Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Selvedge jeans comes in all shapes and sizes, but for the most part they only come in three colors: indigo, black, and khaki. And while we appreciate all the unique fabrics that make these jeans unique sometimes we want something a bit more colorful. That’s why this week is dedicated to colorful selvedge—while many brands have produced fun colorways over the years, they’re usually limited runs, which is why we’re focusing on some of funnest colors currently available.
1) Pure Blue Japan: 12oz-GRE-019
Pure Blue Japan regularly releases jeans in special colors, which is why it should come as no surprise that they’ve made it onto this list. Their 12oz-GRE-019 are bright, greencast jeans featuring plenty of nep, iron buttons, tonal selvedge ID, and contrasting stitching. These jeans are definitely the closest to indigo of any pairs on this list, but the color was far too unique to consider leaving off.
Available for $283 from Redcast Heritage.
2) Samurai Jeans: S5000KA-ll Kakishibu
While Samurai Jeans is one of the more traditional Japanese selvedge jean makers out there, they’ve been releasing more and more unique pairs recently. Their S5000KA-ll Kakishibu is made from 17oz. fabric that has been hank dyed with natural persimmon resulting in a beautiful, orange-tan hue. These jeans feature a straight fit, gold plated iron buttons, and heavily textured fabric; this limited production run doesn’t come cheap, but it’s great to see such a special denim produced at any price point.
Available for $865 from Blue in Green.
3) Kiriko: Custom Dyed Tobacco Shibori
Kiriko is known for the beautiful fabrics that they use, and their Custom Dyed Tobacco Shibori offering is just one of many. It’s made to replicate the denim used in some vintage Levi’s, and features Shibori dyed fabric lining the ankles and at the coin pocket. While this isn’t necessarily the color of jeans you’d wear everyday, it is certainly a great piece to add to almost any denim rotation.
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Available for $179 from Kiriko.
4) Railcar Fine Goods: Spikes x060 Olive Warp Green Weft
Green denim isn’t anything new, but there are far too few pairs out there these days and Railcar Fine Goods’ decision to utilize an olive warp and green weft results in a beautiful hue unlike anything else out there. Finished with contrasting stitching, an undyed veg tan patch, and a ton of great details like tucked belt loops, this is a phenomenal pair of denim to add to any collection. If you want a pair of selvedge jeans in a unique color but don’t want to stray too far from the workwear aesthetic these might be just the ticket.
Available for $238 from Railcar Fine Goods.
5) Williamsburg Garment Co: Red Selvedge Jeans
If you want a pair of brightly colored selvedge then Williamsburg Garment Co’s Red Selvedge jeans are the obvious answer. While there have been many pairs of red selvedge over the years, these ones are a particularly pleasant hue that really sets them apart from the rest of what’s out there. These made in Brooklyn jeans are made from Japanese selvedge and feature tonal stitching, but are only available in limited sizes; they are, however, available for full custom order.
Available for $350 from Williamsburg Garment Co.
Plus One – Tender Co: Type 130 Walnut Dyed 19Oz.
While there are many colorful pairs of selvedge out there, Tender Co’s unique, naturally dyed denims stand apart from the pack. Their Type 130 Walnut Dyed 19oz. jeans are, you guessed it, dyed with natural walnut to achieve their rusty brown hue. These jeans are made in England from 19Oz. fabric and feature no side seam due to their crossweave cut, two button fly with crotch rivet, waistband thumb pocket, and so much more.
Available for £292 from Tender Stores.
