What Is Raw Selvedge Denim?

A Concise Beginner's Guide to the Definition of "Raw" and "Selvedge" Denim.

Raw Denim - Refers to any denim fabric that is unwashed and untreated. The denim comes in a consistent shade of the colour it was dyed in, typically deep indigo. People like this for 2 main reasons:

1) Personalisation - Raw denim fades slowly over time as you wear it, creating beautiful high-contrast wear patterns unique to the wearer. (Refer to pictures below - That is why you often hear of people not wanting to wash their jeans to preserve a good fade!)

2) Durability - Raw denim has a longer lifespan as it has not been weakened by washing/chemical treatments. (Good for your wallet and the environment!)

Selvedge Denim - Refers to any denim fabric woven on old-fashioned shuttle looms, resulting in a non-fraying edge at each end of the fabric. The selvedge is commonly identified on the out-seam of the jean as a coloured strip, usually white and red. People like this for 2 main reasons:

1) Appearance - The selvedge out-seam has a "clean" and "minimal" appearance compared to non-selvedge out-seams which has to be stitched up to prevent fraying (Refer to bottom-right picture below!)

2) Rarity - Selvedge denim is produced slowly in small quantities at a high cost and are usually only used by specialty denim brands. (i.e. Selvedge is the hallmark of premium denim)

Build your very own Raw Selvedge Denim Here!