Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Great Looking Made in the USA Jeans – Giveaway & Review

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The Splurge:  Todd Shelton Watts Dark Rinse Jean – $99.00

Believe it or not, the United States is still the world’s #1 manufacturer.  But you wouldn’t know it by looking at the tags on your clothes.  Even blue jeans, the most American of all garments, have become a part of the current unbalanced manufacturing state of the garment industry.

Todd Shelton’s small but spot-on line of jeans is one of the extremely few options for Made in the USA denim.  Hell, they might also be your only option for made in America jeans that not only look terrific, but aren’t priced completely out of reach for many of us.

Banana Republic’s denim runs $80 and at last check is made in China.  Brooks Brothers has a line of made in the US Levi’s for $150, but even then the fabric is imported.  Todd Shelton denim is made in California of fabric sourced from either North Carolina or Georgia.  All for just $20 more than the Banana Republic imports.

Left: Todd Shelton Watts Selvage - $129. Right: Todd Shelton Watts - $99

They’ve got everything you want and nothing you don’t.  The Watts Dark Rinse is simple, cut almost exactly like a 501, and the hardware is great.  (Click here for a few up close pics).  Available in two fits, a few different washes, and for an extra $30 you can get selvage.  Zip fly, and the inseam is finished at 34″ so you can get them hemmed for a true custom fit.  The pair I received didn’t have any stitching across the back pockets, and they can easily be paired with a blazer, sweaters, t-shirts, etc…  Look for long term test updates in the months to come.

Is $99 for one pair of jeans an investment?  Absolutely.  But well worth it to support not just an independent American based label, but one who’s fiercely committed to making great looking clothing in the US.

Look for the Todd Shelton Watts to appear in our Best from the US feature, coming up on Monday….
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Enter to win a pair of Todd Shelton Watts Jeans

Here’s how to enter:  Leave a comment below, letting us know where your favorite jeans happen to be made.  It’s a bit of an experiment to see how truly rare a pair of American made jeans are.  Feel free to share this contest with others.  Facebook, twitter, email, etc.  One winner will be chosen at random from the comments field (one entry per person) and they will be awarded a standard pair of Todd Shelton Watts or Plainview in their waist size.  Deadline for entry is 1/23/11 at 11:59pm ET.  Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to Dennis, aka user Notyracademy, who was our winner in the random drawing for the Todd Shelton denim.  He’s going with a pair of the Watts in the dark rinse.  A terrific choice for sure.  Thanks to everyone who entered, and especially Todd Shelton for wanting to partner up for a giveaway.

Comments

  1. The only jeans I’ve ever owned are made in either China or another offshore, cheap labor location like Indonesia or Sri Lanka. So I guess by default, I would have pick China since those are the ones that have lasted the longest for me. To be quite honest, I have not even heard of American-made jeans before this. I thought American made stopped at shoes.

  3. Honestly, I very, very, rarely wear jeans these days. Before I snobbied up though, Express X2 were my goto pairs. I just checked my most recent pair of those and it was made in Mexico.

  6. My 501s are without question my go-to pair (granted, I’ve only been living off of two pairs of jeans for the past year or so, but for good reason). My jeans are from Mexico as well.

  7. I have 3 go to pairs. My 501s are from Mexico, I have a Gap pair from Hong Kong and my Banana Republic jeans were made in India

  8. i truly dont know where my jeans r made where ever lucky brand is made. now that i know a made in the usa company exists i am definitely switching over

  12. I wear only Levi’s. I find that for the price and look, they are great. I have a pair of 501s STF in my size, a 501 STF one size larger, and 514. With these three, i get any fit that I am looking for. All made in Mexico.

  13. Nowadays $100 for a decent pair of jeans isnt really a reach is it? I’m as frugal as the next guy, but for a versatile pair of pants that can literally last for years I dont mind spending $100. I have a pair of “dressy” jeans from Citizens of Humanity that cost around twice that, and they were worth every penny. My jeans get more wear then most of my tailored wool dress pants and I dont hesitate to spend $100 on them, so why not on jeans?

    I really like the look of these Todd Shelton jeans too, and I would probably spend the extra $30 for the selvedge denim too. The details can make all the difference…

  15. I mostly wear a pair of dry jeans by 3sixteen, which are made in New York of Japanese denim (and there’s a reason for that, the Japanese make some fantastic denim). They are definitely not in this price range, though.

