{"id":2666,"date":"2025-11-27T11:36:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/?p=2666"},"modified":"2025-11-27T11:36:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T11:36:25","slug":"my-levis-501-mega-test-what-i-learned-trying-on-18-versions-of-the-worlds-most-iconic-jeans-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/?p=2666","title":{"rendered":"My Levi’s 501 Mega-Test: What I Learned Trying on 18 Versions of the World’s Most Iconic Jeans"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are jeans, and then there\u2019s the Levi\u2019s 501. Launched in 1890, it\u2019s been a mainstay of American style, GQ<\/em>\u2019s pages, and my own closet. Probably yours, too.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the rub: like Coke Classic or the McDonald\u2019s Big Mac, the Levi\u2019s 501 has been constantly tweaked over the decades. For a pair of jeans defined by its signature fit\u2014straight leg, waist sitting at the hip, with an ass that hugs but doesn\u2019t strangle, and a clean line from thigh to ankle\u2014the 501 has gone through more facelifts than an Oscars red carpet.<\/p>\n

On the Levi\u2019s site today, you\u2019ll find about 40 (!) variations of the 501, including basic versions, reproductions of vintage styles with era-specific details, the brand\u2019s DIY Shrink-to-Fit 501, and even slim tapers (which seem to canonically violate the Tao of the 501).<\/p>\n

So I did what needed to be done: I tried on a ton of different 501s to separate the hits from the skips. To help, Levi\u2019s sent me 17 pairs (God bless \u2019em) for a full wear-test. I also grabbed a pair of 501s from Amazon\u2014you\u2019ll see why below. I chose similar washes for all the jeans because this test was about the fit, not judging \u201cNorthern Lights\u201d against \u201cRockwell Morning\u201d (real, actual names of current Levi\u2019s washes). Also, I always size up in Levi\u2019s, because I find they run a bit small, especially after a wash\u2014but your mileage may vary.<\/p>\n

Below are my favorite Levi\u2019s 501s of the nearly 40 styles available. Hopefully this saves you some time as you hunt for the next pair of all-American jeans to add to your collection.<\/p>\n

\n

The Best 501s I Tested<\/h2>\n
The Affordable StandardLevi's 501 Original Fit Men's JeansJump to review$80 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The Best OverallLevi's Premium Original Fit Men's Selvedge JeansJump to review$148 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The DIY ExperienceLevi's 501 Original Shrink to Fit Men's JeansJump to review$80 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The Often-Copied Archival IconLevi's Levi's Vintage Clothing 1947 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's JeansJump to review$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The Most ChillLevi's Premium 501 '93 Straight Fit Selvedge Men's JeansJump to review$148 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

\n

The Affordable Standard: Levi\u2019s 501 Original<\/h2>\n
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Levi\u2019s calls this pair the \u201cOriginal,\u201d more because they represent the modern-day vision of the 501 than because they bear much connection to that 1890 pair. These hit all the important notes: quintessential 501 straight-leg fit, button fly, democratic pricing, and those instantly recognizable back pockets.<\/p>\n

Amazingly, you can order them in varying levels of stretch\u2014high, low, and none. For me, the correct answer is \u201cnone.\u201d (Real 100% cotton denim will break in; stretch denim just breaks down.) But if 100%-cotton jeans feel like a full-time job to you, the low-stretch version makes the cut. I can\u2019t look you in the eyes and abide the \u201chigh stretch\u201d version, though.<\/p>\n

And while we\u2019re here, I took the opportunity to settle an age-old (okay, several-years-old) denim debate: Are the Levi\u2019s 501s sold by Levi\u2019s on Amazon the same as the ones from the brand\u2019s own website? If you think this is a real tinfoil-hat question, know that plenty<\/em> of brands create tweaked or cheapened versions of their products to hit an Amazon pricepoint. (And 501s are routinely marked down significantly in Bezosville.) Just to be even more suspicious: the photographs on Amazon make the back pockets look like they went on a juice cleanse compared to the ones on Levi\u2019s site.<\/p>\n

But I can personally confirm that, in person, they are identical. Same waistband tag, same fit, same label proudly declaring \u201c501 Original.\u201d Just know that navigating Amazon\u2019s wash options should come with hazard pay.<\/p>\n

The swatches are useless, the images are badly shot, and, just to add to the chaos, the level of stretchiness depends on the wash you choose (and possibly the size?). You\u2019ll see what you\u2019re getting under \u201cfabric type\u201d, with 100% cotton meaning no stretch, 1% elastane being low stretch, and 2% being high stretch. If you manage to actually find the right shade of denim on a pair of Amazon 501s, you should get a discount. Which it seems they\u2019ve taken into account.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

