My first „real“ Denim Jacket - Iron Heart Type III overdyed, 23oz

[AlexB]

I visited Self Edge in San Francisco - the prices were eye watering......I'm a tight Scotsman - so wrong store for me I guess!

I think it’s not the store that is more expensive. You can look up prices everywhere else and they are quite competitive. When I got into this denim game I started with some YouTube videos and articles to educate myself. You pay for what you get. These jackets are made by small family owned businesses in Japan that really take pride in their workmanship. Especially for brands like Iron Heart the denim is often specifically and exclusively made for them. Also the machines, being it the looms or the sewing machines are often antique and require maintenance and handling that can only be done by few people. Also, using actual Indigo is way more laborious than using chemical color. Additionally, Japan is an industrialized country with a relatively high standard of living and in return higher wages. Of course there is also a profit margin, but I was surprised that the margin of the Japanese denim brands is comparably low to the margins in fashion (e.g. at Levi’s). I don’t want to put it in beautiful words, but I think “shopping” like this, where you good stuff and aim to keep things for many many years, is way more sustainable (in case you buy less other clothes in return). This does not require to buy a USD500 jacket, but I guess also the jackets around USD250-300 tick this box quite nicely.


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[Mich486]

One aims at keeping things for many many years and that’s what I used to tell myself too to justify my expensive and repeated purchases of unnecessary clothing that ended up on eBay after only a few months though should’ve last me for decades.

Yes some keepers come along too from time to time but man this is more often than not a buy, wear a bit and sell game well before the useful life of the garment come to an end. Is it not?


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[El Marro]

I am still in shock that a denim jacket could cost more than USD 500

I'm in shock that you paid it!

I had the same reaction myself before I clicked the purchase button last week on the IH Storm Rider jacket. I argued with my inner self for a moment: “dude that’s almost half an Aero, or more than half of a Vanson” the practical side of me said to the compulsive side. In the in the compulsive shopper won the battle (as he usually does!) and the jacket was purchased. I agree with blaupulp that IH makes a really stellar jean jacket, certainly the best that I have handled, and if the fit is perfect then I will not have any regrets at all.

 

[AlexB]

One aims at keeping things for many many years and that’s what I used to tell myself too to justify my expensive and repeated purchases of unnecessary clothing that ended up on eBay after only a few months though should’ve last me for decades.

Yes some keepers come along too from time to time but man this is more often than not a buy, wear a bit and sell game well before the useful life of the garment come to an end. Is it not?


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From what I observe here I would totally agree! Honestly, I personally have never sold a single piece of clothing. I usually have a really hard time to decide whether I go for something or not. So far, when I pulled the trigger I kept what I bought. Probably I am not long enough in this game
However, I can say that 80% of my wardrobe are unnecessary. For sure there was no necessity to own a denim jacket next to leather jackets, coats etc. What you really need is probably a winter and a summer jacket and one or two pair of pants
For me it's also kind of a hobby. I just enjoy wearing this stuff, talking to people about it, observing how the fabric/ material changes over time.

 

[sweetfights]

I had the same reaction myself before I clicked the purchase button last week on the IH Storm Rider jacket. I argued with my inner self for a moment: “dude that’s almost half an Aero, or more than half of a Vanson” the practical side of me said to the compulsive side. In the in the compulsive shopper won the battle (as he usually does!) and the jacket was purchased. I agree with blaupulp that IH makes a really stellar jean jacket, certainly the best that I have handled, and if the fit is perfect then I will not have any regrets at all.

Exactly on the perfect fit. I never thought I would purchase denim this expensive but it will last a lifetime and is a bargain if the fit is right. I now have 1 pair of Iron Heart 21 oz super black denim jeans and two of their 21 oz super black jackets. No regrets and all keepers. But as Mich486 mentions, there is a lot of purchase-try-sell going on to get to the perfect fit keeper items. Worth the ride.

 

[sweetfights]

From what I observe here I would totally agree! Honestly, I personally have never sold a single piece of clothing. I usually have a really hard time to decide whether I go for something or not. So far, when I pulled the trigger I kept what I bought. Probably I am not long enough in this game
However, I can say that 80% of my wardrobe are unnecessary. For sure there was no necessity to own a denim jacket next to leather jackets, coats etc. What you really need is probably a winter and a summer jacket and one or two pair of pants
For me it's also kind of a hobby. I just enjoy wearing this stuff, talking to people about it, observing how the fabric/ material changes over time.

It is definitely a fun educational experience. I pass on my knowledge to my kids- buy quality or pay more for cheaply made items that you have to repurchase through your life.

 

[Monitor]

Exactly on the perfect fit. I never thought I would purchase denim this expensive but it will last a lifetime and is a bargain if the fit is right. I now have 1 pair of Iron Heart 21 oz super black denim jeans and two of their 21 oz super black jackets. No regrets and all keepers. But as Mich486 mentions, there is a lot of purchase-try-sell going on to get to the perfect fit keeper items. Worth the ride.

Quoted for truth.

