Best of Levi’s: 501 Shrink-To-Fit

Levi BACK 628x502 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To Fit

The Levi’s Best of collection is a tribute to the originals with a commercial twist. This is a pair of the 501 shrink-to-fits from the premium red tab line. The designers have taken all the best features from historic jeans from the Levi’s archives and in many ways these jeans are identical to the top-of-the-line Levi’s Vintage Clothing products. Selvage fabrics (from Japan though, not Cone Mills), chain stitched hems, hidden selvage on the coin pocket, leather patch, punched through copper rivets, zink buttons, V-stitch at the top button, and single stitches on the back pockets. There’s no Big E on the red tab and they’re sewn in Turkey not America.

Levi SIDE 628x502 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitThe fit of this 501 is a classic regular, but slightly more commercial and contemporary than the original fits from the Levi’s Vintage Clothing line. You’ll especially see and feel the difference in the rise. These jeans are perfect for those of you who thinks DKK 1900 (€250) is a bit too much for a pair of selvage denim shrink-to-fit Levi’s jeans – the Best of shrink-to-fits will set you back DKK 1000 (€135). But for some only the “real” thing will work. No matter what you prefer these jeans are guaranteed to fade beautifully with wear.

levi FRONT 628x502 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To Fit

The pictures above are pre and post a 2-hour hot soak. The jeans didn’t really shrink that much though. See measurements in centimeters below, they are size 31×34.

Skærmbillede 2012 06 18 kl. 08.33.37 628x332 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitNow, let’s have a closer look at the details of the jeans.

IMG 3948 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3950 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3952 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3956 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3961 628x942 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3963 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3966 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To FitIMG 3977 628x471 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To Fit

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Thomas Bojer

Founder and editor-in-chief at Denimhunters
Thomas got into denim through a keen interest in manufacturing and a love for the well-faded jean. He's based in Copenhagen, Denmark, but he travels as much as his job allows. Through Denimhunters he has found a way to share his passion with likeminded enthusiasts while learning more about the blue fabric. Thomas' favourite jean is the 1947 501XX and he has a soft spot for Red Wing Shoes.
734019 10152300210237195 839581040 n 2 Best of Levis: 501 Shrink To Fit
Published on 18 June 2012 10 Comments
  • Steve

    As you say, look great value if compaired to LVC models.

  • Kok

    yeah, looks great and at first sight great value. but wait a minute, sown together with Turkish hand is half the value of those done by Americans? What a f*** up world we live in!

    • Thomas

      Hi Kok,
      I couldn’t agree more with you, it is kind of crazy that an American product is worth almost twice as much as a Turkish product that is seems to be just the same. But think about the following facts that makes the price higher on the American jeans:
      - American wages – even though they are not at Scandinavian/Swiss level, they are rather high
      - American fabric from Cone Mills
      - VAT and customs on products from America sold in the EU
      - Maintenance of vintage sewing machines – the Turkish factories don’t have the same amount of vintage machinery as the Americans (at least as far as I know)
      - Branding and Made in USA! It’s all in the name.
      Hope this helps,
      /Thomas

  • Arie van den Berg

    I prefer the real American thing: only USA-made LVC 501′s. I honour the heritage, original country where the first jeans was made in 1873. A tribute to history (and Turkey has no history with jeans).

    • Thomas

      Please keep a decent tone!

  • Kok

    Right, but in Economic 101 American or European wage rate is higher its because of supposedly higher “productivity”, ie. we can produce more or efficiently. Should not have any effect on total cost.
    What we are or would be paying for is the magic ingredient: Branding, The heritage, or in other word hot air.

  • AHRIE SANDOVAL

    the back pocket is too big…not the original Levis fit from the state…been wearing 501 since high school and I’m 50 year old now…can’t fool us…bring back the original cowboy fit…

  • http://yahoo.com gladys

    yes red tab was good enough for me, but i like silvertab better to fit

  • EM

    my best choice!

  • philip

    Were can buy levis 501 shink to fit in the uk