j. crew 770 denim | The Style Guide

Editor’s note: To fill up your closet with plenty more online shopping picks, head here.

We all love a great pair of classic dark denim, right? Surely, it’s fun to switch up your denim wardrobe with slim white jeans during the warmer months, but there’s something about the changing of the leaves — any day now — that calls to mind the desire with more rugged style in mind. That starts from the ground up with tough leather boots, and it carries through to a #menswear staple that can seem intimidating at first — selvedge denim. There’s a whole lexicon and a significant subset of the digital menswear community that reveres this type of jean, and with good reason. It’s made with more attention to detail and skill than non-selvedge denim, as it’s constructed with the ‘self-edge’ (outer) part of the fabric — creating the distinctive detailing on the inside of the outseam. It’s prized for its durability, toughness and plain cool looks — plus, who doesn’t love to cuff a pair of selvedge denim over broken-in leather boots? So, that’s a little history for you. What makes it better than plain dark denim? It’s a matter of preference, to be sure — but the sturdier weight and feel of selvedge helps it break in over time, last longer and create some very neat selvedge denim fades. Again, that heavier construction lends itself perfectly to fall and winter — particularly with pairings like a shawl cardigan and a classic chambray shirt. With that being said, where to begin? Start with The Style Guide’s picks below for the best men’s selvedge denim for fall (and beyond!). Catch more menswear inspiration on Twitter or Instagram, too.

#1. Raleigh Denim Workshop Jones Slim 211 Selvedge — $225 (Available via East Dane)

As classic as it gets when it comes to selvedge denim — a tailored fit, beautiful fabric and sturdy construction.

Tracking down great selvedge denim can be tough if you’re just starting your search — it’s helpful, then, that Raleigh Denim Workshop does such a great job crafting slim, stylish denim right here in America. The fact that they’ve got other stylish men’s denim options available via East Dane is a bonus if you’re deep into denim shopping, too. While the Jones Slim 211 Selvedge (which you can also find via Raleigh Denim) are a bit pricey, the quality, durability and longevity are absolutely on-point. They’re about as classic a pair of selvedge as you can get, right down to the red chainstitched hem, the textured white weft fabric that’ll break in over time.

#2. Levi’s Red Tab 511 Selvedge Jeans — $128 (Available via East Dane)

Black selvedge denim? Give it a try sometime — this is arguably the one pair you need.

Where else to start in your search for stylish selvedge denim but Levi’s? The Levi’s Red Tab denim line is a premium take on the brand’s classic styles, yet you still get the excellent fit, comfort and quality for which the brand is known. The 511 is a, you might say, a classic jean around The Style Guide for its slim fit and reliable durability, so upgrading to a sleek selvedge pair is only a logical next step. Black selvedge might seem out of left field at first, but know that if you only have to buy one pair of black denim, this is as good a place to start as any.

#3. Flint & Tinder All-American Slim Tapered Jeans — $98

A new offering from a brand that’s done a stellar job expanding its basics.

The hunt for sturdy, tough selvedge denim can take you high and low — that goes for the price, as well. Luckily, Flint & Tinder has done a stellar job on its new fall menswear line, from its easily wearable marled henleys to pieces like the handsome-looking All-American Slim Tapered Jeans. For starting out making boxer briefs and hoodies, the expansion of the line is an admirable one, and it means you could get dressed head-to-toe in Flint & Tinder (including the brand’s Inventor Socks, of course). This pair of selvedge should last and last while teaming with other stylish Huckberry essentials — if you’ve got a fall wish list going, that’s a very good thing indeed.

#4. 3Sixteen CT-101x, $220

Another pair of selvedge that’s as classic as it gets.

You know a jean has some cache in the marketplace when it’s named using letters and numbers — much like the brand 3Sixteen itself, as it were. They’ve developed a cult following for their ridiculous level of attention to detail, dependability and style (let’s not forget style). Now, it’s certainly open to debate as to the “must-buy” pair of denim from 3Sixteen (plenty also like the CT-220x), but the CT-101x has gotta be high on that list. It’s got a higher rise yet a tapered cut — that means a fit and feel that’s a little more old-school. The denim should still be a reliable pick to wear all kinds of places, including to your next rock concert with your favorite pair of leather boots (once you break the denim in a bit).

#5. J. Crew 770 Stretch Selvedge Jean in Indigo –$198

The folks at J. Crew get another style essential — selvedge denim — right.

The thing about denim shopping is that, of course, it’s all about fit. Not every guy can slip into the Levi’s Red Tab 511 or something similar. J. Crew helpfully recognized that last fall, and introduced a better-fitting addition to its denim line — the J. Crew 770, a jean built with the athletic-minded guy in mind. They feature an excellent deep blue resin rinse, signature selvedge detailing and fit that offers more room to move in the seat and thigh. If that checks all your denim shopping boxes, toss these jeans in your cart. This is a pair of denim that’ll fit in at your next football tailgate or at the office when paired with a fall blazer.

Was that enough of a crash course in stylish selvedge denim? It’s a somewhat daunting universe, with plenty of specific terminology and devoted fans to make anyone’s head spin. Yet, learning even a bit more about selvedge can be a beneficial experience — you might only need to buy one pair of selvedge before you won’t want to wear anything else. There are also excellent places you can go for visual inspiration — that is, styling tips and tricks, plus information on new brands. My Instagram pal Marvaments crafts a beautiful feed featuring selvedge denim, chinos and rugged boots galore. And my fellow Instagram bud Ryan Cascarano frequently features some standout selvedge — and boots, of course. Give them both a look, follow along and if you’ve got any questions about selvedge denim or styles to shop for, shoot me a tweet or drop a comment below.

