TCB JEANS 1890 No.2 Jeans and Blouse: A Masterful Revival of Denim History

TCB JEANS No.2 Jeans and Blouse 1890: A Masterful Revival of Denim History

As part of its ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate denim’s rich heritage, TCB has introduced two new, highly anticipated pieces for 2024 — the No.2 Jeans and the No.2 Blouse.

Following the success of their 1880s jeans release for the 150th anniversary of riveted pants, TCB has tackled the monumental task of recreating the 1890s "No.2" jeans, when Levi’s first introduced riveted denim workwear.

In parallel, they have developed a matching No.2 Blouse, a garment that complements the jeans and brings the historic look of 1890s workwear into the modern era. Together, these pieces represent a fusion of craftsmanship, innovation, and historical accuracy that denim enthusiasts are sure to appreciate.

The No.2 jeans are an homage to the pivotal moment in denim history when the rivet patent expired in 1890, allowing many brands, including Levi's, to introduce riveted jeans to the market. TCB's effort to reproduce this iconic pair of jeans involves recreating the unique fabric and details of the original Levi’s 201.

Using five different types of yarn and a traditional rope-dyeing process with natural indigo, TCB has developed a fabric with pronounced slubbiness and irregular yarns that mirror the aesthetic of vintage denim. The fabric is woven with a mix of right- and left-hand twill selvedge, and the jeans feature historically accurate rivet placement and construction techniques, including a specially crafted crotch rivet.

Every aspect of the design — from the high-quality cotton to the intricate details like the two-colour stitching on the yoke — speaks to TCB’s dedication to historical authenticity, ensuring these jeans are as close as possible to their 1890s predecessors

As a natural extension of the No.2 jeans, the No.2 Blouse is a standout piece that brings a rare combination of vintage charm and modern-day wearability. Inspired by 1890s workwear jackets, this blouse features a loose, comfortable cut with a shoulder drop and lateral armholes, offering a relaxed silhouette that complements the historical look of the jeans.

While the reproduction of the jeans was already a monumental task, creating the matching blouse seemed like an impossible dream. However, TCB successfully developed the blouse using available materials and vintage photographs to guide the design.

The blouse is made with the same attention to detail, incorporating selvedge fabric on key parts like the collar, waist belt, placket front, back body, and both sleeves. The use of selvedge increases production costs but ensures authenticity and longevity, with the fabric’s distinct edge visible in several places, adding a beautiful touch of craftsmanship to the garment.

The No.2 Blouse isn’t just a garment; it’s a true tribute to denim history, with careful attention paid to every detail, including the hardwares. Like the No.2 jeans, the blouse features vintage-inspired buttons, cinch, and linen patch, ensuring continuity between the two pieces.

The cinch on the blouse is placed on the right, a feature of 1890s workwear, whereas the jeans feature the cinch on the left side strap, staying true to Levi’s historical design. The blouse also incorporates the same F3-piece buttons used in the jeans — a button, rivet, and base part assembly that was common before the introduction of two-prong buttons. And, just as the jeans boast historically accurate rivet placement, the blouse draws inspiration from Hartshorn Buckles, designed in 1855, a subtle yet important detail that enhances its authentic vintage feel.

From the carefully chosen hardware to the precise stitching and fabric choices, every aspect of the No.2 Blouse mirrors the craftsmanship of the past, while offering a modern interpretation of 1890s denim workwear.