iconic denim photos

[AnOldFolkSong]

[reubensangwich]

A couple shots by Marion Post Wolcott.

 

If you zoom in you can read the lot and size numbers. 

 

Match strikes on the right hamstring.

Patch removed, cinch as well, or possibly an S501 with watch pocket rivets.

Edited August 21, 2025 by reubensangwich

[Dr_Heech]

That's some great stuff right there @reubensangwich - in that last photo  they are definitely a pair of '1937' 501XX but have had the cinch strap completely removed as well as the rivets (a little dark hole being the tell tell sign).

Also that same first shot, amazing shape of the arcuate where it hits (almost) the bottom of the vertical side of the back pocket.

 

 

Also, that pair in the middle with the match strikes, they are 1937 model also imo.

Edited August 22, 2025 by Dr_Heech
To add stuff

[reubensangwich]

Thank you, @Dr_Heech! I was hoping one of the resident historians would chime in to confirm my suspicions. What gives the match strike pair away as being a 37 rather than an early war model? From that angle it doesn't look like there is, or ever was, a cinch. Here's another shot of him. 

Edited August 21, 2025 by reubensangwich

[Lorcan]

First pic is making me feel good about getting a narrow width embossed western belt from Codina kinda specifically to wear with my Sugar Cane 42s 🤠

[reubensangwich]

@Lorcan Fantastic taste, I think those 42's might be my next pair

[Dr_Heech]

12 hours ago, reubensangwich said:

Thank you, @Dr_Heech! I was hoping one of the resident historians would chime in to confirm my suspicions. What gives the match strike pair away as being a 37 rather than an early war model? From that angle it doesn't look like there is, or ever was, a cinch. Here's another shot of him. 

The reason l think they're a cinchback model is because firstly the arc looks stitched on but there's no diamond in the centre and secondly because the red tab is placed high up almost under the bar-tacking which is generally a feature of the 1937 501XX. Just a guess though - could've had the cinch strap completely removed as well as the other pair?

Great sets of photos regardless. 

Edited August 22, 2025 by Dr_Heech
To edit obvs

[reubensangwich]

Much appreciated, Doc 🫡

Another one I saw yesterday and I just have to post. Photo by Dorothea Lange, from the Library of Congress: San Francisco, Calif. Apr. 1942. Pals at Weill Public School - Yuichi Sumi, left, of Japanese ancestry, and Tommy Wong of Chinese descent, on one of the last days before evacuation of Californians of Japanese ancestry, under US Army Exclusion Order No. 20, Sumi will be housed in a War Relocation Authority center for the duration of the war.

A gut-wrenching story that should not soon be forgotten. 

Yuichi looks to be wearing a crisp 506 (or 213?), or another brand's knockoff. Tommy in a very interesting v-neck sweat, with pockets on the waistband ribbing? 

[Dr_Heech]

Nice. My guess is a 213.

[Lorcan]

Yeah buttons look like 213, sad story.

[KarlHavoc]

Horse drinking a coca cola at the Indiana State Fair in the 50s

[AnOldFolkSong]

[Lorcan]

[Dr_Heech]

RIP Robert Redford (1936-2025)

 

Levis 507XX

 

Levis 505's with Selvedge 

 

[PBTony]

Another one of Redford.

Storm Rider

[Dr_Heech]

12 hours ago, PrettyBoyTony said:

Another one of Redford.

Storm Rider

Mid to late 70's model with the acrylic Troy lining judging by the vertical stripes. 

[Double 0 Soul]

[NilsLW]

Found this one of Richard Ashcroft from The Verve wearing a type II. Curious about the price, is it mainline or was LVC and real vintage this cheap in the 90s?

[FurnitureMaker]

44 minutes ago, NilsLW said:

Found this one of Richard Ashcroft from The Verve wearing a type II. Curious about the price, is it mainline or was LVC and real vintage this cheap in the 90s?

