That 5 minute chat with a tailor in Chicago shifted my whole view on denim

I used to think raw denim was just a hipster tax on jeans that you couldn't wash. But last month I was in Chicago for a wedding and stopped into this tiny repair shop called Stitch and Rivet. The guy behind the counter was maybe 60 and had this old sewing machine that looked like it belonged in a museum. I asked him why anyone would pay $200 for jeans that aren't even comfortable. He laughed and picked up a pair he was working on, showed me the chainstitch hem and explained how it rolls naturally on the ankle instead of bunching up. Then he pointed to a spot on the thigh where the fabric was starting to fade and said that's where the person keeps their phone every day. Something about watching him trace that worn spot with his finger made it click - these jeans tell a story about how you live. Has anyone else had a random conversation with a craftsperson that totally flipped your mind on something?

3 comments

3 Comments

jones.anna1mo ago

But isn't that just good marketing dressed up as craftsmanship?

the_oscar2d ago

...and honestly I think people overthink this stuff way too much. Like does it really matter if it's marketing or craftsmanship at the end of the day? You either like what you're buying or you don't. I've bought stuff from people with zero story and terrible packaging that fell apart in a week. And I've bought stuff with all the fancy buzzwords that was just as bad. Your mileage may vary but the whole debate feels like something to argue about when there's nothing else going on.

victor_adams1mo ago

Man if I had a dollar for every time I convinced myself my burnt toast was "artisanal charring" I'd be rich. @jones.anna you might be onto something though because half the stuff people call craftsmanship these days is just slick packaging and a good story. But I also think there's a real difference between someone who actually knows what they're doing and someone who just talks a good game. The hard part is telling them apart when everyone's shouting about how handmade and authentic they are.