USA made jeans - looking for opinions

[shadowrider]

Hey folks,
I just ordered a pair of Relaxed fit jeans from Round House, taking advantage of their 4th of July discount offer (priced at $39.95).
Other affordable made-in-the-US brands I was looking at are:
Texas Jeans
Prison Blues
Schaefer Ranchwear

Anyone got any experience with their products?

 

[tropicalbob]

I just ordered another pair of Wrangler Original Cowboy-cut jeans from Shepler's. I got a pair a few years back and wore them to death. 14.75 oz. indigo denim, 11" rise, deep pockets made of soft cotton, all for $22.00. Probably the best deal around on denim and, oh, those high rises feel good.

 

[shadowrider]

I just ordered another pair of Wrangler Original Cowboy-cut jeans from Shepler's. I got a pair a few years back and wore them to death. 14.75 oz. indigo denim, 11" rise, deep pockets made of soft cotton, all for $22.00. Probably the best deal around on denim and, oh, those high rises feel good.

Thanks, Bob.
A pair of black slim fit cowboy-cut Wrangler jeans is on my wish-list, actually.
May I ask you about the sizing? I find Levi's and other popular brands sizing to be all over the place (vanity sizing). Are Wrangler true-to-size? Did you buy the size that is the same number as your actual waist size?

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks, Bob.
A pair of black slim fit cowboy-cut Wrangler jeans is on my wish-list, actually.
May I ask you about the sizing? I find Levi's and other popular brands sizing to be all over the place (vanity sizing). Are Wrangler true-to-size? Did you buy the size that is the same number as your actual waist size?

I think I went down one inch and they fit fine, but it was a while ago so I'm a little fuzzy. I'll let you know how the new ones fit when they arrive in a day or so.

 

[Edward]

Us made is not something I seek out, typically, but I did have great experience with Prison Blues. Wish they did selvedge.

 

[shadowrider]

Us made is not something I seek out, typically, but I did have great experience with Prison Blues. Wish they did selvedge.

I had been looking into Prison Blues as well, but ultimately checked them off my list as I really dislike the logo on the leather patch.
May I ask you if they feature chainstitching on the bottom hems?
I like the ethical implications of the brand, though, and am planning to buy one of their hickory shirts.

 

[Edward]

I had been looking into Prison Blues as well, but ultimately checked them off my list as I really dislike the logo on the leather patch.
May I ask you if they feature chainstitching on the bottom hems?
I like the ethical implications of the brand, though, and am planning to buy one of their hickory shirts.

Chainstitching on the hems just like regular jeans of any other sort. The leather patch on the waistband is quite subtle (if memory serves, it goes under the belt anyhow), though it woyld be easily revoed in five minutes with a stitch ripper if so inclined.

The shirts are good. If between sizes, go up on e as there can be a *little* shrinkage after first wash. Lovely quality item though. Yet to encounter as good a hefty workshirt for the same money.

 

[Preacher Man]

I've had really good experience with "All American Clothing" http://www.allamericanclothing.com. It's really all American made, they even use American grown cotton in their denim. Quality is excellent and customer service is second to none. Give them a look.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I just ordered another pair of Wrangler Original Cowboy-cut jeans from Shepler's. I got a pair a few years back and wore them to death. 14.75 oz. indigo denim, 11" rise, deep pockets made of soft cotton, all for $22.00. Probably the best deal around on denim and, oh, those high rises feel good.

So I have 6 pairs of these. They became my go-to jeans after Levi's raised their priced to nearly or just over $50 a pair around that time. I bought 2 pairs originally, still have both of them, wear like iron, and never let me down. Also a great "any occasion" jean with no issues. Typically I find these for $28 - 38.00, i use the Original Cowboy Cut (Orange tag) as a guide to a store's typical pricing strategy. Be aware that the green label Slim cut one are indeed quite slim fit/cut. This is all the good news.

Now the other news: They are made south of the United States Boarder. However I've never had one complaint about their fit, durability, construction or wear, especially for the price.

