Post'age Men Fall/Winter 2011 Lookbook
For Fall/Winter 2011 LA based denim brand Post'age are focusing on their men's collection which is inspired by the "all American lifestyle" - meaning classic style that will transcend generations. The jeans are designed and constructed in LA using the finest denim from the US, Europe and Japan. The collection will be available online from PostageDenim.com and from many major retailers including Fred Segal, Bloomingdales, Saks and Nordstrom.
Self Edge x Flat Head x Real Japan Blues Jeans
A new collaboration from specialist denim store Self Edge is always interesting news to fans of quality Japanese denim. This time they have gone a step further than usual as this is a three way collaborations between themselves Real Japan Blues and Flat Head. Self Edge came up with the design (a slim straight fit), Real Japan Blues then developed the denim (14oz rope-dyed unsanforized Japanese selvedge denim made using using Zimbabwe cotton) and Flat Head put the whole thing together. The end results is classy and classic looking pair of jeans that apparently have a soft feeling fabric (once worn in) designed to feel comfortable in warmer weathers. The jeans are only available from SelfEdge.com where they cost $365 (including shipping).
ManVsDenim.com - MattM 1st Update
Here is my first update on the Natural Selection 14oz Smith Straight K Raw Jeans jeans that I have been wearing in as part og the ManVsDenim.com contest. Well what can I say? The first month of wearing in denim is always the hardest I think. Cardboard like stiff legs that make it an effort to move, let alone walk. I've been treating it like a day job wearing them Monday to Friday and having the weekend off so my legs can breathe.
The first thing I did with the jeans was to take them to a tailor to get adjusted. I tend to opt for a slimmer straight leg or one with a slight taper so I requested them to be taken in 2"from the ankle up to the knee thus slimming the leg. If you check out the side on pictures you can see how much slimmer they really are, they now fit like a dream. I had to make sure the adjustment was taken from the inside seam as I wanted to keep the selvedge detailing on the outside seam. They tend to opt for the outside seams as it's easier to take in then remove and re-stitch the inside leg seam with a matching thread.
After a week or so they started to loosen up and I could actually attempt to run for the train I take each morning. I can't say that I'm surprised by anything the jeans have turned into yet, as the only fading seems to have occurred on the piped belt loops and the lowest point of the rise, obviously because of the friction of sitting and standing throughout the day. I'm surprised that there's not been much stretching around the waist as of yet. There's only been one pair of raw denim jeans I've owned that stayed true to the original waist measurement. I'm pleasantly surprised.
I've noticed that the whiskers along the thigh and behind the ankles have already formed as expected, however there's very little fading across them yet. I always turn up my jeans too and around the ankle is now nice and soft from slipping them on and off each day....I don't go as far as to sleep in them. It also means that less creases are created from the jeans gathering up on your footwear which I tend to like the look when the fades start to come in.
So unfortunately folks the first update isn't the most exciting. The jeans have been worn religiously, from art exhibitions to cow tipping, they've seen it all. Let's see what the months ahead will bring.
Wrangler Blue Bell S/S11 Collection
Wrangler (Europe) has been going through a renaissance over the last couple of years. The folks at the top have obviously been making a concerted effort to ensure the company evolves into a contemporary premium denim brand, whilst still remaining true to their enviable heritage. Nowhere is this more apparent than in their Wrangler Blue Bell Collection which this season has an American thrift store vibe. Model Tony Ward is seen rocking a white denim jacket over his western shirt and battered blue jeans. All of which are proudly made in the USA.
Brand To Watch: James Payne
James Payne is a new brand by co-dependent friends Sarah and Mikey who originate from New Zealand but are now in LA after passing through San Francisco and London over the last few years. The label is the culmination of their experiences in the fashion and music business over the last ten years and as you can see from these photos this is a denim brand which wears its' rock n roll influences on it sleeve. In case you are wondering who James Payne actually is, well apparently he was a friend's chauffeur who once drove them home after a party in North Carolina. They were so impressed with him that they named the company after him!
Tommy Style - Paige Normandie In McKinley
I know Spring just got here but I seriously can not wait for Summer, not only for the warmer weather but I am eagerly awaiting my 17 day road trip across the United States of America with one of my best friends. We are moving to Los Angeles, California. This will be his first time there but I have lived there before when I attended Otis College of Art & Design. Los Angeles is a really neat city if you know where to go and it is so easy to get inspired by the city's personal style. I thought it was cool when I got another pair of Paige Premium Denim jeans because they are based out of Los Angeles, CA, maybe I'll stop in and say hi when I get there!
When I first saw the Normandie in the McKinley wash, I was not sure if I'd like the jeans for a few reasons. First of all the leg opening is 16.15" and I normally wear jeans with 14 ¾". Also the 34" inseam seemed as if they would be way too long for me and they are 60% cotton and 40% polyester. After all these doubts I figured I shouldn't judge them before I wear them. Upon putting the jeans on, all these concerns went out the window. The feel of the jean is so comfortable, but it is not sacrificing style for comfort, the wash and look of the jean is awesome. The 34" inseam is just a little too long for me but I as mentioned in my last post, I love cuffing my jeans, or I could just easily get them hemmed. They are made out of a nice 12oz denim. The back pockets are simple with PPD's signature mark on the pocket that is very subtle but a nice detail.
This particular wash pretty much goes with anything. So it was very easy to put this pair of jeans with an outfit. I went with a few of my favorite pieces to wear with the McKinley's; a wool tie by Alexander Olch, a light blue gingham shirt from Uniqlo and an awesome vest I found at a vintage store in Boston, MA. These jeans can easily be worn from day to night. The fit is a little bit more relaxed than my other jeans but if slim straights are your thing, these seem pretty ideal for that. My only concern left is the mix of the fabric 60% cotton and 40% polyester, I did not have a problem when wearing them around but it seems to me they might stretch out a little bit. I recently read that a pair of jeans that are not made of 100% cotton hold their color longer so that is a plus.
Overall the McKinley in Normandie are pretty cool jeans, especially if slim straight is your preferred style.
The Normandie in McKinley are available at Paige PremiumDenim's website for $185.00
