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1 Fit, 3 Denims—The ‘Ode to Japanese Denim’ from Robin Meijerink’s Realign Brand Is All About Fades

If you’re really into denim, you’ve probably daydreamed about making your own jeans. But unlike most of us, Robin Meijerink did more than dream—he made it happen.

Known as Robin Denim, he built his name in the selvedge scene starting with his @robindenim Instagram in 2014. His strategy of reposting fade shots was pretty revolutionary back then, helping him build a platform that connected him with brands, retailers, suppliers, and trade shows.

A turning point came in 2017 with his collaboration alongside Benzak and Cultizm. This unique project—combining a pair of jeans with a fade contest—was a stroke of brilliance.

It marked the beginning of Robin’s deepening involvement with Japanese denim, and surely grew his appetite for something truly his own.

Fast forward to 2021, and Realign Denim was born, turning his dream into reality. Now, Realign has just launched its latest collection called ‘Our Ode to Japanese Denim.’

The Next Step in Realign’s Journey

With this latest release, Realign Denim focuses on what sets the brand apart: premium fabrics, traditional Japanese craftsmanship, and the fading journey that denim enthusiasts cherish. All packaged ever so elegantly.

This collection highlights the Regular Kenji—their most popular fit—paired with three distinct, carefully selected fabrics. Each denim is designed to evolve with wear, offering different fade experiences to suit various preferences.

It includes the deep Double Indigo II, the heavyweight Atsude Selvedge, and the textured Osaka Denim—all showcasing Realign’s commitment to quality and Japanese artistry.

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#1: Regular Kenji 14 oz. Double Indigo II

The 14 oz. Double Indigo II is an indigo lover’s dream. Dyed in pure indigo on both the warp and weft, the fabric has a rich, almost purple hue straight off the rack.

But the magic happens as it fades—these jeans evolve with high-contrast fades, from vibrant blue to crisp white in areas of wear.

Spun from a blend of American and Australian cotton, this denim is built to age beautifully, giving you jaw-dropping fades over time.

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#2: Regular Kenji 17 oz. Atsude Selvedge

For heavyweight denim enthusiasts, the 17 oz. Atsude Selvedge delivers serious weight with surprising comfort. Woven from slub yarns in Japan’s denim capital, Kojima, this heavyweight fabric is all about high-low contrast fades.

The loose weave and slub texture add incredible depth, ensuring that each pair tells a unique story. If you’re in for the long haul, this pair will reward you with fades that stop people in their tracks.

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#3: Regular Kenji 14.5 oz. Osaka Denim

The 14.5 oz. Osaka Denim is a nod to the early days of Japanese selvedge, with a hairy texture and standout pink selvedge ID.

Unwashed but soft from the start, this pair is easy to wear day in, day out. Its deep blue hue with a grey cast will develop rich, all-over fades, making it the perfect entry into raw denim for those ready to dive into the world of selvedge.

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The Features That Define Realign

Realign’s attention to detail is unmistakable. Every pair is equipped with signature features that define the brand’s commitment to quality, including:

• Tonal stitched arcuates on the back pockets
• Indigo-dyed deerskin leather patch
• Hidden rivets on the back pockets
• Peek-a-boo selvedge detail on the coin pocket
• Chain-stitched hems and waistbands

These features ensure that Realign jeans are built to last, wear beautifully, and stay true to their roots in Japanese craftsmanship.

Realign’s Regular Kenji Fit (and Other Fits)

At the heart of the collection is the Regular Kenji, a fit that prioritises comfort without sacrificing style.

The Regular Kenji’s relaxed top block and tapered leg offer versatility, making it the go-to fit for denimheads looking for an everyday option that’s easy to wear and built for optimal fades.

But Realign has more fits to offer (though they’re not part of this collection):

Slim Sakuta

For those who prefer a sharper, more streamlined silhouette, the Slim Sakuta is a perfect choice. This fit is all about a lean, modern profile, offering a snugger fit that doesn’t compromise on comfort.

Tapered Yoshi

Sitting comfortably between the Kenji and Sakuta, the Tapered Yoshi gives you room in the thighs with a clean, sharp taper below the knee. It’s the ideal choice for those who want a relaxed feel without losing the tailored look.

While the “Our Ode to Japanese Denim” collection is dedicated to the Regular Kenji, Realign’s broader lineup gives enthusiasts a variety of options, each crafted with the same dedication to quality and craftsmanship.

Ready to Start Your Fade Journey?