 

[shadowrider]

Chainstitching on the hems just like regular jeans of any other sort.
The shirts are good. If between sizes, go up on e as there can be a *little* shrinkage after first wash. Lovely quality item though. Yet to encounter as good a hefty workshirt for the same money.

I couldn't check Prison Blues jeans, but I am fairly sure that none of the other other American made jeans brands use chainstitching on the hems - just regular single stitching.
I don't obsess over it too much, but it could be argued chainstitching is more traditional on jenas hems, and some say it gives hems a more "roped" wear pattern with use. Over here, when people get their jeans shortened, they sometime have the original hem kept and reattached at the leg bottom (personally I never had it done and consider it quite silly).

On another note, I just placed an order for one Prison Blues short sleeves buttoned hickory work shirt. After checking the measurements (on rakuten.com) for a size large (I am a 16.5 shirt size), I was surprised at how huge they seemed. Then I read on the company website that hickory shirts, akin to raw denim pants, are supposed to come oversized and will shirink to the correct size with washing.

 

[shadowrider]

It's really all American made, they even use American grown cotton in their denim.

That's a really good point! Some USA made manufacturers go the extra mile and even use US grown cotton and US made materials (hardware, thread). Always a good idea to double check that, if you care about these sort of things.

 

[shadowrider]

They became my go-to jeans after Levi's raised their priced to nearly or just over $50 a pair around that time.
Be aware that the green label Slim cut one are indeed quite slim fit/cut.

I hear you, pal. Levi's 501 are in the 100 Euros retail ballpark around here. And made in the Middle East none the less!


Anyway, a couple other American made jeans brands I've researched are:
Buddy's Jeans
Wild Ass (though I think this one only makes carpenter jeans)

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks, Bob.
A pair of black slim fit cowboy-cut Wrangler jeans is on my wish-list, actually.
May I ask you about the sizing? I find Levi's and other popular brands sizing to be all over the place (vanity sizing). Are Wrangler true-to-size? Did you buy the size that is the same number as your actual waist size?

I just got the jeans and they're as great as I remember. The sizing seems to be right on the money, so go for your exact size.

 

[shadowrider]

I just got the jeans and they're as great as I remember. The sizing seems to be right on the money, so go for your exact size.

Awesome!
So if you have let's say a 34 waist, order a size 34 jeans?

 

[tropicalbob]

Awesome!
So if you have let's say a 34 waist, order a size 34 jeans?

Exactly what I ordered. What's also nice is that they have a couple of extra beltloops more than most other jeans. They really make a difference in the feel when wearing, especially with the higher waist.

 

[shadowrider]

Exactly what I ordered. What's also nice is that they have a couple of extra beltloops more than most other jeans. They really make a difference in the feel when wearing, especially with the higher waist.

Thanks for the infos!
Going to place an order myself!

 

[Seb Lucas]

I just ordered another pair of Wrangler Original Cowboy-cut jeans from Shepler's. I got a pair a few years back and wore them to death. 14.75 oz. indigo denim, 11" rise, deep pockets made of soft cotton, all for $22.00. Probably the best deal around on denim and, oh, those high rises feel good.

I have a few of these too. My only issue is the blue is a little vivid to my taste and not a subtle indigo. So I don't like them as much as I should. But they are great value and fairly hard wearing.

 

[tropicalbob]

I have a few of these too. My only issue is the blue is a little vivid to my taste and not a subtle indigo. So I don't like them as much as I should. But they are great value and fairly hard wearing.

I remember you spoke of this some time back, and you were absolutely right. I found out that you have to wash them the first few times in Woolite, and after that they seem to be okay.

 

[Stringmaster]

Sadly the Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans aren't US made any more ( but I still wear them). Lately I've been liking the US made LC King Pointer Brand original fit jeans. The seem to make them in batches with different materials at varying prices. They are a higher waisted (but not as high as the Wrangler CC). More money but if you get on their mailing list they consistently have sales.
Www.lcking.com

 

[Americanaaa Mark]

3sixteen, raleigh denim, left field nyc, norman porter, wh ranch.

Plenty of people making vintage style jeans in the usa.