Lenzing Group has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz CEO, while Geodis has made multiple hires as it develops a client experience organization.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Also: KATO’s Comfortable Selvedge, New Releases, and My Updated Selvedge Denim Guide

Earlier this week, Google announced what it calls the biggest update to search in more than 25 years.

This could fundamentally change how people find information online, including how they discover independent sites like Denimhunters, and whether they visit them at all. But before I put on my tinfoil hat, there are more enjoyable things to get into as well.

I’ve published a brand profile of KATO, the Japanese-American label that has done more than most to make stretch selvedge feel like a serious option for denim enthusiasts. I’ve also collected a few other things I think are worth your attention this week. And I’ve updated one of the cornerstone articles from the Denimhunters archive.

Get the DH Weekly in Your Inbox

Google may be changing how readers find sites like Denimhunters, which makes it even more important that I can reach you directly.

The DH Weekly goes out every Friday with new stories, product picks, industry observations, and denim history. Sign up below to get it in your inbox.

KATO Makes the Case for Comfortable Selvedge

As denim enthusiasts, we tend to accept discomfort as part of the deal. If you want raw denim with texture, fades, and character, the break-in might be a little painful. KATO has spent the past decade questioning that assumption.

The brand is best known for its 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE™, which adds flexibility in both directions while still aiming to preserve the weight, texture, and fading potential that make raw denim interesting in the first place.

For anyone new to raw denim—or simply used to jeans with stretch—that makes selvedge considerably easier to get into. But KATO is also interesting for experienced denimheads: not because it replaces traditional rigid denim, but because it challenges, and might change, your assumptions of stretch denim.

In the new profile, I look at KATO’s approach to comfort, its heavyweight Mammoth stretch selvedge, and the 17 oz. all-cotton Monster Slub that shows the brand is about more than stretch.

Things Worth Your Attention This Week

I’m not actively shopping for engineer boots, although a pair of Mister Lous is what I’d get. I certainly don’t need more jeans, but a good collaboration is always tempting. And I would absolutely melt in a 15.7 oz. T-shirt. None of that makes this week’s releases any less interesting.

Wesco x Brooklyn Clothing Anniversary Mister Lou Boots

Brooklyn Clothing Co. is celebrating its 37th anniversary with three exclusive Wesco Mister Lou Engineer Boots, made in custom-ordered Horween Chromexcel leathers: Timber, Havana, and Calvados.

The Mister Lou is Wesco’s slightly sleeker take on the classic engineer boot, with a reduced shaft, almond-shaped toe, brass hardware, natural leather midsoles, and resoleable stitchdown construction. Combined with Chromexcel, these should develop plenty of tonal variation and character as they’re worn.

The collection launches today (Friday, 29 May at 10AM MST), and the boots retail at CA$1,195 / US$895.

Samurai Restock at Redcast Heritage

Everyone’s favourite Spanish denim destination has received a sizeable restock from Samurai, including several of the brand’s core jeans in the more wearable 15 oz. range.

That is still substantial denim, of course, but a little easier to live with than some of Samurai’s heavier fabrics as temperatures start climbing.

And in case that sounds too sensible for summer, they have also restocked Samurai’s 15.7 oz. T-shirts, available in four colours.

I’m not sure anyone needs a tee that weighs nearly as much as a pair of jeans, but I also know that will not stop some of you 😂

Fullcount x Blue in Green Summer Collection

New York’s Blue in Green has released a very good-looking exclusive collection with Fullcount, built around four easy summer outfits.

The centrepiece is the 0107 BiG Special wide straight jeans, available either in a rinsed or a beautifully washed version. There’s also a matching Type II denim jacket in the same two washes, also made in an exclusive fit.

But my favourites might be the military-inspired M43 jacket and field trousers, available in washed indigo and black herringbone. Both already have that softly worn-in look that works especially well with this kind of military clothing.

Three Months Left of the Indigo Invitational

We are now nine months into Year 5 of the Indigo Invitational. Inconveniently, this is also the time of year when putting away your jeans and reaching for a pair of shorts starts to feel very appealing.

If you’re still in the running, this is not the time to stop. We’re getting into the home stretch, and summer months can make a real difference to your fades.

So keep going, even when shorts are calling. And remember to submit your monthly update.

Why the New Google Is a Problem for DH

I’ve been working on this site for more than 15 years. There have been ups and downs, but it’s still here—and doing better than ever.