    By the way, I seem to remember Levi’s taking legal action recently to stop a number of Japanese brands from putting the small tab on the inside of the back pocket (I guess they have a trademark), which you can see these Todd Shelton jeans do. I think Mr. Shelton may be hearing from Levi’s in the near future…

  16. My favorite pair are my Levi’s, unfortunately I am beginning to notice a few spots are getting a bit light, I think I am a few months away from a hole in the leg. Made in Hong Kong.

  18. My favorite jeans are a pair of 7 for all Mankind’s that were made in the USA. Not only do they look great, but I got an (relatively) awesome deal on them at Nordstrom, paying $80 for them when they listed for like $180. The more wear they get, the better they seem to look. I get complements on them all the time.

  19. I’ve actually got a pair of Abercrombie jeans that have taken over as my top pair. Overtook Banana and Levis to get there. A&F’s are made in the Phillipines. If you can catch them on sale and without the pre-worn holes, you’ll be surprised at how good they look and feel.

  20. My favorite pair of bootcut 7 for all mankind made in the USA although I think the material is from Sri Lanka or Mexico.

  22. I never really got the whole thing about expensive jeans, if you want them to wear and tear without a care (holes and rips made by you are cool!), why not just cheap crap you can beat the hell out of and get the denim re-stitched? I saw this website boast about how many times their $150 APCs got restitched to where there was only about 1 square inch of the original cloth left.

    What is the point really?

    ps i am aware of the rhyme(s)

  24. Right now my favorite jeans are my favorite because of the cut, not because of the denim. They are Express, and made in Vietnam. But that can easily change…

  25. c) The water – Okayama, Japan is the denim capital of Japan. They have access to fresh, clean running water that has a unique mineral content and PH balance.

    that is not the only reason but the one that seems the most relevant (if any relevant at all)

  27. LE Canvas’ flannel-lined are my new fave. American cotton (yeah!), but manufactured in Sri Lanka.

  32. Sad to say that my shink-to-fit Levi’s 501 were all made in mexico. I looked over the old pairs of levi’s my dad has and they were all made in the USA. Too bad we have to pay $100+ to get that type of quality.

  33. Just the other day I noticed my goto jeans were made in China. A little odd that what was once a symbol of USA is hard to find in the USA now.

  36. My fargorite pair of jeans are Levi’s Buttonfly 501’s as well. They are made in mexico but feel very well put together and last a long time. Furthermore, the fit is perfect with me and over time it seems to fit my body even better.

  39. I love Levi’s and some AE (I know teens brand but the fit is incredible to my body shape I just need to wait for decent washes to show up). My Levi’s usually are labeled as Made in Mexico. I used to live in Mexico and have some relatives in Torreon (Northern Mexico close to Monterrey), I actually visited some manufacturers stores, they sell the exact same Levi’s jeans but without the labels, I tried on some and they fit and feel exactly the same, interesting don’t you think?

  41. Levis 514s, made in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. Population: 20.4 million. Capital City: Colombo. Median annual income: $3,730

  47. My favorite pair of jeans are APC new cures that were made in Macau. They’re about 3 and a half years old now and have been patched countless times. They look and fit great.

  50. My first pair of Express Rocco Bootcut jeans fit me the best. Levi’s 514 are my 2nd choice. I have a pair of Loomstate organics (USA) that unfortunately shrunk.

  58. My favorite all time — Nudie Jeans made in Italy, from denim fabrics produced in Italy, Japan, Turkey and USA.

  68. My favorite pair of jeans are by LA Denim Atelier. Not, sure where they were made. But they’re based in LA, wikpedia says they were from the Guess design team, and I think they became Bread Denim. I got them at Nordstrom’s Rack a couple years back. I don’t think they’re made anywhere anymore.

    I love them though. Just bought some iron-on patches this weekend for holes that developed in the crotchal region.

  69. I have a pair of stussy deluxe selvage from japan that i scored on ebay for 80 which are immaculate pants. but the hands-down winner are my RRL raw straight legs that were made in good ol’ usa. They are tough as nails, yet break in and age better than a bottle of bordeaux!