And yeah, never in a million years would you have convinced me of a superiority of a high end denim before I bought my first Iron Heart. I just couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would pay that much money for a cotton jacket - and I was quite vocal about it at the time. I've been wearing a Levi's jean jacket throughout the high-school but never really gave it much thought. After "rediscovering" the style, for a while there I was quite convinced that the pricey denim is a scam. What could possibly be so much better than my old Levi's?

I don't even remember why I decided to finally give IH a chance and when the jacket arrived, the buyers remorse struck me worse than ever. I was literally having anxiety attacks just thinking about the fact that I paid near $500 for a piece of fabric. I immediately wrote to IH that I'm sending it back but the next day, I decided to at least wear it once while walking the dog and... That was it.

I now own four IH jackets and I plan to keep them all. They're some of my favorite jackets and among the best, leather or otherwise, I've had.

Maybe it's just me, though clearly other people feel the same but the other stuff doesn't really compare to IH. At all. These jackets are that much better.

Fantastic jacket, @blaupulp ! Gold stitching is really cool and please post more photos of the jacket once it catches some fades. Really interested in how it develops.

 

[ksozay]

Great jacket! Ordered one from SE today.

 

[ton312]

It begins...AGAIN!

 

[AlexB]

Quoted for truth.

And yeah, never in a million years would you have convinced me of a superiority of a high end denim before I bought my first Iron Heart. I just couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would pay that much money for a cotton jacket - and I was quite vocal about it at the time. I've been wearing a Levi's jean jacket throughout the high-school but never really gave it much thought. After "rediscovering" the style, for a while there I was quite convinced that the pricey denim is a scam. What could possibly be so much better than my old Levi's?

I don't even remember why I decided to finally give IH a chance and when the jacket arrived, the buyers remorse struck me worse than ever. I was literally having anxiety attacks just thinking about the fact that I paid near $500 for a piece of fabric. I immediately wrote to IH that I'm sending it back but the next day, I decided to at least wear it once while walking the dog and... That was it.

I now own four IH jackets and I plan to keep them all. They're some of my favorite jackets and among the best, leather or otherwise, I've had.

Maybe it's just me, though clearly other people feel the same but the other stuff doesn't really compare to IH. At all. These jackets are that much better.

Fantastic jacket, @blaupulp ! Gold stitching is really cool and please post more photos of the jacket once it catches some fades. Really interested in how it develops.

Great story! I think it's awesome if a product is made that well that it could really turnaround someones perception!
I'll definitely try to post regular updates here!

 

[breezer]

When I got into this denim game

I'm not in the denim game........I do like a nice pair of jeans, but £100 is my limit...... Despite my status as a self confessed tight scotsman I do like the good Japanese stuff....but it does not extend to denims....RMC, BR, MF, FH.....I like it all, but mainly in relation to jackets, shirts and sweats. Having said that I think a garments perceived quality is often over egged....I have a Flat Head flannel that has not aged particularly well....and I have flannels from random high street stores that although made and sold cheaply, have lasted exceptionally well....

 

[Bfd70]

Not much outerwear in the Outerwear section is bought because one NEEDS a jacket, as in has none and it’s cold out. This is all hobby. I enjoy it. The thought of playing golf bores me to no end.

 

[Mich486]

I'm not in the denim game........I do like a nice pair of jeans, but £100 is my limit...... Despite my status as a self confessed tight scotsman I do like the good Japanese stuff....but it does not extend to denims....RMC, BR, MF, FH.....I like it all, but mainly in relation to jackets, shirts and sweats. Having said that I think a garments perceived quality is often over egged....I have a Flat Head flannel that has not aged particularly well....and I have flannels from random high street stores that although made and sold cheaply, have lasted exceptionally well....

Agreed. The “made-to-last” argument for me is incredibly overrated and overused in this niche. It is a smart marketing tactic which I failed for it too.


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[l0fielectronic]

I agree on the made to last argument generally and didn't think I'd ever spend so much on a pair of jeans either. (Well the last pair I bought weren't quite so expensive because it was before they blocked Japanese sellers from sending abroad. I will likely buy another pair of their jeans when mu current ones wear out though.)

I have a couple of pairs of their heavy 21oz denim and I think my first pair are about five years old now and are perfectly worn in but still solid, the second pair are two years old and still a little 'new' looking for my liking. I have lighter jeans I wear in the summer. The extra warmth from the thicker denim makes a big difference if you are outside a lot in them, even though it doesn't get that cold here in the UK.

I tried their shirts and a couple of jackets too, they didn't stick with me for fit and whatever other reasons but I guess they won me over with the jeans.

 

[Logician]

It begins...AGAIN!

My temperature is still rising for a Naked & Famous Elephant 7 - El Diablo Black Jacket. I will probably get one by the end of the week. There is no cure... except getting Selvedge Denim. I might also have to get matching pants, maybe a work vest. My temperature is really high.

 

[ton312]

My temperature is still rising for a Naked & Famous Elephant 7 - El Diablo Black Jacket. I will probably get one by the end of the week. There is no cure... except getting Selvedge Denim. I might also have to get matching pants, maybe a work vest. My temperature is really high.

I understand.