Hey community.
Been a long time lurker.
After I got my IH-777s-21 today (the very first IH jeans ever) I decided to share some pics after I saw some ask for fit pics.
I am on a thinner side (legs and butt). So came out right.
Though I expect that down the road the butt area will stretch and get a bit baggy which is OK.
But the feeling is awesome

Some feedback after having worn my new 777S-21 for 2+ weeks.

1. Gave them a soak in lukewarm water for 40 mins with some agitation. The inseam lost around 3/4 inches. Waist and legs became a bit snug, but still comfortable. They stretched out back after a couple of wears + maybe 1/2 inch on top of it. Then I took them to Blue Owl (I live in Seattle, WA) and got them hemmed to 33 inches.
2. The fabric is pliable and no stiffness from the very first wear. The break-in period lasted for a day at most. Still there is a feel of the new pair of raw denim though I was surprised that I didn't have to struggle with buttons as if someone took care of the button holes for me.
3. The butt area is not getting any baggy which I expected right off the bat. But it's only been 2 weeks, so curious how it's going to go. Waste area stretched 1/2 inch, just my size and I still don't need a belt.
4. One thing which surprised me is the speed rate of fading. I've been reading and watching videos saying that the 21-oz ones are stubborn faders. But not with me. A couple of weeks in and I have some fades already going on:

• I wear them per 10 to 12 hours/day. Working my "office job" from home most of the time I sit still, though I do occasionally move around the house, go pick my kid from school and take my 2-hour evening walks. But no any demanding physical job or activities, like hiking.
• The fades are popping up on honeycombs, whiskers, front part of legs, crotch and stack creases (I am a stack guy and don't cuff them up). The area of hidden rivets is losing indigo too. It is pretty much same "fading rate" per a time unit as I've seen with my another pair of Japanese denim, which is an infamous and well renowned fast fader.
• My co-worker and friend (a denim head with a 30-pair collection) was surprised too. He assumed that the fast fading might have happened because my particular pair may have been sitting in the warehouse for years. In his opinion the indigo dye's grip may have loosened up. I am not an expert in this and not sure how much his assumption is true.

In anyway, I really like this pair which proved to be beyond my expectations. The construction and overall quality is 11 out of 10, really nice.

As for faster-than-expected fading, yes, I expected it to last longer in case I need to go to the office, but even if it fades faster, it's OK too.

Sorry for the quality of pics. The fades are way more visible in person. I regret I took the pics under direct sunlight, but will do my homework before taking next picture to update you guys.

Especially on the first pic you can see some strong fades in the whiskers and watch pocket areas.

I wear my pair for only my daily 2 to 3-hour evening walks and grocery shopping trips. Around 15-20 hours per week. My estimate is that the net wear time is around 3-4 months.
Gave it a tub wash. Tons of indigo dye went off. The color changed drastically. Fades are becoming 3D: whiskers, honeycombs... even the front pocket bags' fades started protruding from the inside.
The fabric became more dense and thicker. As overall I am happy with the result and going to wash it more frequently, probably once a month.
P.S. Decided also to have some fun. I don't have a leather conditioner. Just of curiosity I applied a thick 1-mm layer of unsalted butter onto the leather patch in the evening. In the morning the whole layer disappeared, not even oily residues. The leather patch ate it all

@Giles @Ikeaparty @chrisjohnnick
Thank you guys so much.
I'll probably take a risk - presoak them and wash them on a regular cycle

@Denimhead-0 awesome, nice look

What made you guys want to smell your patches?
Here is mine. 48 hours past applying butter.
No smell

What made you guys want to smell your patches?
Here is mine. 48 hours past applying butter.
No smell

@goosehd thank you, will look into

@goosehd thank you. Then I will get a leather conditioner. Need it in anyway for my belts
Can you guys recommend some?
Thank you

I wear my pair for only my daily 2 to 3-hour evening walks and grocery shopping trips. Around 15-20 hours per week. My estimate is that the net wear time is around 3-4 months.
Gave it a tub wash. Tons of indigo dye went off. The color changed drastically. Fades are becoming 3D: whiskers, honeycombs... even the front pocket bags' fades started protruding from the inside.
The fabric became more dense and thicker. As overall I am happy with the result and going to wash it more frequently, probably once a month.
P.S. Decided also to have some fun. I don't have a leather conditioner. Just of curiosity I applied a thick 1-mm layer of unsalted butter onto the leather patch in the evening. In the morning the whole layer disappeared, not even oily residues. The leather patch ate it all

@Denimhead-0 awesome, nice look

@Giles @Ikeaparty @chrisjohnnick
Thank you guys so much.
I'll probably take a risk - presoak them and wash them on a regular cycle

@Ikeaparty
Nice work.
Have you only soaked this pair or gave it a machine wash too?
The honeycombs seem to be very pronounced

Hello @Giles @Alex and other folks.

Would you mind to share how do you machine wash your jeans: regular/cold, delicate wash or something else?
After machine wash pics would be awesome.

1. @Giles and @Alex your after-wash fades are a masterpiece! Have seen some of the pics you guys posted. Especially liked 18 oz vintage and natural indigo after wash. This became kind of benchmark for me and I'd like to follow your footsteps. It seems to me you guys wash your jeans frequently, like every 1-2 month, if assuming correctly.
2. The reason I am asking is that it's time to wash mine. It's been 14 months since I bought my IH-777S-21. But finishing up another pair I kept the IH-777S-21 just in rotation for the first 6 months, but then accelerated wear ratio in favor of 777. The net wear time should be around 3-4 months with a couple of initial soaks.
3. Some fades are there. Not badly dirty, but some wash would be OK; up until now just used a brush to shake off dust and dry dirt. I also normally "bathe" my jeans to prevent crotch blow-outs. But with IH don't want to screw it up and looking for an advice from the old fade wolves

If other folks can contribute their washing methods and experiences, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all in advance

As overall I cannot be more happier then I currently am with my IH-777S-21 experience (14 months). I literally caught the IH bug too

Now I cannot do my willpower and finish up my previous half faded pair (another brand). Which is sadly sitting now in the closet and I am so sorry about those good jeans too.

1. Special thanks to @Alex who took his time to measure and pick the right pair for me. It's not even a little snug, but just right. I still can pinch out a 0.5 mm of fabric off my thigh area. But in general sits like a glove.

2. I unfairly expected it to get stretched and become baggy in the butt and, maybe, knees areas. But not at all. It stretches a bit in waste and thigh area (like 1-1.5 cm) when on and takes my body shape. But, when off, after spending a day or two on a hanger, it gets back to its default size.

3. Though having a mostly sedentary job (mostly from home), I walk a lot everyday, up to 8 km. So, IH-777s-21 are walker approved When walking it gets adapted to my moves. Very comfortable, I can easily squat to do my shoe laces, bend over or lift my leg to scratch my ankle, walk up the hill or staircase. Nothing restricting.

4. Interestingly, when walking on a flat surface, changes with honeycombs and whiskers are regularly mild. But when walking up the hill (relatively steep, 25-35 degree), fades really kick in and become sort of 3D Honeycombs, whiskers, front and back of thighs, watch pocket fades pop up almost immediately. More than after bike ride, which I did several times too.

Does this one have inner pockets?

@Lowlander
that's just awesome, good job
What are the stats: age, wear in months/years, wash/soak types and frequency?