What Is Raw Denim? Everything You Need To Know About Raw Denim Jeans

I am a big fan of denim jeans, and raw denim is one of those type of denim that has to be in your wardrobe if you’re a serious jeans guy.

You might have heard it before, but not know what it means.

What is raw denim?

Raw denim is denim which is untreated and has not gone through a wash process. It’s also called dry denim, and is the purest form of denim for a pair of jeans.

Raw denim is usually solid, with no distressing or rips. It is the most pure form of denim when it comes to jeans.

Here’s what you need to know.

How Does Raw Denim Fit?

The fit of raw denim is usually tight, hugging the body, and can feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to wearing harsh denim.

It can take a while to get used to, as the denim is very rigid. When I wear mine I really like wearing them, the substantial nature of the material really makes them feel well made.

When I want a more relaxed and casual outfit I will wear a softer denim which has been washed. This is for no reason other than comfort.

The good news is the more you wear them, the softer they’ll gradually get. Breaking in a good pair of jeans is fun, and gives you an excuse to give them multiple wears.

Raw Denim vs Regular Denim

The differences between raw denim and regular denim starts at the manufacturing and finishing process.

When a pair of regular jeans are created they can be put through a wash, so they’re known as washed denim.

This is done with lots of jeans because it makes them a lot softer, it reduces shrinkage and it leaves you with the finished product.

Once the jeans are dyed and then washed, they’ll maintain their look with minimal shrinkage and loss of dye. The denim will look pretty much exactly the same once the customer starts wearing a pair and puts them in the wash at home.

Raw denim differs, as in it’s final stages it’s not put through a wash.

This means that the raw denim and dye is maintained and doesn’t lose it’s original integrity, it’s more rigid and firm.

That means that the denim will change over time, giving it a life of it’s own.

For these reasons, the dye can rub off.

You’re likely to find warning labels of this on the jeans, especially on colours such as raw indigo where the dye can transfer onto your other clothes or even skin.

Denim connoisseurs really love raw denim, and they will tell you that the denim has a life of it’s own. It will develop characteristics from your daily life, from general wearing and stretching, to dirt and scuffs, it’s all in your denim until that first wash.

From then on it will look different.

That means if you have two people with the same pair of raw denim, over time they will look different as they wear them differently. This contrasts with regular denim as the integrity should remain more or less the same.

Raw denim is denim which has not been put through a wash process. It is harder, more rough and as the name suggests feels raw. It is liked by many denim enthusiasts, but if you prefer a softer denim, you may want to give this a miss.

My pair of A.P.C jeans, made from raw denim.

Raw Denim vs Selvedge Denim

You may have also heard the term Selvedge, are raw denim and selvedge the same, or different?

As we’ve discussed, Raw denim refers to the state the denim is in, i.e. unwashed/untreated.

Selvedge denim is how the denim is produced, and the finish. With that said, you can get raw denim which is selvedge, and also washed denim which is selvedge too.

Since selvedge is more expensive to manufacture, and raw denim is seen as more coveted, you’ll often have selvedge raw denim jeans.

But it’s important to note that you can also get washed selvedge denim.

Best Raw Denim Brands

There’s a whole host of denim brands which do raw denim, and you should choose one of a brand with denim at it’s heart, rather than a general fashion label.

These include:

• Nudie Jeans
• A.P.C
• Cheap Monday
• Edwin
• Levi’s

I have a pair of A.P.C jeans as well as a few pair of Nudie Jeans, and a pair of raw denim Levi’s. I like them all, they’re really top quality and good to wear.

I think it’s good to include a pair of raw denim in your wardrobe, you can read my guide to how man pairs of jeans you should own to see the five pairs of essential jeans.

How Often Should I Wash Raw Denim?

There is no definitive answer to the question how often you should wash raw denim.

Many will say you should wash a pair of jeans every 6 months, some say never wash them. You should wash them when you feel comfortable to do so.

It’s important to remember that when you wash them they will change.

They will probably have some shrinkage and some of the dye will come out in the wash, so be careful putting them in the machine with other clothing.

How Should I Clean Raw Denim?

If you’re not going to wash them, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep them clean.

You can spot treat the denim should you get any spills or dirt on your jeans. When it comes to keeping them fresh, it’s a good idea to air them out every now and then so they don’t smell.

Once you think they really need to be washed, that should be the time to wash them, and you’ll see a change in how they look after they’ve been washed.

And there you have it, everything you need to know about raw denim.

Raw doesn’t mean better or worse, it’s simply denim which has not gone through the wash before you buy it.

Dry denim isn’t for everyone, some will not like it because of it’s rigid nature when brand new, while others really like the process of breaking in raw jeans while wearing them gives characteristics that will be truly unique to you.