Can I buy a pair of British-made denims? Joe Casely-Hayford at John Lewis

Monday, 5 November 2012

After many years' service, my jeans are ragged and threadbare. These scars have been earned, not applied at the factory like so many designer denims. They were nothing special, but I liked them, and they lasted a reasonable time. They will now be worn for chores before ending their life as dusters and rags.

Sic transit gloria denimi


As I've just had a Made and Designed in Britain month I could hardly sneak off and buy new jeans made in China or Turkey. Then I remembered I'd seen Made in England jeans at John Lewis, who are making a good effort to sell British products - I wrote about their Harris tweed jackets a few weeks ago.

Their Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis Raw Selvage Jeans, Indigo, have sold out online at the time of writing, but can be found at a few branches. They are strong and tightly-woven, a rich indigo colour, nicely cut (reasonably slim-fitting) and long in the leg, so even daddy-long-legs like me have plenty to turn up. Most importantly, the fly is a zip and the waist isn't going to be somewhere around your knees - so these are jeans for grown-ups. I now have six months of not washing my new jeans while I let the raw denim map itself to my lifestyle (or whatever). See here for more information.

If you miss these, how about some Welsh jeans? Stay tuned; I'll be looking at Hiut Denim shortly.

If you're an older man unsure about wearing jeans, read my thoughts here and then just buy a pair. Jeans were here before any of us and no generation has an exclusive right to wear them - just do so stylishly!

(All photos by Grey Fox)





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13 comments

  1. Blaine Bauer5 November 2012 at 13:46

    That's a good looking pair of jeans! I find the denim choices are usually limited by the ones that really fit well. Too often they have way too much room in the trunk!

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  2. Harry6 November 2012 at 04:32

    They look like quality jeans, but that impression is somewhat diminished by the apparent spelling mistake in the first line of the label text ("Denim is at it's [sic] best". Is that due to the Italians or Englishmen, I wonder?

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    Replies
    1. Grey Fox6 November 2012 at 05:41

      Horror! Hopefully the person who write the blurb didn't make the jeans. If I had a pound for every spelling mistake I see in marketing and advertising materials, often from highly-reputable companies, I'd be a millionaire. Incidentally, I'd liked to have seen a hyphen in "well loved" as well. GF.

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  3. Anonymous6 November 2012 at 05:52

    Turn ups? Seriously? They can be taken up, you know.

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    Replies
    1. Grey Fox6 November 2012 at 13:40

      Oh well, everyone to their own. You should try them, it saves a lot of sewing. GF.

      Delete
    2. Fred Gonsowski6 November 2012 at 19:59

      You go there Grey Fox! I love it when people are critical, then hide under the name Anonymous ;-}

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    3. Grey Fox7 November 2012 at 00:23

      Thanks Fred - in my experience it's always the anonymous ones that are critical in such an unconstructive way.

      I welcome alternative views, that's one of the reasons I set out on this journey, but prefer it when they give a little more information to justify the view, critical or not.

      Your alternative and strong views are always welcome here, Fred.

      GF.

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    4. Anonymous7 November 2012 at 08:33

      Hi, thanks for the reply and apologies for the anonymity. I couldn't find an option just to give a name (Jason, by the way, and pleased to meet you).

      Back on topic, I just associate turn ups with Rockabillies and the 80's. Maybe I'm behind the times and they're now back in vogue. Anyhow, the comment was meant to be light hearted and not critical. I was just interested in your response.

      Keep up the blog, it's a good read.

      Jason

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    5. Grey Fox7 November 2012 at 08:53

      Hello Jason and thanks for commenting. I suppose they're more roll-ups than turn-ups, but, after initial uncertainty, I quite like them.

      They are popular at the moment (have a look at some of the pics on the blog and elsewhere) and are necessary as jeans tend to be made with a single (long) leg length now (particularly the better quality jeans) - so most people find it easier to roll them up than to sew them up. I like them with brogues, as you may have noticed.

      I should have known you were winding me up! I tend not to publish comments that are totally unconstructive, so your didn't quite fall into that category.

      Enjoy the blog.

      GF.

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  4. Robin Grebson6 November 2012 at 13:36

    For me I just think that jeans are the devil's trousers and are best avoided. But then I don't have your thin long legs - they look great on you in that photo.

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  5. larmoire essentielle22 January 2013 at 02:12

    Oh my how I wish I could find "made in France" jeans. And from a (relatively) big chain. One can always dream the impossible dream... Jeanne-Aurore

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  6. Grey Fox22 January 2013 at 02:30

    Thanks Jeanne-Aurore, are you sure that someone somewhere doesn't make them in France - if not, maybe there's an opportunity! GF.

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  7. Charl Oberholster25 October 2017 at 04:20

    I'm late to this blog but you can now buy London made jeans at Blackhorse Lane Ateliers in Walthamstow.
    Charl

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