The other day I was going on about how you should find brands that you like and stick with them. Which is why when my first pair of Scotch & Soda’s jeans had some problems, I never left my apartment again had to find a new pair. But seeing as though I spent a good amount of time in them, I decided to contact the brand and let them know how many adventures these jeans went on and how unexpected the problems were.
Scotch & Soda, an Amsterdam based brand was one of the reasons I started blogging. Finding brands I haven’t heard of before and letting you guys and girls know is the mortar used in finding your own style. And choosing whether or not to support one is how you build. I constantly wonder why people, including myself, choose the items they do. That attraction, or iffy-ness (probably not a word). The want of something whether or not you’re thinking in short or long term. All the choices that make yourself, you.
Whether it’s my denim telling me “today is a very good day”, or the exclusivity that the details make an owner feel, or their practical and sartorial lookbooks, I found the brand so fun. So when I recieved a new pair of jeans and a written letter, I could not have been happier. Some big name companies might forget about the consumers the minute they walk out the door. So being mindful of where you shop is always something you should think about.
And that certainly was not the case for Scotch & Soda. Thanks for the great customer service.
(And if Daniel Craig is about wearing their jeans, count me in.)
Enjoy your week.
-PTS
(Source: plaint-shirt.com)
Plain T-Shirt: Gap Selvage
Totally off-topic, but a domain name has been bought. You can now bookmark http://plaint-shirt.com. Thank @AaronDorondo for that. ANYWAY..
After winning $1,000 to spend at a mall, I have been looking for items to buy outside of Hollister and Abercrombie. The first purchase on the card were a pair of selvage denim from Gap.
These jeans were intriguing more than anything. For the price and quality, I don’t know if you can beat these for your first pair of selvage denim. Gap does a good job at creating products that are relatively inexpensive and relevant.
If you are new to selvage, take some time to check out these top brands (in my opinion) that may explain some of how it’s made. The more I delve in to style, I want to buy from certain companies because of their background and quality behind their products.
Another great resource is a blog I follow on American menswear, SimpleThreads, where you can learn about the detail that is used in some of these brands and understand why you are paying what you are. However, experimenting with a less expensive pair is fun.
Brands like Gap have transitioned back to the basics and have been campaigning their denim (great idea). They seem to have a hard working denim team for how big of a company they are (and they say the word denim, a lot). Although I think the description on their website sells to the wrong crowd, for a first time denim buyer, they are a must.
I have only been wearing them for a few days, so I can’t show you any whiskering or creasing, but I will keep you posted. In the mean time, read up on your selvage and I’m sure you will be spending money on a pair soon.
Gap Denim - $89
Plain T-Shirt: Labor Day Whites
Is it appropriate to wear white denim after labor day? I’m terrible at following rules, so don’t ask me. I found these at an Avalon Exchange in Pittsburgh, which means I probably will be sticking with them long in to fall/winter. I know everyone down South does.
7 for All Mankind - $48
bertsweatshirt sent: APC equivalent (Is it New Cure?) or Nudie Thin Finn Dry Stretch?
any other quality denim brands around this price range?
thanks.
Oh shit son, hell yes.
Suggest trying them on. Nudie Thin fit me differently and APC is pure quality.
Scotch & Soda
Rogue Territory
Won Hundred
Tellason
Obey
In no specific order. Don’t cheat yourself when it comes to denim. Especially before Fall/Winter.
Plain T-Shirt: Weekly Item
It’s been a great day for Plain T-Shirt! I have changed the navigation of the site so that you may now view strictly street snaps, plain t-shirt or weekly posts. I’m so organized (I know Mom will be laughing at this).
Pittsburgh Jeans Company sent an email out offering the first 50 to rsvp a pair of denim in the store for $100. Of course, I called in and got my a** on that list.
The interior of this store is gorgeous. Even the wonderful Leslie, who is the buyer, said that most of the credit goes to the building itself for the rustic and vintage look created.
They do such a good job at keep the brands moving in and out. Everytime I walk in, I find myself looking at different pairs of denim and brands that I have never heard of (which is rare).
Like these Neuw denim I found. I went in to the dressing room with three pairs and there was no competition. The first pair I tried on, it was a wrap.
The owners of Neuw use ‘Vintage Revision’ as a brand concept, which means they re-cut, dart and repair jeans that Par (owner) himself has worn. The actual name came from an area Par stayed in, Nieuwlandstraat in Brussels, Belgium. After reading the story and finding out he collects jeans, I liked them even more.
So, so, so comforable and detailed. I’m glad I caught the deal they were offering. I understand that some people, at the end of the day just look at the fact that I still spent $100. Aaron used to say the same thing until I took him in here and he tried a pair of Hudson jeans on and left with them.
Neuw Denim - $100 (Orig. $179)
Plain T-shirt: Simple Pockets
Keeping those back pockets simple is key to a clean look. Although I’m not a real big fan of nothing (except for maybe one pair in your collection) to be on them, there should be an aspect that you find attractive (whether it’s the brand or the look of the denim) that makes them a purchase. Even if it’s two parallel lines, it should be something you see matching your style and also, most of the stuff you have to wear with them.
(Left row: Lucky brand, Lucky brand, Lucky brand, Levi
Right row: True Religion, Diesel, Scotch & Soda, Levi)
These are mine, which I found distinction and interst in. Denim shopping is important, try to remember and consider all these aspects.
OH, and some pants too. Woah next level (pretty easy) photo shop maneuver!
(Left row: Nike SB, H&M, J. Crew, Dockers
Right row: Levi, B. Republic, H&M, H&M)
H&M have great deals on pants and I really try and vary the colors. I think that is the biggest aspect for this Spring/Summer; color, color and more color. Hooray for color! Dont be afraid to look different.
What are your favorite denim/pants brands?
Denim can be the most important part of a look. It is important, if you want to change your look regularly to vary the colors and styles. I was the kid who wanted every single pair I saw, but realize the smaller the collection, the better. Price-wise, it’s the same thing. I understand buying $145 jeans might seem outrageous, but why not treat yourself instead of buying 4 pairs you kind of like for $30 or $40 each. My collection ranges from Scotch&Soda, Diesel, True Religion, Levi’s and Lucky Brand. These all range in price from $20(Levi’s)-$175(Diesel).
I wear every pair and those seven colors help me put together a look with any shoes or shirts/outerwear I own. Personally, the Scotch&Soda’s (top pair) are my favorite; I haven’t washed them yet and wear them more often than not, so the vintage creases and overdye/sandblasting looks so, so good. The details in regards to the denim are so classic; the buttons are all different. Small details like that really make the pair of denim in my opinion. So remember, visualize what you have with the pair before you buy; think about how they are going to look in a few years of wear; pay attention to how they feel so that you know you can walk around in them for a day or so. Try to think about the other colors you already own; because when it comes down to it you want to wear the pairs you buy as often as possible and the easiest way to do that is to keep your collection limited.
