William Rast

William Rast was conceived as a premium American denim line, and plenty of wearers find the jeans fit well and feel solid. Reviews are mixed on whether the premium positioning is fully earned, with some buyers feeling the name carried part of the price. The strongest value tends to come from a pair that genuinely fits your body, so try before you commit.

Yes. William Rast was founded by Justin Timberlake and his friend Trace Ayala in 2005 as a denim line. It was very much a celebrity-founded label from day one, which is a big part of its identity and its appeal to fans.

It is a tribute to family. The name combines Timberlake's grandfather's first name with Ayala's grandfather's last name, so "William Rast" stitches both founders' heritage into the label. That personal origin is one of the brand's nicer details.

It is known first and foremost as a denim line, launched in 2005, and as a celebrity-founded fashion brand. Over the years it has worked with designers such as Johan and Marcella Lindeberg and partnered with retailers including Target, broadening its reach beyond jeans.

Go straight to the jeans, since denim is the brand's whole reason for existing. Pick the cut that matches your usual fit and judge the fabric and wash in person, because the washes and fits are where opinions on the brand are most divided. A well-chosen pair is the truest test of whether William Rast is for you.

Ownership has changed hands. After a bankruptcy, WHP Global, owned by Yehuda Shmidman, acquired the company in November 2021. So while Timberlake and Ayala founded it, the brand is now run under different ownership.

Yes. The brand has partnered with designers such as Johan and Marcella Lindeberg, and with mainstream retailers including Target. Those tie-ups helped take the label from a niche celebrity denim line to something far more widely available.

It did. William Rast sponsored the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport / Curb-Agajanian Performance Group IndyCar of Dan Wheldon, which won the 2011 Indianapolis 500. It is an unusual line on a denim brand's resume, and a poignant one, as Wheldon died in a crash later in October 2011.

Fit varies by cut, from skinny to straight and bootcut styles, so check the specific model against a pair you already wear. As with most quality denim, wash inside out, cold and infrequently to preserve the wash and shape, and air-dry rather than tumbling on high heat. Treated gently, a good pair of jeans holds its colour and fit far longer.

Check the brand labelling and look for hallmarks consistent with the denim line, and remember that some older pieces are signed with the Justin Timberlake founder association. Buying from reputable resellers is the safest route, since the brand's celebrity origin has made it a target for knock-offs. When in doubt, compare details against listings from trusted sellers.