What is “Raw Denim” and Why Should I Wear It?
Everyone owns a pair of denim. It’s probably the most universally worn garment of clothes. Within the last decade, the emergence of raw denim has become more prominent.
What is Raw Denim?
Raw denim is essentially denim in its purest form. This means that the denim fabric that was used to create the jeans were not washed or treated with any sort of chemicals. This yields a stiff and uniformly colored pair of jeans.
Benefits of Raw Denim
Raw Denim has many benefits that will improve your style consciousness. Below are a few of the benefits raw denim provides…
1. Raw denim is more durable than regular denim
Since raw denim is void of any sort of treatments or washes, it will last longer than your average pair of jeans. Let assume you have a pair of raw denim and a pair of regular denim. If worn daily, the pair of raw denim will last years longer than the pre-treated/pre-washed pair.
2. Raw denim is more personalized to your body
Over time, since you aren’t getting the factory settings applied to your jeans, your jeans will wear beautifully and shape to the form of your body. While raw denim starts of crisp and rigid, it will eventually soften up to be the most comfortable pair you own. The fades and distressing that come over time will also be more personalized. You’ll have “whiskers” in all the right spots, and “honeycombs” behind your knees. Check out the picture below for a progression of a pair of raw denim
3. Raw denim is more eco-friendly than regular denim
Since your denim will last longer, there’s less need to continuously buy new pairs of jeans. This means you’re consuming less which in turn leads to a more eco-friendly purchase. Raw denim also requires less frequent washes so you’ll be using less water when it comes to washing your jeans. Denim enthusiasts often suggest waiting 6 months before doing your first wash on your raw denim to maximize its fade potential.
4. Raw denim is overall a better value
While they are generally more pricey, they do last much longer. If you break down the cost-per-wear of raw denim, it will generally outlast that of a regular pair of jeans.
5. There’s a large denim community
Like any hobby, denim has its own subculture to dive into. Subreddits like r/rawdenim and sites like Heddels can take you down a rabbit hole of interesting denim brands, fabrics, and stories.
In this eco-conscious world we live in, the benefits of raw denim are obvious. The more you wear your raw denim, the more personalized they become and ultimately you’ll end up with one of the best fitting and most comfortable pairs of clothing in your wardrobe.