Japanese jeans are a cult thing for every mod. Why is there such a stir 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 jeans fashion. In this article we will talk about the best Japanese jeans. And also we will talk about the manufacturing technology of expensive and high-quality Japanese denim.
Journey to History
Almost every mod knows that the American Strauss founded the era of denim fashion. Everyone knows his brand Levi's. When denim clothes gained great popularity, he radically changed the approach to the manufacture of denim. He decided to make production easier and more affordable jeans. As a result, everything is automated in the factories, all manufacturing processes are simplified, cheaper raw materials are used.
At the same time, shuttle machines for denim production are very interested in the Japanese. Strauss easily agrees to sell them. The Japanese, accustomed to honoring traditions and true 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 beyond. So, expensive Japanese jeans came into fashion.
Exclusive raw materials and quality equipment
In order to get high-quality Japanese jeans, you need not only vintage American equipment and secret Strauss technology. High-quality Japanese jeans are made of 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 wrap the seeds. For the production of fabrics, a special type of cotton is used (raw cotton). It is grown specifically and in small volumes, since caring for this plant is a whole art. The most expensive jeans are made from Barbados cotton and Zimbabwean cotton. Cotton thread is made from this raw material in factories.
Stages of manufacture
In the production process, cotton goes through several stages:
- loosening;
- cleaning;
- mixing;
- fluttering.
The mass of cotton goes to the carding machines. There, it is thinned and low-quality short hairs are removed. After all, the 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 (tape machines) and transformed into a roving. This is called a very thick durable thread.
Further, the strength of the thread is increased on special roving machines of spindle spinning. The output is a material of different thicknesses. It is this fabric that is most appreciated by denim fans.
Coloring
In the process of spinning, thread dyeing also occurs in parallel. When spinning, dyed and natural threads are mixed. This is the secret of the heterogeneous color of Japanese jeans. It turns out the notorious shade of indigo that fans love so much. This color is a cross between purple and blue.
In Japan, jeans are dyed indigo only. Previously, only natural dyes were used for this. Now dyes are synthesized in chemical laboratories. But still, many brands do not abandon the natural method of coloring. And not in vain, since in this way a more persistent and heterogeneous shade is obtained. It is such Japanese gins that change color beautifully over time and fade when abraded.
What is denim?
This material belongs to varieties of twill. Matter has a diagonal weave. By the way the threads are located, one can judge the quality of the raw materials. Thanks to the twill weaving, the manufacturer receives a different pattern. If you pick up jeans and stretch them, you can consider the direction of the threads. It is from them that an exclusive drawing is obtained.
Next, the finished material is rolled up and taken to production sites. Here, cutters are already connected. They cut products according to patterns.
Exclusive stitches
Some manufacturers use old sewing machines when sewing. After all, only they can create types of seams that modern devices are not capable of. Not only that, there are parts that work together manually. Traditionally, the edges of Japanese jeans are sewn with a chain stitch.
After the model is completely stitched, some manufacturers apply post-processing in order to give the product an unusual look. For this, in some cases, chemicals are used:
Machining is also used. Friction with sandpaper, pumice. Jeans are also washed in a special washing machine with stones.
Dry denim
Most mods hunt dry denim. In the manufacture of these trousers, the fabric has never been washed. Also, trousers do not wash after completing all stages of sewing. At the very end, so that the thing does not “sit down”, it is subjected to such a process as sanitation.
Manufacturers warn buyers that it is advisable not to wash such things for at least a year. Then they will get individual marks and a unique pattern. These are creases, scrapes.
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 manufacturing process. At many stages, manual labor is used. Therefore, such things are exclusive and elitist.
Most denim factories are located in the Kojima area of Kurashiki. It is located in Okayama Prefecture. Arriving in Japan, tourists can even sign up for an excursion program, during which you can visit the factories and the jeans museum. If you are not going to Japan in the near future, think about buying a pair of legendary exclusive trousers. Next, let's talk about the brands of Japanese jeans.
Neighborhood
These are trousers that age elegantly and unusually. This shade of jeans is not available outside of Japan.
The brand’s mastermind is Shinsuke Takizawa. This is a designer who before that was engaged in the popularization of old types of motorcycles. He made a great contribution to the development of motorcycle culture in Japan. When he began to sew jeans, he simply transferred here motorcycle and military themes. The brand is now at the peak of popularity and is expanding its lines.
Samurai
Brand slogan: “We try to make jeans strong, like a samurai blade, that is, strong and reliable.” These trousers change their color within a few months. After that, they take on an absolutely exclusive look.
The trademark appeared in 1997. The brand decided to stand out by the fact that it does not just repeat cult models and manufacturing processes of classic American jeans, but also brings something original to each collection.
Fashionistas know that Lee and Levi's silhouettes are repeated in the models. But if we consider the pants in more detail, we can note the exclusive lines on the back pockets. They become visible only at the moment when the pants rub well and lose their original color. Jeans are decorated with accessories with Japanese symbols:
- Sakura
- drums;
- another symbolism of Japanese culture.
Blue blue japan
This brand is distinguished by the fact that it produces gins of several shades of blue. They range from dark blue to azure.
Mizra
Jeans are sewn at a factory in Okayama, but then they are sent to their own brand factory in Kyoto. There they are processed in a special way. After this process, this fabric acquires exclusive properties. The design of these trousers also contains elements of material for kimono. It uses original ornaments of old clothes. They were created back in 1912-1926. Kimono fabrics are dyed according to the technology that appeared in the 17th century. It has the name "yuzen-zome". This is a coloring method that allows you to produce special, very subtle graphic patterns on matter.
45rpm
The company was founded in 1977. She produces some of the most expensive Japanese jeans. The cost of a pair is from 300 dollars or more. There are premium models: Sorahiko and Jomon. Their cost is approaching a thousand dollars. These expensive models are not sold in online stores in principle.
Developers are very painstaking in choosing materials for collections. The brand sews jeans only from Suvin hybrid cotton and Zimbabwean raw materials.
Oikawa denim
A brand that does not need advertising. Pants of this brand are worn by all world celebrities. You can buy Japanese Oikawa Denim jeans in Moscow in the online store, which has concluded 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 get the treasured pair here:
- Denimio.com;
- OkayamaDenim.com;
- Rakuten.com;
- Evisu.com;
- Uniqlo.com;
- Samurai-jeans.co.jp;
- Dartisan-onlineshop.com;
- JapanBlueJeans.com.
Sizes of Japanese jeans
The dimensional grid of Japanese denim trousers is fully consistent with the American and European dimensional grid.
You can take any pair of jeans that fit perfectly on you and take measurements on it. In order not to make a mistake, everything should be measured in stages. Start work with measurements of the waist and finish with a width.
To take measurements from the waist, simply fasten the top button and place the 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 upper point in the waist.
Next, measure the thigh. Measure should be taken from the point in the crotch to the outside of the leg in the hip area. Now go on to measure the knee. Set aside a tape of 31 cm from the perineum to the knee. Mark this point. Now measure the leg width in this area. Next, you need to find out the half-circumference of the edge of the trousers. A little higher you see a table by which you can determine your size of Japanese jeans. It is fully consistent with the European.
Reviews about Japanese jeans are only good. This is a premium product for true fashionistas and connoisseurs of exclusive.