Self Edge is San Francisco. Derek and Clay hold down the ship and Diesel handles all alterations. Free Fernet Branca with every $300 purchase. BOOM TIME. Check out the new display window that was put up on July 1st, 2008...Sidney Lo x Self Edge. read more

Self Edge - Self Edge x Sidney Lo WAYWT Window Display on July 1st, 2008 - Men's Clothing Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love everything about this store! The staff is the most knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes to everything denim. They teach you how to take care of your investment and most importantly they take care of you with their customer service and very friendly and approachable personalities. Also, the product that they carry in this store is amazing. Though it may be a little pricey for those that aren't used to paying for some jeans at this price, I promise you that it some of the GREATEST jeans you could ever spend money on. I've been a fan of Japanese denim for quite some time now, and Self Edge has always been my go to for questions and acquiring product. Keep up the amazing work SESF!!! read more

It's been months planning of buying a denim jacket. So, i decided coming to this store and bought one. Staff are nice and helpful. Beautiful denim jacket. Iron Heart jacket of Japan. which fit well, good quality and comfortable. Love it so much. No regret. Recommendable. read more

Probably the worst service I've ever experienced. Knowing that they are one of the few denim stores in San Francisco, I took my favorite pair of jeans here to be repaired. Before I was greeted, which never happened, I was asked at least 7 times if my "...jeans stink?". I understand the reason behind the question of the smell of worn, raw denim, but there are better ways to go about asking that question. Aside from the nasty attitude, I was given 3 different rates for the repair of the jeans, each time getting more expensive. Again this was done in a poorly manner, telling me the cost with a "you sure you got money for this?" attitude. By this point I was ready to not fix my jeans, but they are my favorite pair of jeans and the options to get them fixed properly are limited in this city. To top off the awful service and nasty attitude, I was told my jeans would be ready in one week. It has been a solid 2 weeks and I have not received a phone call or email in regards to my jeans. I am a big fan of denim and willing to pay any amount of money for the right garment, but it sure wont be going to this place. read more

I will not apologize for my dinkiness. H o w e v e r, thank you Self Edge, for hemming my jeans with your clean, flattering Chain Stitching; doing it with a comfortable greet and smile; and for 15 measly bucks. I will not apologize for my deficient coolness, albeit half-eyed expected, walking in. I mean, how could I not? Self Edge, On the Corner of 18th & Valencia, Exclusive U.S. carrier of tony denim brands, Written up as a travel destination in the NYT, Yet hovering under stuffwhitepeoplelike radar. Sort of. Stuffwhitepeoplelike: #91 San Francisco #84 T-Shirts #73 Gentrification #58 Japan #50 Irony #49 Vintage #46 The Sunday New York Times #19 Traveling #11 Asian Girls read more

They don't stand behind the product that they sell. I bought a pair of jeans for almost 300 bucks. After one wash per instructions, they shrank in every dimension and are not wearable. They are willing to give me 30 percent off the next pair I buy I won't be spending another dime here. read more

I heard so much good stuff about this place. Decided to walk in today and look for a nice pair of awesome denim pants. I love good stuff and have no worries about spending good money on good stuff. Well we never got to the point. There was one guy sitting behind his MacBook and not even looking up when I entered and said "Hello!". He was just giving off a very unwelcoming attitude. I started to cruise the hangers for Jeans and caught him looking at my pair of Nudie Jeans that I was wearing - he was disgusted by those cheap awful Jeans. I have never seen such reaction, I was actually kinda cracking up about that rude behavior. That was when I decided to leave that shop with a "Thank you!" Seriously why would I wanna waste any money in this shop. I read all these amazing reviews so I guess you have to be there at the right time, with the right guy working his shift. read more

It's dark, RAW, and decadent! Yesiree folks, that's how I like my denim and Self Edge is all about dark raw denim. They have all the crazy over the top dark rinse, ridiculously expensive Japanese denim you could ever want. And now for a prayer: Dear God, thank you so much for not letting my booty fit into the last pair of Sugar Cane boot cuts today, you just saved me $300! Amen. read more

