Fade Friday – Gap Kaihara Slim Cut (4 Years, 1 Wash, 4 Soaks)

gap-1969-slim-fit-japanese-selvedge-raw-denim-jeans

Before (courtesy of Gap)

Diego Ledezma of Mexico is part of the mall resistance with his Gap Kaihara denim jeans. In our niche hobby where obscurity is often celebrated, it needs to be said that a vast majority of enthusiasts don’t have specialty stores nearby. And then you go and factor in price and start to wonder how us nut jobs haven’t converted to *trigger warning* stonewashed dad jeans from the start.

Fortunately, jeans like these Gap Kaiharas provide the perfect gateway:  an approachable, convenient take on raw denim which sheds the snobby-ness, leaving more room for the jeans themselves. For the last 4 years, Diego has consistently worn these raw denim jeans, giving them 1 wash and 4 soaks, along the way – no repairs needed.

And the results may surprise you based on your previous (pre-Yeezy) perception of the Gap. In other words, these fades can hold their own to just about any standard pair I can think of and it all starts with the fabric from Japan’s Kaihara mills.  It has a lot of depth and room for deep creases while allowing the wearer to peel back layer after layer of indigo before the white weft starts shining through. In fact, my favorite element is the shade of ‘I’m not sure’ between blue and white — this almost murky, soiled green-y yellow-brown that sorta fills in the cracks of these jeans.

Honorable mention has to be the accordion-esque honeycombs, half because I just thought of that comparison and wanted to use it and half because they’re killer.

You can follow Diego on Instagram @dfledezma

Gap 1969 Slim Fit Japanese Selvedge Raw Denim Jeans

  • Fabric: 100% cotton Japanese raw selvedge denim
  • Fabric weight: 13 oz.
  • Fabric source: Japan
  • Made in: Unknown
  • Fit: Slim
  • Additional details:
    • Selvedge detail coin pocket
  • Available at: Gap for $81 (sale)