Men’s brands at Liberty Fairs in New York City this week presented Fall/Winter 20-21 collections that take denim seriously.
Enduring designs, winterized constructions and garments that allow men to show their individual style—from raw denim that ages over time, to crystal-embellished jeans—offered buyers a variety of options.
Made to last
While the industry is full of denim brands providing a barrage of marketing around their sustainability capsule collections, at Liberty Fairs brands chose to focus on enduring design and long-term solutions.
Dutch brand Scotch & Soda’s sustainability initiatives began years ago, and the brand quietly continues these efforts. It currently sources cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), as well as organic sources. By 2025, it vows to source 100 percent more sustainable cotton.
For Momotaro Jeans, sustainability is achieved through responsible production efforts that can be found throughout its manufacturing process, which involves handcrafting high quality, long-lasting denim. Each pair of selvedge denim is designed to last a lifetime, and the wearer creates his own “denim story” by wearing the jeans every day and repairing them when necessary.
Similarly, Railcar Fine Goods specializes in raw denim that lasts. Each pair of jeans is handmade at its Los Angeles-based factory.
Heavyweight contenders
Liberty was home to the traditional selvedge denim that denim heads know and love. Railcar Fine Goods promoted its core collection, which includes its bestselling, expertly crafted 14-oz. heavyweight raw jeans.
Momotaro Jeans featured its new pieces for F/W 20-21, including its bestselling raw denim that was updated with an embroidered accent on the back of the jeans. Its logo—two horizontal stripes—is displayed in bright blue on the jeans’ back pocket.
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Naked & Famous proudly displayed its variety of heavyweight denim, which it considers its specialty. Its standout piece includes a 22-oz. sanforized dark-wash denim with extreme texturing throughout.
Though a lifestyle brand, Scotch & Soda also branched into heavyweight denim with a matching denim jacket and jeans set. Available in a faded black wash, the set is made from rigid denim and features Western-inspired details.
Comfort creatures
On the other hand, consumers crave the comfort and flexibility of stretch fabrications.
Robin’s Jeans catered to this need with a super soft blended fabric for F/W 20-21. Though the brand is known for its embellished denim, Robin’s is stepping out with more low-key items, including trousers made of a stretch cotton poplin blend that’s soft to the touch.
True to the brand’s fondness for novelty, Naked & Famous also experimented with blends for F/W 20-21 denim. The line included jeans made with denim featuring everything from wool (for a heavier pant that provides more warmth) to cashmere (for a super soft pant offering greater movement).
Something special
And during a time in men’s wear that celebrates fashion statements and individuality, denim brands delivered with embellished pieces.
The bold look is right in Robin’s Jeans wheelhouse. Jeans were embellished with gradient dyes, embroideries, metallic threads, gold key chains and high-shine zippers. The brand also incorporated Swarovski crystals into the waistbands of some of its F/W 20-21 jeans.
Preme also featured crystals in its jeans, using colorful rhinestone side taping as the focal point. The brand often designs styles according to sneaker drops so shoppers can pair accordingly.
And Naked & Famous also added quirky details, though they weren’t as prominently displayed. Sayings like “hell yeah” were woven into the hems and coin pockets of select styles.