If you're looking for tough jeans without any corners cut, look no further. Despite being starched denim, the Särmä Raw Denim jeans fit you really well once you've broken them in, much like a good pair of leather boots. Soon enough you won't want to take these off!
Raw denim jeans are manufactured from 100% cotton, which is only dyed and starched. This should please traditionalists, as the material is elastane-free and not pre-washed or -worn either. Our model also has a selvedge, which means the edge of the fabric is self-edged and doesn't fray. Weight 13 ounces / square yard, or c. 441 g/m2, mid-weight stuff. The label on the backside is made from leather.
The model is basic with five pockets and a button fly. The cut is a bit narrower than our Särmä Common Jeans but otherwise similar. We really didn't set out to surprise anyone with these, just meet the demand, which is a tall order these days.
So how come these are so pricey? Raw denim with a selvedge comes 79 cm wide (a hair over 31"), so a double length of fabric is necessary for one pair of jeans, as opposed to trousers made from regular fabrics in the region of 1,5 m (5') widths. Material expenses aside, these are not hastily made in a far-away sweatshop, but with skill and care right across the gulf from our place. The fabric itself is made in Turkey, where stiff traditions die hard.
Please pay attention: the size and care go hand in hand. These jeans shrink in the first wash.
If you own Särmä Common Jeans, you can pick the same size. These Raw Denim jeans have a slightly closer fit, but are sized with the same folks in mind.
With a 33" test size we observed a 3 cm reduced waist and 2 cm reduced leg girth. The difference is likely a bit larger or smaller for larger and smaller sizes respectively, but nothing major. Also, denim will stretch to fit again, so if it's a bit tight after washing, just keep going and it'll loosen up a bit. If it wasn't tight before, it'll be fine after washing as well. As you can probably tell at this point, the fabric is unsanforized.
Washing will also reduce the length, but this model assumes a cuff, so the amount of folded fabric will just be reduced. There's a couple of inches extra length compared to the designated length: for example, a 34" length (86 cm in metric) is actually 36" (92 cm) long when straightened out, before washing. If you want a prominent cuff even after washing, pick a longer size.
Bigger than 42"? Sorry, the fabric is narrow and sets limitations.
Width size | Waist | Hip | Cuff |
---|---|---|---|
W28" | 77.5 cm | 104 cm | 39 cm |
W30" | 82.5 cm | 109 cm | 40.2 cm |
W32" | 87.5 cm | 114 cm | 41.4 cm |
W34" | 92.5 cm | 119 cm | 42.6 cm |
W36" | 97.5 cm | 124 cm | 43.8 cm |
W38" | 102.5 cm | 129 cm | 45 cm |
W40" | 107.5 cm | 134 cm | 46.2 cm |
W42" | 112.5 cm | 139 cm | 47.4 cm |
W44" | 117.5 cm | 144 cm | 48.6 cm |
Length size | Inseam |
---|---|
L30” | 82.5 cm |
L32” | 87.5 cm |
L34” | 92.5 cm |
Machine wash separately at 40 °C (104 F). Liquid detergent, no bleach or softeners. Hang to dry.
The human mind can't fathom how much the color runs when these are washed. Wash separately and expect a much more blue appearance after excess color and starch has washed off. Unless otherwise mentioned, the product pictures feature jeans before washing.
These are Fenno-Estonian work as follows: our subcontractor is a Finnish company, MASI - the paperwork is done here, the fabrics come from Europe and the sewing work is made just over the gulf in Estonia. These are entirely European-made, you'll be hard-pressed to find better workmanship.
We occasionally sell these in used condition (yes, we list them separately when available). Used jeans have been washed, so they look more blue than pictured here, and are likely to have individual highlights at wrinkles and other wear points.
David H.
Martin N.
Aaron A.