Levi's 501 Shrink to Fit (STF)

[timcauliffe]

If you are a size 31 then Bloomindales has a 31x34 Billy Reid Levis 501. It's selvage made in USA of imported fabric. I just got these jeans and they are awesome.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=501193&CategoryID=5291

how do these fit?

I'm generally a 32 / 33...

[david_c]

I bought these a couple weeks ago. They have a higher rise so if you have a gut, they'll fit a size smaller than usual. If you're malnutrition or have absolutely no belly fat, you may squeeze into a smaller size.

Someone should really take some photos of these. The quality is top notch, the only perceived problem with the jeans is the "of imported fabric" label. I'll take pics of mine when I'm not busy.

[timcauliffe]

If you are a size 31 then Bloomindales has a 31x34 Billy Reid Levis 501. It's selvage made in USA of imported fabric. I just got these jeans and they are awesome.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=501193&CategoryID=5291

I bought these a couple weeks ago. They have a higher rise so if you have a gut, they'll fit a size smaller than usual. If you're malnutrition or have absolutely no belly fat, you may squeeze into a smaller size.

Someone should really take some photos of these. The quality is top notch, the only perceived problem with the jeans is the "of imported fabric" label. I'll take pics of mine when I'm not busy.

Which are you referring to - the Billy Reid Levi's?

[david_c]

Which are you referring to - the Billy Reid Levi's?

Yeah. When they first came out, they were $230 on levis.com, which is probably fair but at that price, you may as well go for 1947 LVCs. Now that they're on clearance for $89, It's quite a bargain for the quality you get, which is unmatched on anything of the "premium" selection from Levi's recently.

Oh and I meant that if you have a gut, since the jeans sit higher, you'll probably need to go up a size.

[freakazoid]

About 12 months of wear, 2 washes.

[david_c]

So I compiled images together comparing Billy Reid 501's against STF Selvedge 501's that were sold in the first half of 2010. My point is to demonstrate why you should be suspicious of anything that US Levis (excluding collaborations and LVCs) that they brand as "premium." Ideally I would be comparing the latest "Made in USA" 501 vs LVC 501's but I don't have either. I think this comparison does the job though.

Fit pics:

Patches:

I'm aware since late 2010, Levis has been putting on thick leather patches which I think is a welcomed improvement.

Rear Pockets:

Notice how the Billy Reid rear pockets are reinforced with pocketing material.

Pocketing Material:

The Billy Reids have heavier fabric with texture. I'm not in the textile business to estimate its weight or anything more. The Levis STF 501 Selvedges have pocketing material that looks like it just barley qualifies to be used to make undershirts.

Buttons

The BRs are copper colored on the inside whereas the STF selvedges don't have that touch. It's possible the materials are different but I don't know that much about buttons.

Hidden Rivets:

One has them, one doesn't.

Watch pocket:

The BRs have them, the STF selvedges don't. It's a small touch that likely tells you if the jeans were cut from the "classic" vintage pattern from a single piece of fabric. The "premium" 501 STF selvedge Levis dont have it.

Hem:

The BR's have a faux chain stitch which I've went ahead and gotten a real one done on it, whereas the premium levis don't. Also notice how thin and vintage looking the selvedge is on the Billy Reids.

Rivets:

BR rivets are lined with leather.

The inner leg is single stitched (is that the right phrase?) on the Billy Reids.

I hope these images demonstrate that if you're on the fence about spending $178 on "Made in USA" 501's from Levis, you should just go the extra distance and get 47' LVCs. You should be suspicious of Levis US because they're incredibly gimmicky. They're out to sell high volumes at the lowest production costs. If you ask for selvedge, they'll give you just selvedge. If you ask for Made in US, they'll make it in the US at the lowest cost possible (at the expensive of quality). Levi's must get a lot of constructive criticism that asks "make more selvedge" and "make them in the US." What people really mean to say is "make them with the highest quality and craftsmanship possible." The Selvedge 501's on the right in all the images above retailed for $98 but they had the same quality as the $35 STFs. I'm afraid that if you buy the Made in USA 501's, you'll end up with the same quality as the $35 501s except the only difference is selvedge fabric and that they propped up a factory in the US with the same low quality materials and craftsmanship.

When putting up $200 for jeans, you should really be paying for craftsmanship and quality.

[aho]

Great comparison there....FWIW, I saw the very same STF selvedge 501's on sale at Levi's with an additional 50% off the sale price...