Self Edge is premium denim at premium prices. Most likely, you know that going in here as it's not exactly the type of place you happen to stumble upon; you seek it out. This was the case when I came here with my brother. He has the body of a runway model and I'm jealous I didn't get his genes/jeans. We were both treated well by the similarly thin white guy working there and my brother walked away a happy camper with a much lighter wallet. He never splurges, so that really means something. I'm thoroughly impressed. Quality is apparent in the workmanship of each pair that I perused. Interesting flannel shirts and such upstairs as well. I'm going to come back for my own pair. Oh and better start smoking now. And no more eating. It's not selfish; it's Self Edge. read more

Great shop. I must've tried on 10+ pairs of pants and the staff was very helpful and patient the entire time. I ended up buying two pairs of pants that I'm extremely happy with. I really appreciate great service and quality products - Self Edge has both. read more

Try coming here with a guy who is a denim specialist and not leave without a pair of $300 jeans. It was impossible for me. And HE was the one who wanted to check this place out in the first place and left empty handed. This place is quite small, and won't have jeans for everyone, but if you do have a great appreciation for fine denim and extremely unique details in the craftmanship of your jeans, then you will most likely find something you'll like here (and are willing to pay for it). They specialize in Japanese denim, raw (too stiff for my liking) and organic dyes and carry brands like Sugar Cane, Imperial, Iron Heart, Skull Jeans, Triple Works, Nudie, and The Flat Head. I tried on a pair of bootcut Sling & Stones, which has 24K thread and hardware that fit like no other pair of jeans I own. I am really picky about jeans, and have a hard time finding ones that fit me well. And well, these were hot! (btw, a percentage of Sling & Stones' profits are used to immunize villagers in Peru, fight teen suicide in Japan, and build an orphanage and youth rehabilitation center in India - tres cool!) Their typical inseam is 34", which of course means at least 4" need to be cut off to fit me. Fortunately, Self Edge offers complimentary hemming. They have a vintage Union Special Chainstitcher, which is really cool because with a chainstitch, the hem will form a beautiful roping effect after time due to the opposite pull of denim during washing. The two owners there were pretty helpful, though I think they weren't quite selling the jeans to me as much as my guy was. read more

I came in asking for a straight fit jean and instead they sold me something that is way slim/skinny although they told me these would be the best for me. After an initial hot water soak per their directions, the jeans are so tight and rigid still after like 6 months of occasional wearings that I nearly go into convulsions every time I try to actually wear them. I seriously feel like my ability to have kids may be being affected. I can't even bend down to tie my shoes and the waist is literally so tight it hurts! I was told these would stretch to end up fitting me really well, but no signs of that. I really think they fitted me totally incorrectly. The guy seemed more into fitting me into something that made me what he thought looked hipster rather than something that actually fits well. read more

Oh god yes, I got my crotch blown! That means a new pair of raws to work on since I didn't wanna do repairs. So Self Edge would be the de facto place to go since they are the only US sellers of Iron Heart denim. 21ounces of pure Japanese delight. Super thick denim, but still some of the softest jeans around due to it's loose weave. Expensive? yes. Worth it? totally subjective. Necessary? probably not. Will it score you some 'tang? personal experience says hell no. But it will give you the same smug coolness sans the d-baggery of knowing and appreciating quality denim the way wine or cigar connoisseurs appreciate their crafts. When it comes to that all I know is red or white; phillies or swishers. Props to Kiya for putting such a place together. Great service online and in-store. Exchanges aren't a problem if they have it in stock and within 10 days as I had some fit issues before. I prefer to just get stuff through their online shop since it's free shipping anyway and parking in the area can be a pain. read more

Came in to get some repairs on my jeans. They did a great job and they were back in a few weeks. The folks working here are pretty nice. They are all a lot younger then me, but I didn't get that "what do you want for led man" vibe I get from other places. read more