501 Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$80 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNone, Low, High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Best Overall: Levi\u2019s 501 Original Selvedge<\/h2>\n
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So you want 501s you can break in\u2014that will become yours<\/em>. And maybe you\u2019re partial to the beauty of a finished seam on the upturned cuff of a pair of selvedge (a.k.a., \u201craw\u201d) jeans. For a not entirely nominal fee, the 501 Original Selvedge has you covered.<\/p>\n

These hit all the fit notes of the 501 Originals, plus they\u2019ll let you write your own story in fades and wrinkles\u2014especially in the darker washes. No, they\u2019re not made in Japan nor as beefy as the archive-inspired Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 501 versions (we\u2019ll get to those in a minute), but the 501 Original Selvedge are<\/em> something of a steal. At $150, you\u2019re looking at one of the best-fitting, longest-lasting pairs of selvedge jeans out there.<\/p>\n

The fit on these is closest to the \u201954 501Z down below, except you get a button fly. But the real comp is a pair of vintage 501s. Unless you\u2019ve got a plug, you\u2019ll spend more\u2014money, and time\u2014for quality vintage versions, and you\u2019ll be wearing someone else\u2019s fades. There\u2019s a time and a place for all that, but the 501 Original Selvedge offers a blank slate. Wear them hard, and who knows\u2014maybe in 2055, some vintage dealer buys your pair right off you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Premium Original Fit Men's Selvedge Jeans<\/h3>\n

$148 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid\/Waist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The DIY Experience: Levi\u2019s 501 Original Shrink-to-Fit<\/h2>\n
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There will be a lot of history lessons in here, maybe none more bar-trivia-level than this: In 1930 a man named Sanford Lockwood Cluett invented sanforization (ego naming!), an industrial process that pre-shrank cotton before being turned into clothing and goods. Up until then, all jeans (and chinos, too) shrank\u2014a lot\u2014upon being washed. Levi\u2019s 501 Original Shrink-to-Fit remains un-sanforized.<\/p>\n

As a result, they\u2019re about as close to the original 501 experience as you can get. They require a little work, including guesswork, but they\u2019re also the best 501s under $100 if you want to wear in a pair until they fit like they were made just for you.<\/p>\n

The first rule of buying a pair of Shrink-to-Fit (hereafter, STF) jeans is that you always go up<\/em> two sizes in both the waist and the length. I\u2019m usually a 30 or 31 waist and a 30 inseam. For a STF pair, I\u2019ll go 32×32 or 33×32. Trust me\u2014they\u2019ll shrink that much.<\/p>\n

What comes next is a choose your own adventure. Some folks swear by wearing their STFs in the bath for 30 minutes, then wearing them until they\u2019re dry. Those people are mildly insane. Most folks will either just soak a fresh pair of STFs in warm bathwater for half an hour, \u201cstirring\u201d and moving them occasionally, then letting them air-dry. Others will wash them on a warm cycle, then air-dry or\u2014for a big shrink\u2014run them in the dryer. All of the above will end with a lot of indigo seeping from the jeans. Avoid washing or drying them with, well, almost anything.<\/p>\n

Me? I like to wear my brand-new STFs 10 times or so, then<\/em> wash them cold and hang them to dry. I always end up with a pair of 501s that feel like they\u2019ve been tailored to me, all for under $100. This is the magic of Levi\u2019s STF\u2014what made them a go-to denim brand forever, long before influencer \u201chacks\u201d were a thing.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

501 Original Shrink to Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$80 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Middle Ground: Premium 501 Original<\/h2>\n
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Between the value-priced basic 501 Original and the Selvedge 501 sits this, the Premium 501 Original. No one will notice that you paid the $19 upcharge, but you\u2019ll<\/em> feel the difference. The most visible glow-up over the entry-level pair is the leather patch tag above the right back pocket, replacing the paperboard one on the entry level 501. But the real<\/em> difference is a subtle improvement in the denim\u2014it\u2019s a little heavier, and should result in some more aesthetically pleasing fades if you\u2019re starting with a dark wash. That said, if you can swing the Selvedge version, you\u2019ll get the best of all worlds.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Premium 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$98 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

My Personal Favorite: Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1947 501<\/h2>\n
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Under the Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing (LVC) moniker, the brand digs back into its well-tended archives to recreate nearly pitch-perfect versions of the 501 from specific eras, each with its own of-the-moment details and variations on the straight-leg fit. Though now, each is made from top-tier Japanese selvedge denim.<\/p>\n

The 1947 Levi\u2019s 501 was basically the blueprint for every \u201cvintage-inspired\u201d jean that almost every boutique denim brand is copying today. (You\u2019ll see the same fit and "one wash" technique in orSlow\u2019s one-wash denim, Buck Mason\u2019s full-saddle denim, and 3sixteen\u2019s CS \u201cclassic straight\u201d fit.) It\u2019s a recreation of the 501 that arrived just two years after World War II, and it marked Levi\u2019s first real step from making workwear into making denim for everyone. Out went the back cinch and suspender buttons; in came a cleaner, sleeker silhouette.<\/p>\n

