When buying jeans, the choice between "rigid jeans (raw denim)" and "one-wash jeans (washed denim)" depends on factors such as comfort, aging, and ease of maintenance.
We'll go into detail about the features of each, compare their pros and cons, and explain which one is best suited for which type of person.
What are rigid jeans?
Rigid jeans (raw denim) are jeans made from woven denim fabric without washing or processing. They are starched and hard, have a deep indigo color, and the more you wear them, the more they will conform to your body and you can enjoy their unique color fading.
The benefits of rigid jeans
Enjoy your own unique color fade
Rigid jeans, when worn while still starched, tend to develop unique fading (contrast in fading) around the knees, thighs, and hips. You can have fun creating fading patterns known as whiskers and belly buttons, and experience a one-of-a-kind aging process that matches your style of wearing and your body shape.
Enjoy the deep indigo color for a long time
One-wash jeans will fade slightly when washed, but rigid jeans are not washed, so you can enjoy the deep indigo blue color they had when you purchased them for a long time.
The changes over time are clearly visible
Because they are unwashed, natural wrinkles will appear as you wear them, and the color will fade more clearly. In order to create the contrasting whiskers, it is very important to wear them in until the first wash, and this is a big attraction for discerning denim fans.
Disadvantages of Rigid Jeans
The shoes are stiff when first put on and difficult to move around in
Because the socks are starched, they are stiff and difficult to move in at first, and it takes some time for them to become comfortable to wear.
Shrinkage occurs
The fabric shrinks as the starch is removed during the first wash. Rigid jeans that have not been treated with shrink-proofing (sanforized processing) shrink significantly when washed, making it more difficult to choose the right size.
*We list approximate shrinkage estimates for BOBSON selvedge jeans, and the one-wash estimates for the same product are also used as a guide, so we try to eliminate the risk as much as possible.
Color transfers easily
Because the indigo dye is strong, it may stain white shirts, shoes, sofas, etc. Be careful, especially when you first start wearing them.
Difficult to maintain
In order to get the color fading and wrinkles out nicely, you need to pay attention to how you wash your jeans. Frequent washing will cause the color to fade faster and reduce the fun of aging, so denim lovers tend to basically wear them without washing them.
What are one-wash jeans?
One-wash jeans are rigid jeans that have been lightly washed once. They are soft and de-starched, and are less likely to shrink, making them comfortable to wear right out of the box.
The benefits of one-wash jeans
Comfortable from the start
The starch has been removed and the jeans are soft, so they are comfortable to wear right from the start and easy to move in. Although selvedge denim is often heavy, it is still softer than rigid denim.
Less shrinkage, easy to choose size
Since it has already been washed once, there will be no significant shrinkage. This makes it easier to choose the size, and reduces the chance of you finding that it has shrunk more than you expected after purchasing it.
Less prone to color transfer than rigid
Since excess indigo dye has been removed, there is less color transfer compared to rigid jeans. *This is only in comparison to rigid jeans, but even one-wash jeans will transfer color due to the high indigo content.
Easy to maintain
Since it can be washed without worrying too much about color fading, it is suitable for people who want to wear it casually as everyday clothing.
Disadvantages of one-wash jeans
Low freedom of aging
Because they have already been washed once, it is difficult to enjoy the beautiful fading of the whiskers as with rigid jeans. Rigid jeans are a better choice if you are looking for a more distinct aging effect.
The color has faded a little since I bought it
Compared to the deep indigo blue of rigid jeans, the one-wash denim has faded slightly, so it may not be enough for those who want the darkest denim possible.
It may not be enough for those who are picky
Because they are soft and comfortable from the moment you put them on, some people feel that they lack the enjoyment of breaking them in and having them conform to your body that is unique to rigid jeans.
Which one should you choose?
People who are suitable for rigid jeans
◯ People who want to enjoy their own unique color fading ◯ People
who want to enjoy aging ◯ People
who don't mind taking the time to choose the size and maintain them
◯ People who want to maintain the deep indigo color for as long as possible
People who are suitable for one-wash jeans
: ●Want to wear them comfortably right after buying them
●Want to avoid making a mistake in choosing the size
●Worried about color transfer and shrinkage
●Want to wear denim casually as everyday wear
The choice between these depends on the style you want from your denim and how you want to wear it. If you want to enjoy the aging process, rigid jeans are the way to go. If you want to incorporate them into your outfits right away and wear them casually, one-wash jeans are the way to go.
Whichever you choose, it's a supreme item woven on an old-fashioned shuttle loom. There's no doubt that it will add color to your jeans life.
