Just found out vintage Levi's from the 80s have a different cut than modern repros

I was digging through a bin at a consignment shop and looked up the care tag code on my phone, turns out the 501s from 1986 have a higher rise and wider leg than the current shrink-to-fit ones. Anyone else notice this when thrifting old denim?

2 comments

2 Comments

bailey.sam3d ago

I read a really interesting thread on a denim subreddit about how the 1984 cone mills denim had a completely different weight and feel than the stuff they make now. That high rise from the 80s is so much more comfortable for sitting down, I honestly don't get why modern cuts went so low. The wider leg was nice too, I think it gives a more relaxed silhouette that's actually flattering on most people. I always grab old pairs when I see them just for that roomy fit.

noah9173d agoMost Upvoted

The real magic was how they shrank over time, that new stuff just stays the same.