My son and I stopped by his favorite store for raw denim jeans: Self Edge! Once again Kiya Babzani, owner/founder, helped our son with his denim selections while I took a mini-tour to see the store's new offerings. The customer service is always excellent: approaching you when you need help and leaving you be when you need it. We really like the denim products available here! This store carries denim products that you would not find anywhere else, for the most part. In fact, I overhead Kiya telling some folks he just returned from Japan on a buying trip...always going the extra mile to keep the fans happy! A word of warning: Don't come shopping here if you are shocked at paying more than $50.00 per trousers! You'd better stick to Walmart, Kohl's or Macy's. As the saying goes "Self Edge is Denim" though not the common place variety type. It is the rare denim boutique and well worth the price! read more

So I finally moved up from my Banana Republic Jeans to a pair of Sugar Canes that should be ready for pick up on Friday. I read a lot about Self Edge and I finally made my way there after weeks of frustration of trying to find quality jeans that will go over my big-ass thighs. If you are 5-7 and weigh 170 pounds, don't go to American Rag for jeans!!! Derrick was able to drop some knowledge on the different brands, the quality of raw denim and suggest a couple of pairs that would fit. Sure enough, close to $380 bucks later- I found my first pair (Sugar Canes)! Jeans will last you years, so think beyond the big price tag plus these are jeans that most people won't have and that makes me, I mean you special. They also carry clothing from Upper Playground and others. Check them out! Self Edge crew, please carry more options for the big legged dudes!!! read more

In life, I've joked, their are a few things one should avoid buying at a discount; plastic surgery, sushi and now according to my husband; denim. Self Edge is not cheap, nor does it claim to be. What it is, is a place to buy the best Japanese denim, sold in an environment that caters to its customers needs with meticulous attention to detail. The sales team works hard to remember their customers preferences, and every time we have shopped at Self Edge, they never fail to deliver. Shopping at Self Edge is like a strange cross between visiting a high end custom tailors and hanging out in a friends living room. It's comfortable and relaxed, no pressure to purchase, a fun experience, and you leave with garments that you will love for a lifetime that fit your body. That's the thing with buying quality - quality lasts, and it's always worth it. read more

I bought a pair of jeans here 10 months ago. I've worn them every day since, and twice I've used self edge's $20 repair service to patch holes. I will probably buy my next pair of expensive jeans somewhere else because the customer service can be a little cold (especially considering how expensive the products are). Update: I had to retire my pair of Flat Head 2001s after 11 months of daily wear. The crotch ripped for the 3rd time, and both front pockets (the cloth part that's inside the denim) are ripped to shreds. This is my first pair of heavyweight raw denim (16oz), so maybe my expectations are unreasonable, but I'm disappointed that they weren't invincible. read more

I have a surly, old family friend who has a simple piece of advice about consumer product purchasing: "don't buy shit." And if you make a jeans purchase at Self Edge, you can be certain that what you are getting is decidedly un-shitty. The world of high-priced denim in a scary, complicated one. There are hundreds of labels with price tags that creep up into the 3-digits, and who has time to sort through what's good and what is really just lipstick on a pig for $300? Thankfully, Self Edge has done the work for you and selected only brands that are built to last. That all said, this place isn't for everyone. The jeans generally fit slim and when you first put on a pair of Iron Hearts, for example, you will not be comfortable. In fact, you probably won't be comfortable for the first couple weeks you wear them. The philosophy here is that you'll get something stiff and durable and like a sturdy pair of boots, the jeans will conform to you over time. So, know that going in and know that the prices are high and the fits can be a little intimidating. But someone like Kiya, the owner, makes the selection process pretty painless. He gave me about 10 pairs of jeans to try on and offered laid back, low pressure feedback. When I'd made my decision, he measured me for the free hemming and said to come back in a week to pick up my new gear. And now, I'm quite happy with the purchase. Sure, most of the jeans here won't have that "ready-to-wear" feel or be the strategically ripped, washed and scuffed denim you'll find at other high-priced jeans shops. But, that's not really their angle. Self Edge is here to be sure you "don't buy shit" and instead get something that will last you for years. read more

