Levi's Vintage Clothing

[Dry]

In my opinion, the 1937 501XXc made in 1998 are the best! They are currently available deadstock all 36 length in waist sizes 31, 32 and 33* (* only a few left). https://item.rakuten.co.jp/codet-r/levis-37201-0003/

 

[Rehnen1]

Here are some measurments on my LVC 1947 W31 L34

 

Pre warm soak

W 40cm/15,75” flat measured 

Inseam 87,5cm/34,5”

 

Post warm soak

W 37 cm/14,5” flat measured 

Inseam 81,5cm/32”

 

 

[cultpop 0217]

Levi's Japan has some of the new collection on their site with a teaser video and some stills. 

 I guess the full collection drops in the US  this Friday?

https://www.levi.jp/lvc_seasonal.html

[cultpop 0217]

Spoilers 

[andyrcii]

I just washed my 1955's. when they get 2 weeks of post wash wear I will show the fades. I wanted to wear my 1920 Sunset Shirt for a job interview but because of some very slight shrinkage in my 1955's, the shirt no longer works with those jeans, it just does a complete muffin top when I tuck it in. (skinny man problems). 

So I was forced to break out my Lee "50's Rider" 101z as they are a very boxy very high waisted fit which works well with the shirt. 

 

one question... does the 1920 Sunset shirt shrink too? I think I will wash it cold..

 

Edited August 14, 2021 by andyrcii

[andyrcii]

 

couple of new LVC shirts. The misted yellow from the “madchester” collection and the black and white one from the latest collection. Found it a bit cheaper on END.com.

[jewellben]

Nice to see sensible prices on the Levi’s site for LVC non cone denim jeans this season. £220 WTF

[srudy]

On 8/14/2021 at 11:13 AM, andyrcii said:

I just washed my 1955's. when they get 2 weeks of post wash wear I will show the fades. I wanted to wear my 1920 Sunset Shirt for a job interview but because of some very slight shrinkage in my 1955's, the shirt no longer works with those jeans, it just does a complete muffin top when I tuck it in. (skinny man problems). 

So I was forced to break out my Lee "50's Rider" 101z as they are a very boxy very high waisted fit which works well with the shirt. 

 

one question... does the 1920 Sunset shirt shrink too? I think I will wash it cold..

 

The Sunset 20s shirt does shrink but not a huge amount.

[Dry]

These are the best in my opinion.

[Dr_Heech]

On 8/9/2021 at 9:04 AM, Dry said:

In my opinion, the 1937 501XXc made in 1998 are the best! They are currently available deadstock all 36 length in waist sizes 31, 32 and 33* (* only a few left). https://item.rakuten.co.jp/codet-r/levis-37201-0003/

 

 

3 hours ago, Dry said:

These are the best in my opinion.

^Best in what way? Fit? Details? 

Do you have a worn pair in this model?

[Thanks_M8]

Figured since I own both of the more or less popular 501Z repros focusing on the same time period I could compare them a bit, at least fit-wise.
First up are the 1955 model by Sugar Cane, made in the USA and all the fixings. Size 33, inseam about 77-78cm. Got them second-hand and the inseam was at about 75cm. Opened up the lockstitch and restitched the hem with my roomies sewing machine, worked more or less good, as I could let out a bit of the folded over fabric to gain some length.

Second are the 1954Z, made by LVC, got them a few years ago when the news of Cone shutting down in the US spread, so made probably 2016. Still made in the USA aswell. Size 30, but the waist and rise are about the same as the Canes. Inseam here is 34", nothing shortened and the likes.

And as one can easily see the LVCs are almost skin tight compared to the Canes. Both work fine and are mighty comfy, even though they are very different interpretations of essentially the same model. Can't speak about historical accuracy, since I don't have that knowledge, but from what I gathered the Canes are more accurate, as the LVCs are too slim for a 50s model.
 

Edited August 19, 2021 by Thanks_M8

[Dry]

1 hour ago, Dr_Heech said:

 

^Best in what way? Fit? Details? 

Do you have a worn pair in this model?

I like the denim (from 1998), the quality of the finished product, the colour and the details. These are a once washed pair. 

[andyrcii]

here are my 1955's after 1 wash at 210 days + 2 weeks wear.

Before/ May:

now: 

Edited September 2, 2021 by andyrcii

[Topnotcher]

On 8/17/2021 at 3:52 PM, andyrcii said:

 

couple of new LVC shirts. The misted yellow from the “madchester” collection and the black and white one from the latest collection. Found it a bit cheaper on END.com.

