If the rare denim is selvedge, the rarest of the rare is natural indigo selvedge, and the rarest of the rarest of the rare is hank-dyed natural indigo selvedge, which is exactly what you see on Left Field‘s latest Greaser Tokushima Shoai jeans.
Let’s break down exactly what that means. If you don’t know selvedge, it’s the self-closed outer edge on a narrow loomed piece of fabric that makes those lines you typically see on the outseam (also what are you doing here?). It takes roughly 10 times as long to weave selvedge fabric.
Natural indigo means the indigo dye is made from the actual indigofera plant, which takes considerably longer to grow, process, and ferment than the chemically synthesized indigo that’s used for more than 99% of clothing. This leads to a unique and often lighter shade of blue.
And finally, hank-dyeing. This is the process of individually dyeing the yarns by hand in a dye vat by a skilled artisan. This, again, takes way more time than doing it mechanically and leads to a denim that has a deep color and character with thousands of different shades and strengths in a single garment. This process was perfected by Japanese indigo artisans in the Edo period and the art has passed down ever since, into the denim in these jeans.
Left Field pulled out all the stops on this one to make an incredible limited run of 17 oz. denim into, made in the USA in their Greaser fit silhouette. With all their signature details like leather-backed hardware, bandana pocket bags —and that iconic pick-and-shovel button design symbolizing the brand’s coal mining inspirations — this exclusive release merges ancient dyeing techniques of Japan with classic American blue jeans in the most charming way.
Get your pair for $550 at Left Field.
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