VivaMarlon

3 hours ago, Pedro said:

I always wondered that as well.

Levis would have had an official pattern for the ‘47 even if individual jeans were variations of cut.

The Sugar Cane brand makes a 1947 that is described as being the “original” Levi pattern.

I've been very interested in both the Sugar Cane 1947 and TCB 50s, which from what I've deduced seem to be more similar in terms of fit than the LVC '47 vs. '55?  The only thing really holding me back from purchasing the former two pairs currently is that LVC will no longer be using Cone Denim in the near future and I want to grab those before they go for good.

14 minutes ago, 428CJ said:

In an ideal world, 35's would be made. That would be my "normal" size. With LVC, I either need to go for 36 or 34. I go 34, wait forever to wash, so they get good and stretched out, and then wash cold for a tight fit (but not super tight). I go 36 and wear relaxed for as long as I can (I love the look and feel of upsized jeans), then I wash cold the first time to see how I like the fit. If I like it, I keep washing cold. If I want it more shrunk, I wash hot at the next wash.

 

FWIW, here are some measurements from a couple of the LVC models in question, and just for the hell of it, I included the few measurements I have taken from my '44's. Sorry that I haven't posted my size 36 1955 measurement, so you can compare them directly to the size 36 1966's. I have them written down somewhere on paper, but I never posted them here, so I don't have them handy to copy and paste. If I can find that paper, I'll post them for you.

1955 501's (34/34):

Waistband: 35.5"

Hips (at point where pocket reinforcement top stitching ends): 42.0"

Thigh, at crotch: 26.5"

Thigh, 2" down from crotch" 25.0"

Knee, at factory fold: 20.0"

Hem: 17.75"

Front rise: 13.0"

Rear rise: 16.5"

Inseam: 33.5"

1966's (36/34):

Waistband: 36.5"

Hips (at point where pocket reinforcement top stitching ends): 46"

Thigh, at crotch: 27"

Thigh, 2" down from crotch: 26"

Actual knee: 20"

Hem: 17.5"

Front rise: 12.5"

Inseam: 33.0"

1944's (36/36):

Waist - 38-1/2"

Inseam - 36"

Rise - 14"

Thigh 2" down – 25"

Thanks for all of this info! Sometimes I feel like all these details are so minor in the grand scheme of things but then I remember that it's really why we're all here.  I think I'll have to make my way out to the shop in Malibu to actually try these on, though being from Los Angeles, I'm sure you know that's easier said than done. (Though American Rag on La Brea has a fairly large selection of LVC as well).

Thanks for the info, I think I’m definitely leaning towards the ‘55 now. What I really like about the ‘47 is the straight silhouette. When you say you have a “tight fit” pair, do you mean that you sized down? 

How does it compare to a ‘47? Is it just wider throughout?

On that subject, I’ve read that the LVC ‘47 is an inaccurate reproduction of an original 1947 501, anyone have any idea why that may have been? If the whole purpose of the (sub)brand is to create accurate reproductions of a time period, why attempt to modernize it? 

Anyone own either a '55 or '66 (or both)? Thoughts? Recommendations?  I know this is the last season to be using Cone Denim and want to get at least one last thing.

17 hours ago, Geeman said:

Marrkt  is selling several pairs of LVC models NWT at around half price 

Bummer, none in my size.  Also, the way they display these jeans very strange.

On the subject of tapered legs, I've really come to dislike them because the more dramatic the taper the worse the bunching around the cuff.  I'm not sure if that bothers anyone but it's something I really don't like.  My preference has become a slim thigh with a straight leg.

There go those 50s again!

4 hours ago, istewi said:

I highly recommend them! Lovely cut and denim. 

I think the only thing holding me back is that I currently have too many pairs of jeans that I don't get to wear very much as it is.

On 2/21/2019 at 2:15 PM, SmokeStackLightning said:

Great fit on those TCB 50s istewi.

Seriously, seconded. I'm itching for a pair cause of these pictures!

1 hour ago, istewi said:

Thanks! Yes they are the regular 50s. My true waist is closer to 30", but these are size 29. The top block is fitted, but not too tight. I could have gone with a 30 for a looser fit.

 

Nice, we're the same size.  I wear 30 in just about every pair I own except for my FC 1108 which are 29, many SuFu members said they stretch a lot so I sized down. Great recommendation too, they've stretch beyond some size 30 pairs I own. 

Is Zimbabwe cotton prone to stretching? I know TCB 50s are also made from Zimbabwe cotton.

Those 50s look great! I think you mentioned in an early post that they weren't the slim version, did you size down at all?

Sorry, I meant which is closer to the original Levi’s 1947 cut, the LVC version or the Sugar Cane?

10 hours ago, Maynard Friedman said:

I’d like to re-emphasise Ooms comment that the SC47 and LVC47 are two very different cuts. LVC is slimmer and has a lower rise than the SC, which has a looser silhouette (with a tapered waist). I think the SC47 is closer to the LVC55.