  71. I have sort of a jean collection, so I’m going for something different: my Versace’s were made in Turkey!
    However I looked at everything and Guess and True Religions are made in the good ol’ USA.
    Oh, and Rock & Republics are “Digitally Mastered in the USA,” whatever the hell that means.

  72. My current favorite are a pair of 7 for all mankind standards, which were made in Mexico. Backup pair are J Crew vintage slim, made in Canada.

  73. Levi’s 527 …..Mexico

    As the dollar loses value we’ll see more made in usa stuff. I like the way the jeans look but I have just one question..Where is the low rise option?

  75. Im a fan of the Gap Standard Jeans, made in China. Im a victim of thunder thighs… 7 years of football do that to you…

  77. My boyfriend would love these! I jsut checked what I’m wearing right now and they were made in china.

  82. GAP jeans from China, unfortunately. I’m a college student, but I could see myself becoming a Shelton customer if I ever get a real job.

  83. my 514 levis are made in china.. i’d like to own everything made in america but i’m not made out of monies 🙁

  92. Levi’s 501, made in Mexico. It’s hard to even find ‘Made in America’. ‘Made from America’ has got to be even harder.

  96. I’m confused Tom. “This Website”? Fair to assume you mean another website and not this one? These Todd Shelton Jeans are the first jeans I’ve ever worn that cost more than $60. Don’t think we’ve ever takled about APC on Dappered before.

  98. My favorite pair are Tommy Bahamas made in WhoKnowsWhere- for pennys on the dollar I’m sure.

  102. My single favorite pair of jeans is a pair of 7 For All Mankind standard fit. Sadly they are mad in Mexico, but I still love them.

  103. I absolutely loved Lucky Jeans that are made in the USA. You can tell the quality difference, and it’s a shame they’re getting harder to find. But my current favorite pair are Naked & Famous, made in Japan…

  104. My current faves are by Diesel and are made in Italy. They are just so perfect and dark. They are, unfortunately, at the tailor getting hemmed to a more acceptable length. It is about time; I have had them for more than a year and just been rolling fat cuffs.

  108. My go to jeans are Citizens of Humanity ‘Sid’ straight legs which are assembled in the US of “imported fabric.”

  110. My only jeans are USA made. Why buy them otherwise? It would be like buying a French ribeye, or a Italian cheeseburger- simply not done.

  130. Unlike someone else who posted, my Lucky jeans are made in Mexico. Only pair of jeans that have ever fit me correctly. It’s hard to find pants when you are a size 30-35!

  132. I’m always working, so it’s a little difficult for me to get comfy in a nice pair of jeans. My current favorites are my Levi 501s made in Mexico, and my Express Jeans made in Indonesia. I want to get a “really nice” pair of jeans and am currently looking at the brands True Religion, Se7en, etc, so I might give these Todd Shelton jeans a try.

  133. My favorite pair oddly enough I bought at Costco. Levi’s 539, made in Cambodia. Thought I was just getting a cheap mess around pair. Worn the hell out of them and they have aged real nicely.

  134. I love my Gap 1969 jeans… made in China though, unfortunately. Those Todd Shelton’s look great! They don’t have the droopy butt that’s so common in men’s jeans

  139. My j crews say “handmade in Canada”, so at least it’s north america. Had no idea before this entry.

  144. I have a much loved Paper Denim and Cloth from a few years back… made in the USA, oddly.

  146. Gap standard fit and Levi’s 501s are all I wear. Both made in China but having some American made jeans in my closet would be nice…

  148. Mine are made in Italy, Gucci> Gift from a friend and I love them. Its really hard to find American made jeans, I’ll be getting a pair of these asap

  149. I like 501’s button fly – but I liked them better when they were made in the USA. My latest pair came from Mexico

  152. My favourite pair of Topman jeans (grey, twisted side seam) are made in China. Second favourite pair of Calvin Klein Jeans (soft bluish, kinda hard to describe colour)? Ditto.

  156. My Diesel Zathan’s I bought for like $75 at Nordstrom Rack about 5 years ago. Made in Italy.

  159. My favorite pair right now are Joe’s Jeans and they are made in America from what I can tell.

  164. Holy crap, thats a lot of responses. I wonder what wins “most commented” and “most popular” this week? 😛

    My favorite pair of jeans are APC New Standard, made in Macau.

