Under the indigo, the cotton is brown. The warp of the JMJE1901’s 14oz selvedge denim is spun with natural brown cotton, earthy in its own right, and then rope-dyed in pure indigo over that base, so the blue comes out deep and nuanced from the start and fades, as the indigo thins, toward a warm, tawny cast that white-cotton denim never reaches. The weft is extra-long staple Suvin cotton, supple and faintly lustrous, which is why a fabric this heavy drapes with a soft, light hand and moves with air in it.

The surface is left alone. The yarn’s slub and the fuzz deliberately kept on the face — the cloth is not singed smooth — give the denim a dimensional, layered look that deepens with wear and washing.

The cut is the loose silhouette of Japan Blue’s new selvedge line: a relaxed waist, a deeper, high rise and a full, loose leg from the thigh straight down to the hem, drawn to hang away from the body rather than follow it. Construction stays minimal, so the fit and the indigo carry the jean: a UNIVERSAL Japan® metal zipper fly, copper rivets, a blue cowhide leather patch and the line’s blue selvedge ID. Sanforized and one-washed. 100% cotton. Made in Japan.

Fit Notes: This model runs slightly large, and is only produced in even-numbered sizes. Compared to most global American brands, we recommend sizing down one from your usual size for the intended fit. The denim is sanforized and has been one-washed, so no further shrinkage is expected. With regular wear, the waistband will stretch slightly, allowing the fit to settle comfortably over time. We don’t recommend going down more than one size, as starting too tight may cause discomfort and alter the intended fit of the garment. If you fall between two sizes, we recommend sizing down. As always, we strongly recommend checking our size chart and comparing it with your best-fitting pair to find the perfect size.