I'll have to keep that in mind, aren't the TCB 50s also similar to LVC 55 in terms of fit as well?  To those familiar, which is closer to the original? LVC or Sugar Cane?

5 minutes ago, 1fookntitefd said:

so how often is everyone washing their jeans these days? 

I still go a long time in between washes mostly because I work an office job so I only get to wear jeans once or twice a week with very light wear at that.

I'm lucky enough that I live in Southern California where there are a multitude of offerings so I'm able to actually see and try things in person, I can't begin to imagine what it's like to not have any idea at all.  Luckily Self Edge carry Sugar Cane so I can check those out, TCB might be trickier though.

I have a question for anyone who has an opinion.  When you guys purchase a new pair of jeans, or even when searching for a new pair, do you try to stick with a fit/cut that you like or do you buy a pair because you like certain qualities or characteristics and consider the fit as secondary within reason?  Currently I'm debating between two different pairs, one based on a fit I have found really works for me (Sugar Cane 1947) after purchasing a pair of LVC '47, and one based on a fit that I have no familiarity with being the TCB 50s.  

Maybe this is a two-part question as well, do you stick with a fit you're familiar with or like to venture out and try something different?

They look great! Gonna go look at that now.

Which Sugar Cane's are those?

To be fair, the newer Flat Head arcs are pretty “out there,” had no problem with the old ones though. 

Personally, I love the arcuates and the fact that many Japanese repro brands create their own take as a wink/homage to Levi's with Full Count being the closest to the real thing.  This is just speculation but maybe a lot of "first time buyers" don't prefer the arcuates because they feel that by paying a premium price they want something different from Levi's which has come to be seen simply as standard by the uninitiated or unfamiliar?  Also, not entirely untrue considering upwards of 80% (90%?) of Levi's sales are probably their mainline products.

With all of that being said, I'm glad these new models aren't replacing the old ones, I love Full Count and it's exciting to have someone on here that has a relationship with the brand!

2 minutes ago, volvo240thebest said:

the 50s are based upon a mid 50's pair of Levis 501, the cut is mid/high rise, slender on the hips and has little to no taper. When compared with other 50's repros by other brands the 50s have one of the widest leg opening. Denim is made from Zimbabwe cotton, looks great either worn in or new and becomes super soft with wear. It can fade with much contrast or with more texture/marbling depending on the washing habits.

the 60s are based upon a mid 60s pair of Levis 501, the cut is mid/low rise (and low back rise), trim on the hips and legs and with a subtle taper. Here too, when compared to other 60's cut, Tcb 60s has one of the widest leg openings, especially in bigger sizes. Denim is made out of California cotton, it's less dark and textured compared to the 50s denim and fades to a beautiful ocean blue.

Re sizing, for both cuts tcb suggests to buy your actual waist size, this will result in a slightly loose fit. I would suggest to size down one from your actual waist size (eg. I have a natural waist of 37 and wear 36). With the 60s is better to size the jeans according to the thigh rather than waist. The measurements can be misleading as the waist it bigger than the 50s, but the jeans are meant to sit on the hips. Many people wears a size up on the 60.

The washing methods will affect the size yes, though the 50s and 60s don't shrink so much to suggest getting a different size.

Sounds like I might have to go with the 50's as I'm looking for something with a higher rise with no taper.  One of the pairs in my current rotation are Full Count 1108 which are also Zimbabwe cotton and they're amazing and very soft.  I own a pair of LVC '54 so I wasn't sure if they were similar to that, sounds like not so much. Thank you!

A few questions for the TCB experts:

What's the difference between the 50s and 60s?  I'm leaning towards the 50s but I'm interested in both.  Obviously it's a 50s repro, is there an LVC model that it most closely resembles?  What's special about their hem job that produces such great roping?  How do you size them?  When digging through this thread it seems that it's pretty common to machine wash/machine dry them, I generally prefer to hot soak and line dry, should that affect how I size them?

Thanks!

That is a very good deal, I'd definitely buy a pair if they had my size and I don't really know how the 76 fits.  It's a shame this last season of LVC will be the last using US made Cone Denim, I'm debating purchasing another '47 pair or buying something I don't already own (currently own '47, '54 and '67).  I'm surely open to any recommendations...

Makes me glad I purchased a pair before this change, been wearing my 1108 a lot and only loving them more with each wear.

I've been wearing '54s a lot lately and just bought a '47 on this last sale.  Compared them very briefly ('47 getting hemmed currently), the '54 has a higher rise and tapers down below the knee.  I'm not 100% sure what is meant when people describe round vs. square top block, but if my assumptions are correct, the '54 feels rounder.

Your pair looks great Cuckoo, that's the fit I'm hoping for though I went TTS so I'm a little worried.  They were difficult to button up but so were the '54.

After just two days of solid wear, I can say that sizing down on the 1108 is highly recommended, they have stretched a lot.

Received and hot soaked my pair of '47s today, probably taking them to Self Edge to get hemmed later this week, can't wait for them to be in the rotation.  Can confirm that there was a tag that specified "Made in USA."

Personally seems more like a collector's item than something to wear.