The  ,,new denim ,, 55? I like my a lot fit and denim wise.looks superb on you!

[Dry]

Hairy v Canvassy

The top pair from September 1998 are hairy while the bottom pair from from August 1998 are more canvassy. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Edited September 4, 2021 by Dry
Typo

[Dr_Heech]

1 hour ago, Dry said:

Hairy v Canvassy

The top pair from September 1998 are hairy while the bottom pair from from August 1998 are more canvassy. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Different bolts of denim??

Same thing happened to me with my 2x pair of 1996 201XX. Made months apart but with two (almost) different denims, one more greycast and hairy, one bluer iirc. The info is all there page 1 Levis vintage clothing thread on Denimbro. Nobody knows for sure how consistent the bolts of denim were produced or even where from (??)

[Dry]

7 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

Different bolts of denim??

Same thing happened to me with my 2x pair of 1996 201XX. Made months apart but with two (almost) different denims, one more greycast and hairy, one bluer iirc. The info is all there page 1 Levis vintage clothing thread on Denimbro. Nobody knows for sure how consistent the bolts of denim were produced or even where from (??)

Thanks for the info and intro to Denimbro @Dr_Heech prefer the canvassy ones. Is there any difference in the fading characteristics?

[andyrcii]

On 9/3/2021 at 4:41 PM, Topnotcher said:

The  ,,new denim ,, 55? I like my a lot fit and denim wise.looks superb on you!

thanks, these are cone mills made in 2013

[Dr_Heech]

13 minutes ago, Dry said:

Thanks for the info and intro to Denimbro @Dr_Heech prefer the canvassy ones. Is there any difference in the fading characteristics?

I didn't keep mine long enough to find out the difference; sold them as deadstock to a collector for a handsome price. I did have a couple of other pairs prior to those l was speaking of (old tkmaxx pick ups circa 2002) - tried to wear them like you, one soak and whatnot, but as soon as they hit water, the denim shrunk like crazy, so the wrinkles were in the wrong place aimost. They were a good starter lvc jean but l prefer looser cuts.

Plus l only like the more accurate repros of old Levis now.

[Dry]

11 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

I didn't keep mine long enough to find out the difference; sold them as deadstock to a collector for a handsome price. I did have a couple of other pairs prior to those l was speaking of (old tkmaxx pick ups circa 2002) - tried to wear them like you, one soak and whatnot, but as soon as they hit water, the denim shrunk like crazy, so the wrinkles were in the wrong place aimost. They were a good starter lvc jean but l prefer looser cuts.

Plus l only like the more accurate repros of old Levis now.

I never have any problem with shrinkage. If they fit me raw, they fit after being washed having first been worn for a couple of months. Always machine washed, but always cool: cold or 30C (40C max) unless I want to shrink them. Interesting about the collector buying deadstock - when I die, I fear that my heirs will give my 188 item collection of BNWTs LVC jeans plus a few Type 1, 2 and 3s, some arced Fullcount jeans and Type 1 and 2 jackets, and my Ironhearts  away to charity and will not cash in on their value. Also I have a few 1990s BNWT 501s Made in the USA and a large number of Levis and a few others  which have been washed and worn, some faded but none ripped or torn. Who/where are the collectors? Do they buy off Ebay or is there a specialist forum? ...........having said all that, I did pay £700 for a pair of  555 1955s within the last year and £1,300 for a deadstock 1975 pair of 501s a few years ago.

[Dr_Heech]

1 hour ago, Dry said:

 .. Interesting about the collector buying deadstock - when I die, I fear that my heirs will give my 188 item collection of BNWTs LVC jeans plus a few Type 1, 2 and 3s, some arced Fullcount jeans and Type 1 and 2 jackets, and my Ironhearts  away to charity and will not cash in on their value. Also I have a few 1990s BNWT 501s Made in the USA and a large number of Levis and a few others  which have been washed and worn, some faded but none ripped or torn. Who/where are the collectors? Do they buy off Ebay or is there a specialist forum? ...........having said all that, I did pay £700 for a pair of  555 1955s within the last year and £1,300 for a deadstock 1975 pair of 501s a few years ago.

If you are that worried, and think that they are that precious/valuable, put it in your will. Job done.

The collectors that l sold the bulk of my 555 Lvc collection to, were new to the collecting market at the time (this was c.2010/11). They contacted me through ebay and didn't really know alot about lvc. So l gave out info and they tentatively asked where they could buy 'x, y or z'. I explained what l had and they were very interested. So one by one l eeked out my 555 stuff to them. They even paid by cheque upfront so l was able to charge premium, so between £300-£500 a pop, which was great considering each piece cost between £12 and £125. I intended to let them go one day for a decent profit anyway so l was very happy.

