Selvage denim is made on old-style shuttle looms rather than modern, projectile looms. In simple terms, this means during the fabric weaving process, the cross-thread goes back and forth as one continuous thread, rather than as individual threads for each cross weave. As a result, selvage denim has a clean edge, whereas contemporary, single thread weaving has a frayed edge. That’s why vintage American denim is so collectable!

By Marion