August 4, 2004

Nude and Improved

Nudie Jeans

Know how jeans look best when they’ve got that overworn stand-up-by-themselves thing going on?

So do the folks at Nudie, the Swedish-designed, Italian-made denim line for men. Only they suggest treating their blues to at least six whole water-free months, instead of the usual couple of weeks. Which, if you’re one of those guys who’s anti-laundry to begin with, is pretty convenient.

Gross? No. Character building. (Um, sure.) Like good scotch, Nudie get better with age. Sleep in them, dribble miso sauce on your thigh … Heck, change the oil. In the end, it will just give them that lived-in, loved-in patina that makes amazing jeans, well, amazing.

As for the pants themselves, they come with extra-heavy belt loops, bigger coin pockets, sturdy orange stitching, and real copper rivets. Once you break ’em in, they fit like second skin.

And one that needs considerably less maintenance.

Available at Atrium, 644 Broadway, at Bleecker Street (212-473-9200)..