entertainment!

what size are those 44s, entertainment?

They are 33x36, but they ran about 1" over nominal size. The tag says F3 05 so I assume they are from 2005, though I didn't get them until about a year ago. They have been soaked once. The pocket bags have the orange and blue striped fabric.

Here are some pictures of my 1944s with a BR 1944 USN Chambray, one of my favorite combos. I have been alternating the 44s with my Knappaves. They are my two favorites now. I went TTS on the 44s. Love the fit.

I'm glad I have another image to associate with you other than your avatar, roy6. Nice jacket!

I went to the Levi's store in Soho (New York, not London) and asked about LVC and was given more misinformation (as expected). A person who seemed to be the manager said that LVC had been discontinued. I told her what was actually happening to which her response was "Really?" It's insane that no store in NYC seems to be carrying LVC other than the crumbs available at the J Crew store. Those who live in Europe should count their blessings. I know we have Cultizm, but its nice to see the merch before one buys it.

Shorty Long-

What is the US source for the new Sunset shirt that you thought you had found? I think there are a lot of us who would like to know.

Does anyone have infos on sizing for the new '55 501? I thought, someone in this thread pointed out that they're 2 inches oversized (as in the last collection), except for one size, that was TTS.

thanks.

I got measurements from Cultizm for some of their new stock of 1955s. The 32x36 measured 33 in the waist, the 33x36 measured 33.5 and the 34x36 measured 34. You'd better buy them somewhere that will give you measurements, I don't think one can make a generalization about the sizing.

I'm being stupid, I don't see what you mean! The main pleats I can see ar under the cinch - this might simply be the position of the cinch, but I know on the Nevadas theere's a little folded section. I was told its purpose, but can't recollect it.

THe stitching on the original looks seems to be orange. I hate the pale stitching they've used on a lot of the early reissues, looks completely wrong to me.

The original pair also show how the hand-hammered rivets can come out round-headed.

I guess it's a problem of the clarity of my photo. The opening of the pleats face each other in the original but in the repro they face outward.

Iv'e seen the photos of the early XX, which I guess the Oldest Oldest is based on, and the Nevada/Knappave in the flesh.

HEre's the XX. Somewhere on this thread is a full-length photo with Lynn Doweny holding them, I believe.

Thanks for the picture of the Oldest Oldest. The repros do have the pleats in the yoke but the face the opposite direction from the original!

Thanks a million Airfrog and Dr Heech! It's good to know those Knappaves are pretty accurate. Can't wait to get a pair. Tried to +rep you both again, but I have to spread it around first.

airfrog

I'm curious about the Knappaves you just bought from Dejan. Do they have the flat head rivets with the patent date? Is the cinch strap too long as it looks in the Cultizm picture? I'm hoping to get a pair, but I feel like I was burned with the Oldest Oldest and wanted to make sure the Knappaves are more accurate.

erk

How much have your 1915s stretched out from the fit pics you posted a while back? They looked pretty fitted back then.

I've also been anxiously anticipating those pics of your 1915s, airfrog.

Thanks for clarifying. It sounds like these definitely aren't for me.

Yeah, I bought them thinking what you thought: like a 1955 with a zip. But no.

Another question: Is the 1954 501Z the same cut as the 55 but with a zipper fly? I sure hope so.

My pair of 1954 501z fit well in the waist and through the seat--almost perfect, fitted but comfortable. But from the knee down, they are a different story: slim to skinny. My knees hurt if I sit in them too long. I hope this is just because they are stiff, but I am not sure. If you are coming from the world of skinny jeans, you might like them, but if you are coming from the world of the vintage fit, they will probably drive you crazy. The 67 505 is definitely a better choice if you want a slim fit with a zipper.

has anyone noticed the fill threads on their 1915s are much more ecru than more modern pairs? It was one of the first things I noticed when I got em.

maybe they're unbleached or something?

Yes, I have been meaning to comment on that. The weft is much darker than on any other LVC I own. The closest is the Oldest Oldest, but even the selvage edge on those is distinctly whiter in comparison to the 1915.

has anyone noticed the fill threads on their 1915s are much more ecru than more modern pairs? It was one of the first things I noticed when I got em.

maybe they're unbleached or something?

Yes, I have been meaning to comment on that. The weft is much darker than on any other LVC I own. The closest is the Oldest Oldest, but even the selvage edge on those is distinctly whiter in comparison to the 1915.

