30 Comments
Nov 14, 2023·edited Nov 15, 2023Liked by Jane Herman

Hello Jane et all from Portugal,

Just a quick note to say that I love the newsletter. I've finally found likeminded denim enthusiasts.

I've been meaning to write about my favorite jeans for sometime, so here it goes:

- Vintage levi's 20517-217: I have a pair that is perfect (when I'm on my winter weight), but i have to admit to having made lots of mistakes buying online, as you you don't find them easily in Portugal... So, even though I would love a second perfect pair and admit to a certain hording tendency, i am cautiouslly waiting...

- Vintage 501: The difficulty is that they vary so much in shape and cut. I have a 06501 For Women in faded light blue that I love and a very loose old shrink-to-fit pair, worn but darker, that my brother broke in. In the vintage 501 category, i'd also like to specifically mention the black/grey ones on which they white thread is visible. They are so great but difficult to find.

- Celine Serge Flare: they are so well cut... love the pockets, thicker waistband, denim weight and belt loops positioning - and the most expensive jeans I own. When Hedi Slimane was at Saint Laurent, their jeans were fabulous as well. Nili lotan's seem similar but i haven't seen them «live».

-APC bootleg: they are not made anymore but I have been collecting those i find online for years... Three that i bought completely raw and have broken in :). They break in fast (Iwash them normally) and the worn denim looks second only vintage levi's... It's very particular and recognizable. Sizing is very small.

-Acne studios 1992 loose bootcut. also out of circulation (go down a size or 2 for them to be fitted). I have a black pair I love and used to own blue pair which I sold the blue and now regret.

that's it for now... probably forgot a couple ;). I suppose that what they have in common is mid to high waist, slight bootcut (but not too much) and no stretch.

thank you! Ana

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author

Ana, wow. Thank you for this thorough share. It's always so nice to hear from a fellow jeans lover. I hope your comment inspires others to get this specific with what they're wearing. Yes, the A.P.C. sizing is small (I went up 2 sizes), but it's good to know they break in fast. Currently saving for a pair of Celines...sigh. One day.

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Nov 15, 2023Liked by Jane Herman

I'm wearing my raw APC in your honour, today.... Raw and tight, so not so very confortable but I guess they work like some kind of spanx.

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oops some typos... sorry.

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Allow me to share a Substack commenting semi-secret--below the comment space there is a line that reads "like replay share" with appropriate icons, and then allllll the way over to the right on that same line are 3 dots, and if you click on those dots you get the option to edit or delete

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Done. Thank you very much for the tip.

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Nov 14, 2023Liked by Jane Herman

Those A.P.C. jeans look great! I wore my husbands very very old and worn in ones when I was Postpartum. And I kind of miss wearing them!

Curious if you have ever tired 3sixteen jeans? I have an old raw pair. I’m not sure if they still have a woman’s line.

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author

I have not tried 3sixteen jeans...looking them up now. Thank you!

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I love this Newsletter! I just bought the Tory Burch Selvedge Jean (on Sale, yay). Question: Is it okay not to wash jeans for ten wearings? Most of my Jeans stretch out in the knees and butt, so after two wearings, I want to clean them, although I never put them in the dryer.

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author

Hi Janet, I believe in washing our jeans whenever we like. The only real exception is if you are breaking in jeans from raw, it really is best to go a few months without washing them. Every two or three wears is fine. Wash cold. And right, no dryer. Thank you for reading, I hope you love the Tory jeans as much as I do.

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Feb 7Liked by Jane Herman

Hi, sorry to stalk with a very belated comment, but in case you see this - any suggestions for what to do about crocking? I keep buying deep-indigo jeans and then returning them for fear of destroying handbags, furniture, the liners of my coats, etc. Am I overthinking this?

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Not over-thinking. A.P.C. assured me that the indigo would not rub off my new pair. I find that indigo crocks when it gets wet or splashed with water (or if you sweat in them, which may turn skin blue). If you keep your jeans dry and you’re not grinding against anything, you should be OK.

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That said, I can’t make any promises. You’ll know if a jean is going to crock if you get it a little wet and the dye runs off it. A good test!

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Feb 8Liked by Jane Herman

Thank you so much! This is super helpful. Love your newsletter so much!

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Thank you for reading!

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Jane I love your newsletter! Always makes me so happy. I have a Jean question for you

I realized a few months ago I didn’t have an “everyday” Jean. I used to wear a pair of Rag and Bone cigarette jeans every day (they’re called the Jack Jean) but they’re worn through at this point and far too skinny for the kind of comfy Jean I want to wear these days. Last year I wore black jeans or sweats exclusively (Agolde Kick Flares) and now I need to find a pair of blue jeans that I can grab and go in. I’m struggling to find one. I’m willing to spend given this will be an item I’ll wear 3 days a week (at least)

I dislike stretch, love a higher waist and love the looser boyfriend styles. I don’t want a crop but I’m also not looking for a graze the floor pair (I’m 5’8 w a 29.5 inseam). I prefer the medium indigo blue vs a lighter wash. The last jeans I tried that I thought could fit my dream Jean was the Paloma from citizens of humanity BUT it’s too stretchy. Would love some guidance here thank you!!!!

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Hi Francesca, This is such an important jean to have... let me work on it. So helpful to get your height and inseam, thank you, more soon!

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Wow thanks! Also I read your earlier posts and saw you had a similar post pandemic conundrum so that gave me some ideas!

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Francesca – I'd love to answer this question in my next letter. If you're OK with that, please email me: info@theonlyjane.com. Jane

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Nov 14, 2023Liked by Jane Herman

Love this one, Jane!!

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Emily! Love these jeans.

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Nov 14, 2023Liked by Jane Herman

I was told someone has a great store on Abbott Kinney with vintage Levis. Was wondering if you were familiar with that? Love everything you post. What size did you take in the Danton Cardi? Thank you!!

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author

Hi Julie, Probably The Dig: https://www.thedigvenice.com/. I'm a 34 in the Danton cardigan. Thanks for reading!

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Another epic read Jane! 💙

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Thank you for reading, Camilla!

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I bought the Tory Burch Trouser Jean, like yours. My question is, are they Raw Denim? If so, I read that you "should" wear them ten times before washing. Genuine your opinion, please.

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author

I believe they have been rinsed – they are very dark, but they do not feel totally raw to me and it's not indicated on the website. In my opinion, this is not the kind of jeans that's intended to be worn many times without washing. It is very polished and extreme whiskers aren't what you want. I treat mine like a trouser and dry clean them after every other wear.

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Awesome! Thanks

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super cool and informative feature:-)👖💙

thanks for sharing!

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Thank you!

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