Levi's Vintage Clothing

[dotcomzzz]

Right on, I'll go with the 84s then. Thanks man.

[Maynard Friedman]

This LVC fit guide, albeit from 2013, may be useful.

[dotcomzzz]

That's super cool, no 84 501 but it's still rad.

[Dry]

Plenty of life left in these 1955s. They are all 555s except those on the top right which are 554s.

[428CJ]

On 3/4/2021 at 6:59 AM, dotcomzzz said:

Guys, what's going to be the most tapered between the 66, 78 and 84 501. Info online is scarce on these versions and how they compare, particularly the last two years. Thanks!

I am unsure about the taper of the '84, and I don't really know the '78, but I do own the '76 and '66.

'66 is more tapered, but less slim fitting, than the '76. That is because the '66 has wider hips, yet a narrower waistband, than the '76. '76s are slim hipped compared to '66s, yet the waistband is larger. They both go out to approximately the same leg opening, at the same tag size. Therefore, the '76 is a straighter but tighter jean.

Where '84 fits in to that comparison, I do not know...and I am also now sure how close the '76s and '78s are.

Edited March 7, 2021 by 428CJ

[Facini]

'78 has a really low rise compared to any other model offered by LVC and i couldn't come to terms with it. It had a fair amount of taper iirc, but nothing compared to some of the earlier variants of the '54 - talk about a slim tapered jean. The '78 did have the carrot shape, but i didn't think of the taper as excessive perse. '76 is what the '78 should have been from the start imo. Fantastic cone on the '78 though....

[crownzip]

Just some picks of my LVC 1944 501's. The painted arcuates have pretty much faded away.

[andyrcii]

@crownzip many washes? 

Edited March 11, 2021 by andyrcii

[jake431]

On 3/7/2021 at 2:15 PM, crownzip said:

Just some picks of my LVC 1944 501's. The painted arcuates have pretty much faded away.

Jesus, Grant! I remember when you were favoring the Lee 44's over these. These have aged well.

[Dry]

1937 501 XXc 555s.

Has anyone got these? I presume the c stands for cinch. They look the same as 1937 201s except for the patch. The inner label defines them as 201s.  I like the 1937 201s but always thought they should be 501s so were not as 'authentic'. The design of the cinch is not right but then it doesn't break so I can accept it.

I have some size 32 201 555s, so I decided to go for some size 32 501XXc's at about £205 before duty etc only for them to be unavailable by the time the order was processed. As I have some 1955s in size 31 I thought I could squeeze into some size 31 501XXc's.

In frustration over the purchase procedure I ended up putting in multiple orders from different sources but wasn't worried as I thought some would end up as unavailable.  However, to my surprise all the orders have now been completed so I will now end up with 4 pairs!

I had a job getting the waistband of size 32 201s done up today after a 40C wash so getting the waistband done up on the size 31s will be a struggle. I may break my luck of always being able to get into any jeans I have bought. I once took 30 mins to get some 25 oz Ironheart buttoned up. If I can't get into them, unless anybody can swap them for size 32s, I may have to put them up for sale when they arrive . The 1937s seem to have less give than 1955s probably because of the cinch.

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/birigo/levis-37201-0003/

[Dr_Heech]

The 'c' in 501xxc, on original vintage levis 501's (1936/37 before the patent came into force..) stands for 'concealed'.

I would imagine that this detail was taken under the wing by LvcJ and thus replicated. Hope this helps?

 

[Facini]

Does anybody ( the good @Dr_Heech perhaps? ) have any experience with late 90s 506xx jackets and their fit? I might have a lead on one and want to make sure that the fit corresponds to size unlike its 555 507xx brother... 

 

maybe somebody even have measurements? 

[Dry]

1 hour ago, Dr_Heech said:

The 'c' in 501xxc, on original vintage levis 501's (1936/37 before the patent came into force..) stands for 'concealed'.

I would imagine that this detail was taken under the wing by LvcJ and thus replicated. Hope this helps?

 

Thank you. Here is a screen print.

[H...crimper]

3 hours ago, Dry said:

1937 501 XXc 555s.

Has anyone got these? I presume the c stands for cinch. They look the same as 1937 201s except for the patch. The inner label defines them as 201s.  I like the 1937 201s but always thought they should be 501s so were not as 'authentic'. The design of the cinch is not right but then it doesn't break so I can accept it.

I have some size 32 201 555s, so I decided to go for some size 32 501XXc's at about £205 before duty etc only for them to be unavailable by the time the order was processed. As I have some 1955s in size 31 I thought I could squeeze into some size 31 501XXc's.

In frustration over the purchase procedure I ended up putting in multiple orders from different sources but wasn't worried as I thought some would end up as unavailable.  However, to my surprise all the orders have now been completed so I will now end up with 4 pairs!

I had a job getting the waistband of size 32 201s done up today after a 40C wash so getting the waistband done up on the size 31s will be a struggle. I may break my luck of always being able to get into any jeans I have bought. I once took 30 mins to get some 25 oz Ironheart buttoned up. If I can't get into them, unless anybody can swap them for size 32s, I may have to put them up for sale when they arrive . The 1937s seem to have less give than 1955s probably because of the cinch.

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/birigo/levis-37201-0003/

Im wearing a pair of them over on what are you wearing today. Great jeans I brought them in 1996

[Dr_Heech]

1 hour ago, Facini said:

Does anybody ( the good @Dr_Heech perhaps? ) have any experience with late 90s 506xx jackets and their fit? I might have a lead on one and want to make sure that the fit corresponds to size unlike its 555 507xx brother... 

 

maybe somebody even have measurements? 

