Awesome dyeing methods aside, the jeans themselves are made from 100% Japanese cotton, are 12.5 oz. in weight, with a waist size of 32" (real size 34").  My pair is from the store, Mildblend, in Chicago and they hemmed the inseam to around 32".  Selvedge IDs are in the usual cuff areas as well as on the coin pocket.  It is important to note that the fly is not selvedge.  Instead, I believe that is area is overlock stitched.  However, don't quote me on that!

Now for the best part: the actual denim.  At the bottom of the page I posted some close ups of the jeans.  The Kasuri dyeing has made unique textures on the jeans with blue, black (or dark blue), and white all being in the mix.  The white is from the weft, the blue is the indigo from the warp, and the black/darker blue is due to the dyeing method.  From farther back, the denim look like a regular dark wash pair.  It is when you get up close that you see all the details that sets it apart from your typical pair of jeans.  The lighting also makes a difference.  As you can see in the pictures below, there is a major difference between the jeans when they are in natural lighting versus when they are not.

In fact, the wallet initially was strong that I had trouble putting my passport into it and taking it out!  I left my all important ID booklet in the wallet (I mean that's what it's for anyways) and it loosened up overtime by forming to the shape of the passport.  In addition to the passport pocket, there are two card slots inside and a boarding pass slot on the outside in the back.  The flap is secured with a signature brass snap and there's a branded split ring sewn onto the top of the wallet.  To finish it off, the edges are burnished and waxed.

The hardware used is brass and feels very sturdy.  On my trip to Rome, I would carry many items with me (including a precious engagement ring), making it quite heavy at times.  The satchel never felt like it was about to fall apart.  To go with the rugged hardware, the construction was equally impressive.  On their website, Portland Leather Goods states that it uses industrial sewing machines and waxed thread to put their products together.  When I examined the bag upon arrival, there seemed to have been lots of care gone into making my bag because the stitching was very well done.  This satchel is truly "handmade" and not massed produced.

I have used my bag almost everyday for the last six months and it has aged gracefully.  The backside has smoothed out and darkened due to hitting against my denim jeans and jackets and from prolonged exposure to my body heat (translation: my sweat).  All the scratches and wrinkles don't look bad, instead the bag looks well used and rugged.  No loose stitching, no broken hardware, and no water damage (it has gotten stuck with me in several storms).  It is comfortable to wear for long hours because of the strong and, easily adjustable, strap.  I really like how the strap's construction allows you to wear the bag in anyway, and at any length, you please.  

Other than that one criticism, this bag has been at my side (or front) for awhile now and getting heavy use.  Portland Leather Goods did an overall excellent job with the design, hardware, and construction.  If you order one from them, you will receive your items based on how busy they are.  I got my satchel in about two weeks which is really quick for a handmade good!  The packaging is excellent and it comes with leather care tips and some other well written and designed reading material.  

Despite all those adventures, the fades have developed slowly...  Which I like.  I will never understand why people will roll around in sand to purposely get "cool fades."  (To each their own!) As of right now, the jeans have had the most fading in the back and front pocket areas.  The knees and leg openings are also starting to see some wear. 

I truly love these slow fading jeans as they are a great "project" to have that hopefully will take me many more months/years before it's retirement.  So far, the pair has not been soaked.  However, they have been washed twice in the bath tub with detergent and then air dried.  I think it is important to clean your jeans when they are dirty...  Unless you want to be alone the rest of your life.