Introduction to Denim Brands
Denim is the OG of workwear. The fabric has been around for centuries, but the modern version of jeans first gained recognition as the garment of choice for miners and railroad workers. Cowboys, bikers, and freeform folk of the ’60s found common ground in the diverse styles and cuts that denim brands offered. Today, some of the best jeans are made by Canadian brands. Here’s our guide to building your denim collection with the best jeans brands from Canada and beyond.
Why Choose Jeans?
Are you looking for pants that are stylish and versatile? Comfortable? Durable? Look no further than a classic pair of jeans. They come in a variety of cuts and colours, and they can be worn with a cozy Patagonia sweater or a flannel shirt. We love our jeans with Blundstones and a classic Barbour jacket. From the freestyle found in Dr. Martens to the skaters in Vans, jeans have shown us that the possibilities are endless.
Quality and Craftsmanship
Modern jeans, as we know them today, originated in the workshop of Levi Strauss & Co. He was the first to use copper rivets as a means of reinforcing the pockets and other stress points. The 5-pocket jeans – featuring two front pockets, one watch pocket, and two back pockets – are also attributed to Strauss and stand as the blueprint for jeans today.
Jeans have been made from 100% cotton for the longest time, and most high-quality jeans from Canada and elsewhere still adhere to this practice. For functional reasons, some jeans are made with a cotton and polyester or cotton and elastane blend, which provides additional stretch and comfort.
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There are several weaving methods used to give jeans their texture and feel. The standard twill weave produces the diagonal ribbing commonly found on most jeans. Some brands will use different styles of weaves, one of the most popular being the selvedge denim weave, which ensures a finish that won’t fade over time.
The most common stitching is a polyester/cotton thread, which involves wrapping cotton around a heavy-duty polyester thread to achieve a more natural look while maintaining durability.
Sustainable Practices in Canadian Brands
Canadian denim brands have been making a name for themselves, largely due to the way their jeans are designed and manufactured. Brands like Naked & Famous Denim, Vallier, and Yoga Jeans have chosen to manufacture parts of their collections in Canada to reduce transportation, maintain better quality control, and ensure good working conditions.
These brands, along with other Canadian denim brands like Duer, also favour natural materials, such as organically grown cottons and sustainably sourced fibres. They have opted for recycled and upcycled materials to minimize waste, while favouring environmentally friendly, non-toxic dyes. The use of heavier fabrics like selvedge denim also ensures longevity and durability, going against the principles of fast fashion.
Top Canadian Jeans Brands You Should Know
When it comes to Canadian denim brands, there are so many stylish brands out there that offer high-quality jeans with various finishes and cuts to suit everyone. Here is our selection of the best Canadian Jeans Brands.
Naked & Famous Denim
This Montreal-based jeans brand combines modern designs with vintage sensibilities. The name pokes fun at the glitz and glamour of celebrity-endorsed brands, but when it comes to jeans, they bring luxury quality.
They often use raw denim imported from Japan to construct their jeans, while offering a range of light and heavyweight jeans for every look. Styles like the men’s Weird Guy Jeans, and the women’s True Girl Jeans put on display their uniquely playful approach to making quality jeans.
Duer
Duer puts an athleisure twist on denim with their collection of stylish jeans designed to take you from the bike lane to the boardroom. The second Canadian denim brand on our list originated on the West Coast and took the market by storm with its innovative approach to sustainable denim.
Their collection of Performance Denim+ jeans is designed to provide stretch and flexibility while maintaining the rugged look and feel of pure denim. Duer offers a range of fits and cuts, including relaxed, slim, straight, and tapered.
Yoga Jeans
As their name suggests, Yoga Jeans combine the comfort and flexibility of yoga pants with stylish, sustainable denim. Their high-quality Canadian jeans are made, from start to finish, at their factory in St-Come-Linière, Québec, using fabrics from around the world.
Their jeans, designed exclusively for women, feature their exclusive waistband that takes the shape of your body. Made using their proprietary 4-way stretch technology, their ultra-soft denim is categorized by fabric, including the flexible Travel Denim and the ultra-soft Flow Denim. Discover them in styles like the Rachel Classic Rise Skinny Jeans and the Alex Bootcut Jeans.
