We launched our Break-In with jeans from Levi’s Vintage Clothing a month ago (you can check it out here). The idea, as we explained, was to break in the raw denim and give monthly visual reports along with candid assessments of what we think about the garments. Here are our reports after Month 1. Please read below:
“This jacket makes my rugged daywear feel a bit more proper…”
Anthony chose the Levis 505-0217 W34 L34 – Here are his thoughts after the first month …
Since the last check in, I have been wearing my Pre-Shrunk (Process 686) 505-0217 Original Riveted Levi’s Jeans about three times a week. The feel of the denim has softened quite dramatically and the range of motion while wearing it has increased quite well. The W34 now feels just right now with some room for increased comfort. As stated in the past, I am usually a W33 and these W34 were quite snug at the beginning, but now they feel more like a W33.5 (if they existed) – just perfect. The thigh hugging has also given way a little bit. It is not too tight anymore around the thighs but it is tight enough that I am starting to worry about thigh sweat when the weather gets hotter.
I have worn my jeans with several different types of footwear (boots, sneakers and canvas Sanuks) and they all work very well. The good thing is that with these jeans, you never look under dressed – they actually, in a strange way, class up a casual look. I have received several compliments on them. Compliments range from the shape of the pockets to the quality look of the denim. There is no doubt that I have a long way to go with the break-in and I look forward to this. It is a fun process wearing something you like that will only get more comfortable with time. However, I do worry about the coming hot days and I am also not a big fan of the slightly high waist. The waist is easily covered with a t-shirt or shirt but the breathability of the denim is just a “wait and see.”
Geo picked the Levi’s Orange Tab – 1960’s 606 – “Super Slim” – W34 L34 – Here are his intial musings …
First off, what I noticed after the first two weeks of wear is that this Break-In is going to require a lot more effort than I expected. These jeans are the true definition of rigidity. There is no slouch at all – it’s completely understandable why these jeans were first conceived as sturdy workwear. Ok some now to the specifics: the waist has opened up some and given me so much needed leeway – I can definitely get away wearing these without a belt for the forseeable future. The thigh area was my other point of contention. Even when I first put the jeans on, it feels a little constricted around that area – and when I put my wallet in my back pocket, it makes walking up any stairs (especially the subway) quite a task.
On the positive side of things, I love the “fall-over” look of these Orange Tabs with sneakers and especially boots. It’s a no-brainer look that works for casual or slightly more dress-up looks. The darker wash also makes it super-easy to pull off a denim on denim look with Beckham-style proficiency. As it starts to get hotter, I’m definitely eager to see the breathability factor when the humidity levels start to spike. For the next check-in, I will have more info about how summer time works with Orange Tab jeans.
Ben picked the 1936 Denim Jacket, Size M – Here is his take …
Ok, so one month in with this jumpoff. A few things: Number 1, it is tighter than one would expect in the armpits. Like, tight enough, that I was worried I made the wrong decision about getting the size that fit me off the rack vs. getting a size up and ‘shrink to fitting’ as described here. But after I got over that, I thought maybe it will just stretch out like my jeans always do, so I chilled out. It’s still a bit tight in the armpits, but I’m not as thrown off by it anymore, and it looks sick on me. Number 2, It is shorter than you also might expect. This has been described elsewhere on the interwebs before, so I was ready for it. But I wasn’t ready for how short it was compared to my rad black hoodie, which I also rock ALL THE TIME. So my remedy for this is that I lift up the hood on my hoodie a few times when I put the jacket on, so it doesn’t hang too low underneath it. This seems to work, either that, or I just dgaf after I start drinking, because it never bothers me after I leave the house. Number 3, This is really an addition to Number 2, which is, that because the jacket is short, it kind of forces you to have your jeans sitting in the right place on your hips. Like, you can’t really sag your jeans with this jacket, which is either a pro or a con depending on your approach to your day.
When I put this joint on with the jeans I constantly rock, I actually feel really put together. Almost dressed up…seriously. It is a proper way to do the Canadian tuxedo. If your jeans fit right and the jacket fits right accordingly, you really do feel put together, which I like, because I’m never put together. My style icon has been the Mexican Snoopy for years, so I tend to look like a cowboy with a drinking problem who just escaped a sandstorm. This jacket makes my rugged daywear feel a bit more proper…aight, nuff said. As you can see in the detail shot, it has actually started to wear a bit, also dope, because thats the idea… I wore this jacket probably 20 days out of the last thirty. I had a cigarette flicked at me by an obnoxious drunk chick in Tribeca, I spilled a full Grey Goose Martini on it, I stuffed it in the basket of my ratchet Schwinn beach cruiser almost every day, and I generally just tried to beat the sh*t out of it. It’s holding up, and I’m pumped for the long haul. Things I’m planning on doing in this jacket in the future are: 1. Get into a fight and spill blood on it. 2. Sleep amongst the homeless dudes in Madison Square Park (like I haven’t done that before…) 3. Sail in a boat race. 4. Slide to third base on a lead off triple. I will keep you posted… Cheers!
See the first break in comments here
See you at the next Break-In …
For a similar feature – click here.
