Sid Mashburn's Southern Style: Part Two

Yesterday I wrote about how Sid Mashburn’s distinct Southern style has influenced how I dressed.  On Wednesday, I received my first shipment of clothes from their Atlanta headquarters.  My two pairs of Levi’s 501 jeans were wrapped with care and looked just like I wanted them to.  

Unlike other pairs of denim I own, they were better after washing.  Since my workhorse jeans are two pairs of raw Baldwins, I was apprehensive about throwing my brand-new 501s in the washer and dryer, lest they shrink up.  My fears were unwarranted, as the waist didn’t shrink at all and the length only a tad.  Such are the benefits of sub-$100 jeans, even more so sub-$100 jeans built to last.

Levi’s 501s are jeans built to last.  I wore my white pair yesterday and my stone pair today, and I don’t want to wear any other pants for a while.  The 501 fit is perfect.  The leg has a slight taper that looks best with a cuff - perfect for both a rugged Northern look and effortless continental flair - and goes well with both dress shoes and casual boots.  The rise is high, a welcome change from the low-slung jeans that dominate the denim market today.  The waist fits true to size, and there’s enough room in the thighs for guys who like to work out but who still want to wear flattering denim.  They have button flies, as jeans should.  Moreover, the fabric is sturdy and the white and stone colors pair with almost anything in a man’s wardrobe, from cashmere sweaters and sportcoats to gilets and buffalo plaids.  

The best part about 501s from Mashburn is that they come in all the essential colors.  I mentioned the Air Force blue pair in yesterday’s post, but since then I found Straw and Olive versions that I want to pick up, as well as giving the classic washed blue colorway a whirl.  At $65-95 each, they’re easy to stock up on.  At that price, I can justify a couple more pairs of the white and stone variants.  There’s a photo of Sid where he has on his white 501s, and they’re frayed at the cuff for a dash of sprezzatura.  If Sid can beat up his white jeans, so can I.

Also worth a peep on Sid Mashburn’s website - their washed A.P.C. New Standard Jean.  Raw denim purists will moan with disdain because the Mashburn team washes a batch of New Standards to slim down the fit.  People - like me - who want to wear New Standards but find the unwashed fit doesn’t work on them will find this customization a revelation, as well as the slim - but not skinny - cut.  Thanks to Sid, between the Levis and my future acquisitions, I think I’ve created a new pant uniform and found a new favorite shop.

Top - Jeans: Levis x Sid Mashburn, Sweater: S.N.S. Herning

Bottom - Jeans: Levis (from Sid Mashburn), Sweater: Polo Ralph Lauren, Shirt: Schnayderman's