Naked & Famous

[gaseousclay]

@manufc10:

I actually have thought about giving N and F a shot as some of their 'not so gimmicky' denims look good to me and the weird guy fit seems to be a decent one.

Any input regarding the weird guy fit or their more basic denim fabrics would be appreciated.

I like the weird guy fit. They definitely use vanity sizing so there’s that to consider. I typically wear a size 33 in the WG fit. The MIJ series look great but I have yet to try them. I keep looking at the new kakishibu ones on BOW’s website.

I’ll also say this, I have never paid full price for their denim, mainly because they’re abundant and can be found everywhere and on sale. I’m not a fan of the gimmicky stuff but they do come out with interesting ideas on occasion. They have a Left Hand Twill Midnight Edition coming out for their new FW drops that I’m curious about. If you can get a pair on sale they’re worth a punt. Their shirting looks awful though [emoji23]

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[gaseousclay]

I also forgot to mention that I wear a 33 in the WG fit for their LHT denim and their Indigo denim which is their basic 13oz core denim. The LHT is nice but mine are retired until I get them repaired. They didn’t shrink much in the wash, if at all, but my indigo ones did. For reference, I’m a size 34 in 3sixteen’s ST and SL cut and a 34 in IH’s Pronto denim

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[manufc10]

Thanks for the info @gaseousclay

I'm with you on their shirts.

[mikebarhoot]

Couple of notes based on a couple of days wear of the Streetfighter II E Honda:
Love the denim. Already softened after 3 days wear
Love the leather patches
Fit is good

Construction not on par with IH for which i’ve become accustomed.
-belt loops not sewn into waist band
-rear pockets unlined
-no fly selvedge
-1 thread color (brown)

Feels weird NOT wearing IH.

Keeping them but already looking for my next IH pr Since i can wear denim at all work locations now. As long as they’re not torn frayed overly faded.

[mikebarhoot]

[neph93]

Lovely silhouette. Otherwise it’s a case of what you get for your $$$ I guess.

[gaseousclay]

@mikebarhoot

Have you considered giving 3sixteen a go? I don't know how big their sizes go but they make decent jeans. They don't have all the bells and whistles that IH denim does but they do have sewn in belt loops if that's a primary concern. 3sixteen is probably the only US denim company that i'll buy jeans from. I have both the SL-120X shadow selvedge and their ST-140x 17oz brown weft denim which they no longer make. I really like the SL cut but i'm not certain if they're phasing out this style or not. Seems like a lot of companies are going for the extreme tapered carrot look which i'm not a big fan of

[motojobobo]

A picture update of my N&F Elephant 5 22 oz. Quick fader, pleasing uneven texture on the denim, and the Weird Guy cut is very comfy for me. The waist has stretched quite a bit and I need a belt to keep them up. Wonder how comfy one size down would feel. I have two fingers worth of slack at the waist.

[mikebarhoot]

Nice!

[Shanman11]

uh-oh, guess I'm a Rookie and maybe bought the wrong selvedge denim fell for something with a green fade which they stopped making, for now anyways, we'll see: I bought the Blanka Electric Surge in WG fit because they're supposed to have a degree of green yarn weave.
What's the killer Rigid sharp looking indigo IH model I should get ?
Thanks ahead of time !!

[neph93]

@Shanman11:

What's the killer Rigid sharp looking indigo IH model I should get ?

I think N&F and IH are about as different as can be when it come to approaches to denim.

The most modern IH cuts are the 777 and 555. If you like low rises then go for the 777.

[Shanman11]

ok cool, yeah I was thinking the 666 or the 777, thank you !!

[neph93]

@Shanman11:

ok cool, yeah I was thinking the 666 or the 777, thank you !!

666 is a great cut… My impression of the WG is that it is slim and tapered and the 777 and 555 are those two things. The 666 is not.

Body shape and personal preference are key in choice of cut imho. The 666 is a bit 1960's or 1980's but some people make it look super modern. The 1955 cut is based on a jean from 1955 but again it can be made to look very modern on the right body type. Others look great in it while wearing it in a more vintage/heritage style.

[mikebarhoot]

Have both WG and 777. Very similar except 777 lower rear rise.

[Shanman11]

Very Good info thanks guys !!
Anyone ever try the Benzak Brand? I just ordered the 066 green cast-RHT 15oz
I just love the green core fades

[manufc10]

@Shanman11:

Very Good info thanks guys !!
Anyone ever try the Benzak Brand? I just ordered the 066 green cast-RHT 15oz
I just love the green core fades

I am not familiar with Benzak but it looks like they use all Italian denim (Candiani mills).  I have owned two pairs of jeans made from Candiani denim and my opinion on Candiani fabrics is that they seem to have a more formal or "dressed up" look and feel to them.  They will generally be lighter in weight, have a much softer hand, and a good number of their fabrics are stretch denim and will be woven with EME (elastomultiester) and/or elastomer.  I'm not saying any of this is good or bad, it's just a matter of opinion.  For me I prefer fabrics that are much more rugged, classic, and have a more workwear type of look and feel which is why I love brands like IH, 3sixteen, and RgT for my jeans.

I'm not saying that Candiani jeans can't achieve a more informal look, maybe they can, but for me I tend to stay away from them as I prefer a more rugged look and feel overall.  I do like denims that are lighter in weight but I like them to still retain a certain amount of ruggedness a la the IH 14oz fabrics.  There's nothing wrong with Candiani fabrics that I'm aware of as far as quality and they do make some very nice looking fabrics, it's just not my style or personal preference overall.

Just my two cents.

[Shanman11]

Yes, also, great info, I guess once I saw a green cast 15oz. I was semi sold, made in Japan, Right hand twill, by yes, Collect Mills, cotton is from Zimbabwe originally. They'll be softer, kinda different, funky
I finally ordered my IH's today !! : 19 oz. Left Hand twill-666S-19L-V2, so stoked for the Real Deal !!
I figure they'll still be heavy enough for sure
Thanks man,
Shan

[Appfaff]

Benzak has been hand making jeans since at least 2007, when I started being active on forums, and he had been at it for a few years at that point.

I believe he was doing it as a class project for Uni at first and then kept in going - getting better and better every release.

I’m sure they are high quality and have a good amount of character to the designs. I remember him being a very nice guy as well. Glad his production has expanded to stockists - love hearing success stories in the field, as they are few and far between.

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[Shanman11]

Yeah he seems like a nice guy for sure, from his vids 
That's a cool story. I know there are many small operations out there trying to make the best product possible because they believe in their vision. I like that and believe in that dream and power. Often these are where the Gems are found, in the rough. But he is far from there for sure and enjoying success it seems to me.
I'll certainly post pics and let you know the Quality, fit, look and feel etc
Have a great weekend !!
Shan

[Shanman11]

Holy Jeebus, either this Rona gut is really getting huge or these 34" Benzak run a size smaller like a 33" : Can't get that top button !! Thumbs are sore. So I'm just saying f'it and wearing them around the house for now hoping I'll stretch that waist band out cause the rest of the fit is spot on and feel great.
any advice besides just keep wearing them?
Thanks,  Patrick