Denim Diaries: Mark Brewer Raw Denim Lover

Mark Brewer is a 20-year-old student, and raw denim lover. He's not going to have a machine break in his jeans, he prefers to do it himself, even if it is going to run him $350, it's worth it. 


When did you first get involved with buying Japanese denim?

I got involved with Japanese denim pretty recently; within the past couple years. My brother's friend had a pair of Fullcount contest jeans and they looked so much nicer than any other pair of denim I had ever seen before.

Why does buying Japanese denim interest you? Why is it better than buying anything else?

Japanese denim interests me because GOOD Japanese selvedge denim has a quality of the construction to it that no other mainstream brand be it diesel, true religion, lucky, or seven could even think about matching. With Japanese denim, minor details aren't over looked and they don't skimp out on any pair.

Would you say you are a part of the raw denim lifestyle? Does it just stop at jeans for you?

I would say that I’m a part of the life style because I hate buying clothing that's pre-distressed, I think it ruins its uniqueness and cheapens the garment. Even boots, i won't buy boots that are pre-broken in or sand-blasted boots.

How do you afford this lifestyle?

I am able to afford it because I’m a student with a part time job who currently has no bills to pay.

What are some of your favorite denim brands and why?

Samurai denim- because they are known for having really heavy weight denim, like 15-23oz weight denim. And then either Eternal or Warehouse denim because I haven't seen a pair of worn jeans from those brands that I haven't liked, while I have seen pairs from other brands that don't look good.

Are there any brands you think shouldn't be getting the hype that they are getting?

I think people should stay away from Diesel, Lucky, 7 For All Mankind, and True Religion those brands will not last you like true Japanese selvedge. Also Evisu's that you see are most likely not legit, I like Evisu but the only place to get the real Evisu's is a store called Blue in Green or go to Japan and buy. Even the Evisu's sold in Barney's are cheap and made in china (even though they say made in Japan, only a portion of the garment is actually made in Japan).

What is the longest you have worn your jeans without washing them?

I would guess that I’ve gone about 5 months as the longest without washing.

Have you ever had to give in and just wash your jeans before you felt they were ready?

Sometimes they just smell so bad that mentally I have to wash, or if something spills on them I’ll wash.

How many pairs of raw denim jeans do you have?

I’m still relatively new to denim compared to some people so I only have two pairs, but I’ve heard that the owner of Self Edge in San Francisco has over a couple hundred.

Talk a little bit about your most recent adventure in breaking in your new jeans.

When I break in my denim I only do a hot soak for two hours, then hang dry (remember keep inside out) and then wear them normal. I don't do anything crazy in them because I want my jeans to be me, not me trying to do crazy things to break them in. The denim will break in without sleeping in them or going into the ocean with them.


Thanks for your insight Mark! Keep it fresh. 

What Does Lauren Conrad Know About Jeans?

So Lauren Conrad, former "The Hills" cast member, knows something about jeans. She was on the Rachel Ray Show, busting myths and styling different fits of jeans. She didn't really say much of what I didn't know already, and I am speaking from the point of view of an average jeans shopper. But here are some of her tips:

• You don't have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans
• Yea, I know. "Skinny jeans," is simply the fit of the jeans. I'm a skinny person and I actually can't fit into the skinniest of skinny jeans, because my ankles are smaller than my hips (but aren't all of ours?)
• Bootcut jeans are flattering on almost any body type, the flare at the bottom balances out hips
• I love bootcut jeans for a clean casual look, it's a bit of an older look for me, but still a great look in my book. 
• You can wear boyfriend jeans with a flat or a heel and a blazer
• Boyfriend jeans are so sexy. Who would have thought not showing off all your curves could make you look even sexier? Boyfriend jeans are great because they are so versatile, and trendy!

Thank you Ms. Conrad. And how can we forget Rachel Ray, she is a riot. I love the interaction between the two. Sorry Rachel, no matter how much preparation you did before the show, you still don't know anything about jeans. 

What's your flavorite?

(Picture from Kohl's spring 2010 collection)

We Heart Sample Sales

Anybody interested in getting some jeans, on sale? It's a celebrity favorite, 7 For All Mankind, premeium denim line. People in Los Angeles, San Fransisco and New York have already been able to experience, The Warehouse Sale, Chicago, it's your time.

The Warehouse Sale is the nations largest traveling fashion sample sale. It carries a wide variety of your favorite brands, styles and products. Why not get something you and your fellow celebrity friend loves, for cheap. Here at the Denim Lounge, we're talking jeans of course.


Chicagans get ready for greatness coming to The Great Hall at Union Station, October 22-24. You have to RSVP, so reserve your spot as soon as possible. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, jeans are starting at $65, $55 and $45 respectively. That's pretty amazing when a pair of Seven jeans can run you about $225.


The fun may be coming to Chicago, but New Yorkers you still have until tomorrow (at the Metropolitan Pavilion) to get your Seven jeans, so get out there and get shopping.


7 For All Mankind or Seven, hit the map in 2000, remember the craze? They have a huge variety of jeans, skinny leg, straight leg, cuffed, all the washes, blue jeans, black jeans, grey jeans, pretty much anything you could ask for. At this sample sale you will be able to shop for jeans, jean shorts, tees, skirts, shirts and outerwear. I say, stick to the jeans. Rack up on a couple of your favorite pairs, because this is your last chance!


Happy shopping!



(Celebrities known for wearing Seven jeans: Ben Affleck, Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Alba and Cameron Diaz).

Denim for the Day: Is That Even Denim?

This is a yes!