Stay stylish!

-Beau

Editor’s note: For online shopping picks primed to get you ready for spring, head here.

Lightwash denim is an ideal spring style move -- if you're feeling adventurous, it can even work with a dark denim jacket. 484 Jeans by J. Crew. Denim jacket by American Apparel. Loafers by G.H. Bass Patterned NATO strap by The Knottery and watch by Timex. Photo credit: Khoa Nguyen.

Lightwash denim is an ideal spring style move — if you’re feeling adventurous, it can even work with a dark denim jacket. 484 Jeans by J. Crew. White henley by Target Merona. Denim jacket by American Apparel. Loafers by G.H. Bass Patterned NATO strap by The Knottery and watch by Timex. Photo credit: Khoa Nguyen.

Guess what, folks? Just like that, it’s almost April! That means that if you haven’t already, it’s high time to incorporate some spring style trends into your wardrobe. Recent #menswear shopping picks on this site have covered broader categories like great spring outerwear and stylish spring sweaters, but today’s post goes a bit more specific. If you read this blog, follow me on Instagram or have checked out some of my other writing work (thanks, by the way!), then you’ll know all too well that I love the styling power of dark, sturdy denim. But lightening up colors, textures and washes is a great way to switch up your wardrobe and get really into spring and summer — all the while wearing denim (trust me, it’s crucial if you find it odd to wear shorts a lot, like this fella). So the below shopping picks are going more relaxed, casual and spring-ready — it’s certainly tougher to dress up lightwash denim, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a solid pick-up for weekends or more casual work or class days. Got all that down? Good. Got a credit card handy? Even better.

#1. Mott & Bow Slim Baxter Jean in Medium Blue — $108

Roll ’em, cuff ’em, wear ’em about any way you please.

If you’re a bit wary of shelving your chinos or dark denim, ease into it with a comfortable pair of denim that still retains more than enough dark color to satisfy the selvedge fans among us. These aren’t a classic, super light color, but they’ll do. The Baxter from Mott & Bow makes use of the brand’s 5-month wash, incorporates some comfortable stretch, and comes at a price that’s pretty darn agreeable compared to your typical pair of raw denim. Throw in that home try-on program and that’s an A-plus pair of spring denim for you.

#2. JackThreads Slim Denim in Light Wash — $59

Decidedly lighter and constructed with a slim fit.

Whereas pick no. 1 on this list goes for a darker color (and retails at a higher price point), option no. 2 leans decidedly lighter in wash and, one might say, decidedly more retro. This pair of JackThreads denim might be what you more commonly think of when reaching for a pair of lightwash jeans (see this post here, for example). But the way JT crafts its products, these should be an excellent value — perfect if you don’t feel like dropping $100-plus on a pair of jeans for your rotation.

#3. J. Crew 770 Jean in Leroy Wash — $125

Casual style potential and a more forgiving fit characterize the Leroy.

For those of us that would prefer to stick with a slightly better-known mainstay, J. Crew’s back at it this spring with the Leroy Jean in its 770 fit. That means, most importantly, that it’s cut with more room in the thigh and waist for those among us who don’t prefer (or can’t quite fit into) slimmer jeans. This writer’s a fan of the 484 fit from J. Crew, but the 770 has proven itself among the menswear contingent as a solid back-up option. As to the price, well… you could stick around for a sale, but know that the denim is coming from Japan.

#4. Bonobos The Jetsetter Jean — $168

A rough-and-tumble wash gives this denim a unique look.

Is it just me, or have Bonobos denim prices hopped up a bit in recent years? At any rate, this stretch denim features 2 percent elastane built in (like some pairs of Mott & Bow denim), and should fit as solidly as Bonobos’ famous chinos. The Medium Blue wash leans decidedly darker than some of its counterparts on this list, so it could more easily be paired with, say, a navy blazer and a white Oxford (although that would be a solid combination with any pair on this list). Rock these guys just as they’re shown on the brand’s Web site — with brown suede chukkas — and you’ve got a casual style combo ready for date nights or days at the office.

#5. Ace Rivington Italian Comfort Denim in Medium Vintage Wash — $239

A more classic fit and medium vintage wash tie right into the quality one expects from an American-made brand.

While this pair of denim isn’t as light in color as its counterparts here, it’s the way to go if you want an incredibly sturdy (and pricey) pair of washed denim. Ace Rivington takes the quality and construction of its garments as seriously as its unique backstory, and that’s resulted here in a quality pair of more classic-leaning denim. They feature a slim, tapered fit (it won’t be overly skinny) and a medium rise. Note that this pair comes with a 34-inch inseam — so these might need to be rolled, or they can simply be cuffed to your liking. Either way, you’re getting a middle-of-the-road that’s another nice way to ease into lightwash denim.

If you still find yourself scouring the far corners of the Internet for a great pair of lightwash denim, know that there were a few brands that didn’t make the cut here. Specifically, classic retailers like Old Navy are producing lightwash jeans with a hint of stretch, and you can even snap up slim-fit jeans in a lighter wash from Target’s Mossimo line for an excellent price. When picking up your pair and styling them, pair them with the same style staples as you might a slim pair of dark denim — think rugged short-sleeve henleys, a printed short-sleeve shirt or a classic white Oxford to start. Don’t worry — there’s plenty of time to grab your pair and get on the lightwash denim (which is totally a thing, trust me).

Did I miss any picks? Let me know on Twitter!

The Style Guide

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Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Selvedge Denim for Fall

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Lightwash Denim for Spring