In a span of two years, Self Edge has become the place where I buy most of my clothes. I hesitate to call the clothes I buy here the finest clothes I've ever owned. Although there is an artisanal quality to many of the goods, everything I've bought here is more than just quality. They are clothes that bring me joy. Every item I have purchase is one I look forward to wearing. My experience has been purely online as I do not have the luxury of being able to drop by any time I want. Despite this, my interactions with the staff and the way they have handled any issues I have had have been with a proper amount of courtesy and promptness. I cannot speak highly enough about my customer service experiences. For many people, the elephant tin the room is going to be the prices. I will not speak to the idea that a pair of jeans is a pair of jeans or that a flannel shirt is a flannel shirt. At these price points, what is being bought is not just "a pair of jeans" or "a shirt" but all of the details. They are the little things which I do not expect anyone to notice... but I do. And I'm the one who paid for them. My pair of jeans is now "a pair of single needle sewn unsanforized jeans made with Zimbabwean cotton... with rounded pockets." You may ask "Who cares?" I did. And I'm glad there's a shop out there that cares just like I do. read more

This is a great store if you happen to be into expensive streetwear. They specialize in raw selvage jeans from Japan, along with assorted cool tops and outerwear. However, it's really the jeans that this store is known for. Many of the jeans are cut based on old Levi's 501 silhouettes...I didn't know the fit and design of 501s had changed over the years, but they have, with many of the "classic" cuts coming from the mid 1900s. I found out that there's a whole subculture around selvage jeans which I found to be quite fascinating. After some further research on the internet, I ventured into the city to check it out. I tried a few pairs on and was impressed with the heavy weight denim. They just felt much more sturdy and robust than the mall jeans I had become accustomed to. In fact, they reminded me of the very first pair of 501s I ever owned many moons ago, a pair I wore until they were just too shredded to be presentable. Naturally such premium denim came with a premium price tag, but I knew that going in and once I tried them on I was hooked. I ended up with a pair of Sugar Cane's, which actually contain sugar cane fibers in the weave and are based on the 501 cut from 1947. They are currently my favorite pair of jeans, and I've since donated my other jeans to salvation army. I plan to purchase a couple more pairs, but as mentioned they're not cheap so I've got to check under all the chair cushions for any spare change I can find. All in all, a wonderful store catering to very niche market, but serves that market exceptionally well. read more

Fact: Denim is the working man's garment. Throughout high school and college it never made sense to me why people would shell out hundreds of dollars for a pair of jeans. Jeans have become popularized not for its utility purposes but because a nice pair "goes with anything." Should it be just that reason? Fact: Denim you buy at Ace hardware never fits right and is uncomfortable. Now i see! You pay the fitted and comfortable premium. And while these clothes are meant to be turned over fairly quickly it would be nice to keep that same pair for a long time. Not to mention, it must be hard crafting a pair of jeans like that, huh? Fact: I need garments which meet both my work-related and casual purposes. I'm mixing chemicals by day (and sometimes by night) and lounging around in my spare time. i want something that is comfortable in both regards. My Gap denim is *fine* and my Levi's are *okay* but they fit weird -- a muffin top outpour, extra crotch, you name it. I need jeans that look good, feel comfortable, and will put up with my daily habit of hard science. Last Sunday I came here in an uncomfortable fit. I tell Gino, "Look, I'm not big on this designer jeans trend. I know nothing about it. I mean, I know what selvedge denim is -- I have a pair of WeSC jeans -- but I never found anything that fit right." He hands me several pairs of skinny jeans, comforting me as I viciously squeezed my way into some, and slid in with ease into others. And being the sweetheart that he is, he comforted me every time I whined, "Ahhh this doesn't fit!" Not to worry, folks, the sizes run outrageously small for us corn-fed Americans. Soon I found my perfect match - it not only fit, it felt like my jeans were supporting parts of my being (yes, my ass looked great). When you find a nice pair of jeans you feel like your soul is being lifted - and that's exactly what happened. Angels may as well have descended from the heavens, folks, it doesn't get any better than this. I told him the story of my pair of jeans that had a sulfuric acid burn. He told me it could be repaired without slapping on an embarrassing patch. Really now? Purposeful repairs? I feel better already. The inseam on my favourite pair was too long. They hem their jeans for free. Then he showed me a wall of heavy duty, finely crafted belts. I start looking at my belt -- worn out after only months, somewhat funny looking. Gino assures me his belts can last for years. Well holy crap, I'll take one. As I did a little more research on the selvedge denim movement I realized, whoa, people are really into this. Ilya, the gracious and accommodating store owner, enlightened me with a few brands, why it's big, and more importantly, why he feels so passionately about all of it. Self Edge wants to provide for your needs - whether it is fashion, comfort, or utility based - and the owners are well educated and dedicated. Forget the department store bells and whistles and come to Self Edge. They also have a motorcycle placed at the store front. How fucking badass is that?! read more