 

That's alot of moola for a ds 555 55 pair, hope they were first runs?

I would love to see some photos of your ds 1975 pair, as l'm sure many others here would too. If you could take the time to do so when it's convenient then that would be great. I think 1300 was a good price if they fit you(?)

Edited September 5, 2021 by Dr_Heech

[Dry]

12 hours ago, Dr_Heech said:

I would love to see some photos of your ds 1975 pair, as l'm sure many others here would too. If you could take the time to do so when it's convenient then that would be great. I think 1300 was a good price if they fit you(?)

Yes, they fit fine W32 L36. They were BNWT but I wore them for a while and still wear them sometimes when the mood takes me. I will get them out in the next day or so.  I have posted pics of them on here: Levi's Vintage Clothing - Page 728 - superdenim - superfuture – supertalk  .  The patch started to come apart so I sewed it.

[Dr_Heech]

17 hours ago, Dry said:

Yes, they fit fine W32 L36. They were BNWT but I wore them for a while and still wear them sometimes when the mood takes me. I will get them out in the next day or so.  I have posted pics of them on here: Levi's Vintage Clothing - Page 728 - superdenim - superfuture – supertalk  .  The patch started to come apart so I sewed it.

Nice that you got a pair that are a good fit - did you soak or wash them, can't tell by the pics (?)  Number 16 on the back of the button by the look of it ?

I have a ds pair from 1978 - Was looking at them the other day and the bloody guarantee ticket came off! ..grrrr. Oh well, it's only 2 staples, easy fix. They would've fitted me when l was a 33 inch waist, but that was 8 years ago. Probably just hold onto them. They have a 6 on the button back and are a long leg length which are becoming harder to find.

[Dry]

I got my 1975s in February or March 2018. They are 16 on the button. Curiously they have selvedge on the coin pocket. There is a lot of twist. There are characteristic flaws in the denim - see right rear pocket. Sadly I can no longer access EBay purchase history from 2018 so have no pics deadstock with flashers etc (I could dig out the flashers if anyone is interested).

[andyrcii]

Been looking to see if anyone has any  LVC 1976 fades.. 

mine have only amassed 94 wears since January 2020, I do like these jeans, but I devoted more time to other pairs, mainly my 1955s. I have just started to concentrate more on them now my 55s have reached their first wash. 
I remember reading that the 1976’s were sulphur dyed and this made them fade faster. This pair already has some decent baby whiskering and honeycombs.

I am going to wash them maybe at around 120 days, for a more “vintage fade”, maybe go for some train tracks.

Edited September 7, 2021 by andyrcii

[bartlebyyphonics]

@andyrcii see below [not mine] ...

 

On 1/25/2018 at 4:37 AM, propellerbeanie said:

Oh yeah, here are some extra photos of the colour of my '76s. It was definitely a sunny day, so the denim is not actually that light in-person. I need to get some repairs done as the inseam near the hem is coming undone from constant cuffing + friction. Also the crotch could do with a bit of a reinforcement. I've been hearing some people saying that the raw measurements are on the smaller side, but I didn't find that that was the case with mine. However, if I were to get another pair, I'd go with maybe a 32/34 or 33/34 just because I like looser fits these days.

 

@ushokmwn I'll measure the inseam tonight for you. I do have long legs for my height, and the following picture was me in my prime.

[Denimstoyevsky]

On 11/18/2020 at 9:32 PM, robotbox said:

My 1966 501’s. I’ve had them for maybe 9 years?  Trying to decide how I want to repair the knee. One belt loop is barely hanging on and there is no pocket-bag whatsoever on the right side. 

Something I've been wondering for years: How do people repair the pocket using a sewing machine?

I repair all my jeans myself, but still haven't figured out this trick. 

[Thanks_M8]

^ detach and resew them on

[MoreCoffeePlease]

Damn, been away from denim so long that I didn't even know LVC wasn't made in the US anymore! Feel kind of bad selling my couple pairs of 55s in 2010 or so, thought I was done wearing jeans at that point and had moved on to khakis and whatnot. Now I just want a pair of Levi's made in the US to wear! Just doesn't feel right they don't have anything made in the US anymore  

[Maynard Friedman]

You can still find MiUSA LVC if you look hard enough, they just cost a bit more than they used to.