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The ultimative Denim Trouser Thread?

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
Decent quality stuffs. Better than those sold at some reenactment shops. I only have a few small items tees, shirt, pants etc by Bronson. Materials used are usually quite thick. Doesn't mean they are high quality just more substantial. Never bought their jackets. Jackets seem to have ok review on VLJ.

Not handled them directly myself - though I'd have been tempted by a few bit is they would extend the size range. The buzz, no pun intended, seems to be that the jackets hold up well against the mid-range (the old Alpha Reproduction series, or the PIke stuff), more accurate than anything else in their price range. Probably not as good as the Japanese stuff by a long chalk, but a lot of folks who don't have £600 or £800 to spend on a nylon MA1 seem happy with them. Not many options for the nylon stuff, as compared to the wide rangeo f price points for leather / denim / other, organic textiles.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I don't know. I like my jeans roomy, wide legged, hight waisted and sturdy. My favourit is and was always Pike Brothers cut in 1940s fit. They are very durable and look good. Their denim is woven in Turkey. All are selvedge and come in 11oz, 15oz and I think the newest are also availlable in 20oz. They develope a very nice blue after the sulfur is gone with many washes over time. I don't call myself a "denim head", I just came back to wearing jeans, since there are some "newer" brands on the market dedicated to get old school jeans right. And when this means using the old ways of producing them and dying them and when this means more work, higher costs, so be it. I am not one of those guys who always try to get things cheaper. This can lead to a downward spiral in everything quality and wages for the workers IMO. This is my new pair. I think it is a tad big on me. But for my usual romp about with my kids group in the woods I like more freedom of movement.


They seem really baggy below the knee - are they meant to look like that?
 
Messages
11,167
Location
SoCal
I found some made by Anchor Tiger in Thailand... around $62.00 US.
They are on Facebook.
They also do some killer 1940s Aloha shirts.
 

CatsCan

Practically Family
Messages
596
Location
Germany & Denmark
They seem really baggy below the knee - are they meant to look like that?

I am afraid, yes. My problem is my belly these days (and since a while before). If it fits my belly and hips, it is too wide on the legs. If it fits my legs perfectly, I can't button these things up. They do have denim trousers with different fits, though. This is the "1937", it is meant to be wide below the knees. Their "1958" is tapered and a narrower cut but still higher waisted than their "1963" model which is meant to be a tighter fitting jeans with a low rise. I have worn tight and slim fitting jeans in my younger days. I like the look of the sloppier ones at the moment on me. The good thing is, I can wear my sheepwool lined high hunting boots with those jeans over it.
 

Pandemic

One Too Many
Messages
1,503
Location
In The Flat Field
I ordered a pair of black 21oz Gustin straight leg jeans last week. The straight leg is still very slim in my opinion, but can cover most engineer boots. It’s hard to find jeans that are slim up top (not skinny) but will still over a boot.

The waist is too low, but I rarely tuck a shirt into jeans so I can live with that.

I decided to size up one on these, because of the thickness.
 
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Sonero

Practically Family
Messages
867
Location
San Diego / Tijuana
I ordered a pair of black 21oz Gustin straight leg jeans last week. The straight leg is still very slim in my opinion, but can cover most engineer boots. The waist is too low, but I rarely tuck a dirt into jeans so I can live with that.

I decided to size up one on these, because of the thickness.

I am in for a pair of Gustin 21oz Blue. Ships in December.

Everyone here should be checking the BraveStar website for the pre - order sales. Everyone has their top of the line merchandise out now. Once Black Friday comes or even just before choices will dwindle considerably all over the place.
 

CatsCan

Practically Family
Messages
596
Location
Germany & Denmark
Everyone here should be checking the BraveStar website for the pre - order sales. Everyone has their top of the line merchandise out now. Once Black Friday comes or even just before choices will dwindle considerably all over the place.

There is not too much that wakes a desire to be in the US these days, but this could probably tempt me if I could beam me.
 
Messages
11,167
Location
SoCal
I have an issue with Gustin’s fit...it always feels really tight in the upper block, the thighs are too large- and don’t transition smoothly to the leg, and the rise lower than I’d like. They almost look like womens. I have 4 pair and never wear them. Maybe I could try a size up, but I’m not willing to drop the cash for a new pair. It’s a real bummer cuz I like the denim.
 
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Sonero

Practically Family
Messages
867
Location
San Diego / Tijuana
I have an issue with Gustin’s fit...it always feels really tight in the upper block, the thighs are too large- and don’t transition smoothly to the leg, and the rise lower than I’d like. They almost look like womens. I have 4 pair and never wear them. Maybe I could try a size up, but I’m not willing to drop the cash for a new pair. It’s a real bummer cuz I like the denim.

