Levi's Vintage Collection - 44 501 vs. 47 501?

[Amada]

I've been reading a bunch of posts here, and from what I can gather, the 47 501's are better than the 44 501's. Levi's vintage clothing site (vintage.levi.com) calls 47's the "quintessential" 501. What is it? Is the printed arcuate on the back of the 44's inferior to stitching? Do 47 501's have concealed rivets (the site doesn't say they do)? I've read the cut's changed and I know the arcuate was painted, but I can't place anything else.

Also, how much shrinkage should I expect with jeans like these? Thanks.

[ringring]

The 47s are just different to the 44s. Both are interesting from a historical point of view. The 44s have painted arcuates, donut buttons, no rivets on the watch pocket and some may have shirting for the pocket bags. All those reflect the tightening of resources during the war period.

The 47's do indeed have concealed back pocket rivets. Both are nice jeans.

Expect about 10% shrinkage. (ie about 2 inches shrinkage on the waist and 3 inches on the leg).

[Serge d Nimes]

They are both great jeans. The fit of the 44' is actually pretty nice.

Carpe Denim! (not the jean brand silly!)