Jeans made to measure.

My neighbour told me today that she'd just had some jeans made  not that far from where we're staying.

I drove up with Sam, my partner as he had a day off and I knew he'd also be interested.

The shop is called Rufcut. Its at 11301 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 104, Los Angeles, 90064. Its owned by a man called Robert.

Robert worked in the rag trade with his father and brother in law in the 80's, was a stock broker in the 90's. And then lost everything. Then through a series of events, he found himself in a shack mending jeans.

Robert is still mending and now making jeans, but under his own business name, Rufcut.  You can either have 'made to measure', or 'off the peg'. The denim either comes from America (he had some on the cutting table from South Carolina), or Japan.

There are different weights and colours of denim, and if you choose a basic style of jeans, either skinny, skinny straight or I presume straight, he'll alter the shape until you're happy with the fit. I love the idea of my own personal cut of jeans. Sam left some old jeans to be mended, and I think I might indulge in a new pair of jeans when we go to pick his up.

Robert and his team only use non automated sewing machines.

This beautiful old Union Special makes the waist bands. 

The shop which has since moved from the original shack, is full of vintage Levi clothing, jeans, jackets, shirts along with everything he needs to make the jeans. He'll also make jackets and shirts too.

The jeans take up to two weeks to make, and you need to come for at least one fitting if you're having the more bespoke service. The quality of the finished product is amazing. The selvedge is prominent in all the designs, whether on the inside or outside. The perfect stitching, the button hole details, and the new label (an homage to the railway track that the shack was next to), all make for a very desirable product.

Robert has a huge passion for what he does, its obvious from the moment you start talking to him. And that makes the whole process even more enjoyable, from the moment you walk in, you know you're going to have a good time, discussing the cut, choosing the fabric. The jeans may cost a bit more than some shop bought ones, but you walk out with a unique pair that fit perfectly to your size and shape, and having had a great experience in the process.