I gotta downgrade this store now for the really shitty service whenever Kiya's not there (who I never see anymore). Instead I always find this white dude constantly browsing the web, oblivious to anyone who enters the store. I'm 4 for 4 in finding this guy the last 4 times I went in, and he scores 0 for 4 in greetings or acknowledgments to my entering of their desolate, dusty room. I asked him "hey do you have those jeans?" "uhh..it's in the back."....."well...can i see them?" Sorry to bother you with jean questions in your jean store, sir. I'd avoid this place unless you can be sure you can get service from Kiya. Their chain stitching also sucks. I think they outsource it to someone who owns the union special, that's just a guess tho. But it's not done in store. Twice the quality of chain stitching is sub par. The stitch itself isn't straight, the tuck isn't clean, and loose threads pop out everywhere. The turnaround time was almost 2 weeks - I'd be willing wait if it was quality, but not when it makes me feel like they f'ed up my brand new jeans. Maybe the dude needs more practice with the machine. I've since converted to Blue in Green, cuz Gordon's a chainstitching master. read more

Jeans that can stand up on their own? Self Edge carries them. Indulge in the word of raw denim but be ready to spend at least $200-$300. The guys working here are extremely chill. They a ready and willing to answer any questions and help you squeeze into your new pair of jawns. They seem totally dedicated and passionate about their job and it shows. Once you put on a pair of jeans, they make sure that the size, fit and everything is perfect for you. Service is A+++. The store only has a curtained off area to try on stuff so just be prepared for that. I came here today for the Let's Drink sale for 11% off. This discount basically covers the tax on the regular price, but it helps. I was hoping for some Flat Head balders, but they didn't carry my size, so I slipped, or more like tugged, myself into 3sixteen+. This store mostly caters to men, but they do carry some denim in the lower sizes (26/27/28) but there isn't a wide variety. Hemming is complimentary which is a huge plus for vertically challenged people like myself. Stop by this small shop and prepare to be overwhelmed by racks on racks of jeans. read more

MEN ARE THE NEW WOMEN THEY TELL ME...BUT I SAY MEN ARE THE NEW BOTTOMS. And if you are looking for a pair of great fitting jeans for you bottoms then you have hit the jackpot. The place definitely carries brands you wouldn't find anywhere else. It is a bit pricey but a good investment for that dressy party or a night out strutting Bambi style to hit the clubs. The staff is friendly and helpful. The store although small actually works well for what they offer since their focus is on denim which for the most part is high end. read more

This review is based off of my experience there every time I've gone with my brother. It's a small shop but I absolutely love the atmosphere. This is a HIGHEST-end store for jeans/denim I have gone to. They sell the HIGHEST quality jeans/denim, I am attesting this because my brother is all about quality & these jeans fetch for a hefty 300-400 dollar price tag. They sell other clothing items but it seems their main focus is jeans/denim. They have framed jeans that have been worn with stats accompanied, how many times worn, date bought, etc. They have two dressing rooms & get this, their curtain for their dressing rooms are made of denim. Nice touch! My brother went in here to get his jeans repaired as he always does. They know him at this store & at the OR store as well. Repair is 50 & they will mail it to you when they get it done. The staff is always friendly & knowledgeable! Kudos guys for running a great place :) read more

