Fashion Stores
Dutil Denim
Dutil Denim is denim floor to ceiling, quite literally. With stacks of jeans, shorts, overalls, shirts, and remnants rolled up near the ceiling, you won't find anything of another creed in this West Queen West boutique.
"We wanted to be exclusively denim," co-owner Darrin Kenigsberg tells me as I check out the space a day before it's set to open. "It's a commodity no one focuses on exclusively, so we wanted to do that."
Darrin and his business partner, Eric Dickstein, opened the first Dutil Denim in Vancouver in 2006. Focusing initially on selling and building brands such as Domino, Acne, and Naked & Famous, the pair later decided to develop their own brand, named "The Quintessential Series" in 2010. Now, the entire collection is available at Dutil's second location on Queen St. in Toronto.
"This was the only place I wanted to open," Darrin says, referring to West Queen West. And having lived in Toronto, he knows the area. "There's a good mix of traffic; we're right by Dufflet, and lots of other really great places." Of course, he makes one distinction. "We want to be a friendly place, though," he says. "We're totally against stores where they don't even say 'hi' when you walk in the door."
The shop does have a very relaxed feel, with scuffed-up plywood floors ("If the painters spilled on it, we were like 'whatever.'"), hanging rope shelves, and barn door dressing rooms. It's also a sea of dark denim, with little fade to be found.
"We wanted our jeans to be natural, simple, and well-constructed," Darrin says. So, thankfully, there are no rhinestone apples or any other sort of decals found here. The Quintessential Series is the signature collection sold here, right now offering two styles of men's ($258) and two styles of women's ($238), which includes the "Quintessential Slim-Straight" for men and the "Quintessential Skinny" for women, designed in Vancouver and constructed in L.A.
Darrin then shows me that some of the Quintessential men's (and soon to be women's) jeans are outfitted with a sterling silver hoop, dubbed the "halo." "It's great," he says, "because it's a place to keep your glasses when you're not wearing them." The Halo does tack an extra $40 onto the price tag, so I'd personally be more inclined to just using my head.
Speaking of which, no denim hats yet, but we'll see what a little persuasion can do.
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
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I could discuss the difference between a pair of Japanese repro brands and some celebrity endorsed, artificially distressed piece of garbage, but feel it would be in vain.
When you refer to the Bay as not being a ripoff, you lose all credibility in my mind.
I have quite a few pairs of premium denim that I've had for 10 years. They still look, feel, and fit as good as they did the day that I bought them.
Unfortunately $50 pairs of jeans are usually constructed for generic body types. Due to my "measurements" I do not fall into that group. Premium denim offer me more selection in sizes to fit my body. I'd rather have one pair of $250 jeans that fit me the way I want and will last, rather than 5 pairs of $50 jeans that don't fit.
If it costs pennies to make this clothing and they are marking up by 2000% then people buying these products aren't helping anyone except the greedy
For me, since cut is king, I will spend this much on jeans because the exact cut I like can only be found in men's boutiques like this one. That's not to say the boutiques don't also carry what is popular, but the selection is far better. And of course, the quality of the denim is superior.
The type of raw denim, minimally branded jeans that this store sells usually do not display a big logo allowing you to declare your loyalty to an expensive brand. These jeans are for the discerning man (or woman) who cares about the subtleties in the cut and fabric of denim pants.
Also, as I mentioned, most of the jeans are raw denim. As in not washed. Common care instructions for raw denim is to not wash and to wear without washing for as long as possible. Many people wear them everyday for many months without washing and will spot clean when necessary. There's no way I could have gotten that much use out of the pre-washed 501s I used to wear.
Finally, I don't like the blatant bias in the title of this article. Including the price of the jeans to define them is a clear slam on this establishment. Are you trying to drive people away from a new store?
If you're making 140k a year and want to buy a pair of $250 jeans because you like them and they make you feel good, then do what you like, assuming your finances are in order otherwise.
It's like going out for dinner at a high end restaurant and completely dismissing it because of the price of ingredients.
Things are created. There is Labour and Craft involved that should be valued. Plus, I am not sure if you have ever owned a pair of higher priced denim, but it truly is a different game altogether.
Do you know how much everything you own cost to make? You would be in serious trouble if you followed your own logic.
I have $300 jeans and I have $50 jeans and can say that I'd rather invest in a pair of $300 jeans, but am perfectly comfortable wearing $50 jeans.
Quality is quality. There are brands that you pay $80 for that are a rip off and brands that charge $200 which are a steal for what you get.
Anyone who only shops for cheap pricing will have to redo they're wardrobe every 3 months.
If you prefer to buy $80 jeans that is great but, do not try to fool yourself into thinking there is not a difference.
Also, I am infinitely more willing to pay $258 for a pair of jeans than I am to pay $325 for a white t-shirt (http://www.blogto.com/fashion/about-design-toronto).
If I was wearing $250 jeans, I'd never sit on a park bench - be afraid to sit on the TTC - be terrified of smokers - never step off paved sidewalks....
I think you get the point.
Jeans were working pants, and now it's gone so far to the other direction that you couldn't even wear them out.
Saying that you're "sacrificing quality" by shopping for denim at a department store is the ignorant statement. Sure a Toyota is a "sacrificing quality" when it's compared to a Porsche, but compared to K-Mart, you're doing just fine.
and I guess 'discerning clientele' is code for 'yuppies with more money than sense'.
For those who REALLY want to know the difference, here is a link that can give you a little insight into what goes into making premium jeans the price they are:
http://insiderainbow.com/the-art-of-denim
Good luck Darrin, Eric & Kaitlin...sincerely your neighbourhood denim comrade...
Saying there is no difference in jean or denim quality with places like The Bay, Zellers, Walmart, compared to quality denim shops is absolutely mind blowing.
Think of any hobby you have be it fishing, gaming, hockey, music, cars, etc. Would you buy your gear at a dollar store or trust quality? 1990 Toyota Tercel or 1990 VW Golf? I've owned both by the way.
Price will always be an issue. If you wear jeans everyday like me then 200 dollars for a pair is worth it knowing that I can wear them for years and they wont disintegrate off my body. If you don't care, then go to Walmart and buy your Lee's.
Having moved to Toronto I'm stoked there is finally an amazing store that specializes in denim and denim only.
For all you haters... just shut up and pinch those pennies.
Anyways. I wanted to find a pair of raws. Certain brand of raws are pretty rare in Toronto. I found this place, went inside, and found a variety of selection. Its amazing to have a store specialize in denim and have varieties of brands, cuts, and sizes offered. Its a good place to find high quality denim.