walletboy

The rigid denim 517 looks almost identical to the rigid 501. It also looks the same after 1 wash as the 501 looks after 1 wash. The biggest difference, as you probably know, is that the 517 denim is Sanforized and shrinks very little.

I doubt that you will like the 517 better than the 505. It has a high waist, fits long in the rise, and is narrow across the front and back. Cowboy stuff. BTW, they run pretty long in the leg. I bought a rigid denim with a 32 inseam and it's more like a 34, even after washing it in hot water. Since it is Sanforized, it does not shrink much.

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are there raw LEVI 505s sold at mervyns, kohls, sears, etc . now?...my friend picked up a pair and he's says they are raw. anyone with info?

--- Original message by CHUNGY on May 29, 2006 09:55 PM

Just so u know, even though they are raw denim they're not that much like 501s, even though the Levi's website says that they're basically 501s with a zipper. They're not shrink to fit, they are cut more full in the seat and have a higher waist. They are stiff enough, but the big cut means they don't whisker that well.

I bought a pair of Levi's 505 raw denims really cheap recently because they're $6 less than Levi's 501s STFs and the Levi's website says that they're basically 501s with a zipper. So I figured why not? Here's why: they're not that much like 501s. First of all, even though they are raw denim, they're not shrink to fit, but I I knew that. The real problem is that they're cut more full in the seat and have a higher waist. They really just don't look that good. Unless you are really desperate to save a few bucks, don't bother.

I'm not really sure, but they look really phony to me. I hope not though.

The quantity of bleach you can put in the automatic dispenser is very little. That amount (I estimate it to be 1/3 to 1/2 cup) might make a difference over 20 or 30 wash cycles, but there is no discernible effect the first few times that I have ever seen. I have no idea whether you would have a add a few cups, half a bottle or whole bottle to make them really light. Assuming you could figure out how much to use, I would have to think it would affect contrast--why wouldn't it? It will make the dark areas lighter, which would diminish contrast. But I've never actually tried it. It might look kind of interesting ... I'd experiment on a cheap pair of 501 S T F made in Mexico specials before I would try it on anything expensive. My guess is that you would have to use at a minimum 5 or 6 cups to see any lightening at all. Make sure you add it to the wash water so it is all mixed up in solution before you put the jeans in.

About half of grocery stores have it, usually near bleach, borax, whetever.

BTW, you don't dump it in the wash. After washing and drying, U soak, ring out and then semi dry if u want to iron/

Orange tab 505 (too bad they don't make them anymore)

Levi's 501 S T F--cheap and original

Levi's 512 "Slim fit"--sort of like 505 Orange tab with a high "V" in back and higher rise than the current 505 Red tab on the waist, great skinny leg taper, unfortunately only available in a really ugly medium stonewash.

Wrangler cowboy cut "Slim fit " 936: the raw denim is really cheap, you can get them new for $20 or less, plus you get copper rivets on the back pockets.

For what it's worth, my experience is a little different. Since they run slightly big in the waste, I buy my correct size. I wear 34 and I'd buy a 34. When you wash it eventually, it might shrink half an inch to three-quarters of an inch, but will pretty much stretch back to the right size in the waist after you wear it for a day or two, even if you wear them them dry. However, you definitely need to buy three or more inches longer in the legs, because the inseam doesn't stretch back.

To maximize contrast and whiskering, my approach is to remove the "loose" indigo dye with an initial wash in cold water and rinse. Why? Because if you don't, there is likely to be a lot of indigo dye in the water when you do finally wash them. This loose indigo dye in water will be redeposited on the whiter/lighter areas of abrasion and whiskering, which actually reduces the contrast . I mean, look how blue the pockets are after cold soak. The blue that is on the pockets is the same stuff that will end up on your whiskering and abrasion.

Funny, you don't look Blueish...

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I wear a 32x32 in pretty much every other jeans, and the STF 32x32's fit well. What size would you recommend if I were to rinse/wash?

--- Original message by ktothe on May 18, 2006 06:22 PM

Buy the 32 waist, cause it will stretch back when you wear them damp for a little while. You'll lose 3 -4 inches inches in the leg. So go with 32 X 36 just to play safe on the length. I washed mine on short delicate cycle, no soap, warm wash/cold rinse. Hang dry. They look great, and still have some starch in them for a nice semi-raw look.

Yardwork and sports wear them the best and fastest. Lots of bending, etc.

They fit pretty different after one quick rinse/wash. I think you will like them better.

Does anyone know in which countries the current Levi's 501 shrink to fit that are being made? I just got a pair that says made in Colombia, which I have never seen before. I thought the STF were only made in Mexico. Has anyone noticed any difference in quality among STFs made in various countries? Which ones are the best? I gather that STFs are no longer manufactured in the USA anymore.

I wish Levis would just issue deastock dry LVCs and not pre-distress them.

What, and put all those Mexicans out of a job?

Not exactly a news flash, but eBay is loaded with counterfeits, and the billionaires who run it do virtually nothing to police the rampant fraud. I'm not saying this offering is legitimate or not, but the way eBay is run, you have to be very skeptical or you will be ripped off. Once again, not exactly a news flash, but I think the lot of people who buy on ebay forget this and get burned.

Though I love both, I know lot more about the quality factors of men's suits than I do about jeans. A great coat and trousers from Armani, Versace or whoever is "great" because of the way it fits, and very little else. If it's any good, it makes the wearer look taller, thinner, in better shape, sexier, richer, more athletic or some combination of the above. Stuff such as the stitching of the seams, the weave of the fabric, where the fabric is produced etc. etc. don't mean a thing on a suit unless it it makes the suit look better on you. Maybe I'm just missing the point.

It wouldn't bother me if LS skipped some of the high-priced stuff and simply reissued the great orange tab 505 for $24.95.

Edited by walletboy on May 18, 2006 at 01:04 PM

I get more shrinkage from washing and air drying several times, and the fabric is less beat up. Use cold water to prevent fading.

Cone is a huge producer. Means nothing today.

The pockets look gigantic.

They look legit, I don't like the way LS does their distressing.

Quote: but I'm noticing the more I wear them, the more loose they are!

Are you eating enough?

Edited by walletboy on May 15, 2006 at 12:58 AM

Edited by walletboy on May 15, 2006 at 12:59 AM

Since natural indigo is chemically identical to synthetic indigo, that would not make the difference, whatever is that is happening.