Explore the “Our Ode to Japanese Denim” collection and discover how Realign Denim combines tradition, quality, and personal expression.

Visit Realign’s webshop to find your next pair and begin your fade journey.

The post Built for Fades: Realign’s New Line Pays Homage to Japan appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

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Slimming and Stylish, High-Rise Jeans Can Radically Transform Your Selvedge Style

For the better part of two decades, low-slung pairs have dominated my collection. This changed when I finally bit the bullet and got a pair of generously cut, high-rise selvedge jeans from Ruttloff.

Suddenly, I was able to pair my jeans with dressier shirts, which only look right when tucked into high waistbands. But even with untucked looks, the pair was a revelation.

All of those shorter shirts that had languished at the back of my closet suddenly made perfect sense.

Short tees finally covered my belt, and I was finally able to unbutton the bottom button on all my vests.

Why High-Rise Jeans Make Sense for Most Body Types

Larger men have long understood the slimming properties of higher-rise pairs, but their benefits are not reserved for the portly.

The higher waistband neatly bisects the body into highly pleasing proportions, highlighting long and slim legs and shortening long torsos.

If, like me, you’ve found something that works for you in lower-rise pairs and stuck with it, you might find one of the pairs below a revelation.

At the very least, it’ll add a little bit of variety to your selvedge collection. 

Be aware that, because higher-rise pairs sit higher on the hips, this may affect your waist size. Read the measurement charts carefully and, to make sure you’re getting the right size, double-check your waist measurements with a measuring tape.

Visit our men’s jeans fit guide for more tips for buying jeans that fit you.

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Warehouse 1001XX Banner Denim (13.5 oz.)

We’re leading off with the undisputed kings of clean, long-legged vintage cuts: Warehouse and Co. With immaculate craftsmanship and breathtaking denims, Warehouse pairs can be found in the collections of discerning denimheads worldwide.

The 1001XX is a stitch-perfect reproduction of the Levi’s 501 produced shortly after the end of WWII. The Banner Denim is a result of a literally microscopic analysis of a deadstock Levi’s banner from the period. It’s as close as you can come to the real thing without a time machine. 

A pair of these took home the bronze medal in Year Three of the Indigo Invitational, and they might be the best combination of vintage and contrast fading that we’ve ever seen in the competition. Why we don’t see more competitors wearing this brand is an enduring mystery.

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TCB ‘50s Regular Straight (13.5 oz.)

One of the many TCB pairs that retailers can’t keep on their shelves, TCB’s generously cut ‘50s Regular Straight is the near-perfect three-way collision of comfort, style, and value. A bargain at any price, they fly out the door in a hurry everywhere they’re stocked.

The unfussy lightweight selvedge is designed to be used and abused. Wear it, wash it, even throw it in the dryer if you like (we don’t recommend this, but they do). They fade beautifully to a butter soft pair the colour of a cloudy sky on a summer’s day.

Contrasts won’t come easy with this pair, but you can expect glorious all-over fades and roping at the chain-stitched hems. A great pair for those who want to get a lot without spending a lot.

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Iron Heart 888S-19L (19 oz.)

The slimmest pair on this list, this will be a great choice for those with slimmer legs who don’t want to push the envelope with wider-legged fits.

Roomy in the top block, the pair tapers gently from the knee to the cuff. Stylish and highly adaptable, the cut flatters a wide range of body shapes. For bigger men, the ample top block and generously cut thighs will be a perfect mixture of style and comfort.

Iron Heart offers the 888 in denim ranging from 14 oz. to 25 oz. Our favourite, the 19 oz. Left Hand Twill, is smack dab in the middle of this range. Thanks to its extremely tight weave, you can expect some leg twist as the pair ages—particularly in the right leg. 

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Indigofera Kain (14 oz.)

This brand new fit from Sweden’s hometown heroes features a sky-high rise and a graceful straight leg that cries out to be paired with slip-on boots. Though it’s not the widest leg in the Indigofera line-up (that’d be the Kirk), it’s our favourite among their higher-rise offerings.

The neppy selvedge (milled in Japan, of course) is absolutely dripping with texture. Pair it with a tucked in tee for a classic 1950s vibe.

The denim is sanforized but unwashed. Wear them for at least a few months before washing them in cold water. They should return to the size they were when you bought them. 

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Full Count 0105 (13.7 oz.)