To steal a quote from a friend HolyHipster.com is right. If you are looking for crazy euro jeans you aren't supposed to wash, does that make sense?, then check this spot out. New to the Mission Self Edge has some pretty big shoes to fill taking over the old Leather Tongue Video space but they may be able to do it. They do carry some great local designers like Free Gold Watch, just can't get enough of that watch thang and Spare Change Designs belts! Buy the belts, okay and the other stuff too, it's cool or at least you will look cooler. read more

Until I set foot in this store, I could never have imagined that I would ever look at a pair of $300 jeans with anything other than mild horror. Kiya, the owner, walked me through the whole thing....from the rivet placement to the deadstock vintage zippers; from the different weights of denim to the merits of slim vs. skinny....and dammit if I'm not hooked. Two pairs of Flat Heads later, anything less feels like I'm wearing pajama pants. The attention to detail of SE's products is matched only by their attention to detail of the store....everything from a period-correct chandelier from the 1800s to the fact that they are located just blocks away from the original Levis factory. Self Edge IS denim. read more

My boyfriend has been into the whole subculture of raw denim for as long as we have dated. Through his interest, it became something I wanted to learn about. In the past, I used to be on sneaker forums and learned about the terminology through denim threads. Whiskers, stacks, honeycombs, fishnets are just some. My boyfriend is a Nudie Jeans fan so I've searched online and I'm a member of mynudies forum. I've written two essays for school in which one was a in-class essay and proud to say that I received As on both. In the four years that I've dated my boyfriend, I've contributed 4 pairs of Nudies to his rotation. Last week, I bought his 5th pair as 1/3 of his Christmas gifts, but he wanted something new.. so I got him the last Imperial Dukes in Blue in his size. They were a bit long so we ended up getting it hemmed which they do for free. I usually get my boyfriend's jeans online but the last time we visited SelfEdge was two years ago when he bought me a pair of Slim Kim's as part of my Christmas gift. Although a pair of Imperials run for almost $300, it's something that you can't put a price on. I could buy him any other pair of jeans for much cheaper or equivalent priced like True Religions or Joe's, but glad my boyfriend is not those type of guys that care about high end brand names but rather more quality. I don't know Kiya personally, but he is really easy to talk to and he knows what he's talking about as well as his staff. They're passionate about what they sell and it's more of a personal shopping experience rather than just going to a department store and paying for your jeans. SelfEdge is truly a one of a kind boutique to have in San Francisco. read more

I had a bad experience with their employee. He was super unhelpful and generally seemed totally annoyed by me. No thanks.

One of the best, if not THE BEST denim shop in all of the Western Hemisphere. With a laid back denim expert owner and staff it's always a pleasure stopping by the shop and talking denim and clothing. read more

BEST DENIM SHOP IN THE BAY... Despite it being such a small place they have the goods, even though it's at a premium price, it's worth it for the quality and cuts. They specialize in selvedge and raw denim. They hem. They got unique style collaborations and Kiya is really helpful. I bought a pair of SExI04 = Self Edge x Imperial 19cm Japanese sanforized selvedge denim last summer and Kiya was able to answer all my questions and communicate efficiently. It is expensive but you get what you pay for. Want exclusiveness, high end quality/comfort, and style? Then consider this place for your next denim purchase. This is truly a shop you would find in New York or Japan. read more

