Skip to main content

Why You Should Get Your Next Pair of Jeans from Fitted Underground

Eric John’s path to starting Fitted Underground, a four-year-old upstart making standout custom jeans,was anything but conventional. A former physics and math teacher, John’s background includes time in the Peace Corps and he finance industry — hardly the regular route to launching a denim brand.

It was John’s time in the money world that led him to get fitted for a custom suit, which changed his outlook on denim and sparked an epiphany.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if all my clothes fit so well?” John asked on a recent afternoon at the brand’s workshop. That realization led John to take private sewing lessons, followed by a stint in pattern-making and fashion classes at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology  and an eventual departure from his day job to start Brooklyn-based Fitted Underground (named for both the word-of-mouth reputation of the business and its underground location in a Williamsburg warehouse).

“It had a life of its own,” John says of his approach to making the best custom denim for men. As a former soccer player, finding the right jeans — for him, with a tapered fit and room to move in the thigh —was tough for John. A custom approach was the only way to go, and his customers tend to agree.

Fitted Underground is a one-man operation that takes time and care, but the denim — including dark blue selvedge, twill pants, and clean double black denim — can be worn with nearly anything. The number of pants John produces per month depends on the orders that roll in, but the focus on getting each pair right remains the same.

“I’ve just gone through this really slow, gradual process,” John said, noting that his attention on construction, fit, quality and an affordable price point (pairs of Fitted Underground denim start at $225).

Fitted Underground jeans feature rivets and buttons sourced from New Jersey and thread from Georgia. Other touches include a neat camo interior waistband,  cotton herringbone pocket linings, and a recently updated back pocket stitching design that pays homage to the Brooklyn Bridge.

The more jeans he crafts, the more John develops a deeper appreciation for the craft — as do his clients, some of whom purchase multiple pairs in the span of a few weeks. “You build a relationship with denim … an understanding,” he elaborates.

Those looking to find a stylish pair of perfectly fitted denim can either head to the brand’s website where you provide your own measurements or get fitted at the Brooklyn workshop. The space is filled with sewing machines John bought from a factory in the Bronx.

Editors' Recommendations

Beau Hayhoe
Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…
Swatch, Tate partner for watch collection that literally puts art on your wrist
Swatch x Tate Gallery collaboration inspired by paintings
Swatch x Tate collaboration watches

Swatch, renowned for its quirky designs and commitment to self-expression, has joined forces with the prestigious Tate galleries to create an extraordinary collection of Swatch watches that blur the lines between art and utility. The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection isn't simply a collaboration but a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the appeal of wearable art.

Each Swatch watch is dedicated to the artwork of its respective artist. From Turner's Scarlet Sunset to Bourgeois's Spirals, every watch tells a unique story. Whether you're drawn to the whimsical charm of Marc Chagall or the bold simplicity of Fernand Léger, there's a watch in this collection to suit every taste and personality. This partnership further cements Swatch's position as a brand that bridges the gap between art and simple timekeeping with bold designs and vibrant colors.
The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection: Wearable art

Read more
78 pairs of Gucci sneakers just had their prices slashed
A man wearing the Ace tennis sneakers.

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to upgrade your sneaker collection. With fresh styles and lightweight materials, sneakers are the best shoes for the warmer months for everyday wear, traveling or simply hanging out at a bar. Sneakers are now more popular than ever with men wearing them in both casual and formal situations. Here is a definitive guide to wearing a suit with sneakers if you want to combine a luxury look with a fresh new pair of kicks.

Right now, you can shop more than 70 pairs of Gucci sneakers on sale at Gilt. You can get up to $275 dollars off casual and fashion sneakers from this coveted brand in a mix of colors, styles and materials. Click the button below to start browsing these designer sneakers before time runs out.

Read more
Citizen celebrates 100th anniversary with throwback limited edition pocket watch
Citizen debuts 100th anniversary pocket watch
Citizen 100th anniversary pocket watch

Citizen watches have a legacy that spans a century, with a name that evokes reverence, innovation, and enduring quality. Now, in a momentous celebration of its 100th anniversary, Citizen unveils a breathtaking homage to their inaugural masterpiece: the Special Limited Edition Pocket Watch. That's right, a pocket watch for men. Since the success of Peaky Blinders and peak Thomas Shelby fame, pocket watches have garnered a somewhat cult following and Citizen has jumped on that bandwagon with a celebratory timepiece of their own.
Citizen watches: A brief history

In 1868, Japan underwent a significant transformation as the Edo period concluded, marking the end of samurai dominance. The dawn of the Meiji era saw Japan embrace modernization and industrial growth until 1912. By the 1920s, the widespread adoption of imported pocket watches reflected Japan's burgeoning participation in global trade.

Read more