We know. When it comes to splaying out your favorite pair of raw denim jeans with the specific and honorable ambition of taking some halfway decent photos that adequately represent the wear marks you’ve earned, just so you can share it with the subculture of fellow denim nerds who read posts like these, sometimes you need a little motivation. Such was the case for Heddels reader Julian Fernandez, who saw a recent posting of another pair of RRL jeans and had to share his own pair of Slim Fit Rigids.

Clocking in at a whopping four years and six months of wear, Julian made his fades suffering through the Texas heat, washing minimally and only when necessary. These jeans are cut from Japanese denim and have aged handsomely over time, showing significant indigo loss throughout, but especially through the knees, thighs, and seat.

The highest friction areas are seriously worn down in the photos—and last May the crotch and knees were repaired by Self Edge—so Julian tells us these RRLs have since been retired because of how thin they are. All good things must come to an end, but at least sometimes their glory will live on.

RRL Slim Fit Rigid Raw Denim Jeans

• Fabric: 100% cotton selvedge denim
• Fabric weight: 16 oz.
• Fabric source: USA
• Made in: USA
• Fit: Slim Straight
• Additional Details:
  • Leather patch
  • Logo embroidery on front pocket
  • Chainstitched waistband
• Available at: Unionmade for $275