If you want Upper Playground goods (carried upstairs), by all means go to Upper Playground on Fillmore @ Haight. Sometimes the weekend hipster Mission overload can be a turnoff. I love me my style & fashion, but will often avoid my beloved Valencia on the weekends. I don't know how long Self Edge took over the Leather Tongue space (thank god they moved out), but I was pleasantly surprised and let down at the same time. I love the interior. It's hot, kinda sexy, a little goth thrown in -- a touch of Chrome Hearts feeling. The concept is simple/stylish, yet comes off too self-important. Jeans and hoodies don't have to be that precious. i was expecting mostly really rare, hard-to-find Japanese and Euro labels. Maybe they carry Umbro by Kim Jones? Someone please pick up this label. Maybe some Maharishi, SILAS, etc, etc..... No unfortunately. All over printed hoodies mostly by Upper Playground. I love Upper Playground, but would rather go straight to the source than a shop less than 10 blocks away. I think SF needs more concept shops like this, but the goods need to diversify instead of the sameness we've grown accustomed to. I will say I like the reversible hoods -- creative and fresh. More forward stuff like this, coupled with the denim would push this shop to the edge. Update: Self Edge's owner dropped a line clueing me into their concept and upcoming lines, that I've revised my review and given an extra star for effort. I'll be back to check out upcoming lines, and despite my negative points, I'm happy to see an individual shop with a real concept in the Mission. read more

This place is awesome and here's why. I own a Buzz Rickson's MA1 bomber jacket. I purchased it several years ago. It is a meticulously made reproduction of the of the original and is of the highest quality material and manufacture. It was originally issued in 1949 or 1950 to United States Air Force and Navy pilots and flight crews. Mr. Gibson, it's told, describes the jacket as being black, which, as it's told is a mis-remembering of the jacket. The original jacket, was only ever made in green. The jacket I have is Black, an exclusive feature of this jacket from Buzz Rickson's. It is also worth mentioning. The jacket was hideously expensive and worth every penny. The Jacket is from the William Gibson Collection (again my favorite Science Fiction write) and the store I purchased the jacket from has locations in San Francisco and New York. Living in San Diego, I could wear it, perhaps 3 times a year, as it is insulated with a very heavy wool lining, think the heaviest wool blanket. I see it's rotation in my daily life increasing greatly. I went to the store (Self Edge) in SF today and was able to pick up the hang tags that were excluded from my order. The gentleman behind the counter was nice enough to give me a full set of tags so I now have some official Provenance on the Jacket. Not that I think I will ever sell it. My interest in the MA1 stems from its featured heavily in William Gibson's novel Pattern Recognition. The female protagonist Cayce Pollard, employed as a cool hunter, some uniquely skilled to find fashion trends before they become fashion trends and other similar industries. She has a specific allergy to logos so severe she is compelled to sand logo of the rivets in jeans. This allergy also helps her catch non-trends as well. Things so singular and unique they exist in only the smallest pockets of space and time or things so ubiquitous their manufacture date is indiscernible and timeless that it cannot be said if it was manufactured in 1917 or 2017. Think Levi 501s jeans, a Dickies cotton work jacket or a simple collared shirt. The jacket is purposely damaged with a cigarette burn by the antagonist in the book and serves a constant reminder of her allergy. She later gets a replacement from her employer Hubertus Bigend. The series of 3 novels is considered the "Bigend Books" trilogy as he is the key character that others are generally forced to orbit around, whether they like it or not. He is the owner of Blue Ant and is a bit of a business magnate. "Bigend's appearance is compared by the protagonist of Gibson's Pattern Recognition to that of actor Tom Cruise "on a diet of virgins' blood and truffled chocolates"" - I didn't right this bit... It's my understanding that Nylon fabric production machines were brought out of moth balls for the production of the Buzz Rickson's product line. They appear to use it across many of their jackets. I currently, cannot walk more than a few hours with in San Francisco without seeing a $50ish spring jacket knock off and that is my allergy. Needless to say; I love this jacket and picking up the hang tags makes me very, very happy. Anyway, here is my book report/dissertation on Pattern Recognition. You should read it or better yet listen to it on Audible. I have listened to this series at least 3 times and I have eleven of his books... That is all... The Shop. http://www.selfedge.com/ Buzz Rickson's Site - I'm going to try and get some of their gloves.. https://www.buzzricksons.com/stockists.php?osCsid=9fc5f93b3c66d2f1a3a94143c04b138a History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MA-1_bomber_jacket #selfedge #williamgibson @williamgibson read more

