To fade, or not to fade?

Can Pre-Faded Denim Be the Perfect Fit?

To Fade, or Not to Fade? That is the Question.

I got some new jeans. Did I need them? Probably not. Are they the best jeans ever? Yes—until I find the next pair.

The jeans in question are the Studio D’Artisan D1844U. What makes this pair unique is that they’re based on a well-worn, ‘50s-era selvedge denim.

All the fading has been done for me. At first, I was against this, but now I’m completely converted. I’ll get into that later. First, if you’ve never heard of Studio D’Artisan, here’s a quick overview of the brand.

A Quick Look at Studio D’Artisan

Studio D’Artisan is one of Japan’s original Osaka Five denim brands, founded in 1979. It was among the first to revive selvedge denim using vintage shuttle looms, helping to cement Japan’s reputation for top-tier denim craftsmanship. Unlike some of its more purist counterparts, Studio D’Artisan blends serious attention to detail with a playful approach to branding.

A prime example is its pig mascot, a twist on Levi’s famous “Two Horse Pull” logo—where two horses pull apart a pair of jeans to symbolize durability. Instead, Studio D’Artisan uses pigs, humorously suggesting that their denim is just as tough, even when put to the test by livestock that aren’t exactly work animals. This tongue-in-cheek attitude runs through their patches, graphics, and limited-edition releases.

Despite the fun branding, their craftsmanship is no joke. They specialize in natural dyes, unique weaves, and experimental construction techniques while staying true to vintage workwear traditions. From heavyweight loopwheeled tees to meticulously crafted jeans, Studio D’Artisan remains one of the most respected names in Japanese denim today.

These jeans are unbelievable. I’ve finally found my perfect fit.

At first, I wore them turned up, and I thought I was happy with that. But at 5’8”, four turn-ups felt like a bit much. They looked good, but I kept wondering: what if?

So, I got them hemmed—and now I think they have the perfect break.

For comparison, my other pair of Studios are the SD-108, an indigo relaxed taper that I’ll naturally fade over time.

But now for the real question, is it ok to wear fades that aren’t yours? What I mean is, is it ok to cheat the process and wear a pair of pre faded denim?

Of course it is.

It all depends on what you’re looking for. Stay with me here, but I see picking a pair of jeans like choosing glasses. Jeans might not be as essential (they won’t stop me from walking into walls), but they serve an important purpose—are they right for what I’m doing that day?

Pre-faded denim tends to be lighter in weight. Honestly, I’ve never owned a comfier pair of jeans than these ‘50s Studios. They’re lightweight, broken in, and I know I’ll be grateful for them when summer rolls around.

There’s a stereotype—especially in the West—that selvedge denim is just for burly, bearded men drinking real ale and wearing 25oz jeans that can stand up on their own. While that’s part of it, it’s far from the whole picture.

Selvedge refers to the self-finished edge of the fabric that prevents it from unraveling or fraying. It doesn’t necessarily mean heavyweight denim—it’s about the weaving process and how the fabric is finished. The quality comes down to the fabric itself. There are heavyweight selvedge jeans, and there are lightweight ones, all suited to different tastes and needs.

For comparison, the jeans on the left are the Studio D1844U (“50s”) jeans, and the ones on the right are the SD-108s.

• The D1844U is 12.5oz, ideal for warmer weather or for those who want an aged look without the years of wear.

• The SD-108 is 15oz—not particularly heavy for selvedge denim, but a great option for those who want to put in the time and effort to achieve natural fades.

I’ve been wearing the SD-108s for about two months now, and I can’t wait to see how they evolve. Technically, if I wore them hard and washed them right, I could get them to look like the ‘50s pair eventually.

I get it—pre-fades aren’t for everyone.

This is one of the nerdier blogs I’ve written, but it’s hard to talk about denim without getting technical.

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong choice. The fit, fabric, and cut that work for you might not work for someone else. We all have different body shapes, different tastes, different jobs, and different needs.

The perfect pair of jeans is out there waiting for you. And so are the next hundred pairs after that. Good luck on your quest.

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