Below the Belt #7: Christopher Åkesson, Meadow
Speaking to those who know a thing or two about a thing or two on the question of quality denim
Malmö-based menswear boutique, Meadow might well have Japanese denim woven into the very foundation of its business, but the store itself is a far cry from your average selvedge peddler. Offering up a more laidback take on all things rugged, Meadow’s curated collections reveal a more casual, almost streetwear-esque approach to contemporary menswear. While some might put that down to the coastal charm of Meadow’s Malmö location, it’s safe to say that founder Christopher Åkesson deserves some credit, too.
Over the last 12 years, Christopher has not only managed to edit a mighty fine collection of heritage-laden heavy hitters, he’s done so without ever losing sight of Meadow’s core identity or philosophy. All of which makes Christopher the perfect guy with which to (metaphorically) sit down and (very metaphorically) shoot the shit on the subject of selvedge. So sit back, open up a fresh packet of lentil chips, and come learn a thing of two from one of the nicest guys in the biz.
On Fit
“I always go for a relaxed regular fit, pretty straight cut, maybe with a slight taper. I like a slightly higher rise. I’ve got a bigger butt so I need that waistband to be able to reach all the way around, haha!
“I prefer a single cuff, but lately I’ve only worn my old jeans. They’re just cut straight off without any hemming. They’re a little frayed and fringy, but I like ‘em. They’re good summer trousers.”
On Fabric
“I’m always looking for comfort. I usually wear an unsanforized, one-wash denim with a weight between 13.5 and 15 oz. I don’t have any particular mill favorites; so many of them do such great denim and I appreciate a lot of them for their own, distinct uniqueness. Over the last couple of years, I’ve only worn blue jeans without any obvious cast, just blue.”
On Favourites
“My favorite brands when it comes to denim are probably orSlow, Pallet Life Story, Warehouse & Co. and Full Count. Each has a beautifully Japanese, natural feel to them which I love. Of course, now that I’m starting my own denim brand under Meadow I’ll probably favor these, since they’ll be everything I ever wanted from a pair of jeans! But more on that this fall.”
On What to Wear them With
“I usually wear my denim with a pair of Novesta sneakers nowadays - Star Master or German Army Trainers specifically. But every now and then I’ll go with my Our Legacy Cuban boots. I’m pretty simple with what I typically wear. So I usually wear tees from Lady White Co. and Sunray, and I’ll throw on a Lady White hoodie when I need the extra layers.”
On Whether or Not to Wash
“Absolutely wash your jeans! Usually, I’ll wash mine every two months or so. I think it’s a good idea to keep your hygiene in check, especially in the midst of a global pandemic! And to be honest, the extreme, high-contrast fading thing isn’t something I personally seek.”