On the question of leg twist, why does leg twist affect the left leg on right hand twill jeans more than the right leg? This is true on all of my LVC and is true on my cursory survey of Paul T's book and various Levi's vintage jeans I checked.

The Superdenim Encyclopedia doesn't seem to have a thread on this topic.

@ almostnice and anyone else with a pair of 1915s that have been soaked :

did you get any leg twist at all? mine have absolutely none after a warm soak and cold hand wash. I don't really care much, I'm just curious about it.

I did get some good leg twist.

whats a good site to buy some suspenders?

I bought a pair from these guys: the welch y back casual suspenders. They are very nice. Even Made in USA if you can believe it.

http://www.davidmorgan.com/index.php?cPath=4_95

I have been wearing a pair of '54 501z quite a lot, but I bought them true to size, and they fit perfectly, which means I can't wash them or soak them, unless we're talking a really quick cold soak maybe. So I wan't to buy a new pair that I can soak, shrink and wash.

Do you guys know if there is some way to soak/wash them without getting the zipper bulking?

I was thinking about cold soaking them a couple of times really quickly at first, so the shrinking goes a little at the time, but I maybe that is just crazy thinking, and it might just be impossible.

Please help.

I have a pair of '54 501z that I bought true to size. Before I wore them the first time, I soaked them for three hours at room temp and then spun dry. Then I wore them until they were dry. The zipper was a little wavy at first. I put on some beeswax so it wouldn't stick. It has now stretched back out and works like a charm. If you use cool water and don't use the drier, you should be fine.

A question about starching: I have done one cold soak on my 1937s but I am planning to do an additional hot soak since they are incredibly baggy, much baggier than my 1933s and 1915s. I am planning to throw some starch into the soak since the denim is sort of limp and I seem to remember that Paul T has suggested this. Has anyone starched a pair of 37s? Any advice? Right now these are my least favorite pair of LVC. But Erk's pair look good, so I am hopeful that with a little work they will turn out well.

Er, sorry to be such a nerd, but could you post photos?

And yes, would love to see evo or other shots too, we've seen airfrog's 1915s (where are you allen?) but that's it. I've been in my writing bunker for so long I haven't seen the jeans in the flesh.

Here are some pictures of the River Junction buckles showing the thick points of the brass two tine buckle compared to the utility buckles. The difference is more noticeable in real life. They are also a little bright. That's probably what really put me off.

Here are some fit pics of my 1915s too. I have probably worn them about ten to twenty times. I wish I had airfrog's dedication, but I like to rotate.

I was considering going with the "TWO TINE BRASS

COLORED BUCKLE" but I might try a Utility buckle as well. Thanks

I ordered the two colors of the utility buckle and also the two tine brass colored buckle, expecting to use the two tine one. But it has really thick ends on the tines, so I ended up using the gunmetal utility one. I would suggest ordering several types since the buckles don't cost much compared to the shipping.

Thanks mate, yeah spotted that one, but it's too snug shoulder-wise.

Dont get many 'clean' originals like that though. I've got an original jacket to match which is spotless!

.

Do the Westerner jackets shrink a lot? I tried on a vintage one that was size 42 and it felt like a 36. Usually I can fit in a size 40 and I couldn't really get my arms in it. Maybe it was mismarked originally though.

Fardin

You checked out that Lee westernwear re-issue stuff at oki-ni?

LOVE the westerner shirt (always wanted an original one- never seen one in my size) - I'm bummed that they dont make the shirt in an XL, but it all looks fantastic anyway.

IMO Lee really leave Lvc behind when it comes to the repro stuff....

Per Fardin's suggestion, here is a Westerner shirt available now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-LEE-WESTERNER-SANFORIZED-COTTON-WESTERN-SHIRT_W0QQitemZ380186953476QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Men_s_Clothing?hash=item5884e88704

Robert Gates A2 fit pic

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/12/14/business/14morning_CA0.html

Neither here nor there, but I remembered something that Airfrogusmc wrote a while back (can't seem to find it using supersearch) about how crappy the cinch for LVC1915s are. Well- yeah, what the fuck. I almost can't believe how bad the design is. The denim and the jeans otherwise I'm loving, but the buckle is stupid. I did find a link for river junction, so I'll pick up a buckle there. Should I get the 1", or the 1 1/4"?

You should measure the width of the strap, that is what the size is based on. I think it is 1". Here is a picture of my replacement.

From what I could tell, this is the closest thing River Junction had to the original.