Japanese jeans are a cult item for every fashionista. Why such a rush and a rather high price for these trousers? The thing is that Japanese denim is of high quality and therefore is the most expensive. So Japan is famous not only for sakura and high technology. The Japanese are still leaders in the world of denim fashion. In this article, we will talk about the best Japanese jeans. And also we will talk about the technology of manufacturing expensive and high-quality Japanese denim.
Journey through history
Almost every fashionista knows that the era of denim fashion was founded by the American Strauss. Everyone is familiar with his Levi's brand. When denim clothing became very popular, it radically changed the approach to making denim. He decided to make production easier and jeans more affordable. As a result, everything is automated in factories, all manufacturing processes are simplified, cheaper raw materials are used.
ThenAt the same time, the Japanese are very interested in shuttle machines for the production of denim. Strauss easily agrees to sell them. The Japanese, accustomed to honoring traditions and real quality, decided that this was a real find, and began to produce vintage American jeans, observing all the canons. The first designer who had the opportunity to work with these machines was Yoshiyuki Hayashi. His creations quickly gained popularity, first in Japan and then abroad. So expensive Japanese jeans came into fashion.
Exclusive raw materials and quality equipment
To get high quality Japanese jeans, you need not only vintage American equipment and secret Strauss technologies. Quality Japanese jeans are made from a special fabric. Raw cotton is used for its manufacture. It consists of seeds and fibers in a ratio of 60% / 40%. The quality of the web also depends on the length of the fibers that envelop the seeds. A special type of cotton (raw cotton) is used for the production of fabric. It is grown specially and in small volumes, since caring for this plant is an art. The most expensive jeans are made from Barbados cotton and Zimbabwean cotton. Cotton thread is made from this raw material in factories.
Production stages
During the production process, cotton goes through several stages:
- leaving;
- cleaning;
- mixing;
- flapping.
Cotton pulp is sent to carding machines. There it is thinned and low-quality short hairs are removed. After all, whatthe longer the fiber, the higher the quality of the product. This is only the first stage of production. After that, the raw material is sent to special machines (belt machines) and transformed into a roving. This is the name of a very thick strong thread.
Further, the strength of the thread is increased by special roving spindle spinning machines. The output is a material of different thicknesses. It is this fabric that is most appreciated by denim fans.
Coloring
During the spinning process, the threads are also dyed in parallel. When spinning, dyed and natural threads are mixed. This is the secret of the uneven color of Japanese jeans. This is how the notorious shade of indigo is obtained, which fans love so much. This color is somewhere between purple and blue.
In Japan, jeans are only dyed indigo. Previously, only natural dyes were used for this. Now dyes are synthesized in chemical laboratories. But still, many brands do not refuse the natural method of staining. And not in vain, because in this way a more persistent and heterogeneous shade is obtained. It is these Japanese gins that change color beautifully over time and fade when abraded.
What is denim?
This material belongs to varieties of twill. The fabric has a diagonal weave. By the way the threads are located, one can judge the quality of the raw materials. Thanks to twill weaving, the manufacturer receives a different pattern. If you pick up jeans and stretch, you can consider the direction of the threads. It is from them that the exclusive drawing is obtained.
Further finishedthe fabric is rolled up and transported to production sites. The cutters are already involved here. They cut products according to patterns.
Exclusive seams
Some manufacturers use vintage sewing machines when sewing. After all, only they can create types of seams that modern devices are not capable of. Moreover, there are parts that are hand-stitched. Traditionally, the edges of Japanese jeans are finished with a chain stitch.
After the model is completely stitched, some manufacturers use post-processing to give the products an unusual look. For this, in some cases, chemicals are used:
- bleach;
- acid;
- enzymes.
Machining is also used. Friction with sandpaper, pumice stone. Jeans are also washed in a special washing machine with stones.
Dry denim
Most of all fashionistas hunt for dry denim. In the production of these trousers, the material has never been washed. Also, trousers are not washed after all stages of tailoring are completed. At the very end, in order for the thing not to “sit down”, it is subjected to such a process as sanforization.
Manufacturers warn buyers that it is advisable not to wash such things for at least a year. Then they will acquire individual marks and a unique pattern. These are creases, scuffs.