Have you tried Bravestar yet ?
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
There is not too much that wakes a desire to be in the US these days, but this could probably tempt me if I could beam me.

Havin had our 'micro-wedding' (as I believe the kids now call them) during lockdown, we're now looking forward to a day in a couple of years' time when we can have our dream-honeymoon in the US (Memphis being the hoped for destination for this trip, because Elvis and Johnny Cash, obvs....). It would be nice (though I hold out little hope for it) if the pound recovered a little against the dollar before then; even if it doesn't, I'll be taking a next to empty case, and stocking up on some things that even now are vastly cheaper in the UK - Wranglers, some other denims, possibly a pair of Alden Indy boots, maybe some Wescos.... ).
 

CatsCan

Practically Family
Messages
596
Location
Germany & Denmark
What I don't get is our stupid tax and customs duty thing with private imports bought directly from US. For a pair of US made boots or jeans I have to pay the sales prize twice with all the additional costs added. The only chance is a domestic seller with mass import who can offer lower prizes. But then I depend highly on his choices.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
What I don't get is our stupid tax and customs duty thing with private imports bought directly from US. For a pair of US made boots or jeans I have to pay the sales prize twice with all the additional costs added. The only chance is a domestic seller with mass import who can offer lower prizes. But then I depend highly on his choices.

That's the point of import taxes - to make it more expensive to buy from abroad, and encourage the individual to buy from local sellers. It is what it is, though it can be annoying at times. Years ago I had my eye on a particular guitar which a US brand made. The US distributor wouldn't sell to me because they had done an exclusive distribution deal with a UK company. Unfortunately the one model I wanted - the company's sole left handed option - was not one the UK partner chose to import. C'est la vie... (Eventually I bought a used example someone else had privately imported, and neither the US company nor their UK partner saw a penny from me!)
 

Sonero

Practically Family
Messages
867
Location
San Diego / Tijuana
No, I’ve gone back to 505s and 569s from Ross @ $19 a pair. Is there a preferred Bravestar cut to look at? It annoys me that I can’t try them on even though they aren’t far away from me.
The way to deal with Bravestar / Ironheart Etc. is to get used to working with a tape measure. It drove me nuts for a while until I got the hang of it but now I have the freedom to buy things all over the world because I know my measurements. It also gives you a common language between you and the seller. The only caveat would be to make sure you agree on how they measure. Some people measure slightly differently than others. Many websites including Bravestar will show you examples by photos or video. Ironheart website has a great video on the subject.

As far as fit once you learn how to measure you simply measure your favorite pair of fitting jeans and compare those measurements to the ones you want to buy. You can see how they will fit just by the numbers.
 

Sonero

Practically Family
Messages
867
Location
San Diego / Tijuana
^which is why despite being expensive I like iron heart the best.

Not just expensive but let's be frank shall we.... OUTRAGEOUS but no doubt it is quality. My take on it is as far as 25oz denim jeans IH is the business bar none. Their Modified TYPE 3 Denim Jacket is also state of the art and unique to IH. When you get into the textile jackets shirts T's Etc. I start having a very hard time validating those prices. I can do better elsewhere for less.
 

Bfd70

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,333
Location
Traverse city
I think the prices on knit wear are outrageous. Textiles are high. I have 7 of their shirts. 2 were purchased at their outlet at a good discount. 2 were purchased used at an even bigger discount. 3 were full price. their UHF are just awesome. Like pants I like that they provide all measurements. Also they ship to me for free in 2 days.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
The way to deal with Bravestar / Ironheart Etc. is to get used to working with a tape measure. It drove me nuts for a while until I got the hang of it but now I have the freedom to buy things all over the world because I know my measurements. It also gives you a common language between you and the seller. The only caveat would be to make sure you agree on how they measure. Some people measure slightly differently than others. Many websites including Bravestar will show you examples by photos or video. Ironheart website has a great video on the subject.

As far as fit once you learn how to measure you simply measure your favorite pair of fitting jeans and compare those measurements to the ones you want to buy. You can see how they will fit just by the numbers.

The main problem I find is getting accurate information on the rise, though dealing with specialist companies like these seems to be the trick. (I once bought some tweed breeks on eBay and had to send them back because when they arrived, the "waistband" was at least six inches below my natural waist, and barely even covered my hipbone. When I contacted the seller - a *dealer* in country attire - they hadn't a clue what the rise was, and couldn't understand my issue...... gah.)
 

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