5 Raw Denim Jeans for Beginners in 2026

If you want to get started in the world of raw denim, check out these beginner suggestions from the likes of Tellason, Levi's, & more.

David Shuck

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 many of 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 14.5 oz. selvedge midweight denim and comes in Skinny, Tapered, Tight, and Relaxed fits, and we’d recommend starting with Relaxed. See how they can evolve and fade with some of our Fade Fridays.

Available for $108 at Cultizm.

2. Levis’ 501 Shrink-to-Fit – $85

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.

The modern 501 is a straight leg 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 $85 at Levi’s

*note that the only raw ones are the Shrink-to-Fits linked, regular 501s are generally predistressed or rinsed)

3. Wrangler 13MWZ – $99.99

Almost as classic as the 501 is its cousin from the country, the Wrangler 13MWZ. Wrangler still makes non-selvedge rigid jeans under $50, but it’s better to reach for deadstock pairs of those on the likes of eBay and Etsy. This pair has all the iconic 13MWZ details like the leather patch on the right rear pocket (the cheaper versions use plastic patches), W stitching, broken twill weave, and of course, the iconic bootcut silhouette—all in a ~13 oz. selvedge denim package that’s still under $100.

The rigid, 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 cut jean it was five decades ago—and that’s a good thing.

Available for $99.99 at Wrangler.

4. Tellason Stock Straight – $139

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 cheaper 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 for your needs.

Available for $139 at Tellason.

5. Gustin ‘The 1968’ – $99

You may be familiar with Gustin and their crowdfunding model. By pre-funding their production, they can offer a wide range of made-in-USA denim, shirts, footwear, and accessories at phenomenal prices, the caveat being that you will have to wait a month or three to get your hands (or legs) on them.

But good things come to those who wait, and we’d say that deadstock, 13.5oz. Cone Mills White Oak selvedge denim jeans for under $100 are well worth that relatively short wait. The 1968 is a perennial favorite in the Gustin lineup for that reason, available in Straight, Vintage straight, Slim, and Skinny fits.

Available for $99 at Gustin.

Like this? Read these:

The Heddels Guide to Raw Denim Boot Cut Jeans

Raw Japanese Denim: A Beginner’s Guide to Japan’s Biggest Labels