Kings of denim and workwear, Self Edge, rarely hold storewide sales. And when they do, the discounts are seldom more than 15% off. Yet, every season, I find myself turning back to them for things such as raw denim jeans, Japanese rayon shirts, and jewelry. The clothes are exceptionally well-made — you can even say over-engineered for my sedentary lifestyle — and designs last because Self Edge trades in a kind of denim-and-flannel look that has always been appealing.
This weekend, Self Edge is holding its end-of-summer sale. Everything in their store — excluding hems, repairs, and magazines — will be available at 15% off. This includes their much-coveted selection of jeans and jewelry. The coupon code also stacks on already-discounted items in their warehouse sale section. Those who live near one of Self Edge’s five locations can stop by their store (masks are strictly required). Those who want to shop online can use the checkout code SummerTwenty.
The sale starts Friday, October 2nd at 9am (PDT) and runs until Tuesday, October 6th at 9am (PDT). Note that all purchases are returnable, but only for store credit. The only exception is already-marked down items in their warehouse sale section, which are final sale. Some of my favorite items in their store right now:
Kei Shigenaga Jewelry
Men’s jewelry is a contentious issue, as some feel men should only wear a watch and a wedding band. But the pieces you find at Self Edge go exceptionally well with the jeans and flannels that are probably already in your closet. This feather ring from Native American silversmith A. Valencia is among my most worn pieces. I also like this textured ring from Neff Goldsmith. My favorite pieces, however, are these kintsugi-inspired rings from the Japanese maker Kei Shigenaga.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with a gold-peppered lacquer. The method supposedly dates back to the Muromachi period when 15th-century Japanese shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa accidentally broke his favorite tea bowl and had local artisans repair it in a way that would be aesthetically pleasing. As a philosophy, kintsugi can be seen as part of the broader Japanese tradition of wabi-sabi, which cherishes that which is simple, unpretentious, and old. This idea, which underscores some themes in Zen Buddhism, says that old, weathered items shouldn’t be neglected or discarded, but valued and repaired with enormous care.
Shigenaga’s jewelry isn’t literally broken and then repaired with kintsugi, but the company makes its rings, bangles, and even hair ties to mimic the aesthetic. Fault lines are built into the sterling silver pieces, and then molten 18k gold is poured into the cracks. The rings are stunningly beautiful and go well with rugged workwear and contemporary avant-garde. I also like how the rings complement Self Edge’s broader aesthetic, which is about how quality items look better with age.
3sixteen SL-100x Jeans
3sixteen is about as close as I’ve come to finding the perfect pair of jeans. Or, at least, they’re the ones I’d wear if I had to stick to one brand. If you’re looking to get your first pair, I recommend with their standard SL-100x jeans, a mid-weight, 14.5oz sanforized denim specially woven for them by Kuroki Mills in Japan. The fabric feels like regular raw denim on the outside but is flannel soft on the interior, making the break-in process much more enjoyable.
The best part is the fit. These are genuinely slim without being skinny, with a mid-low rise and slight taper that make them work across a range of casualwear styles. The jeans have become a favorite on denim boards because the fit flatters so many different types of builds. The denim also fades beautifully. Mine looks like this.
Iron Heart Ultra-Heavy Flannels
I’ve always wondered why you can’t find something like Iron Heart’s Ultra-Heavy flannels in a Tractor Supply catalog. Made from a 12oz fabric with a heavily brushed underside, they’re much heavier and thicker than any other flannel on the market, including actual workwear. They also come with felled seams, which I find to be more comfortable to wear against bare skin, and are smartly designed without a clothing label at the neck, which could otherwise irritate the skin. The heavy brushing inside not only traps heat, but also blocks wind. These flannels can be a little starchy at first, but they soften up wonderfully over time.
The flannels are dearly expensive — even on sale — but they also have the best resale value. Used Iron Heart shirts don’t sell for much less on eBay, so it’s easy to recoup your money should you ever decide to pass it on. Frankly, I’m amazed it’s so hard to find anything comparable in terms of construction. These seem like the sort of quality work shirts that traditional workwear manufacturers should offer, but I haven’t seen anything as sturdy or comfortable. Maybe that’s why even Rick Owens is a convert.
Sugar Cane Duke Shirt
My friend Peter bought this Sugar Cane shirt a few weeks ago. Shortly after, he excitedly emailed me a photo of it hanging in his bathroom. I remember thinking it looks nice, but seemed pricey at $290. Then Peter posted a few pictures of him wearing the shirt on Instagram — one time in a black leather double rider, and another time in a brown suit — and I thought, “Ok, that shirt is REALLY good.”
Made from a soft and silky rayon, this Sugar Cane shirt is inspired by a classic piece from the OG Hawaiian company Duke Kahanamoku. The design has been reproduced before — once by J. Crew’s Wallace & Barnes — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in this black and pink color combination. It looks unexpectedly good with darker outfits, almost like a moodier version of classic Aloha shirt designs. Self Edge has a ton of other great casual shirts, including some dotted designs from Stars of Hollywood and Stevenson Overall Company. I think they’d look great with black leather jackets and casual suits, as Peter wears his on Instagram.
Cute Lil’ Mug
Is there anything particularly artisanal about this mug? Is it made from special materials or crafted by artisans trained in centuries-old techniques? Is it inspired by mid-century designs like many of Self Edge’s goods?
Well, no. It’s a double-glazed ceramic mug from Nigo’s streetwear label, Human Made. It’s from Japan. And it’s shaped like a cute little polar bear. Look at that cutie patootie’s liddle widdle nose and his liddle widdle mouth. Drink from this cute mug in the morning before you put on your 3sixteen raw denim jeans, ultra-heavy Iron Heart flannel, and Fine Creek double-rider like the badass you are.
