What's Raw Denim?
Raw denim, also known as dry denim, is highly prized among denim enthusiasts for its unique character and longevity. Unlike pre-washed or treated denim, raw denim is untreated, allowing the fabric to age naturally over time with wear, resulting in a personalized and distinct fade pattern. The heavyweight cotton material provides durability, making raw denim a long-lasting investment in your wardrobe. With proper care, raw denim jeans can last for years and only get better with age, making it a sustainable and timeless choice for denim lovers.
Because it’s made and sold by people who care about the environment
We know that raw denim is an environmentally friendly fashion choice, but that’s not enough. We are committed to sustainability and planetary conservation.
Here are our promises to you:
- We have limited using plastic of any kind in/for our products, and we are in the process of sourcing new plastic-free shipping bags.
- Since we ship many of our products overseas, we understand that we are increasing the demand for air shipping. Through our shipping partner DHL, we have committed to carbon emission offsets for each of our shipments. To neutralize our environmental impact as much as possible, this program purchases carbon credits from verified low-emissions projects.
- All our fabrics are unwashed and raw, saving as much as 42 litres of water per pair.
- Our made-to-order business model means no stock overruns. We make what we sell as we sell it. Minimal waste, minimal impact.
Because it’s made and worn slowly and passionately
Selvedge denim (also called selfedge or selvage denim) is made on vintage, low-speed shuttle looms. These looms were effectively replaced when denim manufacturers found a cheaper and faster way to make denim.A handful of artisans kept the old weaving methods alive, and we are indebted to these passionate makers for refusing to compromise in the name of profit and efficiency. The slower, more labour-intensive process produces denim that is slightly irregular, and this is what draws denim lover to the fabric. It has texture and character, and it grows more beautiful each time you wear it.
Because they’re yours and yours alone
Unlike stonewashed or pre-faded jeans, raw denim doesn’t come to you in its finished state. It’s meant to be worn for months or even years on end, and it’s meant to tell a story about your particular style and your unique lifestyle. The minute they start to crease, the minute you start leaving indigo in your wake, your jeans become uniquely your own. Your SOSOs are yours and yours alone. They’re the only pair you’ll want to wear. You’ll love your SOSOs so much that you’ll probably forsake all your other pairs, wearing it day in and day out until it feels like a second skin. Once you’ve experienced the full raw experience, nothing else will do. We’re committed to helping you end the buy-and-discard cycle once and for all.
Here’s how we’re going to help you do this:
We’ll pay you to donate or recycle as many of your old pairs as you like.
Simply provide us proof that you have donated or recycled your old pairs and we’ll give you 10 SOSO dollars for every pair you get rid of.
Because they’re dry, and they’re meant to stay dry
Fading jeans artificially is a water-intensive process. To create that lived-in, faded look, manufacturers use about 42 litres of water per pair. Chemicals help the process along, and most of these chemicals end up, sooner or later, in the world’s oceans. This continues when the jeans are purchased. Every time you wash a pair of jeans, you’re using between 15 and 45 gallons of water.
Raw denim uses substantially less water in the manufacturing process, and, since you should only be washing your SOSOs a few times a year (maybe less than this), you’ll be saving hundreds of gallons of water with every pair. Wearing raw is the right thing to do.
Fabric Weights
Most mass-market denim is in the range of 9-11 oz. We offer lightweight denims in this range, but we also offer some of the heaviest selvedge denim you can find anywhere on the planet. Before you leap into the heavy stuff with both feet, make sure you read the section on denim weights below.
Lightweight Denim 10-12 Oz
Spring and summer denim, but heavy enough for the fall.
Mid Weight Denim 13-15 Oz
Rigid at the beginning, but relaxes quite quickly after a break-in period.
Heavyweight Denim 16-21 Oz
Strong enough to withstand heavy abuse. Produce distinct fade patterns.
Super Heavyweight Denim 22-25 Oz
Start as comfortable as cardboard. Beautiful fades wait for the patient fader.
World's Heaviest Denim 33.14 Oz
The first selvedge in the world to cross the 33 oz. threshold. Not for the weak of heart.