This LVC reproduction is my all-time number one 501 fit because it puts all my favorite details in one pair of jeans: a high-rise waist, a straight leg with just enough room in the thigh, and a 14 oz. selvedge denim that\u2019s softer than the tough-as-nails pre-war versions. Still plenty durable for modern life, but it won\u2019t feel like you\u2019re wearing sandpaper.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1947 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Most Chill Fit: 501 \u201993 Straight Selvedge<\/h2>\n
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Two years ago I tried on a pair of Levi's 1993 501s, and I still think they\u2019re one of the brand\u2019s best\u2014and most slept-on\u2014riffs on the legend. The fit keeps its promise of a straight leg from the knee down, with the same ankle opening, but it starts with a roomier seat and thigh. Plus there\u2019s an ever-so-slightly higher rise (literally a quarter-inch over the Originals) to keep the whole package proportional. All of which makes perfect sense for any skaters wearing these while tearing up the Brooklyn Banks back in the day.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll admit my love for these has maybe a pinch of recency bias, what with \u201990s nostalgia peaking hard and a roomier jean firmly lodged in the fashion zeitgeist (despite rumors to the contrary). But a little extra breeziness, plus solid color options and selvedge denim, makes the 501 \u201993 a remix that\u2019s nearly as good as the original.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Premium 501 '93 Straight Fit Selvedge Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$148 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nHigh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Springsteen Fit: Blue Tab 1980\u2019s 501<\/h2>\n
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Levi's Blue Tab, the brand\u2019s new made-in-Japan collection, brought back one of the great moments in modern jeans history when it revived this fit, best known for highlighting Bruce Springsteen\u2019s butt on his Born in the U.S.A.<\/em> album cover. As The Boss shows, this fit remains one of the brand\u2019s slimmest versions of the 501. That makes it maybe the perfect choice if you want to tighten things up without wandering all the way into skinny jeans territory.<\/p>\n

This time around the jeans are made with weapons-grade Japanese selvedge denim, but they still wear the blue tab (with white lettering), as seen on all sorts of Levi\u2019s back when Bruce was first Born to Run. Don\u2019t be ashamed to steal his vibe with a Western-style belt, white tee, sun-faded hat, and dusty road swagger.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Blue Tab Made In Japan 1980's 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The One With a Zip Fly: Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1954 501<\/h2>\n
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1954 saw Levi\u2019s deliver the 501Z, the brand\u2019s first jeans to feature a zip fly. This was radical, innovative stuff for its day. And it remains a bit of an olive branch to all the guys out there who just can\u2019t find peace with O.G. 501\u2019s button fly.<\/p>\n

Though, to be clear, a zipper\u2019s not the only differentiator here. A Levi\u2019s insider once told me that the 1954 block (the body form it\u2019s shaped around) is the blueprint for today\u2019s 501s\u2014but it\u2019s a bit slimmer in the calf, where the ankle opening shrinks by an inch.<\/p>\n

And since these are from the Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing sub-line, the 501Z gets A-grade Japanese selvedge denim and a host of secret jeans-freak details: hidden rivets on the back pockets (a 1947 debut), a leather patch (paper patches came much later), double-needle stitching on the arcuate (the iconic Levi\u2019s batwing \u201clogo\u201d across the back pockets) and a Big \u201cE\u201d red tab, which reigned supreme from 1936 to 1971. (After that, the \u201ce\u201d in Levi\u2019s went lowercase, and has largely stayed that way.)<\/p>\n

Does a marginally tweaked red tab make the 1954 501s fit better or last longer? No. But it\u2019s the attention to detail on the LVC-line reproductions that makes them feel special.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1954 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Rebel Jeans: Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1955 501<\/h2>\n
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The 1950s in Hollywood were all about pomade, leather jackets, and looking like you just got kicked out of a malt shop. Out went the sleek slim old fit; in came a higher rise, roomy seat and thighs, and a wide-leg opening that practically begged for a motorcycle boot. Imagine Brando smoking on a Harley, and you\u2019ve got the idea.<\/p>\n

Also gone: the leather \u201cTwo Horse\u201d patch. Around 1955 Levi\u2019s swapped it for cardboard (well, technically paperboard) that was cheaper but still durable enough to survive decades of washes and abuse.<\/p>\n

