Naked & Famous

[Chris]

I disagree- heavier denim is a gimmick.  At some point, the weight of the fabric becomes an impediment, not a benefit.  Companies make it just to say they have the heaviest, most extreme jeans on the planet.  That's a gimmick.

Badly constructed jeans made from poor quality 36 oz denim won't last 3 times as long as well built jeans using top quality 12 oz denim.  In fact, they will probably fall apart faster.  Yet we all know which one would get the hype.  Scratch-n-sniff, glow in the dark, rainbow core, etc.may be goofy, but it's no less valid.

[bagley920]

Which is why I won't ever wear 36oz denim. I suppose at some point heavier denim "can" be a gimmick but that line is relative.

To me, I'm not sure I can see a valid argument where raspberry scented jeans aren't a gimmick, just my opinion

[Snowy]

and where's the thread / comments that analyzed the actual weight post-wash and found them often not about what the tag said? Not sure what brand it was, but it was a 30+ oz denim that when washed ended up being closer to 25oz….?

[Megatron1505]

Denim weight, poor construction and raspberry scents are three different issues.

1. I have not seen too many complaints about the quality of N&F.

2. If their 32oz actually weighs 32oz I would be amazed.

3. It's not my thing, but they're not my jeans. I prefer my jeans to smell like stale beer and farts.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

I handled this 32oz denim once (and MaxPower also owns a laptop bag made of it), it's definitely the heaviest denim I ever felt. And if it's not 32oz…ok well than let it be 29oz or whatever. It's still heavier than everything else I came across so far.

[Max Power]

Chiming in as so often when the 32oz question pops up…I do own a sample of said denim (as notebook pouch, made by Benzak). I can't weigh it, but it definitely feels like 32 oz (having touched 24/27 oz Samurai and 25 oz IH denim I dare say that). And Benzak told me the mill claimed it to be 34 oz after washing. I trust him on that. But that's just a number...it seems unwearable and totally over the top, stiff as hell in any case. But the quality is great - just speaking for the denim of course.

Edit: Damn you, b_f, always one step ahead.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

N&F might do another run of these 32oz jeans…maybe some crazy mind is willing to pick them up... not me.
at some point weight is really just a gimmick (as is uber-slubby, colored weft, etc.). But some gimmicks are more accepted than others and also more 'useful'

[Max Power]

True that. Though I must admit, that I wouldn't mind a pair of those 32ozers standing in my appartment, as modern art and to please my eyes.

I got me the Heritage Post Mag (a german imitation of Free & Easy) this weekend, where the owner of Kentaurus Cologne wrote about the increasing weight of denim, concluding that Eight G's 28 oz and IHs 25 oz are not wearable in his opinion. As much as I like to see the boundaries pushed, I feel like 14-18 oz are the best weight for denim and it probably takes some while to realize that.

[joesaintjohn]

I felt the 32oz at Blue7 in OKC, the thickness was pretty incredible. It was like super heavyweight cardboard. I think it would be a fun challenge to have a pair, just to see if you can get them broken to your will.

[MikeC]

I agree with Max Power, best weights are right in the 14-18oz range. That's why I love the Vulcans, they are heavy but very wearable.

[netleyhunter]

Tell you all what, after the HWDC2 I will mail the N&F 32oz jeans around for you guys to check out, each person can hang onto it for a couple days then move it onto the next person. We can be the Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants, maybe they will make a movie about it or something.

I've been wearing the N&F 24oz jeans since May, they are very comfortable. Best way to describe it, would be well worn in leather. No more or less comfortable than the much lighter weight denim I own.

[Seul]

@Max:

IHs 25 oz are not wearable in his opinion.

We got a word for this kinda fella: PUSSY…

25 oz or bust...

[Snowy]

@Max:

Chiming in as so often when the 32oz question pops up…I do own a sample of said denim (as notebook pouch, made by Benzak). I can't weigh it, but it definitely feels like 32 oz (having touched 24/27 oz Samurai and 25 oz IH denim I dare say that). And Benzak told me the mill claimed it to be 34 oz after washing. I trust him on that. But that's just a number...it seems unwearable and totally over the top, stiff as hell in any case. But the quality is great - just speaking for the denim of course.

I was not specifically taking pot shots @ N&F here, rather a general statement of saying 1 weight and it being another. I recall, but can't find, a thread investigating a brand that was doing 29/30oz that when weight was far less.  The point of calling this statement out was to reply back to marketing vs gimmick. If it's labelled as xx but it's actually yy, in that case it's both marketing and a gimmick, even if it's misleading…..

I admire N&F for pushing the boundaries, really. Stale industry one does not want. My Gateway Denims were a pair of Nudies that were sand-blasted to the sh!thouse. Marketing worked. Then I discovered Selvege and Raw, and the rest is history. I still own and love my Nudies, they're the softest jeans I own, and I've been wearing them for over 8 years.....

[beautiful_FrEaK]

But I guess you wouldn't question IH and their advertisement of weight?!
The brand you are talking about is called "Fearless", AFAIK. There is a thread here about the RNB-125 (or something like that)

[Max Power]

Yes, it was Fearless. Though I clearly remember one Lightning Mag where a Heavy weight denim was "officially" measured and was at 30 oz. Maybe Eight G. But, if somebody needs a number to show how tough he is, then I don't know what do say. I wouldn't care if any of my jeans would weigh less than stated, or more. What difference does is make, when the rest is perfect?

Anyway, I took the time to do some shots - compared to 15,7 oz Momotaro denim and (last picture) 21/23oz Samurai denim. I really love the fabric, would love to have a tote bag or other stuff made out of it.

[Snowy]

@beautiful_FrEaK:

But I guess you wouldn't question IH and their advertisement of weight?!
The brand you are talking about is called "Fearless", AFAIK. There is a thread here about the RNB-125 (or something like that)

I'm sure those it's important to have looked into such things, yes. I have recalled reading weighings on here of IH denim also. I don't purchase denim based on weight, regardless of brand (FYI I'm rotating SDA, Sugar Cane, and Iron Heart equally).

My point really was around product vs marketing vs gimmick and their intersection. Exploded;

1. Good Marketing
2. Good Construction/Product
3. Gimmick or not, the first 2 trump this.
4. Develops interest for the industry
5. All win, All are happy

@Max I love the second last picture; seriously thick!!!!

With Kindness and Respect.

[beautiful_FrEaK]

@Max:

But, if somebody needs a number to show how tough he is, then I don't know what do say. I wouldn't care if any of my jeans would weigh less than stated, or more. What difference does is make, when the rest is perfect?

that summarizes it perfectly for me

[Megatron1505]

Not really, some guys like knives not to feel tough just because they like knives, same here. I like heavy denim, and I like to know how heavy the denim is, simply because I do and not because it makes my metaphoric penis and larger, I just like to know.

[Seul]

In short: my jeans can beat up your jeans.

[derivative666]

@Megatron1505:

3. It's not my thing, but they're not my jeans. I prefer my jeans to smell like stale beer and farts.

Love this guy