It’s a minefield...to wash or not wash..cold soak before you first wear them
I think there is no hard and fast rule just wear them and enjoy them
I would like to try some others, other than LVC, Lee Japan are nice denim
I can shine a light on washing or not.
Denimhead competitors are trying to get the highest contrast fades possible, so that items like “whiskers” really pop out from the darkest background. A key to this is by mechanical abrasion of the denim fabric, like from the heavy starch in all new jeans (used to help cutting large stacks of denim material) and just dirt and grit from everyday wear. If you wash jeans frequently then this mechanical abrasive effect is reduced, because the starch, dirt, and other grit is removed. You’ll still get “whiskers”, but they won’t be as pronounced and it will take longer to achieve. So, if you’re entering a denimhead fade contest washing your jeans is “bad”.
What if you wash? The mechanical abrasive impact will be reduced so the section with the highest movement, the crotch, won’t wear out as quickly and your jeans will last longer before needing repair. Ever work on a farm all day? Yes, your jeans smell like that too. Some put them in a freezer, but when they warm up you’ll notice that’s a temporary fix. When water was scarce, like mining in Nevada, they’d hang them up outside (not inside) to air them out instead of using precious water. That works as well now as it did back then.
Strong fades (don’t wash) or ensuring a non-offensive scent (do wash)? The choice is yours (and your possible friends). If washing, like many denimheads do, 40C (or cold water) and hanging them up to air dry is fine.