The squarer, more relaxed shape also set the stage for future roomy hits like the 555 or 568. No \u201955, no baggy jeans era. And then what would skateboarders, grunge kids, and 2000s rappers have worn?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1955 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid-high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Unsung Fit: Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1966 501<\/h2>\n
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This particular fit burned bright and faded fast. The 501 left its bad-boy era behind with a return to a slimmer fit, this time with a more pronounced taper from thigh to leg opening. The denim got lighter and softer, too. The look a little more preppy, particularly today. Jeans had arrived outside of the blue collar world.<\/p>\n

To complete the 501\u2019s house training, Levi\u2019s jettisoned the hidden rivets on the back pockets for bar tacks. Cleaner, smoother, less likely to scratch your shiny new Pontiac GTO\u2019s paint. Now, denimheads consider originals from this era\u20141966 to 1971\u2014the last of the \u201cclassic\u201d 501s, since they had the final big-E red tabs and single-needle stitching. With the LVC reproductions, though you get to keep the Golden Age alive.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1966 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Most Relaxed: Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1937 501<\/h2>\n
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The original versions of these 501s were game-changers when they arrived just after the Depression: the back pocket rivets were hidden, the now-iconic Red Tab made one of its earliest appearances, and suspender buttons were replaced with belt loops. Levi\u2019s tossed in a free pair of suspenders with every 501 purchase in 1937, though, because they were considered denim training wheels for newcomers. Which is ironic, since nowadays, the Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1937 501s feel like they\u2019re more for the purists.<\/p>\n

For one, there\u2019s the old-timey waist cinch out back\u2014a vintage hit if ever there was one. For another, while the silhouette remains devoutly straight-leg, it\u2019s significantly roomier from the thigh down than any of the other pairs here. At a size 32, the 1937\u2019s knee opening is 1.75\u201d bigger than the Original 501\u2019s; the leg opening is two inches bigger.<\/p>\n

What you get is a 501 that\u2019s probably best paired with more denim, a pair of heavily cooked boots, and a lunchpail.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1937 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid-high<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Stripped-Down Throwback Fit: Levi\u2019s Vintage Collection 1944 501<\/h2>\n
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I think the 1944 501 has one of the best backstories and<\/em> one of the most slept-on fits in denim history. The originals dropped right in the middle of World War II, when the U.S. government basically told every clothing manufacturer to start rationing metal, fabric, and thread. Levi\u2019s obligingly stripped down the 501, losing the watch pocket, crotch rivets, and the entire cinch, while also swapping in the no-frills laurel leaf buttons.<\/p>\n

The toughest cut, though? The signature looping arcuate stitching across the back pocket that made Levi\u2019s instantly recognizable as America\u2019s jeans. Levi\u2019s problem-solved by printing on the \u201cstitching\u201d\u2014which would wear off over time.<\/p>\n

These days, the Levi\u2019s Vintage Clothing 1944 501 still delivers on its Depression-era simplicity while also featuring a baggier seat, a higher rise, and a slightly looser cut than the bog-standard 501. There\u2019s something nice about wearing them so much that the printed stitching disappears, but the Red Tab still waves proudly. Genius-level design, born out of wartime necessity.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

Levi's Vintage Clothing 1944 501\u00ae Original Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$295 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why Are You Here?: Premium 501 Slim Taper<\/h2>\n
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Of the 17 pairs of 501s Levi's sent me, there are some shrugworthy styles I couldn\u2019t get excited about, like the supposedly moisture-wicking yet insulating 501 Thermoadapt, and the slightly airier 501 Lightweight. But the Slim Taper? Hard pass.<\/p>\n

A slim, tapered 501 makes as much sense as GoreTex flip flops. Even through 135 years of nips and tucks, Levi\u2019s signature pair has always remained a straight-leg icon. This version\u2014snug through the thigh, with a fairly aggressive taper, and some stretch to make it all work\u2014tosses all that out the window. I understand the impulse to just slap \u201c501\u201d on the tag and take advantage of name recognition, but this fit feels confused and unsatisfying. Especially since, if you want some taper, Levi\u2019s has plenty of other great options like the 502, the 514, and the legendary 505.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n

501\u00ae Slim Taper Fit Men's Jeans<\/h3>\n

$98 <\/p>\n

Levi's<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Selvedge<\/strong><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/td>\nLow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rise<\/strong><\/td>\nMid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are jeans, and then there\u2019s the Levi\u2019s 501. Launched in 1890, it\u2019s been a mainstay of American style, GQ\u2019s pages, and my own closet. Probably yours, too. But here\u2019s the rub: like Coke Classic or the McDonald\u2019s Big Mac, the Levi\u2019s 501 has been constantly tweaked over the decades. For a pair of jeans […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2668,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Denim-News-stn1pq5acn4.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[30,28,35,107,29],"class_list":["post-2666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-denim-news","tag-denim-news","tag-jeans","tag-levis","tag-pants","tag-style"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2666"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2666\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}