Highly Recommended

Where I Buy Jeans

There are so many options for every conceivable product we buy. It’s overwhelming. People ask me all the time where they can get simple things — these are often the most difficult recommendations. I don’t want to ever recommend something that isn’t well-made, but I also have to keep things in a practical range for civilians who may not be willing to go all-in on a pair of pants. One of the most perplexing recommendations for me is denim. It’s also something I personally have a hard time buying for myself. I appreciate raw denim, but really just want something simple that isn’t going to be hard labor to break in.

My requirements for jeans are simple. I prefer good cloth which will break-in nicely. It doesn’t have to be super slub artisan denim made on machines rattling on the same wood floor that was in White Oak plant, but it should be selvedge at a minimum.

Secondly, I prefer to buy jeans made in the USA. This isn’t to say jeans can’t be made well in Mexico or Japan or wherever, but when I think of American clothing, I think of jeans and like to do my small part to keep that going. I also think the fit is important and jeans made closer to where the designers are will have better fits.

The Ayr denim checks all of the boxes for me when it comes to jeans. Ayr has been around for nearly a decade, but launched menswear maybe two seasons ago. The men’s clothing is designed by Brice Pattison who is ex-J.Crew and ex-Todd Snyder. What I appreciate most about Ayr’s menswear is how constrained the line is. The denim offering from Ayr is also pretty simple with a few fits and several options for colors. It’s cohesive without being overwhelming – which is exactly the zone I want to operate in.