Icon of Denim: 1936 Levi’s 506XX

IMG 3554 628x352 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXDuring the Easter holidays of 2009 I visited a good friend of mine who was an exchange student at the University of Essex. We spend the weekend in London doing what boys do best: drinking beers and acting stupid. And besides the ticket to a completely sold out Bloc Party concert that we bought from a suspiciously looking geezer, the only tangible memory of the trip that I still have is the Levi’s Vintage Clothing 1936 506XX jacket which I bought in Cinch. I’ve worn it quite a lot since then.

front 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

The 506XX – or Type I – is shrink-to-fit and when I bought it I was advised to sized up, which I ignored and picked up a size small. I’m still completely satisfied with my choice. I’ve come to love the short and boxy silhouette of the jacket which matches perfectly with a classic pair of 501 jeans worn like they did back in the days.

side1 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXback 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXBelow are the measurements in centimeters of the new and and worn jacket, respectively. I put the shrinkage in percent to make it easier to grasp how much it has actually shrunk.

Skærmbillede 2012 05 30 kl. 15.51.13 628x257 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXIMG 3556 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXThe sleeves have gotten some great yet natural honeycombs. I rinsed the jacket and wore it dry when I got it and other than that it has only been machine washed once or twice.

IMG 3613 628x471 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

IMG 3620 628x837 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXIMG 3561 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXIMG 3592 628x471 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXThe pocket has been opened and closed an infinite number of times, which has worn almost all indigo off around the button hole.

IMG 3597 e1338297709580 628x684 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXThis crease is a result of the arm being slightly too wide.

IMG 3633 628x471 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XXIMG 3534 628x471 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

IMG 3545 628x418 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

IMG 3515 628x471 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

IMG 3521 628x837 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

IMG 3530 628x837 Icon of Denim: 1936 Levis 506XX

The jacket is made from the same Cone Mills redline selvage denim used for the 1933 501XX.

Worn by Thomas Bojer.

Published on 11 June 2012 15 Comments
  • Steve

    That jacket seems to have worn in so nicely. I had the same experience with the sizing on a Type III I bought some years ago, that I was advised to size up, but stayed true to size, and even with some considereable shrinkage I found the size 44 to be a slim fit, but true to the era for me. I just hope that now I have started to wear it properly, it will fade and wear in similar to this one.

  • http://maxbittle.com Max

    That jacket is fantastic. I’ve been looking for a vintage one for a long long time.

    • Debe

      I have a Levi Vintage one pocket buckle in the back jacket. Let me know if you are interested.

      • Dave

        I may be interested?

  • Karl

    Nice jacket and perfect fit. I’m looking at a type 2 for my next project. My type three (from Edwin) has seen a couple of years wear and needs a friend.

  • http://maximummovies.tumblr.com/ Peter Stanfield

    I recently bought a LVC Type II (large),I’m 6’1″ and 42″ chest size, I gave it a cold rinse to get rid of the starch and then had a real shock when I saw the shrinkage . . .Your photos are spot on with recording the differences, but like you I think the slimmer fit looks better. Only thing that bothers me is the way the jacket bulges at the front between the bottom two buttons when the front is completely buttoned up. Could be my body shape (!?!) or posture that causes this or just a natural fanning of the pleating. Anyone else have this issue?

    I’d like to know how great the differences are between my LVC jacket and the Edwin overworks version, not least cos there is difference of £250 in price between them . . .

    Anyway, great site. When next in London you should check out Son of a Stag and the new Edwin store, both located in the East End and within walking distance of each other.

    Best, Peter

  • Steve

    Hi Peter,
    I have the very same issue of the bulge on those same buttons on my LVC type III. I had always assumed it was caused by the waistband shrinking more than most of the rest of the jacket.

  • Michael S

    Hey Thomas hvor kan jeg få fat i sådan en? Michael

    • Thomas

      Brund i København, det er der jeg har lånt den nye fra. Bemærk de er samme størrelse!

      • Michael S

        Tak.

        Kender du prisen?

        • Thomas

          Jeg mener prisen er 1600,- men jeg kan huske forkert.

  • Josh

    What would be the price for item like this?

  • jeff

    Hey There,

    I came across a green line, selvage jacket today and I’m having difficulty dating it. It’s a 2 pocket, 5 button, open neck with a single pleat in the sleeve. No tag and no tab. I would appreciate any info you can share.

    Cheers,

    Jeff

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