Canadian Denim Brands Collab:
Vallier x Naked & Famous
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Vallier brings urban aesthetics to outdoor apparel. Their collab with Naked & Famous maintains their commitment to quality with these jeans crafted from a blend of luxurious 11 oz. Japanese stretch denim and Cordura for added durability. The Mile End straight leg jean pays tribute to the brand's origins with the classic Vallier green on the inner seams.
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Classic Jeans Brands You Should Know
Some of the best jeans brands are Canadian, but we couldn’t talk denim without mentioning these classic jeans brands, including the originator of the blue jeans.
Levi’s
The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when you mention “jeans brands” is Levi’s. Whether you’re styling your look with classic straight leg 501’s, slim fit 511’s, or wide legged jeans, their styles are legendary. We wouldn’t have 5-pocket jeans today without Levi’s, and if that wasn’t enough, they’re also responsible for giving us the “Canadian Tuxedo,” a look that pairs jeans with one of their classic trucker jackets.
Nudie Jeans
This Swedish-based brand is also best known for creating the next generation of “modern heritage” jeans, while maintaining a steadfast approach to responsible manufacturing. Not only do they offer classic-looking jeans, but they also encourage and provide repairs when needed, promoting reuse rather than repurchase. If you’re looking for a heritage look that respects the people and planet and gives you a rebellious edge to your outfit, Nudie Jeans might just be for you.
Carhartt WIP
Adopted by streetwear cultures everywhere, Carhartt WIP is the offshoot of workwear pioneers Carhartt. The quality and construction that made these garments a favourite of railroad workers at the turn of the 20th century remain today, in silhouettes and styles that are casual yet structured. Their wide-legged jeans offer a modern appeal while their durable construction and attention to detail keep them rooted in the style of traditional workwear.
Finding the perfect pair of jeans
Here are a few tips and insights to help you choose your next pair of stylish and long-lasting Canadian jeans.
Understanding Fabric Types: From Raw Denim to Classic Blue Jeans
Traditional denim is made from 100% cotton that will soften over time. Many of your favourite jeans, such as the Levi’s 501, are made the traditional way, using indigo dyes and pre-washing methods. But brands like Yoga Jeans and Duer have opted for fabric blends that include cotton and elastane to provide additional stretch and more comfort.
Some Canadian denim brands, such as Naked & Famous Denim, prefer to use fabrics like raw denim, a style of jeans made from unwashed, untreated cotton. The appeal of raw denim for some is the way it wears and eventually forms to the body of the wearer. Selvedge denim refers to the self-finished edge of jeans woven using old shuttle looms, resulting in high-quality jeans that are usually heavier and denser than other traditional jeans.
Measuring for Your Perfect Fit
The best jeans brands in Canada and around the world offer a diverse range of fits and styles. Some brands like to have fun with naming their cuts, but they can often be classified in the following categories:
Straight or regular: Your standard jean is a classic, with a leg that stays straight through the cuff.
Relaxed or loose fit: This fit is designed for maximum comfort. It’s a baggier style that won’t hug the hips or thighs.
Slim & tapered: These styles are ideal for those who want to accentuate their silhouette. They hug the body without being too tight. Tapered fits will be wide at the waist and taper at the ankle.
Skinny: This fit is skin-tight and usually made from denim/elastane blends to provide flexibility.
Bootcut/flare: Also known as the modern bell bottom, this vintage-inspired fit is the opposite of the tapered, with a jean that flares out at the ankles.
Most jean brands have their own sizing guide, so once you’ve figured out what kind of cut you’re looking for, take the time to measure your waist, hips, and inseam. Once you’ve done that, you can compare your measurements to the guide and determine the size that is the best match.
Embrace the Denim Movement
It’s a garment that has been adopted by movie stars, style icons, rebels, and blue-collar workers for over a century. Jeans fit everyone’s style, and our selections of the best jeans brands in Canada and beyond have something for everyone. For those seeking stylish, sustainable, and eco-friendly denim in every cut and finish, explore our selection of local brands.
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