Unbranded Brand 21 Oz skinny-fit jeans (pic heavy)

[andy b.]

Here's my update.
Since these were a Christmas present, I couldn't do anything with them until yesterday.
We have a front-loading washer, so I put them in some cold water short wash and rinse cycle. I didn't feel like taking over the tub for the afternoon. I took them out and put them in the dryer for about 15 minutes on low heat just to get some of the moisture out, and then hung them up to dry.

First, I have to take back my initial comment on the weight of the fabric. After the rinsing and drying, I swear the fibers must have tightened up 20%. The fabric felt like 10oz shoe sole leather. NOW I understand the comments about fighting to get the jeans on. They weren't tight, but so damn stiff it was like stuffing my legs into metal tubes. I might have been better off standing them up on the floor and just jumping off my bed into them (yes, they do appear stiff enough to stand up on their own). Then trying to button that button fly. It's going to take a year just for the buttonholes to loosen.

I ended up wearing them for about 7 hours today. By the end they were getting more comfortable, but still very stiff. I have to say, so far I am impressed. I really hope these last me many years.

EDIT: I forgot two things. The rise was a little lower than I was expecting. No big deal, but it seemed lower than something like a Levis 501. These are definitely NOT boot-cut jeans. I was going to wear them with a pair of harness boots I have, and there is no way that is happening. Again, no big deal, but at least now I know what questions to ask if I get another pair in a different cut style.

Andy B.

 

[ButteMT61]

Andy. Skinny fit? Surely skinny weren't made for boots.
What I've like about my Gustin jeans is they work great with boots of all types. Straight cut.
Thanks for the info. Might try the 21 until Gustin make some.

 

[andy b.]

Andy. Skinny fit? Surely skinny weren't made for boots.

Let me clarify. I had no expectations of them fitting over boots, I had no expectations of anything other than that they didn't hang off my a$$. I just tried them (I mean attempted to) on with a pair of boots to see if they fit. They didn't, and it was no big deal. They do fit me pretty well though, so I'm pleased about that. They are probably a little looser than most 20-somethings wear "skinny fit" jeans, but I'm not 20, nor looking to impress any 20-year-old young ladies.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, it's unlikely that you'll get a pair of biker boots under them, Andy. They lower rise than I'm used to, as well, but I've got used to them and they're breaking in nicely. If you're looking for a nice pair of reasonably-priced selvedge jeans that you get your shoes under easily, I recommend Freddies of Pinewood.

 

[andy b.]

Sloan,

Thanks for the info. All of my White's lace-up boots fit fine under the UB jeans, and they are the boots I normally wear, so it all works out.

I did find one other annoying thing about these jeans. Those silly 3" deep front pockets. I think I have room for a small set of keys and a dime in the pocket. lol

I've been wearing them every day for at least a few hours, and they are starting to get fairly comfortable.

 

[Sloan1874]

I think the shallow pockets are on account of the low rise. I've got them on rotation with the Okayamas, Green Wefts and Freddies, so I've yet to wear them since I gave them a cold soak. Should be interesting to see how that goes.

 

[andy b.]

Oh boy. Are you saying you haven't worn them since giving them a soaking? If so, after my wash/soak, they stiffened considerably. You will be in for a workout.
I'm going to try and wear mine for at least a month or two before another visit with water.

The sad thing is, I just ordered another pair in the tapered cut, and an inch smaller in the waist. I do like the heavy weight of these jeans.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yeah, I noticed they felt a little crisp, but ive just got a pair of Gustin Okayamas, and they were a less hard-going prospect, so I'm giving them a run in. You're obviously a sucker for punishment too!

 

[andy b.]

Sloan,

Have you had a chance to wear your UB121 jeans much? I was just wondering how much they stretch, if any. I picked up a pair in the tapered cut (UB221). I got them in my waist size, and they are a little tight. I can button all the buttons, and have only worn them once. I am just wondering if I need to go up a size.

I wish I would have measured the waist on the UB121 jeans when I got them, to see if they stretched at all. I did the initial cold wash, and then wore them for 14 days. They are fairly comfortable now, but the waist was an inch or so big. Nothing a belt doesn't cure, but I wouldn't have minded them 1" tighter.

 

[Sir Jacket]

I've been wearing APC standard for years – lovely little jean. SJ

 

[Sloan1874]

@Andy: I pulled my UBs on yesterday for the first time since I cold-soaked them. A bit stiff initially, but they've softened down to how they felt before I dunked them.
I can't say I've noticed that much difference in the waist really. They went on snug, as you'd expect with any jeans that have been soaked, but stretched straight back to their pre-wet size which is similar to my Gustins.
I do like them, they're already starting to show fade lines and hopefully they'll keep softening, but at the moment my Gustin Okayamas are my reach-for jeans, followed by the Green Wefts. Maybe, with a few more wears, this'll order will rearrange itself.

 

[Fanch]

We all have a tendency to reach for the most comfortable clothing whether it's jackets, jeans, or shoes. My slim fit Okayamas are probably my favorite jeans at this point and am finally getting used to the lower rise of the Okayamas.

 

[Sloan1874]

The UBs have a lower rise than the Gustins, Mr F! Seriously, they sit so low that I have to go down a notch on my belt. I wouldn't recommend the UBs for anyone carrying a bit of extra padding, as it would accentuate it in an fairly unflattering way.

 

[andy b.]

I had to post this photo. This is after a cold wash and hang to dry of my UB221 jeans. Not only will they stand up by themselves, but I could grab the waist and pick them up and hold them horizontally and the legs will stick out in front of me. My wife says I am insane for wearing them.



I picked up another pair and this time I measured the waist when I first got them, then after a cold wash and hang dry, and then I'll measure them again after a few days wear. They jeans are very stiff, so it is difficult to measure the waist, but this initial measurement shows a 2" shrinking in the waist after the cold wash, and 1.25" shrink in length. I don't see any chance of the length changing with wear, but I expect the waist to stretch back about 1" judging by how the initial pair stretched.

I just mention this for anyone thinking of getting a pair and trying to determine the correct size.

 

[Sloan1874]

That's a very impressive pic! I'm just going to stick with pummeling them through wear. I had the things on for the past week, and they kept out the cold, that's for sure. The more I wear them, the more I'm mystified by those guys who wear 32oz or 28oz. I understand the 'challenge' aspect, but I reckon the creases on those things could draw blood!

 

[andy b.]

The first pair I wore for 14 days and they were very comfortable by that time. I'm going to try to break these in for a while and then go back to the first pair. So far all I've done is that initial cold wash. I haven't washed any more after that. It's cold out, so I'm not sweating in them, and I bathe regularly, so they should hold out until spring before I need to wash them.

 

[Sloan1874]

Just a wee update on the UB 21oz. They're now pretty much soft and developing some nice fade lines. However, a couple of days ago, I was undoing them and one of the fly buttons went 'ping' and came flying off:eeek:! So, still wearable but maybe not as well put together as people would have you believe.[huh]

 

[casechopper]

Unbranded's seem to have a higher chance of doing this than other jeans from what I've read online. It's a cheap repair at least.

 

[Fanch]

My Zimbabwe is my go to jeans. Wish my Okayama was a straight leg rather than the slim. The slim profile works fine for my sparrow legs, but the lower rise slim is pushing my cajones just a very short distance south from my tonsils. :eeek:

 

[Sloan1874]

Unbranded's seem to have a higher chance of doing this than other jeans from what I've read online. It's a cheap repair at least.

Good to know, though, to be honest it's not a massive deal, it's only the second-from-top one, but still a wee bit annoying. Can't see my Gustin's ever doing this.