Inside Baldwin Men's Shop

We wanted the inside scoop on Johnson County resident and denim guru Matt Baldwin’s blue jeans best-sellers available at Baldwin Men’s Shop in Leawood. We caught up with Daniel Cummings, brand manager, Baldwin Denim and Collection, and learned just what makes Baldwin denim so doggone sexy, sultry, comfy and, well, perfect.

Who can wear Baldwin Jeans?
The great thing about Baldwin is because of their simplicity, we’ve had everyone from teenagers to men in their 70s and 80s buy jeans from us. It all depends on their preference and fit.

What sort of style can these jeans be worn with?
Our denim is very versatile, dressed up or dressed down. It all depends on what you pair with them.

Paul Massard, Bean Hunter for The Roasterie, is a stylish globetrotter who loves his Baldwin denim. all photos by Laurel Austin

What makes your premium denim so unique?
We use a really high quality fabric called selvage, made on vintage shuttle looms. It’s how denim was made originally and is durable and wears really well. We also are known for our raw, or untreated, denim that will break in as you wear it. And we make all of our products in the U.S.

What styles are your most popular?
From the beginning, our Reed classic straight leg has been popular. It’s a great staple piece to any guy’s wardrobe. Also, our Henley slim straight has been great. The staff at GQ—including their creative director—all wear it and called it their “go-to jean.”

Do Baldwin Jeans require any special care?
First we recommend wearing your jeans a lot before you wash them. Since our denim is 100-percent cotton, we recommend lots of wear before washing. Some guys will wait up to a year before their first wash. This lets the jean break into you and stretch out where you need. When you do wash the jeans, we recommend just soaking them in a tub of cold water and hanging to dry. The biggest mistake of people make is washing their denim too much and drying it in a dryer. Always avoid the dryer.

Daniel Cummings makes an adjustment to Paul Massard's jacket before the shoot begins.

Why invest in a good pair of jeans? What’s the return on that investment?
It’s better to have one well-made pair of jeans that you love than 10 that you kind of like. I like to break it down to price-per-wear. Buy quality and you’ll get more than your money’s worth.

How do you know when jeans are a perfect fit?
First, we at Baldwin always recommend to get your jeans snug, not too big, not too small. Also, when you feel great in a pair of jeans, you know they’re the ones.

Why did GQ magazine recently tap your store as one of the 25 best men’s stores in America and the “best place to buy jeans, period?”
We don’t mess around with trying to have too much or too little. We focus on having four great fits and to top it off we have the best staff in the country. Our guys really know their stuff and love helping people find the perfect jean.

Who are some of the Hollywood stars wearing Baldwin Jeans?
George Clooney, Elijah Wood, Ellen DeGeneres, and Hayden Christensen—to name a few.

Why did you choose these particular outfits for Paul?
I wanted the looks to fit Paul’s busy lifestyle, letting him be comfortable but still look great. Both denim looks are the same pair of our Henley Slim Straight jeans. I wanted to show the versatility of a great pair of dark Baldwins. Dressing up denim lets Paul transition from work to grabbing a drink at night without feeling under- or over-dressed. And dressing the jeans down lets him be casual and comfortable without throwing on gym shorts and an old tee.

With the other look, I dressed Paul for travel, in our Ryan trouser, which is really comfortable, and a great military-inspired jacket with plenty of pockets, which is always great to have on-the-go. I also wanted this look to let Paul go from getting off a long international flight straight to a meeting without having to make a stop.

Why are these jeans a must-have for any guy’s closet?
They’re versatile, made with quality in mind and a great fit.