Selvedge denim. It's a term every fashionable guy with a Tumblr account was exposed to about a decade ago (maybe a little more)—thanks to bearded guys with skin fades (and knee fades). For some, it marked the beginning of a deep dive into the world of denim. And it’s quite a journey to fall into.

I was one of those people.

I got my first pair of selvedge denim jeans in 2016. Shamelessly skinny, and even more shamelessly purchased from a now-defunct high street retailer, they weren’t exactly the epitome of quality. But I had taken the leap. Unwashed, worn daily, faded, and repaired—I loved those jeans.

The jeans in question, after a few years of wear

After a few years of on-and-off wear, I became hooked. I began learning more about the world of denim: what true quality looked like, which brands were doing it best, and why great clothing often comes at a higher price. This newfound knowledge raised my standards across the board, not just for denim but for all my clothing. I was slowly shifting from a trend-chasing, high-street shopper to someone focused on building a timeless, high-quality wardrobe. Along the way, I even started learning to make my own clothes, using selvedge denim in my projects.

One of the first projects I worked on was a pair of pleated selvedge denim pants I made in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Challenges of Finding the Perfect Pair

Fast forward to 2024, and I’m still a dedicated wearer of selvedge denim. But as much as I loved it, a few issues kept cropping up:

1. Fit – I couldn't find a good wide-fit option. With my small waist, most jeans were uncomfortably tight.
2. Waistband Stretching – The waist always stretched out, requiring a belt almost immediately, even when I bought my correct size. The only way to bring it in was to wash the jeans, which I wanted to avoid.
3. Design – Almost every selvedge denim option featured the classic jeans elements: rivets, contrast topstitching, and the like. While I loved this traditional look, I wanted something different—something more minimal.  

Creating a Solution: TROUSER 001

These frustrations led me to think about potential solutions. I envisioned a pair of jeans that would address all these issues. So, I set out to design something new.

Working closely with Norwich-based creator Dom Read, we developed TROUSER 001, the first piece we designed for SAINTABLETT. This design became the foundation of our brand and will always be a cornerstone of what we build moving forward.

Made by hand in Norwich from beautiful, unique deadstock selvedge denim, TROUSER 001 features an elasticated drawstring waist, a minimal design, and a wide-leg fit—all of which solved my fit and comfort problems. Since the first sample was given to me, I can honestly say I’ve worn a pair of TROUSER 001 every day.

Create What Doesn’t Yet Exist

ASA