Levi's Vintage Clothing

[bgreggs]

Paul T and Sympathy-For-The-Denim, thanks so much for your help!

[cool_hand]

I think that's correct, I believe they're the same Kaihara fabric.

 

it appears that there are several versions of the Type III jacket in Rigid. LVC's website has little detailed info, but it appears the older version is in the Kajhara denim and the newer version is in Cone denim.

 

Can anyone comment on how different they are?

[Aviv]

Does anyone know where I can find either the 1955 or 1944 in a 32x36? I've tried the usual suspects, Cultizm, Stylecreep. I am too tall to go to a 34 inseam and really need the extra length. Any tips much appreciated.

[KrisB]

union made might be a good place to check, also ab fits has some lvc but im not sure if they have exactly what your looking for

[unders]

Aero Leather usually have a good range of sizes. They have a 33x36 in both those models.

[Aviv]

Aero Leather usually have a good range of sizes. They have a 33x36 in both those models.

 

Bah! So close - but I'm definitely a 32 (I wear that in the 54s, 47s, and 66s. 

[Maynard Friedman]

Where are you based? It seems a Levi's/LVC store may be your best bet.

[Aviv]

Where are you based? It seems a Levi's/LVC store may be your best bet.

 

I'm in Boston. Believe it or not, neither our store nor NYC has this size. I know for fact it gets made, just apparently hard to find. Hopefully cultizm will restock soon. 

[cool_hand]

when did levis originally stop using selvedge denim?

what were the last 501 jeans or other garments that used selvedge?

[Maynard Friedman]

The mid-80s, hence the LVC 1983 model is the last selvage model. Levi's have sporadically used selvage on various 501 issues since then though.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Maynard Friedman

[cool_hand]

I read somewhere it was 1985?

 

http://www.gq.com/story/chats-with-kick-ass-menswear-guys-miles-johnson-of-levis-xx

 

GQ: When did selvage stop being standard?

 

Johnson: 1985. When using cheaper alternatives, they could make four legs worth from one piece of fabric versus two. The fascination with selvage didn’t start until more recently, you know?

Edited February 24, 2016 by cool_hand

[Maynard Friedman]

It was 1985, when production ceased and moved entirely to the wider non-selvage looms, according to "501: The Evolution of the Jean" by Lynn Downey, former Levi's historian. I just looked it up in my copy.

[Paul T]

Incidentally, the  501 was unusual in that Cone was mostly producing denim on wide selvage looms anyway by the 70s. It was only on the 501 where the busted selvage seam was regarded as an integral part of the look.

[Maynard Friedman]

Paul (or anyone else),

Obviously LVC have produced 1978 and 1983 models, with slightly different cuts - are the denims the same?

Also, were there any real differences between the 501s of those 2 periods (only 5 years apart), e.g. did the cut or details change in reality to justify an additional LVC model?

[setterman]

Paul (or anyone else),

Obviously LVC have produced 1978 and 1983 models, with slightly different cuts - are the denims the same?

Also, were there any real differences between the 501s of those 2 periods (only 5 years apart), e.g. did the cut or details change in reality to justify an additional LVC model?

 

In the difference between the denims, are you referring to back in the day, or with LVC's most recent models?  They haven't made the 1983 in a few years, and I think the denim used in the current 1978 is a new denim made especially for it, so I would guess it's different at least for the two LVC models. 

 

That denim used in the '78 is IMO some of the best I've seen from LVC.  Too bad they blew the cut.  A friend of mine has a vintage pair to compare measurements to, and the rise on my size 38 LVC '78s is shorter than the rise on his vintage size 34 by nearly an inch IIRC.  

[Maynard Friedman]

I mean both. If the denim had changed on the originals, then surely that would be reflected in the LVC models?

Edited February 25, 2016 by Maynard Friedman

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

Good question Maynard, I also wonder why they took the year 1978 for a repri, that year wasn´t a year of change for the 501xx, why they didn´t make a 1972 or keeping the 1983 in production.

 

I have to agree setterman, the 78s denim is really awsome; I think for quite a while now cone denim is trying to compete with japanese denim, if you whatch out for the recent 1915 and 1890 (new denim is used for both) denim, they did a really good job. Now I hope the redevelope the 1947-55s denim aswell.

[Aviv]

Good question Maynard, I also wonder why they took the year 1978 for a repri, that year wasn´t a year of change for the 501xx, why they didn´t make a 1972 or keeping the 1983 in production.

 

I have to agree setterman, the 78s denim is really awsome; I think for quite a while now cone denim is trying to compete with japanese denim, if you whatch out for the recent 1915 and 1890 (new denim is used for both) denim, they did a really good job. Now I hope the redevelope the 1947-55s denim aswell.

 

What would you want to see different about the 47-55 denim?

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

@aviv

 

don´t get me wrong, the denim is not bad at all, but since i have an orignal deadstock pair from late 50s I can tell that only japenese denim could match this old denim. it´s all about the uneveness und slubby touch of an old denim, the current denim may look vintage but doesn´t feel vintage.

[Paul T]

Disagree on one count - I think the 50s denim is great, as good as TCB for instance. The 47 is underwhelming though.

[Maynard Friedman]

Paul, is there any justifiable reason why LVC should have both a '78 and '83 model? Any real differences between cut/denim/details of original models of those eras?

[Flash]

@aviv

don´t get me wrong, the denim is not bad at all, but since i have an orignal deadstock pair from late 50s I can tell that only japenese denim could match this old denim. it´s all about the uneveness und slubby touch of an old denim, the current denim may look vintage but doesn´t feel vintage.

I remember you posted the vintage 50's 501xx a while back but would you mind posting again

[setterman]

Disagree on one count - I think the 50s denim is great, as good as TCB for instance. The 47 is underwhelming though.

 

Started wearing my '47s after them sitting around for four or five years, and couldn't agree more. The denim used in them couldn't be more bland.   

[Paul T]

Paul, is there any justifiable reason why LVC should have both a '78 and '83 model? Any real differences between cut/denim/details of original models of those eras?

I thought I replied to say the cut was different? Re the denim, the pairs do look different - both reasonably hairy but the 83 seems to look quite 'striped' new, with the weft showing through a lot. It is nice denim, and actually I think it's the 70s denim, with lots of Texas cotton, that has helped create the Japanese love of hairy denim (even tho 50s fabric is not particularly hairy).

 

I've not owned either pair though so I don't know the denim properly.

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

@flash

 

I´d love to, but since all the photographs I had postet in all the years, via imageshack, got lost.

So any suggestion from you folks, how to post pics here?

[Flash]

Same as usual mate , just copy and paste the image code from whichever image host you use

Still no plans of wearing them ? If they were mine I couldn't resist

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

So here you are, and sorry for the bad smart phone pics:

Edited February 27, 2016 by Sympathy-For-The-Denim

[Flash]

sorry mate but the pic is tiny

 

if you copy and paste the image code you should be golden 

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

sorry, but thats a bad host since it doesn´t offer original size links...

[Flash]

see them perfect now mate , id have a real tough time not wearing them