It started as a hobby project, and for the first decade, that is largely how I treated it. I made my living from other work, which meant I did not financially depend on Denimhunters. But the site has grown steadily over the past couple of years, and if that growth continues, it could provide my full-time income by the end of this year.

Earlier this week, Google announced a major change to its core product that made headlines around the world. I knew it was coming, and I’ve been preparing for it. But now it’s real. So why do I care?

Will Google Cut Off Sites Like Mine?

In a nutshell, Google wants to answer your questions directly. Instead of sending you to a site that explains how to wash raw denim, compares jeans brands, or helps you find the right pair, it will give you the answer inside Google search.

And I understand why that is useful. I use Google myself, and I’ve enjoyed the AI-generated answers when I just need something quickly. The problem, and where it gets unfair, is that those answers have to come from somewhere.

When I explained this to my wife, her immediate reaction was: “Can they really do that?! Can they take the information from your site, show it on Google, and not send people to you?”

Yes. They can. And they will.

That is concerning for a site like Denimhunters because my business depends on people actually visiting. You read an article, click through to a brand or a retailer, maybe buy something through one of those links, or simply contribute to the traffic that supports advertising on the site.

Why Your Visits Matter More Than Ever

Traffic to Denimhunters is in a good place. Here are some key numbers:

• From 2024 to 2025, total traffic grew by 18% total.
• Historically, more than 80% of traffic has come from search, predominantly Google. This month, that number is down to around 76%.
• Direct traffic has grown from around 13% historically to almost 22% this month.

That is actually really encouraging. Traffic is growing, and more of you are coming directly to the site, opening my emails, and returning to read what is new. And as Google becomes less reliable as a way for independent sites to reach readers, that direct connection becomes increasingly important.

So I’m not saying Denimhunters is about to disappear. It isn’t! But the foundation underneath independent websites is changing just as the site is reaching a point where it might finally make me a full-time income.

So, yes, the alarming framing of this week’s DH Weekly was maybe a tiny bit clickbait. But I wanted you to read this, because the concern behind it is very real.

How You Can Help

Whether you found Denimhunters through Google, came directly to the site, or read this in your inbox: thank you! It genuinely means a lot.

If you want to help even more, keep coming back. Make sure you’re subscribed to the DH Weekly, and share Denimhunters with someone you think might enjoy it.

And if you are already planning to buy something I’ve written about, consider going through one of the links in any of the articles before you do. You pay the same price, and I receive a small commission that helps keep Denimhunters going.

From the Archive: My Guide to Selvedge Denim

One of the most-read articles over the years has been my guide to selvedge denim. I updated it last spring as part of a broader effort to prepare for the arrival of AI search.

With Google’s latest announcement, that work has suddenly become more urgent. So I’ve gone back to the guide once again and turned it into a much fuller article.

If you’re new to raw denim, it’s a good place to start. It explains what selvedge actually is, why that little line inside the cuff matters, how selvedge differs from raw denim, and whether it really makes a better pair of jeans.

And if you already know the basics, there’s a lot more in there now: more detail on how denim is made, what selvedge can—and cannot—tell you about quality, and what I’ve learned from more than 15 years of writing about denim and almost two decades of selling raw denim jeans in retail.

Google may still use some of that information to answer questions without sending readers through. But making the one of the most popular articles on Denimhunters more useful and more grounded in real experience is the best response I have.

The post Is Google’s New Search My Biggest Challenge in 15 Years? appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

White jeans for men are one of the defining denim trends of Summer 2026. The emphasis is on relaxed straight fits, minimalist and clean.

The biggest shift this season is away from ultra-skinny white denim and toward softer silhouettes, vintage-inspired washes, and tonal summer styling. Yep, forget the skinny jean (in ALL washes!): the straight leg is already cemented as the go-to denim style for Spring and Summer 2026. And, just FYI – not backward shift to skinnies in the near future!

White jeans return for summer in baggier, relaxed fits reminiscent of tailored pants.

The whites range from icy white to warm cream, summer bleach, and moving intoan ecru fall. While white jeans as a dominant summer trend, the enduring appeal now works across seasons and white denim definitely have become a versatile wardrobe staple for the whole year.

