starting point than choosing by denim weight or brand alone.
Straight, slim, tapered or wide leg?
Straight-leg selvedge jeans maintain a straighter line below the knee, while tapered fits narrow towards the ankle. Slim fits sit closer to the body; relaxed and wide-leg styles offer a fuller shape.
Look beyond the fit name and compare the rise, thigh measurements and leg opening. A relaxed tapered pair can have plenty of room at the top and still finish with a narrow hem. If you plan to turn up your jeans to show the selvedge edge, allow for the cuff when choosing your leg length.
Black selvedge jeans or indigo denim?
Indigo offers the familiar blue denim appearance, from dark, even shades to lighter washed finishes. Black selvedge jeans provide another option for wearing with plain T-shirts, overshirts or knitwear.
Check the wash name and close-up photographs. Two black fabrics can differ in texture and fading behaviour, just as two indigo fabrics can have very different shades. Choose the finish you like now as well as considering how you want the jeans to look with wear.
Japanese selvedge denim: fabric origin and where jeans are made
Japanese selvedge describes the fabric’s origin; it doesn’t automatically mean the finished jeans were made in Japan. Check the individual product details if either matters to you.
Compare the fabric itself too. Some denim has a relatively even surface, while “slubby” denim has deliberately irregular yarns that create a more pronounced texture. Close-up photographs help show differences that aren’t obvious from the colour or weight alone.