“Once the crotch shows signs of fraying, long before a blowout, get them reinforced with traditional darning or a patch sewn on the inside,” adds Hodgson. “This will really extend the life of the jeans. Blowouts are just part of the ageing process and cotton does wear out eventually.” The best thing is to embrace it.

How Often Should You Wash Raw Denim?

If you’re ever in need of some light entertainment, approach a group of denim nerds, ask them how and when it’s best to wash a pair of raw jeans, then sit back and watch the ensuing argument. The hotly-contended subject of washing is probably the most famous thing about raw denim. But is it really true that you shouldn’t wash your jeans? Well, yes and no is the answer.

For the vast majority of denim enthusiasts, the whole idea of going raw is to achieve bold, high-contrast fades. This is made possible by the excess dye in the fabric rubbing off over time. If you rinse the good stuff out before you’ve had time to break the jeans in properly, those whiskers and honeycombs just aren’t going to happen. Period.

At the same time, never washing your jeans can actually weaken the denim. “All of the sweat, oils and dirt that build up on one’s jeans effectively act as sandpaper, wearing down the cotton,” explains Giusti. “We recommend washing one’s jeans as little as you need to, but if they smell bad, you probably need to give them a wash.” However, if you want those coveted high-contrast fades, you should wear them for a minimum of six months before they go anywhere near a wash. This will allow time for creases to form and dye to fade, meaning that when you do finally clean them, they’ll have lost colour in all the right places.

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The Best Ways To Wash Raw Denim

So, when the time rolls around to de-funk your jeans, what are the best methods of denim care?