[Bamahater]

Nice comparison. To Levis credit thought the new made in USA 501 are probably alot better than the older 501 selvage seeing as they are made with Cone denim. Those older 501 selvage are cheap looking. Basically the regular 501 STF with sub par selvage denim

[tsxser]

Welp, decided to do it, Im gonna get my 501's fitted. I tend to roll my jeans above the ankles, and the opening of the jean is just to large, it doesnt look right. Plus I really cant afford any better denim right now, so we'll see.

Ill post before and after pics, when theyre done.

[Goominim]

Is Levi's online the only place that sells 501 stf selvedge?

[timcauliffe]

Is Levi's online the only place that sells 501 stf selvedge?

If you're outside of the US, try:

http://www.oipolloi.com

http://www.caliroots.com

Otherwise, it looks like you're better off purchasing from Levi's or a Levi's brick-and-mortar store nearest you (if they carry them - the closet one to me does not / only carries the 514 selvedge)

[grooveholmes]

Great comparison, david_c. A minor point, but "later" 501s like the 1966 don't have hidden rivets, but rather feature bar tacked back pockets. Having back pocket rivets isn't necessarily an indicator of quality. But I think you're spot on in saying that you can probably find a reasonably priced pair of LVC or better constructed Levi's if you're patient enough to look around and wait for a deal to come to you.

[Goominim]

If you're outside of the US, try:

http://www.oipolloi.com

http://www.caliroots.com

Otherwise, it looks like you're better off purchasing from Levi's or a Levi's brick-and-mortar store nearest you (if they carry them - the closet one to me does not / only carries the 514 selvedge)

I'm in Texas…I always wanted to try the premium selvage 501

if I can't find anything in my skinny size…I'm ordering some OOE

I love my 501 stf, though…only 'cos it's easy to find them in 28

[Goominim]

Great comparison, david_c. A minor point, but "later" 501s like the 1966 don't have hidden rivets, but rather feature bar tacked back pockets. Having back pocket rivets isn't necessarily an indicator of quality. But I think you're spot on in saying that you can probably find a reasonably priced pair of LVC or better constructed Levi's if you're patient enough to look around and wait for a deal to come to you.

They should add it to the encyclo

[madstaxbro]

Any word on if the newest 501/511 selvage being STF?

Also Goominim where do you get 28W STFs.

[Goominim]

Any word on if the newest 501/511 selvage being STF?

Also Goominim where do you get 28W STFs.

ebay, and i think Zappos too

[tsxser]

Went and got the 501s measure and wont get them back until Thursday, Very excited!

[hamaien]

xpost from evo thread, here are my knights at 2 months, 1 accidental rain soak @ 3 weeks, 1 wash at 6 weeks.

[Guest nooblet333]

Looks good so far!

[Planetarium]

My verdes that I hike in:

Cheap jeans can be great too!

[tsxser]

Shitty pic, but when I was getting them measured.

[tsxser]

Just got them back, I wish they re-stictched on the inside, because now there is no brown stiching on the outside of the leg. Im pretty hyped on them though, leg is a bit more tapered for my comfort and the fit more snug.

[misterh]

gave them their first machine wash. around 4 months of wear.

[D'eVils]

is most of the shrinkage gone after the initial soak or should i expect some more after say two soaks. thnx.

[robotbox]

is most of the shrinkage gone after the initial soak or should i expect some more after say two soaks. thnx.

I got a bit more in the 2nd soak. Mostly in the inseam I'd say, maybe a bit in the leg opening as well.

[robbie]

This might be old news, but I saw it on cool hunting:

Levi's commuter Series

[Zackb911]

Anyone have pics of what the "Blue-Green" ones look like when broken in? Trying to find something like the verde's in a 31x34 and thats the closest thing I can find on zappos.

-Z

[hamaien]

Anyone have pics of what the "Blue-Green" ones look like when broken in? Trying to find something like the verde's in a 31x34 and thats the closest thing I can find on zappos.

-Z

Blue-Green is the new name for the Verde's, it's the same color with black stitching instead of gold.

From the 2010 STF contest on mynudies:

[j0emama]

Anyone own a pair of the 511 Raw Selvage? These:

http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10952315

Just wondering about sizing and whether or not they're STF or not?

BTW. 30% off on Levis.com with the code: "FRIENDS" until 5/23

[501cult]

And what please has this got to do with 501 STF??? Could people perhaps stay on message within the threads?