The minimal 1990’s aesthetic is especially influential right now. Monochrome white outfits, clean sneakers, loafers, and relaxed tailoring are replacing hyper-distressed Y2K styling. Actually, fashionistas are very much pushing monochromatic white-on-white styling

Look out for relaxed or straight fits, heavier non-transparent denim in vintage or workwear-inspired silhouettes.

To sum it up, white denim is no longer just vacation wear! Summer 2026 fashion is treating it as a core everyday jean category, very much worth investing in.

To make it easier for you – our reders – our team has done the work for you and researched online and in stores. Below you can find our team’s top picks of white jeans available to shop for tight now.

Polo Ralph Lauren Heritage Straight Jeans ($198)

Lee 100% Cotton Carpenter Jeans ($99)

Scotch & Soda The Zee Straight Fit Jeans ($128)

ORSLOW 90’s Straight-Leg Jeans ($220)

Levi’s 501 Original Jeans ($84.95)

Dsquared2 Skater Jeans ($340)

The post The Best White Jeans For Men This Summer first appeared on Denimology.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

This is a sponsored blog post, one of our paid services. We maintain full editorial independence. Read more here.

KATO Didn’t Reinvent Raw Denim—But They Did Question One Thing

Raw selvedge denim has traditionally come with a kind of unspoken agreement: if you want the fades and the character, you have to accept the stiffness and the break-in. And that usually comes with some discomfort,

For a lot of denimheads, that’s almost built into the experience. Heavyweight denim that barely bends when it’s new. Waistbands that fight back. Sharp creases behind the knees. Jeans that take weeks—or months—to really become yours.

And there’s a reason raw denim feels like that. Untreated fabrics hold more structure. Tighter weaves and heavier yarns produce better vertical fading, sharper contrast, and more distinct wear patterns over time. A lot of what makes raw denim visually interesting is tied directly to the fact that it’s initially hard to wear.

But somewhere along the way, discomfort itself started becoming romanticised. That’s the assumption HIROSHI KATO has spent the past decade quietly questioning. Not by abandoning what makes raw denim appealing in the first place, and not by turning selvedge denim into athleisure.

Because while most brands approached comfort by either softening the fabric or making it lighter, KATO went in a different direction entirely.

KATO Didn’t Just Make Softer Denim

When Nick Noguchi founded KATO, he wasn’t trying to create a simplified version of raw denim for people who didn’t really like denim.

If anything, the brand’s fabrics suggest the opposite. Heavyweight Japanese selvedge, slubby textures, rope-dyed indigo yarns, and fade-focused construction are all still central to what KATO does.

What Noguchi questioned was the idea that restriction itself had become inseparable from authenticity.

“The stiffness, the time it takes to break in, the idea that you have to ‘earn’ comfort,” he says. “With HIROSHI KATO, we wanted to change that experience.”

Nick Noguchi, founder of KATO

That distinction matters. Because most denim enthusiasts have good reasons to be sceptical of stretch denim.

Historically, stretch has meant compromise. Softer, thinner fabrics with less structure. Weak recovery. Flat-looking fades. Jeans that feel comfortable for a few months before losing shape completely.

For years, “stretch selvedge” sounded almost contradictory. And honestly, not without reason.

Why Stretch Denim Usually Loses Denimheads

Most stretch denim solves stiffness by reducing structure. That’s the trade-off.

Add enough elasticity and you lose the density and rigidity that give raw denim its texture and long-term character. The fabric behaves differently. It drapes differently. Fades become flatter and less defined. The denim loses some of the tension that normally creates sharp creases and high-contrast wear patterns.

That’s why stretch denim has traditionally struggled to gain credibility in the heritage space. KATO understood that problem from the beginning.

“Too much elasticity, and the denim loses its structure,” Noguchi explains. “Too little, and it doesn’t meaningfully improve comfort.”

That balancing act became the foundation for the brand’s proprietary 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE^TM. And importantly, KATO didn’t arrive there by following the obvious routes.

“When developing our 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE^TM, we looked at the usual solutions—lighter-weight fabrics or heavy softening treatments—but each came with trade-offs,” Noguchi says. “Lighter denim can lose structure and depth. Softening can take away the character that makes raw denim special.”

Instead, KATO focused on preserving those characteristics while changing how the denim behaves in motion. That’s a much harder problem to solve.

The Challenge: Keeping It Looking Like Denim

A lot of stretch denim uses elasticity in only one direction, usually the weft. KATO’s approach introduced stretch in both the warp and weft yarns, allowing the fabric to move more naturally without relying on excessive softness.

