The Author: Hi, my name is Brad Bennett and I write Commerce with a Conscience.
The Jeans: Left Field NYC Basic Straight Slim Fit Jean in Raw
The Brand: Left Field NYC has been churning out tough-as-nails heritage and workwear inspired clothing since 1999. Founded by Christian McCann, the Brooklyn based label produces its entire range in the United States, using a mix of Japanese and American fabrics and components. Lots more background info here.
The Details:
14 oz., 100% cotton Cone Mills selvedge denim
Natural indigo dye
Scovill tack buttons (made in USA)
Universal rivets and burs (made in USA)
100% cotton bandanna pockets (made in USA)
Cut and sewn in NYC
The Fit: Just about perfect. I’ve got a particularly narrow lower half, so finding jeans that fit slim but not “skinny” can be a bit of a to-do. The Left Fields have a comfortably narrow thigh, which subtly tapers down to a 7″ leg opening – the perfect width for sneakers or boots. I’ve been wearing them for about 12 – 16 hours a day for the past seven days now, and what little bit of stretching they’ve done has only bettered their shape. It’s still too soon to say, but I’m already starting to think these might just be the best pair of jeans I’ve ever owned. And as a long-time denim nerd, that’s really saying something.
Great fit, great looking jeans. Looking forward to seeing them evolve. Question: Where can they be bought in NY besides Blue in Green?
brad, are you wearing the one-wash denim ? what size are you wearing and where did you get them from ? nice denim and gr8 vest thanks sunil
@Birgitte – I’m not sure if there are any other NYC stockists. Online, you can get ‘em at Blue Owl, Context, Mortar, or direct from Left Field. As LF is based out of BKLYN, maybe you can email Christian and work out some kind of local pick-up.
@Sunil – Yeah, they’re def raw. Inky as hell, and bleeding on EVERYTHING. Mr. Plett upped the contrast of the pics a bit to show the denim a little better, but in person, they’re dark dark dark. PS, the vest is vintage North Face, brown label, made in the US.
the outfit is great and the jeans look awesome too.
Ha. You can turn your pockets inside out and represent crip style. Pair those with some British Knights sneaks and your ready to roll. Just don’t roll into slob territory.
how did you size these? size down 1 or 2? I want to get a pair. what is the rise like?
helllooooooo. these jeans are hot fire, and nobody is responding
Hi Brian,
Sorry about the delayed response.
I’m a 29 in APC (and pretty much every other raw denim brand), but Christian (the one-man-band behind Left Field) only had a 28 to send.
When they first arrived, I could barely button them all the way up. So, after wearing them with the top unbuttoned for several days, I decided to stretch the waistband. To do that, I hung the jeans upside down over a bucket of cold water, submerging just the top three inches. After about 45 min, I took them out of the water, and, without wringing them out, buttoned them around a chair back that was just a little bit wider than the waist. I then left them there to dry overnight. When I put them on the next morning, perfecto.
Since then, the waist has stretched out another 0.5″ – 0.75″, while the legs have stretched between 0.25″ – 0.5″, and they fit better than any other pair of pants I have ever owned (seriously).
So, you should be fine ordering your normal APC size (ie, down one), although, you may also want to consider sizing down two, and then stretching the waist, in order to ensure a slimmer fit for longer.
Hope that helps,
Brad