Hi! Here is a very quick and limited introduction to raw denim and why I decided to use it with my first style, the raw Indigo Classics.

There is so much to know and I find that I'm still constantly learning myself. But, the basic idea of "raw denim" is that it's untouched off the loom. However, that is a broad statement and there can be a lot of nuance to this idea, even different views.

But let's just start with - "raw" as the state the denim is right off the loom. Because raw denim hasn't been treated, it will shrink when it comes into contact with water; so when you see “shrink to fit” it means you sit in a bathtub wearing your raw denim waiting for it to shrink wrap to your body. This also means they’ll shrink just by innocently washing them in your washing machine. I REPEAT RAW DENIM SHRINKS WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH WATER/WHEN YOU WASH THEM. This is not to be confused with what are called "washes" - acid wash and stone wash are both washes (see images).

PS - these washes can look great but are such a waste of water.

85% of your Vintage Levi’s are stone washed.

I chose to use raw denim when I first made the raw Indigo Classics because raw denim ends up fitting the best and fades the coolest. They should be too small when you first get them because they will stretch with wear. I call this "give to fit", the jeans will give to your shape the more you wear them. This is why you see folk laying on a bed to zip up their jeans - they know that their 100% cotton jeans are going to stretch so it’s important to have them super snug at the start. Then your body will impose (lol) it’s shape and VOILA! Your jeans will fit perfectly. They knew what they were doing in the 70’s….. see the epic “plyer/zipper pull up” scene in Dazed and Confused.

I don't recommend washing your raw Indigo Classics too much because when you launder them, the indigo leaves the denim uniformly but when you don't wash them the indigo rubs away at the creases and that's how you get those cool wear lines. Plus, when you wash them, they will shrink back up and you'll have to stretch them out again. The only part you can’t stretch back is the length - you most likely will lose at least ½ and inch never to return.

Merica Lee raw denim classics give the best fades

Now you have the raw denim basics! Let me know if ya’ll are interested in hearing more about this, I could definitely do a more in depth raw part deux.