But the more interesting part isn’t the stretch itself. It’s the fact that stretch normally changes how denim looks.

According to Noguchi, introducing elasticity often causes the weave to become too dense, which compromises the visual texture associated with traditional 3×1 twill selvedge denim. The white weft yarns become less visible, the surface becomes flatter, and the fabric loses some of the irregularity and contrast that gives vintage denim its depth.

To avoid that, KATO developed a treatment process designed to maintain balanced shrinkage in both directions while preserving the fabric’s original appearance.

That might sound like a small detail, but it gets to the heart of why KATO has earned attention beyond just “comfortable jeans.”

The goal wasn’t simply mobility. The goal was preserving the visual and structural character denim enthusiasts care about while removing some of the restrictions traditionally associated with wearing it.

And that becomes especially obvious once you get into the heavier fabrics.

The Best Example of What KATO Does

On paper, KATO’s 17.5 oz. Mammoth selvedge almost sounds self-contradictory. Heavyweight stretch selvedge still feels slightly unnatural as a concept if you’ve spent years around traditional raw denim.

In his review of the denim, Bryan admits he used to dismiss stretch denim entirely. Like a lot of denimheads, he associated it with compromise. But after spending time with KATO’s Mammoth fabric, what surprised him wasn’t that it felt soft—it was that it still felt substantial.

“The pair felt heavy,” he writes, “but the resistance I’ve come to expect with heavy selvedge wasn’t there.”

That’s an important distinction. KATO’s denim doesn’t really try to imitate sweatpants or performancewear. The fabric still has density and weight to it. It still looks like proper selvedge denim. You still get the texture, the structure, and the visual depth you’d expect from heavyweight Japanese fabrics.

What changes is the restriction. The jeans are noticeably easier to move in when sitting, crouching, or climbing stairs. For slimmer fits especially, the added flexibility made a substantial difference compared to traditional heavyweight selvedge.

And importantly, the fades still seem to hold up. That’s always the real test. Because comfort alone doesn’t mean much in raw denim if the fabric loses the visual evolution that makes the category interesting in the first place.

Some of KATO’s Most Popular Fits

• The Pen → Slim without feeling overly restrictive. Probably the easiest transition for people used to modern slim fits.
• The Hammer → A straight fit that feels contemporary while still keeping a clean silhouette.
• The Barrel → A classic straight fit that works especially well with KATO’s heavier and more textured fabrics.

KATO Isn’t Just About Stretch Denim

Even though the 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE^TM—like their flagship 14 oz. denim—is what KATO’s best known for, the broader appeal of the brand probably comes from how consistently it applies the same philosophy across the collection.

The Monster Slub fabric is a good example. Unlike KATO’s stretch selvedge, it’s a 17 oz. 100% cotton Japanese denim built around exaggerated yarn irregularity and vertical texture.

On paper, that sounds like the kind of fabric that should be brutally stiff. But heavily textured denim like this behaves differently from standard heavyweight selvedge. The fabric drapes differently, softens differently, and develops character in a less rigid way over time.

Again, the interesting thing isn’t softness by itself. It’s the idea that a fabric can still feel substantial and visually complex without becoming unnecessarily difficult to wear.

That same thinking carries over into KATO’s shirts and broader garment line-up too. Vintage military and workwear references are still there, but usually interpreted through lighter construction, softer fabrics, and easier movement.

KATO Found an Audience Beyond Beginners

It would be easy to assume KATO mainly appeals to people who are new to raw denim. And to some extent, that’s true.

If your only experience with selvedge denim has been stories about painful break-ins and rigid heavyweight fabrics, KATO lowers the barrier to entry considerably. You can wear the jeans naturally from day one without feeling like you’ve signed up for a six-month endurance project.

But what’s more interesting is how many experienced denim wearers seem to arrive at the brand from the opposite direction. Often, there’s initial scepticism. Then curiosity. Then surprise.

Bryan’s conclusion after wearing the Mammoth selvedge probably captures that progression pretty well: “They haven’t changed how I feel about 100% cotton selvedge, but they’ve certainly changed how I feel about stretch denim.” That’s probably the best way to understand where KATO sits in the raw denim landscape.

KATO isn’t saying that traditional 100% cotton selvedge is obsolete. Nor are they trying to replace the appeal of rigid denim and long break-ins entirely. There will always be denim enthusiasts who actively enjoy that process.