In the 90’s, it was still possible, but rare, to find true vintage denim pieces at thrift stores. I found a pair of 1950’s Levi’s xx for $4 in 98, my size too. My biggest score.  I was mostly looking for shirts and tops at that time and I regularly found shirts and jackets from the 40-60’s. I could find at least one and up to six shirts on an afternoon of thrifting. But, If it was denim, it was likely to be Wrangler and Lee, not Levi’s. 
 

In  NYC, you could go to a few vintage clothing stores and find the good stuff for very high prices. If memory serves a nice pair of 50s Levi’s would be $1200-2000. 
 
No  other insight as to the jacket you posted. 
 

edit to add that I just noticed the Levi’s logo on the right side of the photo. If this was a promo shot, I would guess that the jacket was LVC. 
 

Edited October 7, 2025 by FurnitureMaker

[Dr_Heech]

4 hours ago, NilsLW said:

Found this one of Richard Ashcroft from The Verve wearing a type II. Curious about the price, is it mainline or was LVC and real vintage this cheap in the 90s?

I had this jacket. I can tell it's the same 507XX copy by the top pleat stitch box being much lower than the tops of the pocket flaps. On originals and good repros like the lvc 507XX the pleat stitching boxes on either side are roughly in line with the top of the pockets. Think l got mine around 1994 from the main levis store in Cheltenham at the time so l would definitely say mainline as lvc wasn't around until August 1996.

Edited October 7, 2025 by Dr_Heech
To edit obvs

[Maynard Friedman]

Mystery solved! Did the red tab have a big E or small e Charlie?

[Dr_Heech]

7 minutes ago, Maynard Friedman said:

Mystery solved! Did the red tab have a big E or small e Charlie?

Small e Martin. I have a photo of it somewhere  which l may dig out at some point, although you won't be able to read the tab e-wise.

[indigoeagle]

LVC was always with the big E, no?
When I bought a pair in Japan in '91 the big deal was the big E and the selvedge.
Perhaps it was then under simply "Levis" and not "LVC" yet.

Anyway, the 507XX by LVC in the last years has always had the big E, I think.

 

 

 

[Maynard Friedman]

^ Yes. To clarify:

• The Type II jacket in question was pre-LVC hence the small e
• The 90s Japanese repros were simply Levi’s Japan but had big E on the red tab
• LVC Type IIs have a big E

[Dr_Heech]

30 minutes ago, indigoeagle said:

Anyway, the 507XX by LVC in the last years has always had the big E, I think.

 

 

But why the Copper Riveted on the patch as the type 2 was born around 1952 and was dead by 1968. Copper riveted was removed and replaced by original riveted around 1942

[indigoeagle]

1 hour ago, Dr_Heech said:

But why the Copper Riveted on the patch as the type 2 was born around 1952 and was dead by 1968. Copper riveted was removed and replaced by original riveted around 1942

Good eye and good question

[AnOldFolkSong]

[Sympathy-For-The-Denim]

@NilsLW

This advertisement shows Richard Ashcroft around 1997, when The Verve released the album “Urban Hymns.”

At that time, I not only longed for a pair of Wallabees, which was almost impossible to find in Germany back then, but I was also intrigued by the “Red Tab” advertising campaign. The ads always featured the red tab and showcased famous models with red labels, such as the 505 Slim Zip Fly, the 200 (517) boot cut jeans or the Slim Fit Trucker Jacket (Type III). I still have these models, being made from a rather nice heavy denim and mostly came onewashed. Though I can't remember this particular ad, for it was a UK only thing I guess, I would fit perfectly into the hole campaign. I also remember Richard wearing a pair of cordurdoy 200s, the type III under a leather jacket along with Padmore & Barnes Wallabees in the video for Bittersweet symphony. In short I guess this is a "regular line" Type 2 version and run under the number 70502 04. 

 

Edited October 24, 2025 by Sympathy-For-The-Denim

[JDelage]

French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo in a denim Western shirt...

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

Jimmy page wearing what looks like Levi’s with suspender buttons? From the recent zeppelin documentary on Netflix.   

 

no idea why the pics are upside down. Sorry about that.