ringring

Yeah, I've seen them. I believe they are actually a chinese brand with a Japanese designer. They are certainly made in China. I think your Evisu comparison is about right. They have a similar spirit. Lots of embroidery, featuring the Monkey King of chinese mythology, and embroideries based on small japanese prints. Sorry I have no pics.

Thanks guys. You must have read my mind. Here's another: http://www.reluct.com/home/index.html

ringring is far more qualified in discusing the quality of their denim, but in a nutshell... you're paying a premium for the 'bape' label same as the t-shirts. both are above the average out there, but at bape's pricepoints, you've got a lot of options. sometimes, it's worth paying for a name, sometimes it isn't. i'm sure ringring can break down the specifics, as well as provide alternates in that price range that are far more quality focused. Quoted post [/b] Thanks MrRaven, that's mighty flattering coming from you. I've not really much to add to your reply. You've nailed it. Basically buy Bape Jeans if you are a Bape fan, buy something else if you're a denim fan. For that 'Urban Jeans' niche, maybe take a look at MHI (good quality selvage, nice details. Heavyweight, loose cut), Fibreops (Japanese cool + some funky washes), Evisu (I'd only touch the old skool raw, selvedge with the white printed gulls) or Silas (indie/slacker look, reasonable ringspun denim and cheap in this company). Other than that, if it's quality denim you want, then there's loads of choice out there. For cheap and good start at Lee and Gap and move up to APC, Levis Vintage, DDC Labs and big bucks 45rpm....etc

For what it's worth, IMO the Bape jeans aren't great.

Dunno about the 45rpm's in London, but Selfridges has plenty of other "premium denim" brands. Anything £150 thereabouts or upwards should be in that catagory.

I've also recently picked up a pair of those CallousBeingHunted. They are possibly the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I'm not 100% sure about the styling yet...I oscillate between thinking they are cool and then they remind me of shoes my father wears LOL.

Digging for denim sounds like my kinda trip :) Thanks for the offer.

Hey Raven, nice to be hear and thanks for the welcome. I've always enjoyed your posts on Superfuture, which is pretty much the reason I came by here. (I don't post on many forums). Good to see some denim aficionados. I'll be back in NYC in spring and will no doubt be doing 'the denim shops' LOL. Great board you have here.

Tribal_man is correct. Evisu are great jeans, great denim with a great logo and 'brand story' and you pay for that. "Cool" costs. Great topic BTW.