What KATO questions is whether restriction itself became overly tied to the idea of authenticity. And judging by the response their fabrics have received over the past few years, more people inside the denim world seem increasingly open to asking the same question.

Where to Start with KATO

If you’re curious about KATO and what to try a pair for yourself, these are probably the best places to start:

• 14 oz. 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE^TM → The clearest expression of what makes KATO different.
• 17.5 oz. Mammoth 4-WAY STRETCH SELVEDGE^TM → Heavyweight stretch denim that still feels substantial.
• Monster Slub denim → For anyone who prefers more texture and visual character.

The post Why KATO Thinks Raw Denim Doesn’t Have to Hurt appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Dsquared2 Resort 2027 menswear pushed the brand’s signature chaotic luxury denim even further. Mixing Italian tailoring, Y2K clubwear, cowboy references, sequined jeans, ripped denim, and sporty hybrids.

The result is one of the loudest men’s denim collections of the season! Dean and Dan Caten described their Resoer 2027 as an Italian summer filtered through their Canadian outsider perspective.

Denim, of course, is one of the core pillars of this collection, especially pieces that combine glamour and destruction. Definitely including denim covered in transparent sequins and hybrid trench-and-denim constructions.

Key men’s denim looks:

Sequined Denim

One of the standout concepts was light-wash denim covered in translucent sequins that reflected light like nightclubwear while still looking distressed and rugged.

Cowboy + Italian Tailoring

The Catens mixed western denim shirts, skinny distressed jeans, pointed boots and oversized belt details.

The result felt like 1980s Milan nightlife colliding with American rodeo culture.

Denim Fits & Washes

The washes moved between dirty light indigo and medium blues to faded greys and washed blacks. Also included was Dsquared2’s signature paint-splattered denim.

As for the fits, the Resort 27 collection continues with the brand’s core styles like the slim – sexy twist – jeans, as well as their baggy carpenter fits.

Have a look at our gallery below to check out the men’s Resort 2027 denim looks.

You can shop for Dsquared2 clothing at LUISAVIAROMA and at YOOX.

The post Dsquared2 Resort 2027 – Men’s Denim first appeared on Denimology.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Gucci Resort/Cruise 2027 marked Demna’s first Cruise collection for the house and introduced a dramatically more urban, commercial, and street-driven denim direction.

Staged in New York City’s Times Square, the show fused New York realism with Gucci luxury – oversized jeans, leather-heavy styling, washed denim, extreme flares, and exaggerated proportions dominated the collection.

{note from the editor: looks like Demna’s seriously going to bring his “oversized” – former Balenciaga – style back!}

This collection – widely referred to as “GucciCore,” is Demna’s attempt to rebuild a complete wardrobe of everyday essentials while retaining Gucci glamour.

The feel is that Demna moved Gucci away from the cleaner minimalism associated with the Sabato De Sarno era and back toward a more recognizable high-fashion streetwear identity. And, of course, with denim appearing throughout the show,

You can check out the best denim and leather looks from this collection in our gallery below.

The post Gucci Resort/Cruise 2027 Denim Looks first appeared on Denimology.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

The Louis Vuitton Resort/Cruise 2027 was one of the strongest luxury denim statements of the season.

Presented by Nicolas Ghesquière at the The Frick Collection in New York, the collection merged uptown polish with downtown streetwear energy — mixing tailored Parisian silhouettes with sporty American denim references.

A major inspiration came from a rare 1984 graffiti-covered Louis Vuitton suitcase customized by Keith Haring. Haring-inspired motifs and downtown New York references gave the denim pieces a gritty urban feel:

The discovery within the Louis Vuitton archives of a 1930s leather suitcase, radically reworked as a literal canvas by the American contemporary artist Keith Haring, connects Louis Vuitton to pop art. This chance encounter reemerges as a fundamental inspiration, a selection of Haring works featured across clothing pieces and accessories. In turn, these pieces again serve as canvasses, honoring Haring’s distinct artistic language and legacy.

And the good news is, Louis Vuitton has already begun rolling out Resort denim ready-to-wear online, including: Monogram denim overalls, Batwing denim jackets, wide-leg pleated jeans, asymmetrical denim shirts, and more.

The post Louis Vuitton Resort 2027 – Denim Included👖💙 first appeared on Denimology.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site