One of the fits that made Full Count’s name synonymous with Japanese denim in the ‘90s, the 0105 was updated recently to give the wearer more room in the seat and thighs. The fit, renamed the 1953 Cut, is everything a generously cut high-rise pair should be.

The arcuates also disappeared in the update, which might not tickle your fancy if you’re a fan of embellished back pockets. For our money, though, the pared-down pairs are an improvement over the original.

The selvedge denim, woven in Japan, is made with Zimbabwe cotton. The lightweight denim is incredibly comfortable, but don’t let its softness fool you. It’s got a heart of iron and can definitely go the distance. 

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Freenote Modesto (16 oz.)

The Modesto is a very recent addition for Freenote, and we think they’ve knocked this high-rise fit out of the park. Made in the United States from Japanese selvedge, the pair is an immaculate fusion of East and West.

The acorn-shaped back pockets definitely pull this pair decidedly towards the West. Stylish, vintage-inspired details like this are what helped put Freenote on the map, and they remain a top choice for those looking to stand out from the pack.

The 16 oz. selvedge has a slight green cast to it which will become more apparent as the jeans age. They produced this pair in extremely limited quantities, but we’re hoping it will become a full-fledged member of the Freenote family. 

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Mister Freedom Californian Lot 64 (13 oz.)

Brought to you by the king of Southwest Americana, Christophe Loiron, the Californian Lot 64 are the result of the longstanding partnership between Japan’s Sugar Cane and California’s Mister Freedom.

With just a touch of taper, the jeans fall gracefully from waist down to the cuffs. With the brand’s trademark M’s on the pockets and a cowhide patch on the right pocket, they look as good going as they do coming.  

The denim, a blend of 70% cotton and 30% sugarcane fibres, features a reddish cast and a neppy face. Exceptionally hairy, it’s a treat for both the hands and the eyes.

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Denime Lot 220XX 1947 Model (14.5 oz.)

The second-oldest member of the Osaka Five, Denime started producing faithful reproductions of vintage Levi’s pairs in the late ‘80s. The swelling enthusiasm for these reproductions helped but Japanese denim on the map in the ‘90s and ‘00s.

Warehouse and Co. now handle production for some of Denime’s most iconic products (including the 220XX), so this pair is made from a version of Warehouse’s iconic Banner Denim. The chief difference is the brown-tinted weft, which some prefer to white-wefted original.

A brilliant pair with an unimpeachable pedigree, a pair of these will get you deep nods of appreciation in the right circles.

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Sugar Cane 1946 Model (13.5 oz.)

Another brilliant example of a Japanese brand going the extra mile to produce a truly authentic original, Sugar Cane’s 1946 model is the pet project of the brand’s director, Yuichi Fukutomi—an outpouring of his passion for vintage Americana.

They released two models, the 1943 and the 1946. The one we’ve featured here is the 1946, which reproduces some of the details from when Levi’s were first freed from the limitations imposed on them during wartime. The pair is a little rough around the edges, but this is the point.

We love pairs that tell a great story, and this one tells a story of the resilience of American manufacturing in the years immediately after WWII.

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Studio D’Artisan SD-909 G3 (14 oz.)

Another brown-wefted beauty from an Osaka Five brand, Studio D’Artisan’s SD-909 features denim woven on the Toyoda G3 loom, the first selvedge loom produced in Japan. Only one mill in Japan still has operational Toyoda G3s, so this denim is as rare as it is beautiful. 

Thanks to its strong taper from the knee down, the SD-909 will be a great choice for those who want a high rise and a generous top block and thighs but don’t want to be swimming in wide cuffs. An excellent mixture of modern and traditional.

The denim is unsanforized and unwashed, so expect at least a full size of shrinkage with this pair. Read the measurement chart carefully. Like all unsanforized denims, we recommend that you soak the pair before wearing them.

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Buzz Rickson’s WWII Waist Overalls (13.6 oz.)

Best known for their meticulous reproductions of Army, Navy, and Airforce classics, Buzz Rickson’s can go toe to toe with selvedge brands—particularly when it comes to perfectly authentic period pieces.

Another pair based on the jeans produced during WWII, when the American government imposed strict material-saving restrictions on manufacturers, the WWII Waist Overalls feature period-correct details like iron rivets (instead of the usual copper) and a rivetless coin pocket.  

There is some discrepancy between the tagged waist size and the waist measurements, so don’t order your usual size without first checking the measurements extremely carefully.

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The post High and Dry: The Best of High-Rise Selvedge Jeans appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site