A remarkable pair of Japanese-born and Los Angeles-made selvedge denim jeans with 4-way stretch
What do you get when you combine shuttle-loomed Japanese selvedge denim from Tokyo and classic Americana styling and know-how from a small workshop in Los Angeles? Add in 2-3 months of precision cutting, sewing, washing, and rigorous durability testing, and you've got your hands on a pair of Hiroshi Kato jeans.
The Pen Slim is a standout in the Hiroshi Kato lineup—a daily driver that's sure to make its way to the top of your jean drawer. Coming in at a just-right 10.5 oz., these everyday blues are precision-stitched from a blend of their famed Japanese selvedge and a touch of proprietary 4-Way Stretch fabric—for ultimate comfort and mobility.
Features
Made in Los Angeles, California
Premium slim fit jeans built from Japanese selvedge denim in a custom-dyed wash
10½ oz. denim has added 4-way stretch for full mobility and unparalleled comfort
Classic five-pocket construction includes a selvedge coin pocket
Wears in handsomely to develop a personal fit and fade over time
Leather KATO’ patch sewn onto the back
Durable YKK zipper fly front closure
Materials
96% cotton
4% polyurethane
Sizing
The Pen has a slim fit, we recommend taking two sizes larger than your normal size
Since raw denim will break in and stretch over time, the best initial fit is a little snug
Expect these to shrink roughly 2% throughout the jean after the first wash and dry
For the absolute best personal fit, compare your body measurements to the chart below
Body Measurements
30
31
32
33
34
36
38
Waist
32
33
34
35
36
38
40
Knee
8
8
8
8¼
8½
8¾
9
Leg Opening
6¾
7
7
7¼
7¼
7½
7¾
Inseam
34
34
34
34
34
34
34
All measurements are in inches
Care
Hang dry or tumble dry low
Remove promptly
Do not iron
About Hiroshi Kato
Japanese selvedge jeans are collected around the world like antiques. And after years of working amongst the old-school shuttle looms at Kaihara Mills (the mecca of Japanese selvedge) KATO’s designer, Nick Takayuki, had pretty much seen the handworked denim in all its glory. Except for one thing—out of the thousands of pairs he felt, not one of them matched the comfortable stretch of some of the jeans he’d seen in America. That lit a fire under Nick that led him through prototype after prototype until he arrived at KATO’s signature garment—Japanese selvedge denim that breaks in and fades like the best of ‘em. Then, he added the comfort of 4-way stretch for good measure.
