Edwin

Edwin is a Japanese denim brand founded in Tokyo in 1947. They are widely credited with pioneering stone washing in the 1980s and producing some of the world's earliest ringspun selvedge denim. Many of the Edwin jeans stocked by Urban Industry are produced in Japan and Portugal using premium Japanese mills including Kaihara.

Yes — Edwin sits firmly in the premium heritage denim category, comparable to brands like Samurai Jeans, Oni Denim, and Nudie. They are notable for using Japanese Kaihara selvedge fabric and employing sustainable washing techniques like E-Flow and Ozone treatment.

Selvedge (or selvage) denim is woven on narrow shuttle looms, producing a self-finished edge that prevents fraying. On Edwin's Nashville jeans, this edge is a distinctive red listed selvedge — visible when the jeans are cuffed — which is a mark of quality and a nod to classic Japanese denim craft.

Edwin uses premium Japanese Kaihara denim, genuine selvedge weaving, ring-spun yarns, and low-impact sustainable washing processes. The construction and fabric quality are significantly higher than mass-market jeans, resulting in better fading, durability, and longevity.

The Edwin Nashville is a straight-leg, regular-rise jean cut from 14oz Red Listed Selvedge denim sourced from Kaihara in Japan. It's Edwin's most iconic heritage style — a true 5-pocket jean designed to be worn and faded over time.

The Regular Tapered (historically known as the ED-55) offers a relaxed seat and thigh that narrows from the knee down — flattering on most builds and very popular for wearing over trainers. The Loose Fit has a wider, more relaxed cut throughout the entire leg with no significant taper — a baggier, more contemporary silhouette.

Edwin jeans generally run true to size for pre-washed styles. Unwashed/raw styles (like the Nashville Blue Unwashed) will shrink, so sizing up is advised. Edwin uses a waist/length sizing format (e.g. 32W/32L) rather than S/M/L.

Edwin jeans at Urban Industry are available in 30L, 32L, and 34L inseams across most waist sizes (30W–36W), allowing for a more precise fit than brands offering only regular or long.

Wash as infrequently as possible to preserve indigo dye and develop natural fade patterns. When washing is needed, turn inside out, use a cold cycle (30°C max), and air dry flat. Here at Urban Industry we'd probably recommend hand washing cold. Never tumble dry selvedge or raw denim — heat causes shrinkage and distorts the fabric.

es, and that's part of their appeal. Edwin's ringspun indigo denim — particularly the Nashville and Kaihara selvedge styles — develops high-contrast fading patterns (called "honeycombs" behind the knees and "whiskers" at the thighs) with wear, making each pair uniquely personal.

A rinsed wash is a light factory wash that removes surface starch from the raw denim, giving a slightly softer hand-feel and a slightly faded appearance straight out of the box while still retaining most of the indigo depth. It's a good middle ground between raw/unwashed and a mid-used fade.

Edwin uses heavier, premium Japanese Kaihara denim (typically 12–14oz) versus Levi's standard lighter fabrics. Edwin jeans are more expensive but offer superior construction, better fading potential, and selvedge options not available from Levi's mainstream lines. Think of Edwin as the heritage specialist counterpart.

Edwin Europe is the European division of the original Japanese Edwin brand. The product range, silhouettes, and fabric sourcing are closely aligned, though Edwin Europe manages its own seasonal collections and European distribution. Urban Industry stocks Edwin Europe product.

es — Urban Industry has stocked Edwin jeans since 2008 and is a long-standing authorised retailer. All Edwin products sold through Urban Industry are genuine, season-current, and backed by our standard return and exchange policy.