Welcome to the fourth installment of Sliding Scale, a series in which we bring you a single product for every budget. This month we’re rounding up Slim Black Jeans. With a seemingly endless number of options out there, we’ve handpicked our eight favorite responsibly-made pairs, all of which boast quality construction, top-shelf materials, and a great fit.
Gustin Denim
At the lowest end of the price spectrum are the #167 Italy BlackxBlack Jeans from Gustin, which are made in the USA out of super-dark 14 oz black selvedge denim from Italy, have matching black stitching and hardware, and cost $99 a pop.
Wings + Horns
The slim-fit Black Denim 5 Pocket Pants from Wings + Horn are made in the USA out of an overdyded, non-selvedge black denim that will retain its inky color even after multiple washings. Acrimony has a handful of sizes on sale for $139, or you can buy direct from Wings + Horns, which is selling them for $185 CAD (around $148 USD).
Baldwin Denim
For about $10 more ($154), you can pick up a pair of Black Stretch 76 Jeans from Baldwin Denim. These are made in the USA and out of a matte-finish and very soft non-selvedge stretch denim, and have tonal black stitching and hardware throughout, except for the signature white Baldwin rivet on the back right pocket.
Svensson
Clocking in at $170 are the Magnus Thure jeans from Svensson, which are made in Italy out of a non-selvedge stretch denim that has an almost-coated looking sheen to it, and have copper-toned hardware and a tan leather patch, giving them just a bit of contrast.
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone has a handful of options, including a super slim non-selvedge stretch pair, a slightly less slim (but still very slim) non-selvedge brushed cotton pair, and another slightly less slim (but still very slim) raw selvedge pair. All of them are made in the USA, and prices ranges from $175 – $240.
Rogue Territory
Like Rag & Bone, Rogue Territory also has selvedge and non-selvedge options in both slim and super-slim fits. The non-selvedge, or Classic Black, are made from raw 13 oz denim from Kaihara Mills, and the selvedge, or Stealth, are made from a heavier raw 15 oz denim from Nihon Menpu Mills. As RGT fans already know, their jean’s details are just as noteworthy as the fabrics and construction, and include a hidden pen-pocket in the back back right pocket, button fly with contrast cotton lining, and hand-printed pocket bags. Prices range from $185 – $230.
3sixteen
Of course, no denim round-up would be complete without 3sixteen. The label’s $240 ST-220x Slim Tapered Jeans are made in the USA out of 14.5 oz selvedge denim that’s custom-milled exclusively for the brand by Kuroki Mills in Japan. The “double-black” fabric has a black warp and black weft, which makes it highly fade resistant, although some wear will eventually show in high stress areas. (image via)
Pure Blue Japan
And finally, rounding out our list at $315 is the NC-013 Slim Tapered No Fade Black Jean from Pure Blue Japan. Exclusive to Blue in Green in NYC, these are made in Japan out of 13.5 oz selvedge denim that’s dyed with Indanthrene, a non-fading colorant which is both acid- and bleach-resistant, so even as the jeans break-in over a time, their color will never change. Other details include non-branded black rivets and a sheepskin patch.
