The craftsmanship of Universal Works, a workwear brand born in England

It was around 1960 that denim pants began to be imported into Japan, and since they truly started to gain acceptance

nearly half a century has passed.

Denim pants, once a symbol of youth, have gone through countless transformations

and it is now common knowledge that they have become a standard loved by every generation.

In Japan, denim pants have grown ever more functional and popular with the times,

but there is one brand in England that has succeeded in honoring that long history while elevating it into something thoroughly modern.

The knowledge and experience at the foundation of the brand

Universal Works is a workwear brand founded in 2008

by David Keyte.

Before starting the brand, he built up experience and knowledge in the fashion industry, working with the likes of Paul Smith and

MAHARISHI,

and the brand began from his desire to offer quality wear that would be practical and accessible for many people, yet never dumbed down for mass appeal.

At the root of the brand lies his hometown in the English Midlands during the 1970s,

as well as the workwear and weekend dress-up style of his father, who ran a bakery in a small country town in that region, he says.

Through the fusion of the sports and music subcultures that influenced him in the 1980s

with his own experience in the fashion industry, the brand develops contemporary collections.

Creations born in a factory in the English Midlands

The Universal Works factory is located in

Leicester, in the English Midlands.

It is one of England's historic cities, built in ancient Roman times.

This is a sewing factory dedicated to denim, where experienced craftspeople are said to produce each piece with a team of just four people.

Denim pants carefully finished by skilled artisans.

You can feel the good old spirit of "Made in England" in them.

A distinctive fabric feel and fading

The brand uses Portuguese-made 13oz selvedge denim, woven on old looms that have all but disappeared in Europe.

Unlike vintage-based fabrics from America or Japan,

this fabric has an elegant, refined atmosphere.

When it comes to denim, one of the pleasures is watching it fade into a color all your own,

but since this fabric is not based on vintage denim, the color doesn't fade in vertical lines;

instead, it fades evenly and elegantly overall.

Here are jeans that have actually been worn for about two years.

The image shows the 【Slim Fit Jeans 10D02 Indigo】.

The fabric has become even softer, giving a wearing feel that seems to cling gently to the legs.

The fading progresses very slowly, which is part of the appeal—you can keep wearing them

while retaining that elegance for a long time.

The clothing of Universal Works

For grown-ups who have long loved denim pants,

here are some Universal Works pieces we'd love to recommend.

Let's take a closer look.

・WORKSHOP DENIM series

A denim series that only Universal Works could offer—

one that gives a modern update to classic British style,

wears cleanly, and can be used every day.

With denim pants, it's common to find a patch on the back bearing the brand's logo,

but Universal Works deliberately

adopts a "ghost patch" (top right in the image) with no patch at all.

Even the buttons feature a simple design with no logo,

and the rivets—usually associated with a casual look and used to reinforce denim pants—

are kept to a minimum, making these versatile across a wide range of styles

and easy to wear even in a polished, put-together outfit.

【Slim Fit Jeans 10D02】

Left: Slim Fit Jeans 10D02 Indigo

Right: Slim Fit Jeans 10D02 Ecru denim

The defining feature of this style is, above all, its soft fabric feel and silhouette.

The Indigo color pairs easily with any season, combining a deep navy denim

with stitching unified in a golden-brown cotton thread for a clean, refined look.

Model's height: 158cm Size worn: 28

Ecru denim has the fabric feel of workwear, yet can be worn elegantly.

It has a handsome quality perfect for a refreshing look.

*Male model's height: 180cm Size worn: 32

As a general size guide, women should look at sizes 28 or 29, and men at sizes 30 or 32.

If you're unsure about the silhouette or sizing,

please check the size of your own pants and compare it before choosing.

【Slim Fit Jeans 12D02】

The defining feature of this style is that, compared to the Slim Fit Jeans 10D02,

it is slightly narrower around the waist and hips.

As a general guide, women should consider sizes 28–30, and men sizes 30 or 32

when choosing.

Despite its heathered, thick-textured appearance,

it feels surprisingly soft to wear.

*Model's height: 158cm, size worn: 28 (worn with cuffs turned up)

Another characteristic of this denim is that it doesn't have the stiff, restrictive feel you'd expect from typical denim.

It's been one-washed, so you can feel that careful attention to detail the moment you put it on.

Male model's height: 180cm, size worn: 32

The beautiful straight line looks great even paired with a simple cut-and-sew top.

For those who think any mass-market denim designed for the general public will do,

these are denim pants we'd love for you to try instead.

Care for it well, and make it uniquely yours

[Washing Your Denim Pants]

As with typical denim pants,

the indigo dye will fade in its own distinctive way,

so please wash separately from other items.

It can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.

Please avoid bleaching or tumble drying.

・・・

As you can tell from its designs, Universal Works

never pushes the brand itself to the forefront.

Their wish is simply for people to wear their clothes comfortably as everyday wear,

and to let the quality speak for itself through the experience of the person wearing it.

That philosophy is one of the qualities that continues to captivate us.

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