Are There Any Good Sources for Affordable Selvedge or Raw Denim Jeans?

Though the quality and integrity of handmade selvedge jeans made of raw denim is apparent to anyone who actually owns a pair, their steep initial investment price can hold many of us back. Including…me. I’ve got my eyes on a few different styles from a variety of makers, but that initial $250-350 can bea pretty big bullet to bite, especially when I have at least one pair of jeans that I like, which, though they’re not gonna last much more than a few years, aren’t worn out yet. 

Thankfully, there are a few affordable options, or, at least more affordable, available right now.  Grant Harris writes for Primer, one of my favorite men’s blogs:

Ahh, the great denim dilemma. Where to find high quality selvedge/raw/dry– the stuff that feels like cardboard at first but will wear in and mold to your body quite nicely over time–at bargain prices…. In that case you may find it difficult to find a good pair made of the best denim (usually from Japan) at less than $250. Many options go for over $300 and [some] will run you over $500.  Fear not my friend.  There are plenty of options for the sub $250 market and we’re here to explore them. 

Grant then provides five non-paycheck-busting options, several of which are sub-$100. Check it out at Primer – Style Q&A: Affordable Raw or Selvedge Jeans 

And then, once you’ve snagged a pair, be sure you know what you should never do to good jeans. 

[Top image: Rawrdenim]