Can't comment on the recent ones but l  bought one from Cinch back in 2000. Short and boxy fit. When l machined washed it, the arms became short but the body only lost length, not width.

The 213 l once owned was identical in fit and post wash behaviour. 

In the end l opted for a Lee 1934 101J repro as the fit was more slender with some length in the arms.

[Facini]

Alright, thanks for sharing! I'll see if i end up making a pass at it. 

Have you by chance posted that 1934 101J Repro anywhere on SuFu? 

[Dr_Heech]

8 minutes ago, Facini said:

Alright, thanks for sharing! I'll see if i end up making a pass at it. 

Have you by chance posted that 1934 101J Repro anywhere on SuFu? 

Some recent pics on the Leepro thread, page 64.

[SF2Turbo]

On 1/4/2020 at 10:53 AM, Dry said:

1966s compared: Japanese denim on the left, Cone on the right.

 

i see that the miusa pair is exactly the same cut as mine also usa cone denim. the japan one seems a bit different. the stitching just above the back pocket doesnt have the curve at the end compared to the made in usa or are my eyes playing tricks

[Facini]

My first pair of shrink to fits. 1954 501zxx. Bought in December 2015 and worn just about everyday for over a year then to more infrequent use. Lots of repair including a back pocket repair and having the entire ass darned. Front pockets repaired too many times to count. Side stitch repair. Long since retired. They faded quick because they were always on the tighter side.

Here's an old Heddels article they were featured in from before the entire ass blew out. Pictures in the article are from Autumn 2016.

https://www.heddels.com/2016/11/fade-of-the-day-lvc-1954-501zxx-9-months-12-washes-2-soaks/ 

Edited March 13, 2021 by Facini

[Dry]

Ancient and modern! May 1998 Valencia Street 1937 201XXs  and (if I understand the label correctly) May 2019 Bulgarian 1937 501XXs (which were clearly designed to Wrinkle, Shrink and Fade!).

[SF2Turbo]

On 12/3/2020 at 7:08 PM, Maynard Friedman said:

I see the Levi’s UK webstore is selling the rigid 47/54/55 models for £210 now. I’m sure they were only £170-180 a few weeks ago! Aeroleather are selling them for £170 too.

what a rip off at that price not long ago i got my cone denim LVC 1966 from american classics for £160 made in usa. now not made in usa and levis are selling it at £210

what a joke. and its 12oz denim

[dotcomzzz]

To echo @SF2Turbo,that price is crazy for any non Cone version. Very steep for what you get. I grabbed two pairs of 84 501s from American Rag and used a code last week, which brought the price down to somewhere around $220 each. And while I'm super happy with them, in my view it's still pricy for denim that's nowhere near Cone quality. But the fit is perfect, so I can hardly complain.

Anyway, it would be super sweet if Levis started making their jeans in the US again. At the very least the LVCs. Like through Railcar or something. It would be interesting to see what happens if that came about. I'm sure the denim wouldn't be exactly the same as Cone's, but it would def be light years better than where they're making LVCs now. 

[Dry]

Loving everything about my Valencia Street 551ZXXs - the fit, the denim and the colour. They almost look overdyed. Very little give so far. The waistband is snug but they are not too tight and there is no noticeable hip flare. The flasher must be one of the best.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Dry
Typo

[LazyS]

551zxx 555 size 34

 

55 501 555 size 34. too tight in the hips now, doesn't remind me of a 50s cut. I brought these into the LVC meat packing store to get hemmed but they started unraveling again a few weeks after so i just cut them with scissors

55 501 555 size 36. This is the fit i think of when i think of the 50s

 

44 501 size 34.  just like the 55  tts seems too slim to be an accurate ww2 cut imo

Edited March 19, 2021 by LazyS

[H...crimper]

13 hours ago, dotcomzzz said:

To echo @SF2Turbo,that price is crazy for any non Cone version. Very steep for what you get. I grabbed two pairs of 84 501s from American Rag and used a code last week, which brought the price down to somewhere around $220 each. And while I'm super happy with them, in my view it's still pricy for denim that's nowhere near Cone quality. But the fit is perfect, so I can hardly complain.

Anyway, it would be super sweet if Levis started making their jeans in the US again. At the very least the LVCs. Like through Railcar or something. It would be interesting to see what happens if that came about. I'm sure the denim wouldn't be exactly the same as Cone's, but it would def be light years better than where they're making LVCs now. 

LVC not made in the USA kind of defeats the concept of LVC, its kind of Fake Levis.

[dotcomzzz]

 

4 hours ago, H...crimper said:

LVC not made in the USA kind of defeats the concept of LVC, its kind of Fake Levis.

Yeah I agree 100%. Btw if you or anyone know where to score a pair of 78 501s that would be appreciated. Atm I'm watching ebay like a hawk, but also realize anyone who knows what they have will try to sell them for a bundle. 

[H...crimper]

34 minutes ago, dotcomzzz said:

 

Yeah I agree 100%. Btw if you or anyone know where to score a pair of 78 501s that would be appreciated. Atm I'm watching ebay like a hawk, but also realize anyone who knows what they have will try to sell them for a bundle. 

Ive got some orignal 78s on ebay at moment.

[Maynard Friedman]

It's probably time LVC re-released the 1920s 201 model, not that I'm looking to buy a pair, it's just been a while.

[unders]

Seconded @Maynard Friedman . They seem to be interested in ‘recent vintage’ at the moment, with marketing & lookbooks for the past handful of seasons being dominated by the 60s - 80s. The way trends are going it wouldn’t be surprising if they played on the 90s next.
Let’s get back to the good olden days I say. 

[cusswords]

LVC ended US production of 501s, so they might as well do a 90s collection to celebrate that.