Aug 6 - Best Raw denim for beginners - Devium

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4 Raw Jeans for Beginners in 2024

Raw denim has become more than normalized since we first started this site back in 2011, but approaching your first pair can still feel like a daunting task to many people who have never slid their legs into a set of cardboard-like denim tubes (it gets better, we promise).

So here we’ve got our most up to date list for the most physically and financially forgiving pairs of raw denim jeans on the market for those looking to dip their toe into the indigo pool. Our criteria here are:

• Less than $125

• 100% cotton midweight denim

• Straight fit

• Raw and rigid as the day they were sewn

There are many more than just these four 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 601 Indigo Relaxed – $110

Unbranded is one of the best bangs for your buck in the raw denim world. It has all the trappings of a mid-range pair for an entry level price because it was made by big name brand Naked & Famous. They created the “generic” version of their denim to keep the price down and the quality up for new consumers. The copper-top hardware is unbranded, the leather patch is blank, and there is no extraneous sewing anywhere.

The Unbranded line’s starter pair is in their 14.5oz. selvedge midweight denim and comes in Skinny, Tapered, Tight, and Relaxed fits, and we’d recommend starting Relaxed. See how they can evolve and fade with some of our Fade Fridays.

Available for $110 at Cultizm.

2. Levis’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit – $80

This is the jean, this is the blueprint for all that came before and will come after, the original Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit pair of rigid indigo jeans. These are unsanforized, which means they will shrink significantly after they first touch water and dry (hence the STF name), so size up at least one in the waist and two in the inseam if you get a pair (see our full guide to the 501 STF).

The modern 501 is a straight fit with a high rise and a slight taper on a mid to light weight 12.5oz. raw indigo denim. Don’t expect any of the bells and whistles you’d find on an enthusiast pair like hidden rivets or a selvedge id, these jeans are as basic and classic as they come but they are for a reason. They also fade great with a little patience, see the Fade Fridays.

Find them for $80 at Levi’s (also note that the only raw ones are the Shrink-to-Fits linked, regular 501s are generally predistressed and can mean just about anything in Levi’s current line-up).

3. Wrangler 13MWZ – $40

Almost as classic as the 501 is its cousin from the country, the Wrangler 13MWZ. This is by far the best value proposition you can find when it comes to quality and price and, yes, you can still rock this jean even if you aren’t planning on getting a Skoal fade on the back pocket.

The beefy 14.75oz. broken-twill denim is pre-shrunk but the cut is not for everyone. Levi’s 501 has evolved with the times, its fit widening and shrinking as fashion dictates but the Wrangler 13MWZ is much the same high-waisted cowboy boot cut jean it was five decades ago. The pockets are high up, the rise is high up, and the zip fly may take some getting used to, but for less than 40 bucks, you can’t do better.

Available for $40 at Wrangler.

4. Tellason Stock Straight – $125

If you want a classic fitting pair of made in USA raw denim without breaking the bank, it doesn’t get much better than Tellason Stock. They make the same high-end pairs in the same factories, they just use a non-selvedge fabric and a paper patch for half the price and the same level of quality (see our full review of Tellason Stock).

The brand is also owned by two of the nicest guys in the denim business, Tony and Pete, who would be happy to personally walk you through how to find the best pair.

Available for $125 at Tellason.

/ In Partnership with Devium USA /

Devium - 100% Made in USA and Guaranteed for Life

Devium’s collection of small batch originals are built to withstand the test of time. Whether that’s a pair of their new Utility Trunks made with Russell Surfboards or a classic Boca Flannel, everything from Devium is 100% made and sourced in USA and backed by their lifelong guarantee.

Many brands promote transparency in their supply chain, but Devium is the only one we’ve found to share the source of their materials and production for every garment they make and they guarantee if for life.

Get a look at their new collection at Devium.

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/ New Releases /

Found Feather’s Organic Cotton/Linen Baseball Cap is for Hot Heads

The classic cap conundrum — it’s sunny and you want to keep the sun out of your eyes, but don’t want your head to overheat. Looking to solve this is Japan’s Found Feather, who’ve released their quintessential five-panel baseball cap in a lush organic cotton linen mix.

Found Feather was founded in 2019 in Kanazawa, Japan, by Canadian hat collector and skater Merv Maranan. After spending his life trying to find the perfect hat, Maranan teamed up with some local artisan hat makers and set about making it himself. Five years in, Found Feather is making some of the finest hats Japan has to offer and the cotton linen rendition of their five-panel baseball cap is no exception.

Coming in both a soft shade of lavender and a neutral beige, the hats also have a tricot lining to maximize breathability and help you keep a cool head all summer long. Maranan’s tweaks don’t stop there though — for the perfect fit, the cap features a midsize crown, an elastic back to keep it snug, and a soft EVA foam brim so it can be quickly popped in your bag when the sun goes in.

Available at Calculus for $66.

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Snap into Neck Fades With the Red Cloud Workroom Camera Strap

Get ready for neck fades with the Red Cloud Workroom Camera Strap in Denim. This might be the first camera strap we’ve seen crafted from our beloved blue fabric of choice. Red Cloud says they took denim off-cuts and scraps to develop these, with the owner Raymon stitching these up himself.

These lovingly crafted straps will hold your camera secure using high-density weave canvas in tonal navy, with tie/lashing adjustments, and comfy neppy denim neck pad with reinforced interfacing for durability. There’s even nice and clean selvedge detailing on the ends of the neck pad. If your neck isn’t blue after an adventurous day out capturing Kodak moments, I don’t know what to tell you.

Available for $99 from Red Cloud.