Buying My Buddy a Gift...Surprise, It's Denim!!

[popvulture]

@Mizmazzle they have the same feel as the OD, totally nice n' soft. I think the only comfier IH offering would be the slubbies. I know they're due back at some point but I don't know if they'd be back in time for your deadline.

[pechelman]

I'm seeing a few good options in the 14IB's for both 666 and 777's. Looks like Tag 36's are generally the right size.
It fades relatively quickly / high contrast as well so it might be more enjoyable to him as a first pair of fancy denim than say an OD'd pair. I'd probably also steer you to a 666 over the 777's as I found having any snugness in new areas (crotch, calves, knees, etc) to be much more noticeable with heavy denim and the 666 might actually give him a bit more room in some of these places than his current pair.

I totally agree though with OD being so soft that it could be suitable for him in 21oz.

[Mizmazzle]

Great input guys. I’m thinking the 666 cut is the way to go. Can’t go wrong with the flagship 21oz indigo, just don’t want to throw too much at him too fast haha. But sounds like the 21oz is more breathable and perhaps easier to wear then the 14oz ib…

Wish the tonal stitching version of the 14oz ib was in stock.

Any insight to how crispy that 14oz ib denim is out of the bag?

[J-IV]

So between the 18oz and the 16oz (slubbies), my vote would be slubbies. Though 18oz is my favorite looking faded from the pairs that I’ve owned.

21oz though are blankets compared to both. I know the weight makes it seem more daunting than it is but he won’t notice after a few months.

As for the the fit, I agree with everyone above with a bit more edge towards the 666

[pechelman]

14ib is pretty crispy, smooth, and dense. Not to the extent of UHR/19L crisp but more similar to say 17oz duck or even the 12oz denim when new. It also stays that way for a good while unlike 12oz which breaks-in and softens pretty quickly. It's got a nice balance where it will set some great creases but it should soften pretty quick in high-wear areas around the tops of thighs/knees. My only 14IB is a type 3, so it should go much faster in pants.

[Mizmazzle]

My one concern with the 666 cut, is that that top block isn’t very open. My 666 SBGs are kind of “up in my crotch”. Matt would hate that. Sort of why I was leaning towards the 888. That top block is so damn comfortable.

[goosehd]

I admire what you’re trying to do, but have you considered a gift card or one of the IH denim shirts. Picking a pair of jeans is difficult enough for me to do for myself and I can’t imagine trying to do it for someone else.

[Mizmazzle]

I would never give my best friend a gift card for such a big event in his life. Besides, I like the challenge of getting the people I care about something that blows them away. Just takes some attention to detail and knowing what they like.

Also, if I fuck it up the first time I can count on IH to help me dial it in on the return.

[sabergirl]

21oz is what you want for a comfortable, breathable denim that will knock his socks off. As for the fit, I say go 634. It’s the most versatile for all body shapes.

[Mizmazzle]

@sabergirl now this is great advice! There are also 9+ pairs in stock in tag 36...lots of options to have the crew fine tune the fit a bit as well!

[Mizmazzle]

@J-IV thanks, Juan. I'm curious how that 18oz Vintage breaks in? Fast, slow, soft, rigid...

[J-IV]

@Mizmazzle Hmm you’re not going to like my answer - it depends. Lol

If you wear it steadily for about 3 months, it starts to settle a bit from the initial stiffness. It gets noticeable softer after each wash too. But I didn’t notice a huge difference until after a year or so of wear with a handful of soaks and washes

[Mizmazzle]

@J-IV haha. See, to you and I that sounds like heaven! To my buddy, who has Asperger tendencies…literal torture. Haha

[pmadison95]

Maybe you could take him to a retailer if there is one close by so he could try them on?

[Brian]

People used to buy me clothes when I was a child for birthdays Christmas etc, that all stopped when I was about 13-14 years old
Socks etc I don’t mind at Christmas even now
But buying a pair of jeans for someone else without them trying them or even wanting to try no thanks

It’s a nice gesture for sure but I just can’t get my head round the practicality of it unless it was an instore hey try these on you like them I’ll buy them for you scenario

[AdamJ]

@Mizmazzle 21oz no question!

[WhiskeySandwich]

i agree. i'm thinkin' 777s-21 indigo bro. tag 36?

also, @Brian may have a point. And i think it'd be easier to get away with a CPO or something than jeans. BUT, if you're successful in nailing it, it'd be a game changer for your buddy.

[Fadez]

How active is your buddy? Going for a tapered cut may restrict motion. I’d say a big thigh 36 in 888 or those 634s. Everyone thinks they’re “too big” at first. But then love them like hell after a few weeks of enjoying the great cut and movement. 21oz is great denim too. A smidge crispy to start and then super soft. 14iB I have in the IHDR Collabs. Beautiful but also very tough denim. Lighter but more rigid I think than the 21oz. I’d prob stick to slubs, 18oz vintage, or flagship 21oz for weights

[Mizmazzle]

@Brian @pmadison95
I agree taking him to a retailer is a good plan. But it all comes back to knowing the man and his nature. For my wedding, all the groomsmen went shopping for suits together. We had a guy at the store asking us all these questions about the details of the suits we wanted to add on or leave off. Fabrics. Colors. It was all too much for him.

Basically, he’s not into the whole shopping experience. Honestly neither am I. But I am into researching and fixating on small details until I find the perfect thing. I’m thinking I’ll buy him 2-3 cuts and then he can choose the one he likes the best. Then I’ll return the others. If I limit the options and make it simple for him, in the end he will hopefully end up with an epic pair of jeans. I suppose the real gift is me forcing the 21 oz denim on him and saying” wear these for a month, you’ll thank me!”

[Mizmazzle]

@WhiskeySandwich thanks buddy. I hear what everyone is saying about the risk of buying someone jeans. It’s tricky. But, there in lies the nature of this experiment. Since falling into this denim game, I’ve got really good at understanding measurements and how they contribute to fit and comfort. I basically buy all my wife’s clothes for her now.

I know my buddy very very well. I understand his nature and his likes/ dislikes. This isn’t so much a “hey let me buy you some cool jeans” type of deal. It’s a psycho-social experiment in getting him something he would never do for himself, but I know he would greatly love once all the stigma, annoyance, and distain of being in a retail space has been stripped away.

Sure a shirt would be easier. But we’re talking a pair of jeans here. The foundational piece of quintessential clothing that is the cornerstone of every person on earths wardrobe. He loves his jeans, but hates the shit quality of them. I’d like to give him the gift of Iron Heart by doing all the leg work he’d never do for himself.

Like you said, could change his life forever. Worst case scenario, I’m out a few hundred bucks and they sit in his closet. But I’m confident if I take all my knowledge and experience I can get him something rad he will be stoked on.