In the process of reading this article, it becomes clear why fashionistas love Japanese jeans so much. The high price is also due to expensive raw materials and a complex process.manufacturing. At many stages, manual labor is used. Therefore, such things are exclusive and elite.
Most of the factories that produce denim are located in the Kojima district of Kurashiki city. It is located in Okayama Prefecture. Arriving in Japan, tourists can even sign up for an excursion program, during which you can visit factories and a jeans museum. If you're not going to Japan anytime soon, consider picking up a pair of legendary exclusive trousers. Next, let's talk about brands of Japanese jeans.
Neighborhood
These are trousers that age elegantly and unusually. This denim shade is not available outside of Japan.
The mastermind behind the brand is Shinsuke Takizawa. This is a designer who has previously been involved in the popularization of vintage types of motorcycles. He made a great contribution to the development of motorcycle culture in Japan. When he started sewing jeans, he simply transferred motorcycle and military themes here. The brand is now at the peak of popularity and is expanding its lines.
Samurai
Brand slogan: "We try to make jeans as strong as a samurai blade, that is, strong and reliable." These pants change color over the course of several months. After that, they take on an absolutely exclusive look.
Branded in 1997. The brand decided to stand out by not only repeating the iconic patterns and manufacturing processes of classic American jeans, but also bringing something original to each collection.
Fashion fans know that Lee and Levi's silhouettes are repeated in the models. But if we look at the trousers in more detail, we can note the exclusive stitching on the back pockets. They become visible only at the moment when the trousers are rubbed well and lose their original color. Jeans are decorated with accessories with Japanese symbols:
- sakura;
- drums;
- other symbols of Japanese culture.
Blue Blue Japan
This brand is distinguished by the fact that it makes gins in several shades of blue. They range from dark blue to azure.
Mizra
The jeans are made in the Okayama factory, but then sent to the brand's own factory in Kyoto. There they are treated in a special way. After this process, this fabric acquires exclusive properties. The design of these trousers also contains elements of matter for a kimono. Here original ornaments of ancient clothes are used. They were created back in 1912-1926. Kimono fabrics are dyed using a technology that dates back to the 17th century. It is called "yuzen-zome". This is a dyeing method that allows you to produce special, very thin graphic patterns on the fabric.
45rpm
The company was founded in 1977. It produces some of the most expensive Japanese jeans. The cost of a pair - from 300 dollars and more. There are premium models: Sorahiko and Jomon. Their cost is close to a thousand dollars. These expensive models are not sold in online storesfundamentally.
The developers are very meticulous about the choice of material for collections. The brand sews jeans only from Suvin hybrid cotton and Zimbabwean raw materials.
Oikawa Denim
A brand that doesn't need advertising. Pants of this brand are worn by all world celebrities. You can buy Japanese Oikawa Denim jeans in Moscow in an online store that has entered into an agreement with the brand and is an exclusive partner. Such trading platforms guarantee the authenticity of products.
Japanese jeans stores
Looking for where to order Japanese denim? You can purchase the coveted pair here:
- Denimio.com;
- OkayamaDenim.com;
- Rakuten.com;
- Evisu.com;
- Uniqlo.com;
- Samurai-jeans.co.jp;
- Dartisan-onlineshop.com;
- JapanBlueJeans.com.
Japanese jeans sizes
Japanese denim trousers are sized according to American and European sizes.
You can take any pair of jeans that fit you perfectly and take measurements. In order not to be mistaken, everything should be measured in stages. Start with waist measurements and finish with width.
To take your waist measurement, simply fasten the top button and lay your jeans on a flat surface. Next, you need to take a measurement, which is called "front elevation". We measure the distance from the crotch to the top point in the waist.
Next, measurehip. The measurement should be taken from the point in the crotch to the outside of the leg in the thigh area. Now move on to taking your knee measurements. Tape off 31 cm from the crotch to the knee. Mark this point. Now measure the width of the trouser leg in this area. Next, you need to find out the half-girth of the edge of the trousers. Just above you see a table by which you can determine your size of Japanese jeans. It is fully consistent with European.
Reviews about Japanese jeans are only good. This is a premium product for real fashionistas and connoisseurs of exclusivity.
