The longer denim is worn, the more its color gradually fades and its texture deepens, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind look. The feeling of softness and comfort develops over time, so you can't experience when it’s new. In addition, the rich expression created by the natural unevenness of the color is one of the charms of denim.
In this blog, since many customers have inquired about color fading, we would like to share how the color fades over time by comparing a brand-new, unwashed “KAIHARA DENIM 11oz Samue” with one that our staff member has been wearing for five years.
We would also like to take this opportunity to reintroduce the charm of our KAIHARA DENIM Samue.
We have had many customers inquire about color fading, so we would like to take this opportunity to reintroduce the charm of our KAIHARA DENIM samue.
Please take a closer look at the richness of the fading color and the texture that is distinctive to denim.
What is KAIHARA DENIM?
First, let us briefly introduce KAIHARA DENIM.
KAIHARA DENIM is a denim fabric manufactured by KAIHARA Corporation, based in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
KAIHARA DENIM boasts more than 50% of the domestic market share in the blue denim field, and is one of the top exporters in Japan in terms of export volume.
It is highly valued in the United States and Europe, which are advanced denim countries, and is used as a material for national brands and high-end jeans brands called "Premier Zone."
KAIHARA DENIM is truly the "representative of blue denim in Japan" and is one of the world's top-class denim manufacturers.
As of July 2025, the following four products from our WASUIAN original samue series are available in KAIHARA DENIM.
KAIHARA DENIM Product List
5083 KAIHARA DENIM 11oz Samue [Kai]
The waistband of the KAIHARA DENIM 11 oz. samue has been improved. It makes for a comfortable and stable feeling when worn.
5095 KAIHARA DENIM Pima Cotton Samue
The elegant, silk-like luster and smooth feel against the skin are appealing. Wear it comfortably regardless of the season.
5085 KAIHARA DENIM Chambray Indigo-dyed Samue
A piece of clothing with a unique marbled look. Wear it in spring and summer for a light and cool look..
5288 KAIHARA DENIM 11oz Biowash Samue [Kai]
A vintage look like you've worn it for years. Enjoy a casual, sophisticated style.
These denim samue are not only comfortable and highly durable, but the "color fading" unique to indigo dyeing is also a major attraction.
The Color Fading and Texture Changes
One of our staff members at WASUIAN has been wearing the 11oz Samue as his work clothes during the cold season. Here, he compared his samue worn for five years with a new one to showcase the color fading and texture changes.
I wash my samue once every two to three weeks by hand, or when I feel lazy, I wash it in the washing machine. When using a washing machine, I put it in a laundry net and wash it alone to avoid dye transfer. Since its launch, we have sometimes received inquiries from customers such as "How much color will fade in the wash?
And now I will show you how it turned out, and the results are shown in the pictures below.
I put them side by side on the white floor. The left one is the new, unwashed one, and the right one is the samue I have been wearing for 5 years.
**The samue in these photos are KAIHARA DENIM 11 oz Samue**
Although the colors look slightly different due to the light when the picture was taken, I think you can see the significant changes that have occurred over years of use.
I myself feel that the look has come out quite well. It is similar to the feeling of a parent who is pleased with the growth of his or her own child.
The fabric becomes softer with each wash and changes to a gentler texture, and the color is still in the process of fading.
We hope you will also try our denim samue to enjoy the change over time. I am planning to continue to enjoy the change in color and texture.
At WASUIAN, we have a wide selection of jackets and hanten made of KAIHARA DENIM fabric, along with the Denim Samue series.
Please take your time and enjoy the look of denim that enriches your daily life.
