walletboy

Don't store them in a plastic bag or other airtight container, which could lead to dry rot.

Doubtful, because it wouldn't removethe starch that keeps the weave tight and rigid.

Are the 47 repros similar to the pre-2000 regukar STF 501 ie, trimmer in seat and thigh?

Thus US 505 is not cut like the euro models.

The stfs I just bought are felled, not serged, inseam. However, a "worn and reissued" model I bought recently is serge. Frankly, it makes no difference that I can tell and looks almost the same from the outside.

The last pair that I bought was 34 x 38. Washed them once in hot water with cold rinse. No drier. They are still pretty stiff. The waist tightened up about 1/2 inch. I'd say they shrunk about 3 inches on the inseam. There is still a little extra room in the back between the pockets. I think this will be less noticeable as they soften up, which will allow them to lay flatter. My advice is don't size up in the waist and seat. Do allow at least 3 inches on the leg.

I'd think what is being referred to as resin might actually be nothing other than starch for some jeans. For example, Wrangler says on its Web site that the raw denim on the 13mzw (which is not shrink to fit ) has starch, and doesn't say anything about resin. Interestingly, it says that you must wash the raw denim jeans in hot water the first three times in order to avoid leaving white starch spots that will not come out with subsequent washing. Has anyone had this happen to them on any raw denim?

I looked on the Levi Strauss website and couldn't find anything about starch or resin in the stf or raw denim jeans. But I wonder if what ever it is that makes them stiff is just starch. This may not apply to more exotic denim finishes.

Edited by walletboy on May 11, 2006 at 01:17 PM

Edited by walletboy on May 11, 2006 at 01:18 PM

I think u have a good start there. The other approach I like is to wash them often. You lose contrast, but they get a great silvery patina and still do whisker.

Not sure about the 1967 dead stock 505 Orange tab. However, I am quite familiar with the orange tab 505 jeans made in the '80s and '90s. Other than the zipper fly, they don't have much in common with the red tab 505 made today. Today's 505 definitely has a big seat, a longer distance between the waist band and the top of the pockets (i.e. the pockets six lower), and the V in back is much deeper. Today's red tab 505 is basically as Levi Strauss describes it--a 501 with a zipper. The old 505 Orange tab was a slimmer cut through the seat and waist, with a slightly high rise and more of a trouser look. They were really cool jeans and I wish Levi Strauss still made them.

taromakino, they change much the way 501 stf change in looks as far as shine etc. They look a little slubbier than Levi, and the color, never as dark to begin with, goes more to blue/grey, without the indigo "fuzz of 501 STF. They do shrink a bit, but u will hardly notice this.

The wrangler 13mwz is unlike any Levi's model that I know. High rear pockets, loose in seat but due to shorter rear pockets conforms to body countours better than recent baggier style 501/505. Trouser-like from the front. Different, but nice look.

The slim fit cowboy cut is almost a boy's cut, very narrow legs, trim, high seat, high rise, though not as hi as 13mwz. Narrow across the front. Definitely for slender people.

Definitely sanforized. Weird fit also, high rise, tight seat, low pockets. Totally unlike 501 or 505.