The Most Stylish-Yet-Rugged Dog Leash Available

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Today's pick comes from Racked National editor Leslie Price.

Even though people are spending more than ever on their pets, the accessorizing options for dogs remain oddly dismal. #Firstworldproblems, I know. For leashes, owners can go the pink, crystal-encrusted Legally Blond route, or pick up some made-in-China garbage at Petco. The few brands making more thoughtfully-designed, local products all seem to skew heavy-duty and clunky. Two days ago, though, I came across an intriguing new leash option.

Unwashed Denim is a tiny NYC brand that specializes in products made from Japanese raw denim. They just began producing a leash from the fabric that's bound by natural vegetable-tanned sheep leather and hand-set copper rivets; the brass clasp is made in Ohio. It's cool, it's tough, it's totally unique—no other dogs at the dog run will have this leash—and although it's a splurge, at $55 it's not out-of-this-world expensive. The leash is sized for small or medium dogs, but Unwashed Denim will custom-craft larger sizes. It would make a particularly cool gift for the denim nerd dog owner in your life (too specific?). Order yours here.
· All Leslie's Picks [Racked]
· All Editor's Picks [Racked]