What Is Selvedge Denim and Why Is It So Hot Right Now?

Denim trend alert: Pinterest reports searches for horse girl aesthetic and cowboy core outfits up over the past year, and selvedge denim is key in both those looks. This type of jeans material is breaking out of the rarified world of Japanese denim crafters and antique Levi’s collectors and into the parlance of us regular folk who want long-wearing denim that is somehow classic yet very much fashionable right now. I’m loving that selvedge denim has traditionally been something that males clamored for, since the style has been associated with workwear instead of the more ladylike “designer jeans” denim categories. Now that unisex styling has become more the norm, jeans girlies are discovering how cool it is to have a pair of jeans made from selvedge denim in their collection. I spoke to a jeans expert and trawled the web for the selvedge denim I’m loving now.

Vivian Rivetti is global vice president of design for Wrangler and has extensive experience in design, merchandising and brand leadership. Rivetti attended Pratt Institute from 1985 to 1989, where they obtained a BA in Fashion Design and Art History. Rivetti also earned a BFA in Fashion/Apparel Design and Art History during the same period at Pratt Institute.

Selvedge denim is the name for a high-quality, dense weave of denim that is more expensive to produce due to it being made on smaller, slower-moving looms that are often older models. Selvedge denim is easily identified by the telltale contrast stitching (usually red or white) along jeans’ outer seams—the contrast stitch marks the edge of the loomed width of fabric itself, which is woven back into the fabric, making it less likely to unravel or fray. “Wrangler combined the character of selvedge denim, a time-honored weaving technique creating dense, tightly woven fabric more resistant to wear and tear over time, with hints of stretch for a comfortable jean that doesn’t compromise on durability,” says Rivetti. “These updated versions strike the perfect balance between heritage quality and modern comfort.”

“More and more consumers are choosing quality and sustainability over the throwaway culture of fast fashion. Selvedge styles incorporate the craftsmanship that gets better with age—something that’s been at the heart of the Wrangler brand since its inception in 1947,” Rivetti says. “Selvedge denim is gaining popularity among both men and women given its timeless appeal and exceptional craftsmanship, making it a versatile choice that attracts denim enthusiasts across the board.”