I've been looking into raw denim for a while now, and I'm ready to make a purchase. Being originally from Detroit, somehow I came across this brand and it caught my eye. Has anybody ever ordered anything from them? What is your experience?
I don't care about the fades and all that crap. I just want a nice pair of jeans.
Posted Oct 28, 2013, 3:24 PM UTC
Ok, I don't normally post negatively about brands especially small businesses.
I have had 4 jeans hemmed and one pair tapered by Eric specifically of Detroit denim
The shop is fairly large with multiple singers, union specials and everything you could expect. They produce leather goods as well as cone exclusive cuts and also custom fit jeans. About 5-6 employees work at DD and the shop is shared with a non profit that makes sleeping bags that turn into coats for the homeless
Truthfully I was drawn to DD for their cheap pricing for alterations and the fact they were local and I could get chain stitching the same day
The employees are all very accommodating and very nice. I do not know much of their textile background but I know Eric has worked in the field for awhile.
Their denim is stock cone exclusively and recently they have acquired heavier weight cone.
My chain stitch experiences were ok at best. The cuff ends were large and fairly loose with some missed stitches that look as though they won't last 6 months. The taper job was done by the selvedge edge (like I asked) and was done well but the hem stitch was again sloppy and loose. The final straw was when I had a pair of new samurais hemmed to 31" and ended up with 31 and 30 for an inseam. I know that they drink at the shop and I do not blame that for the error but that is a sloppy mistake that should not happen
Because of this I cannot recommend DD at all. Their prices do not justify their work quality. The cuts are standard slim or straight cuts and the denim is standard cone. If American made cone denim jeans is what you're after then check out brands like tellason , Imogene and willie or rail car fine goods who offer the same prices but back it with insanely high work quality
TL:DR skip em
EDIT 10/29/13
Pictures of poor stitching on the same pair
http://imgur.com/8mFBJAz http://imgur.com/B3KNHbW http://imgur.com/JmXvVUo
Damn shame. I'm glad I asked here and didn't just buy them out of Detroit nostalgia (that Matthew Stafford come-back yesterday must have me on an emotion high still). I will be purchasing a different brand for my first pair. Thanks again.
But if you're looking for a made in Detroit watch and don't mind that it's a quartz movement and not mechanical. Shinola look nice.
Those watches look awesome. I'll look into them.
Just understand that you're really paying for aesthetics. At that price range you could have mechanical watch with a similar look that will be far superior in terms of watches. Personally I love the shinola look but knowing that the parts that make the movement are cheap I can't justify it
To add to u/Robocobo 's comments, I have also been into the store and met Eric. Yes they seem really nice and trying to do great stuff. Their leather patchwork is pretty cool, but in terms of fabric and construction I would not consider them on the same level as other brands.
I went to them to repair a blowout on a legit darning machine, and it ended up ripping apart within a week.
TL;DR: I'm rooting for them, but I wouldn't make a purchase of their product until they improve their level of materials and construction.
Unfortunately they're damn set on cone denim exclusively. Idk if it's a cost issue turned woo hoo murica or not.
u/Robocobo has used them for hemming, so he could speak a bit about them.
DM'd. Thank you.
IIRC he was not all that impressed with the quality for the money.
Yeah, that was my recollection as well.