Back in IH jeans after 5 years of going back to mainstream brands for conventional comfort, practicality and style. Becoming a new parent can do that to you.
I had to relearn the stubbornness of the IH heavy-weight denim and the first couple of weeks of break-in that leaves physical marks on your skin. The experience exceeded by far any memory I had of the process.
It took 2 weeks, but the stiff 888-21 pair I had bought - and abandoned - in 2019, have now stretched and moulded to my legs and I’m delighted to rediscover the look and feel of heavy-weight IH denim.
The 888 is a great cut, very forgiving of my smaller waist with larger thighs body type and, unlike the 634s, the seat doesn’t give me the awkward ‘wedgy’ back look (YMMV). The pronounced taper is not my usual preference but I can live with it (I like a more straight leg and bigger opening).
Being familiar with the high stretch property of the 21 oz, I had sized down to 30 when I bought this pair 6 years ago (I’m 6’1” and still 178lbs/80kg today). Wearing and breaking it now, I almost regretted my previous sizing decision. I stuck with it though, and the jeans have thankfully relaxed quite a bit, providing significant gains in breathing room, comfort and mobility in previously tights places (waist, crotch and things). I completely forgot how you often have to work on and earn your fit with IH denim. No doubt, it will relax even more with wear.
Very happy to be back in this great denim. Probably going to wear it until it’s close to giving up, per my usual practice. The experience has also rekindled my interest in the brand so I might gradually dig up my stashed away IH pieces.
Thanks for indulging my post and forgiving this initial crappy pic.
Glad to be back on this great forum / community 