Oh Hilary Duff how we love thee. Here she is wearing Current/Elliot jeans: The Skinny Jean in Dust Destroy. They are the perfect fit for her. Not to tight and not too baggy. These jeans love her curves, although it looks to me like she bought them a size bigger. They look so much better that way, cuffed and all. These jeans are a bit rugged but you can dress them up with accessories, just like Hilary did. I'm not a fashion stylist; so I'm not going to tell you how to do that. But don't you love these jeans? Go girl! You get a gold star. At least from me. Hilary's jeans are regularly priced at $220, but you can get them on sale at RevolveClothing.com for $124!

This is a no!

I've been seeing these jeans a lot. J Brand 962 Agnes in black sateen, and I hate it. First of all, sateen is a strong cotton fabric weaved like silk to give a soft feel and shiny look. That alone tells us it is not denim and I thought denim was required to make JEANS! 

Okay, even if this was denim the fit, well...doesn't fit. These pants are always bunching at the thigh. It looks like Rihanna's leg can't even breathe. I don't want to bash these "pants," but they are not jeans. On a positive note the shape and design of the pants are great. If this was made of denim it would be a sexy jean. I love the zippers on the side, zippers are always cool. What do you think? Would you buy these pants for $218?

Your Late, Denim Wash

Dawn Timmeney of WHEC-TV (some broadcast station in Rochester) did a news story on not washing yours jeans. She's a little behind the Denim Lounge, but hey, mainstream media is catching on to the trend. For every one person in her story who said they would never wear their jeans for six months without a wash, there are hundreds who would. 

The point of not washing your jeans, as I have stated here before, is to create an original pair of jeans unique to you. I'm not going to tell just anybody to do this. But if you spend $350 dollars on a pair of jeans why not create something new, instead of wearing the same jeans everyone else is wearing. 

Is anyone convinced yet? Are you looking up where to buy the best raw denim right now? I think I'm going to take the leap, not sure where I will land yet, or what jeans will land on me!

(Fuzzy Screenshot from WHEC.com)

Also, check out some of the comments under the story, oh consumers!

To Wash or Not to Wash, Your Jeans

Raw denim also known as dry denim, is causing people all over the world to wear their jeans without ever washing them. You can call it a laundry phobia, but there is much more to it than that. It’s a movement.


Raw denim is a part of a “do it yourself” culture. Raw denim is denim in it’s purest form, unwashed and untreated. You can create the look you want for your jeans by simply wearing them, without washing them. It’s not a simple task, Eric Goldstein, founder of Jean Shop, tells AOL news. It could take years to break your jeans in. 


There are many bloggers writing about how to care for your raw denim. For example, Darryl Necker, blogger on Dr. Denim Jeans Makers, has been taking his readers through the process of wearing and barely washing his raw denim jeans. 


Jing Liu, lead designer for JUZD street wear, created a YouTube video displaying the first time he washed his jeans in 18 months.


A newcomer to the raw denim lifestyle is Mark Brewer, a 20-year-old student. He’s been wearing his newest jeans, Samuri 710’s, for a little over four weeks without washing. When he finally decides to put his raw denim in the wash he has a special process. “I do a short cold cycle with very little detergent, and hang dry or I'll rinse them in my bath tub and always have them inside out,“ Brewer says. “Otherwise you can hang them out in the sun to get rid of the smell.”

Here’s the process:

• Fill the bathtub with enough lukewarm water to cover your jeans.
•  Use Woolite Zero (or Woolite Dark Colors) to wash your jeans, it is gentle and reduces indigo loss. Fill the cap up to the first line for one pair of jeans. You may use more if you are washing multiple pairs.
•   Pour the Woolite into the bathtub and allow it to bubble before putting the jeans in.
• Put your jeans in the water and move them around with your hands to work some of the dirt and grime off.
•  Let your jeans soak for about 45 minutes.
• After soaking take your jeans out. If the water is brown, then your jeans were DIRTY. Congrats, you have successfully washed your jeans for the first time!
•  Empty the tub and refill it to get the soap off of the jeans.
• Lastly hang those bad boys to dry in the shower. It will probably take a day before they are completely dry and stiff. 

Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? I know this may be a difficult task for raw denim lovers, but you may have to wash your jeans at some point. If you aren’t ready to take that big step, there is an alternative. What you will need is a plastic freezer bag and a freezer with room to spare. Take your dirty jeans and fold them up into the bag. Put them into the freezer for about a week. This will kill bacteria, bacteria that can cause your jeans to smell. It’s nothing like actually washing your jeans, but it would be a courtesy for you to not be stinky at work. Thanks in advance.


This is a lifestyle. More power to you because you are saving money on laundry, and clothes for that matter. To join or not to join the movement, that is the question, and you have the answer. 


(Picture via Andrew Ng Flickr)

Too Much "Ass" in Advertisements

It seems The Wall Street Journal has a problem with the language being used in a new Levi advertisement. No longer is behind and derriere acceptable, ass is where it's at. I guess WSJ prefers backside, buttocks, or that which pokes out in the back.

I think this is a great ad that Levi created. I'm not sure any other word would have fit in as well. If you ask me those people who shouldn't be using the word ass (children) can't even read. So what's the problem? I will say if the use of the word ass has generally been seen as inappropriate for commercials, then Mr. Levi, please leave it out!

What do you think about the Levis ad?

Old Navy has an interesting advertisement as well. I'm glad denim companies are paying more attention to women's butts. Butts in jeans, or rather butts NOT in jeans, have been an issue for years. Some people's butts are much bigger than their waists so when one part fits into one size the other part doesn't. Hopefully the jeans Levi and Old Navy are creating will also save the rest of us from seeing any more ass cracks. Remember kids, crack is wack!

Old Navy Advertisment via The Huffington Post

(Levi photo comes from The Huffington Post)