TCB / No.2 Blouse 1890 One Wash 11.4oz Selvedge

TCB No.2 Blouse 1890 One Wash 11.4oz Selvedge Jacket

• 100% Texas cotton / 11.4oz
• Pre-washed to prevent shrinkage
• Accurate reproduction of the 1890 model
• Vintage boxy cut
• Dyed with natural indigo
• Uneven denim
• Wide white selvedge edge
• Riveted stress points
• Screen-printed woven patch
• 1 large riveted pocket
• Back cinch
• Expertly made in Japan

Through its meticulous reproductions of historically significant denim models, TCB has carved out a niche in the Japanese selvedge denim market. To this end, Hajime Inoue challenged himself to recreate one of the iconic denim models, namely the 1890 jacket, known at the time as "Blouse." To achieve this, the founder of TCB teamed up with numerous esteemed partners.

The microscopic study of an original model led to the creation of five different cotton threads, four for the weft (inside) and one for the warp (outside), each varying in thickness. In this way, Hajime ensured he could replicate the significant irregularity of the original model, which at the time was due to poor management of the spinning phase. To spin the cotton with utmost precision, he uses the machines of Ishikawa Seisakusho, the oldest Japanese spinning machines still in operation.

Understanding that the original model was not dyed with synthetic indigo, having been created by a German company in 1897, Hajime chose natural indigo dyeing. It took more than 14 dips, interspersed with periods of oxygenation, to achieve the desired deep blue color. Once the warp threads were dyed, the weaving of the denim was entrusted to the expert hands of the Ibara manufacture, whose craftsmen readily admit that it was the most complicated project they had ever worked on. Indeed, beyond the mastery required to weave five cotton threads of different thicknesses, they also had to consider the alternating weave directions of the original jeans, which mixed right-hand and left-hand twills (Right Hand Twill / Left Hand Twill), a feature visible on the wide white selvedge stripe running down the leg of the reference model.

Once the denim weaving was completed, the cutting and assembly phases were handled by the artisans of TCB who left nothing to chance. From the size, color, and placement of the sewing threads to the awkward positioning of the hand-hammered rivets on the original model, all details were faithfully reproduced and techniques observed to ensure a perfect result. The attention to detail was extended to the vintage three-piece buttons, the back cinch identical to the one created in 1855 by Mr. Hartshorne, the hand-hammered rivets, and the screen-printed linen patch. Finally, the typical back pleats of period jackets and a wide, short boxy cut complete this jacket, which required the dedication and expertise of numerous specialized artisans led by the passion of the members of TCB.