I left Self Edge feeling bummed out. Maybe my expectations were too high, or my current wardrobe too bland, but my experience was underwhelming. Read a few other reviews and did a little research before stopping by. I was intrigued by the passion I hoped would be shared for a fairly niche market. I'm a huge supporter of local merchants who combat the big box stores by focusing on a product or service they completely love. Whether its clothes, coffee, books or kitchen knifes...obsessive compulsive devotion to something is a great quality. Walked in, no one else there and started to browse the selection. Not much acknowledgment from the guy behind the desk. After a couple of minutes he commented "Those are men's jeans from Japan. We have other sizes." That's it. Er..ok. Thanks. I could probably have asked a few questions, maybe tried something on, but the Karma just felt all mis-aligned. No way I was going to buy a pair of jeans that might carry negative vibes. Decided it wasn't meant to be and walked out. I did really like the layout of the store, very simple and clean. The denim I looked at on the rack was really interesting. Three star worthy just cuz I'm impressed with the effort it took to import the jeans and get the place going. Yes, the prices are high, but it's all relative. Show me you care about your product and customers...I'll support you. You've done 99% of the work getting me into store already. I didn't know jack about different stitching, types of denim or riveting. Honestly, I left Self Edge with exactly the same level of knowledge. Oh well, guess I'll roll with the less hip but more friendly Lucky crowd. read more

Even though I left empty-handed, I never felt like a second-class citizen and was given so much information on all the denim that my brain was practically in overload trying to process it all. Check this place out if you are looking for denim not sold anywhere else in the U.S. Amazing selection but prepare to drop mad dough. Premium denim is not cheap...by any means. read more

I haven't yelped in a long time, but this place is worth writing about. I am a Japan fan and read about the denim cult before. Yesterday I finally had a change to visit Self Edge. If you are looking for the ultimate jeans you will find it here. The service was excellent. Karen and I chatted for a while with the owner about Japan, rare sneakers and denim. I tried a couple of jeans and really like the limited edition (150 pairs) Triple Works ($250) they have right now. Since I want reduce my impulse buying I left the store without them. But I will be back. read more

From the store window, I had to do a double-take- didn't know what it was until I went in and asked if they had women's jeans - they were VERY helpful- plus let us park our bikes inside & let my crazy dog run around the store while we checked out the jeans. The sales associates were awesome- waited on us and when I asked for something in my size and body type (which is rare to find), I got a reply "I picked them out myself"- Having someone size you up a size smaller than you think you are and having the jeans in that size actually fit well, was a dream come true. I had several pairs that I loved to choose from, so I chose and got rung up. They gave me the best service and now I own my latest favorite pair of jeans. From now on I'll be buying all of my designer jeans there. read more

Jeans: The staff kind of expects you to know what you are looking for, and their inventory can be a little cryptic (they pull a lot of pants from cabinets). Here is what I recommend: find your favorite pair of jeans, wear them to the store and tell them what you do and don't like about them. That will be a good starting point. If you walk in not knowing whether you want skinny or regular fit they may not know how to help you. I would also recommend having a favorite brand in mind (I love Flat Head, Iron Heart and ThreeSixteen). These two things will help out the staff a great deal. Another recommendation is to size up and incrementally shrink them to the correct size, and don't over hem. The staff can (and will) give you advice about this, but at the end of the day it's your responsibility to do it correctly so you don't waste $400. Overall: I'm really glad this shop exists. They carry brands that no one else does. The show room is a bit small so they often will need to head to the back to find your size. They carry a lot of unique items so you can never be sure they aren't sold out. The staff is very knowledgeable about each item, including the size which varies from brand to brand and depending the fabric and dying process. Be prepared to spend $250-$400 per item. read more

This place is THE best spot in the Western Hemisphere to find the some of the best denim pieces available. No detail here is overlooked. The quality of their jean repairs and chainstitched hems reflect that of every hand-picked garment that is sold in the store. Every member of the staff here are not only incredibly friendly, but also very knowledgeable about their product. For the average joe, the prices may seem a little superfluous, but I can assure you that you definitely get what you pay for - tremendous character and quality. read more