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.
Whether you like to cuff your jeans, stack them, or hem them to a no-break length, you can’t go wrong with a pair of heavily tapered selvedge. There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for a new pair of raws, which is why we’ve compiled a list of tapered selvedge jeans that will hopefully contain something for everybody.
1) Benzak Denim Developers: BDDXDR-711
The Dutch Benzak Denim Developers make some great jeans, and their BDDXDR-711 tapered fit exemplifies that wonderfully. Made in Japan from a 16oz. Japanese selvedge denim, these jeans feature chambray pocket bags, hidden back pocket rivets, and constructed with seven different types of thread.
Available for $305 from Division Road.
2) Tellason Stock: Slim Tapered Jean
Available for $120 at Tellason.
3) Japan Blue: JB0304Z-J
If you want a pair of Japanese selvedge with a tapered leg and don’t want to spend a boatload, then Japan Blue and their JB0304Z-J is the obvious choice. These jeans are made from 12.5oz. denim with tonal stitching, and feature a slim leg and heavy taper. The yarn is rope-dyed to give a deep indigo hue that fades beautifully with wear.
Available for $128 from Denimio.
4) Iron Heart: IH-777S-21
If you are looking for a pair of tapered jeans but also want heavyweight denim, then Iron Heart’s IH-777S-21 are the obvious choice. These 21oz. behemoths feature IH’s quality denim and construction, and are made from indigo/white denim with a right hand twill and two twisted weft yarns. While heavyweight tapered jeans are going to take some breaking in, the result will certainly be worth it.
Available for $345 from Iron Heart.
5) Somet: 033
Somet isn’t the most often suggested denim brand, but based on their 033 jeans maybe they should be. These jeans feature black/black denim, tonal black stitching, Somet’s iconic white leather patch, and gold plated rivets. While this last detail might be a bit too gaudy for some of you, it’s hard to deny that it looks perfect on these jeans.
Available for $295 from Blue in Green.
Plus One – Pure Blue Japan: SN-019
There are a lot of types of denim irregularities, but if you’re like me it doesn’t get any better than nep—and Pure Blue Japan’s SN-019 are some of the best neppy jeans on the market. Made from 16oz. denim with many white neps, these jeans are really something special. They have a relaxed tapered fit to ensure you get a narrow leg opening while having ample room in the thigh.
Available for $340 from Blue Owl.