Selvedge Style Forum Anniversary Jeans.

Well, after a cold water soak of about an hour, they are definitely softer, but there seems to be some significant shrink. I can't give you numbers, cuz I didn't measure before or after, but they subjectively feel much tighter in the thigh, knee and, to a lesser extent, calf. There is was also maybe an inch or so shrink in the inseam (which is ok, I had a 4 inch cuff before the soak). I've only worn them for about 2-3 hours, so there maybe some stretch left to go, we'll see.

Now for the philosophical portion of this post:
When do you think its time to move on from a pair of denim? I think they look good and the denim is cool, but I don't really look forward to wearing these...they're just not that comfortable. It feels like a job to put them on and wear them for the day. On the other hand, I feel like I have nurtured and coddled these jeans for almost a year now. Ordered them last February, received the first pair that was too small in June, returned those, got a second pair in October that fit well (but fabric was super stiff), had the top button pop off, fixed that, had the stitching come off the top buttton hole, fixed that and now still not something I really want to wear. I guess at ~$110 bucks, its not like they were the most expensive pair, but I also don't feel like I've given them much of a chance. I don't know.

When I think back to my first pair of raw denim, they were pretty uncomfortable for the first six months or so, but now they're soft and super comfy. Now that I have a bit more money and am approaching 40, maybe I don't have the patience for that kind of thing anymore.

Probably overthinking it. I should just go to my local denim shop and buy the Left Field 18 oz Collect Mills and be done with it.

What say you forum? Should I:
A) Donate/sell the jeans and get the LF NYC (or something close)
B) Give them the rest of the winter and re-evaluate in March
C) Suck it up and commit to them

I keep forgetting I have a pair of these. Haven't worn mine once.

i haven't worn any denim in general lately. When I do, I usually reach for the Taupes.

london is a lot of fun, like a fancier Seattle. I'm staying in soho so everything is walking distance. Just got my feet sized at C&J in case I jump in some SF gmtos.

thats where c&j was.

Wearing my anniversary jeans today for only the second time and loving them. It's 17 here and I can walk around outside and my legs are perfectly comfortable.

Additionally, super excited about the cinch back as I don't need a belt.

Pretty close to ordering another pair and leaning towards the Brown Herringbone.

Despite Winterland 's advice, I think I'm moving on from the CF anniversary jeans. I'd like them to go to a good home though. I think I paid around $110 for them. I'm not looking to make my money back. It's either sell them here, or they go to Goodwill. I'll take the cost of shipping plus a little bit more for my time...say $30. As I said, they are 20 oz indigo, the 901 cut, probably 10-15 wears with a single cold water soak and hang dry. If you squint hard, you can maybe see some early fading around the pockets, but these are basically pristine. I did a very quick measure last night and the waist is about 17", thigh (1" down from crotch) is 12", I didn't measure the inseam, but its probably at least 35". Let me know if there is any interest and I can post pix and more complete measurements.

Edit:
My recent success with LF NYC proved I don't have to punish myself to wear clothes.  They should be enjoyable and I wasn't getting enjoyment out of these.  They're just too small.    

Yeah, lesson learned.  Unfortunately most of the lessons I learn lately have some monetary consequence.  In the grand scheme of things, it could be worse.

I've decided that anything 17oz+ is not for me.

My experience with denim is basically nothing, but I'm surprised at the difference in feel between the 20 oz. CF fabric and the 18 oz LF NYC fabric.  I would never guess there is only a 2 oz difference between the two.  The 20 oz fabric is much stiffer.  Almost feels like you're bending cardstock.  I wouldn't say the 18 oz. is soft, but its definitely more pliable.  

Moving forward, I think I will try to put my hands on a heavier fabric before buying.  It seems like there is less of a risk with lighter weight denim.  

The problem is, I don't think anyone sells Oni or IH or whatever within 500 miles of me.  

there's just a wide variety of factors other than pure weight. my 20oz Onis are more comfortable, cooler, and have more stretch than some of the 14-16oz stuff i've owned. Weave density, starch content, fit, etc all play a factor. like you said, being able to feel and/or try on something prior to purchase might be a key factor for a lot of people and more of a crapshoot for those who aren't able to find stuff locally.