Levi's 501 Shrink to Fit (STF)

[BlueOctoberFan]

My understanding is that it doesn't matter too much if you soak for more than about 30-45 minutes. Virtually all of the shrinkage is taken care of in that time. That was definitely the case for my Oni's, which I soaked for 30 min, adding hot water every 10 min or so. Wearing them while damp just makes it easier to stretch the waist back out, if that's needed, and can make it easier to set some creases.

[andrewyit]

1st pair

6 months of normal wear

unstitched the back arcuates and painted it black with acrylic

pics are aftr hand wash in hot water

now i know that levi stfs have really sucky denim quality

[AndrewLD]

$30... do they sell these at Macy's? I wouldn't mind getting a pair. They look great!

Macy's carries them

[Guest]

checked kohls for 501s, all they had were pre-distressed...sunuvabitch

[Seagram]

Here are my 501 STF's. These were my first ever raw denim. Worn almost everyday for 8 months. Washed 6 times. I've moved on to Flat Head F380's.

[cash]

now i know that levi stfs have really sucky denim quality

Who has the best down-line raw denim (under $60)? Carhartt's 15 oz. double ring? (But that's only available on double knee logger jeans, which don't exactly get it done for everyone.)

Seagram, great jeans. Where those preshrunk or STF (no double X on the tag)?

[phr]

you can pretty much get your actual waste size with 501 stf.

its the inseam that shrinks most drastically in my opinion.

I wear a 36X32 and in stf i have to get a 36x36. I'm assuming i'd

have to do the same with most higher end denim.

[almostnice]

Seconded.Even though I bought my last stf a decade ago,i can confirm that they shrank up to 4" in the inseam, i just followed what the papertag said,2 sizes bigger in the waist and 3 in lenght.Back than it worked, but in those days i knew nothing about raw denim,always bought a 34X38,threw them in the washingmachine, with detegent at 60°C,and hey presto! I would say that stf shrink more than most of the LVC stuff I own - some didnt shrink at all.

[Manteez]

so like, 30 minutes in hot water should do the job and im ready to go?

i wanna start wearing these things out!

[almostnice]

one hour in the hottest tabwater should get most of the shrinkage out,if not,repeat evtl.use a dryer.advantage of nonsanforized denim is that you control the shrinking process.if you worry about too much shrinkage start with a cold soak.

[Manteez]

one hour in the hottest tabwater should get most of the shrinkage out,if not,repeat evtl.use a dryer.advantage of nonsanforized denim is that you control the shrinking process.if you worry about too much shrinkage start with a cold soak.

hmm...well. they fit pretty good on me now (no shrinking).

pics here: http://www.superfuture.com/supertalk/showpost.php?p=1270461&postcount=173

(im going with the 36s).

someone said that they'll stretch back out if i soak in hot water. my main concern is fit and the end result.

[almostnice]

Keep the 36,i believe the 38 will not shrink enough.From what i have learned here is that with bigger sizes the shrinkage isnt such an issue.

[Tarmac]

I just gave seagram his 2nd e-rectangle (get it?)

[fattybfat]

andrewyit:

i think your stf looks pretty good, you know just normal natural fading

and

Seagram:

what the hell did you do to your jeans?

[andrewyit]

thanks fattybfat

[BlueOctoberFan]

Some great looking jeans here... I really like the black acrylic arcs, and the fading on Seagrams is quite nice.

As to Kohls, they sell the STFs on-line, I believe, but not in stores.

[BlueOctoberFan]

Some great looking jeans here... I really like the black acrylic arcs, and the fading on Seagrams is quite nice.

As to Kohls, they sell the STFs on-line, I believe, but not in stores.

[Sixties]

Do Black STFs fit the same as blue STFs?

[Sixties]

Do Black STFs fit the same as blue STFs?

[Manteez]

first pair of levis in a LONG time lol

i picked up 2 pairs (going to return 1)..i want to see what you guys think is/will-be a better fit after the soak

i bought 36x34 and 38x34

the 38s are huge and the 36 feels just right..but again...they shrink. so i'm just gonna let you experts tell me what you guys think

first up, 36x34:

(big guy alert )

post soak fit pics

a couple days after soaking em and wearing em

[fattybfat]

i think go with the true waist size but size up 3/4 for the shrinkage on the inseam. With my experience, the waist will stretch about another 1-1.5 inches more after you wear it more.

[Guest LoLzTrunkz]

Anyone know where I can get these for cheap online? I remember a site where they had them for like $17.99 but I forgot.

[Akira]

Who has the best down-line raw denim (under $60)? Carhartt's 15 oz. double ring? (But that's only available on double knee logger jeans, which don't exactly get it done for everyone.)

Seagram, great jeans. Where those preshrunk or STF (no double X on the tag)?

My blue STFs don't have the XX but my black STFs do, not sure if that's how they're identifiable or what

[BlueOctoberFan]

I have a pair of blues waiting in the wings for the contest, and they don't have the XX either. Made in Mexico, if that makes a difference (or if someone comes up with a blue pair with the XX). I recall looking at some about 6-12 months ago, and seeing XX on the black only then as well.

[jyoni]

^ Wish I'd caught that post; just earlier I was looking for an odd size for a contestant. I could have dug for some Mexican-made ones while I was there

I did notice the black STF is using a different denim. Dunno if it's a seasonal thing, or just the erratic quality of STF, but the newer stock is alot heavier and coarser, with a lighter weft. Also, the cool brass hardware is no more...

[thatslapz]

Here are my 501 STF's. These were my first ever raw denim. Worn almost everyday for 8 months. Washed 6 times. I've moved on to Flat Head F380's.

Any fit pics?

[billbobfrd]

First pair of raw denim. Wore these for about 3 months and gave them a wash. Not wearing these right now because im working on some APCs

[BlueOctoberFan]

Looks good at 3 months... and apparently there are some blues with XX on the tag.

[swisschalet]

I'm new to raw denim and wanted to try these out before I move on to more expensive jeans. Just wondering about soaking and putting these in a dryer to shrink before I wear. Does using the dryer have any negative effects on the fading possibilities?

[enojy]

I'm new to raw denim and wanted to try these out before I move on to more expensive jeans. Just wondering about soaking and putting these in a dryer to shrink before I wear. Does using the dryer have any negative effects on the fading possibilities?

it's going to coat your dryer with indigo, and that's about it. the cheap 501XX's feature an incredibly shitty dye job. it won't prevent the jeans from fading; nothing will short of dozens upon dozens of consecutive washes.