What is Raw Denim?
All denim starts raw. Denim arrives at every jean maker’s factory in the raw form. Once a jean is made, then washed, it’s no longer raw.
What makes denim raw
Raw denim is 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.
What makes raw jeans desirable
Most stores don’t sell raw jeans. Most stores only sell washed jeans – because they’ve learned most people want comfortable clothing and raw denim is not considered comfortable for most people.
But a small group of people prefer raw jeans. 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 jeans can pick up fades better for two reasons: 1) the stiffness of the denim creates more defined creases, and 2) a unwashed jean has experienced no color loss from washing – allowing for greater contrast between faded areas and non-faded areas.
Should you buy raw jeans
We don’t recommend raw jeans unless a customer brings it up first. And we try to educate customers who haven’t owned a raw jean, especially if they’re buying raw because they like the color.
Raw jeans are not the best option for most guys, but they are the best option for some guys (that’s the reason we sell them).
Here’s some questions we’d ask a customer considering raw denim jeans:
How often do you like to wash your jeans?
If you like to wash often, there’s no reason to buy raw denim jeans, buy a dark wash jeans instead. Because with raw, you’ll want to go as long as possible without washing, like once or twice a year.
How important is comfortable clothing to you?
If comfy clothes are important to you, don’t buy raw denim jeans. They’re not known for their comfort until they’re broken in, which can take months.
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 a customer is on the fence between Pro Original Darks and Pro Original Raw, we will always recommend Pro Original Darks. A customer can still get good fades over time, but Darks will be more comfortable from the start.
If you’re buying raw, should you change your size?
There are two types of denim: sanforized and unsanforized.
Sanforization is a process that removes shrinkage in fabric. If a jean is made from unsanforized denim, it will shrink. If a jean is made from sanforized denim, it won’t shrink enough to affect your size decisions. We use sanforized denim, we recommend customers don’t change their size.
Now with all the cautionary guidance complete, we sell raw denim jeans for a reason, they’re cool. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
