Where can I find some basic Levi Rigid 501 jeans, any more?

[tele12]

..... After three washes the seams started separating and the fabric was falling apart....

Apparently you aren't supposed to wash them.



"The more specific guideline is to wash them once every 10 wears at most to keep them fitting correctly and make sure you minimize sagging."

How to wash and dry jeans - Denim Care Guide | Levi's® US

Discover the secrets to maintaining your beloved denim. Our comprehensive guide provides expert advice on washing, drying, and preserving jeans to ensure they retain their size, longevity, and style.

www.levi.com

 

[buster poser]

Too bad ToughSkins are no more.

A terrible fabric I remember well. Worse than Levi's in "stretch denim" but only just. I legit couldn't find any non-stretch Levi's in a large Kohl's last time I looked. Sad how far they done fell.

 

[Milspec]

A 36 leg seems a rarity these days, at least on outlet shelves. A short leg conspiracy I reckon.

Right there with you, one of the reasons I wear LL Bean now.

 

[peteb]

What is "rigid"?

my dad says that in the 1950’s, after you worked on your, the Levi’s could stand on their own.

that is why I like the rigid term.

You mean unwashed?

back when I was young, I never would have worn unwashed Levi’s.

unthinkable.

teaching at an inner city high school in Seattle, I noticed kids wearing unwashed jeans.

they like things Fresh. Pre worn looks nothing but ghetto to them.

 

[GGardner]

If you get a chance, try straight leg 559s. Really comfortable.

 

[keithb7]

Rant removed.

 

[schmee]

my dad says that in the 1950’s, after you worked on your, the Levi’s could stand on their own.

that is why I like the rigid term.


back when I was young, I never would have worn unwashed Levi’s.

unthinkable.

teaching at an inner city high school in Seattle, I noticed kids wearing unwashed jeans.

they like things Fresh. Pre worn looks nothing but ghetto to them.

Yeah the old dark blue stiff ones were "the thing" in the 50's and early 60's. You saw the bottoms cuffed up about 3-4" because that's how much they shrunk over time. And it was a bit unpredictable. You bought waist about 2" bigger than you needed and long legs. Then hoped eventually they fit.
Good riddance to those, as far as I'm concerned.

Heck even buying preshrunk is hard enough; one pair a 33 waist fits me, the next pair of 33 I cant button it! Ebay is filled with Levi's for sale that are "labeled 34 but actually fit a 33" etc!

 

[sotob]

I get my jeans from this place. Japenese fabric, but put together in L.A. I mainly wear their "Slim Straight" fit. I own about 6 pairs. No complaints. There's a reason why I own 6 pair. I guess 501' are about 12oz, so look for the weight on their site or go heavy weight. Button fly just like 501's.

Affordable Selvedge Denim | Brave Star Selvage Jeans Factory

Affordable American made extra heavy raw selvage denim from Cone Mills USA and Japan starting under $100 Made In The USA. Unapologetically Affordable. Uncommonly American.

bravestarselvage.com

 

[Barley Henton]

What you are looking for are Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-fit. They can be ordered all over the place, they usually just don’t have them in stock.

 

[Mekhem]

Ohhh yeah - Shrink to fit levis... buy them big and hope that they shrink close enough...

Anyway - Levis has them on thier website and they have started to release "classic" version of the older selveridge styles. I think part of the problem in finding them is that Levis and other manufacturers no longer have the looms to make the fabric. They sold them to Japanese and other asian companies....

I get my Selveredge from a company in San Francisco that buys the denim from Japan where they do use the old looms and techniques. Its relatively expensive but they are good jeans.

Anyway - I know i have seen them on Amazon and Levi's website - they are just pretty rare...


On a side note - I am glad tham i am not the only one that thinks that the stretchy denim is evil - cant stand it and it is increasingly hard to find non stretchy stuff at retail outlets...

 

[Durtdog]

Shrink to fit. JC Penny is actually still a pretty good bet for Levis.

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/levis-mens-501-original-shrink-to-fit-straight-fit-jean/ppr5008353161?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000014&catId=cat100250010&urlState=%2Fg%2Fmen%2Fjeans%3Fjean_style%3Dstraight%2Bleg%2Bjeans%26id%3Dcat100250010&productGridView=medium&cm_re=ZA-_-GALLERY-JEANS-_-GRID-_-NUC4MENSJEANSFIT-_-STRAIGHT-FIT-SITS-BELOW-WAIST-STRAIGHT-THROUGH-HIP-TH_2

Wow that pic sure makes them look dumpy.

 

[posttoastie]

Made overseas now.

 

[fjblair]

i have been a levis wearer since the 70s...even the new jeans have never done what you said happened to yours to me

Me either. They last years.

 

[jvin248]

I gave up on Levi's about 20 years ago. Cheap, thin denim and loose stitching that fell apart after three washes. They are not what I grew up with.

All that time was when the Levi CEO honed their craft and then went over to run Gibson for KKR....


If you want it done right:




I stopped buying Levis years ago because they always fit odd, always too tight around my thighs while baggy in other areas.

Last few years I just buy the $12 denim pants at Menards. Can't buy flat denim cloth anywhere cheaper than that, let alone have anyone custom cut and sew.


.

 

[Wally]

A 36 leg seems a rarity these days, at least on outlet shelves. A short leg conspiracy I reckon.

And a 36 waist is ’skinny’!

 

[Midgetje94]

I gave up on Levi's about 20 years ago. Cheap, thin denim and loose stitching that fell apart after three washes. They are not what I grew up with.

I’m the same with wrangler. I’ve had 3 different pair blow out different places. Within the last 4-5 months. And it’s not me! They fit right. Just cheaply made now. Need to find another brand

 

[RoscoeElegante]

Who knows?

there are all sorts of different versions of 501s nowadays, but seldom the original.

the Levi website is too confusing for me.

I will check out the local mall. There is a Levi‘s outlet, but they don’t offer the good stuff.

there was another store that had limited amounts of the rigid blue jeans.

I need to re-check Fred Meyers.

thanks

Just beware the button fly model, especially if you're a coffee drinker. When seconds count......

 

[Wally]

I get my jeans from this place. Japenese fabric, but put together in L.A. I mainly wear their "Slim Straight" fit. I own about 6 pairs. No complaints. There's a reason why I own 6 pair. I guess 501' are about 12oz, so look for the weight on their site or go heavy weight. Button fly just like 501's.

Affordable Selvedge Denim | Brave Star Selvage Jeans Factory

Affordable American made extra heavy raw selvage denim from Cone Mills USA and Japan starting under $100 Made In The USA. Unapologetically Affordable. Uncommonly American.

bravestarselvage.com

Thank you for this link.

 

[Wally]

Just beware the button fly model, especially if you're a coffee drinker. When seconds count......

There comes an age When seconds count, eh?

 

[fjblair]

Just beware the button fly model, especially if you're a coffee drinker. When seconds count......

They fit so much better, but the buttons are a hassle.