  165. My favorite jeans were not my favorite jeans when I first bought them, they are made true religion which is made proudly in the USA and that’s is what makes them my fave I didn’t like that they are quite “loud” but I now wear that as my made in the usa statement and I love it

  166. Gap Authentic & Gap Straight, made in China: I wear them because GAP is only one of a few remaining retailers that offer inseam = 28 for the vertically challenged. I don’t like getting my jeans hemmed, they never look just right. If I had the money, I would consider buying from a denim boutique such as
    Selfedge dot com and get the jeans hemmed on the Union made chainstitching machine. Starting this month, many of my family & friends have began a major initiative to support well made products that are made in the USA, it is slowly catching on. I like the look of those Todd Shelton’s and I will be passing this onto others. Thanks !!

  170. I have some really awesome Earnest Sewn jeans inspired by Paul Newman’s role in Cool Hand Luke, and they are made in the USA!

  175. Go-to pair right now are Rock & Republic that, surprisingly, are “digitally mastered” in the USA.

  177. Levi’s 501, made in Mexico. I guess I’m not really surprised. But Levi’s is one of the few brands I’ve had some loyalty toward.

  180. My jean is from The Original Arizona Jean Company and it was made in Mexico. My second favorite uses US Fabrics but I think it was made in Costa Rica.

  182. Favorite? Banana Republic, China. (Must say I’m feeling lucky this week. Already won a Brooks Brothers shirt on my birthday.)

  183. Levis’ 560’s. Made in the USA. Way too baggy, so I’m in transition to slimmer ones. If I win, these will be my first pair of this type of jeans. If I don’t win, will probably get the selvage ones to try out what everyone has been talking about.

  185. Honestly, I don’t particularly care where the jeans are made, as long as the workmanship is high quality. America doesn’t hold a monopoly on fine clothing. Levi’s 514 (my pairs come from: Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico) are my current go-tos, because they make them in a kids’ size that fits me and is cheap 😛

  187. Current favorites are my Gap 1969 Straight fit jeans, originally in a black rinse that i’ve washed to extremely dark blue. Fit is somewhere between that of a 514 and 501. Made in China.

  189. Any chance you’ll ship a pair to a pantsless Canadian? It is a fairly cold winter, and they’d fit perfectly over my long-johns.

    As for my favourites: Levi Authentic Signatures, cut vintage straight. Made in Pakistan and starting to wear thin.

  194. Levi’s 505 Straight made in Colombia. Pity something that is so American is hardly made in the US anymore.

  200. Living in Germany, I don’t have ready access to the jeans in the states that I was used to wearing in person (or much of anything for that matter, which makes sizing a pain). I found a couple pairs of Mustang Jeans though that fit fairly well and seem to be decent quality. They’re made in Mauritius, an island near Madagascar.

  203. I actually really like Mexican Made Izod Jeans although my most common pairs are Levi’s 505’s. I’m not a Big fan of the 501’s with the Button Fly.

  206. Currently, my favorIte jeans are a pair of GAP Easy Fit 1969. They are made in The Phillipines.

  210. I’ve been liking Gap jeans for a bit now, which are made in China. My favorite pair of Luckys are made in the US.

  211. My favorite jeans are Rock and Republic, mostly because they fit well and (so far) seem well made and aren’t crap like some others. That being said, they appear to be made in China, so there’s that. Have to check out these made from the USA ones now. Thanks for the scoop!

  212. Wow, I won! Thanks to Joe at Dappered.com and Todd Shelton, who let me “order” the Watts selvage even though they are on backorder for six weeks. Great giveaway, great customer service, and what I’m sure will be a great product!

    Dennis

  213. Wow, I won! Thanks to Joe at Dappered.com and Todd Shelton, who let me “order” the Watts selvage even though they are on backorder for six weeks. Great giveaway, great customer service, and what I’m sure will be a great product!

    Dennis

  214. Wow, I won! Thanks to Joe at Dappered.com and Todd Shelton, who let me “order” the Watts selvage even though they are on backorder for six weeks. Great giveaway, great customer service, and what I’m sure will be a great product!

    Dennis

  215. Type your comment here. What was the name of the manufacturers stores where you got the jeans? I work near Torreon and I would love to see if I could pay less for my jeans and still get the fit and feel.

  217. I’m going to have to go with China sadly, but would love some American flavor