After six months of wearing, washing, and obsessively photographing two pairs of jeans from CNFans Spreadsheet—one costing $25 and another at $95—I'm ready to share what budget-conscious denim enthusiasts actually need to know about fade potential and aging characteristics.

Understanding Denim Weight: Does Price Equal Ounces?

The first thing denim heads look at is weight, measured in ounces per square yard. Here's what I found comparing options across the spreadsheet:

Budget tier ($20-35): Most options range from 10-12oz, which is actually perfect for year-round wear. The lighter weight means faster break-in and more comfortable daily use. I found several 11oz options that feel substantial without being armor-like.

Mid-range ($40-65): This sweet spot offers 13-14oz options with better construction. The extra weight translates to more defined creases and whiskers over time. These also tend to use better ring-spun cotton.

Premium tier ($70-100+): Here's where you find 16oz+ heavyweight options, often with Japanese selvedge. The fabric feels noticeably different—stiffer initially but with that coveted rope-dye texture that promises dramatic fades.

My Six-Month Fade Comparison Test

I wore each pair for approximately 90 days (alternating), doing the same activities—office work, weekend walks, occasional cycling. Here's what happened:

The Budget Pair: $25 Regular Denim

• Month 1-2: Surprisingly quick break-in, comfortable within two weeks
• Month 3-4: Subtle whiskers forming, some wallet fade beginning
• Month 5-6: Pleasant vintage wash appearance, though fades lack depth
• Overall aging: Even fading throughout, less dramatic contrast

The Premium Pair: $95 Japanese Selvedge

• Month 1-2: Brutal break-in period, felt like wearing cardboard
• Month 3-4: Sharp, defined creases setting, beautiful indigo transfer
• Month 5-6: Dramatic contrast emerging, honey combs behind knees
• Overall aging: High-contrast fades with electric blue undertones

The Value Calculation That Surprised Me

Here's where my budget-conscious brain started doing math. The premium pair is showing more dramatic fades, but at 3.8x the price, is it 3.8x better? Not quite.

What I realized is that the budget option delivers about 70% of the aesthetic appeal at 26% of the cost. For most people, especially those new to raw denim or building a rotation, this is excellent value.

When Budget Makes Sense:

• You're testing whether raw denim fits your lifestyle
• You want multiple pairs for different fits and washes
• You prefer faster break-in over dramatic fades
• Your climate makes heavyweight denim impractical

When Premium Is Worth It:

• You're a denim enthusiast who appreciates subtle details
• You want one pair to wear for 2+ years
• You prioritize dramatic, high-contrast fades
• Selvedge construction and Japanese fabric matters to you

Hidden Factors Beyond Weight

Through this test, I learned that weight alone doesn't determine fade potential. Other factors found varying across price points:

Dye depth: Premium options typically use multiple rope-dye passes, creating layers that reveal different indigo shades as they wear. Budget options often use cheaper dye methods that fade more uniformly.

Cotton quality: Zimbabwe cotton, Texas cotton, and other premium sources in higher-priced options create different textures and slub patterns that become more visible with wear.

Construction: Chain-stitch hems, hidden rivets, and selvedge coin pockets in premium options add character that becomes more prominent with age.

My Budget-Conscious Recommendation

After this experiment, here's my honest advice: Start with a $30-45 mid-range option from the CNFans Spreadsheet. You get meaningful improvements over the cheapest options—better cotton, decent weight, cleaner construction—without the premium price tag.

Once you've worn that pair for a year and understand your fade patterns and preferences, you can make an informed decision about whether premium selvedge is worth the investment for your next pair.

The spreadsheet has excellent sorting options for weight and price, making it easy to find that sweet spot. Remember: the best fades come from the jeans you actually wear, not the ones sitting in your closet because they're too stiff or too precious.