Former Brand Manager of Rogues Gallery in Maine. New to the creative team at Levi’s and head of ongoing project and blog, One Trip Pass.
Jay Carroll is a new resident of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco.
Web Site: One Trip Pass
Wearing: Levis 1947 501xx
About the Brand
An American icon, the 1947 Levi’s® 501® Jean
Purchased them at Union Made, San Francisco, Ca.
The letter that came with them in the back pocket:
To the Owner of this 501® jean,
1947: 501® Jean
The 1947 501® jean is a kind of hybrid, harboring attributes from the 1930’s and World War II, combined with an eye to the coming Baby Boom years. That is, it was a jean that was embodied both a storied past and bright future.
When World War II ended and raw materials were available again, Levi Strauss & Co. leaped back into heavy production to meet the growing post-war 501®: slimmer fitting, with no extra details like the cinch or suspender buttons, this was a jean that was ready to rock and roll. The watch pocket rivets came back after their wartime hiatus. And the Arcuate was stitched on the back pockets again, after being applied with paint during the war’s duration. But it came back in different form: thanks to new double needle technology, the famed double arching stitch was not uniform in size and design, no longer subject to the skill of individual sewing machine operator and her single needle machine.
The red Tab with it’s capital “E” had never gone away, thanks to its status as a trademark. And the red selvage, 12 oz. Cone Mills denim was still the bedrock of the jean as it had been for nearly two decades.
By the end of the 1940s Levi’s® jeans were being sold across the U.S., aimed at the new, emerging middle class. The 1947 501® was the jean of a new generation.
DESIGN DETAILS:
Cone Mills 12oz. Red Selvage Denim (14oz after wash)
2 back pockets with covered rivets
“E” red Tab
Two Horse leather patch
Double needle stitch Arcuate
Watch pocket rivets returned after the war
No crotch rivet
Enjoy,
Yours Truly,
Levi Strauss and Co.
My letter to the Jeans:
I am going to destroy you (in a loving way).
Hi Jay,
Did you buy the jeans to fit or a couple inches bigger and shrink to fit? Am curious….
I just bought a pair of these… A bit high waisted I think, so I will not be tucking any shirts in, but with a shirt draped over the waistline they look sick… Very happy with them so far.
Hi Duncan – sorry for the late reply. I bought them my size and didn’t shrink to fit. Won’t be washing them anytime soon.
I have a quick question about the waist on your 501XX. Did you experience any stretch in the waist as you have been wearing them? I just picked up a pair of 201XX and they are about an inch too tight in the waist (they are unwashed) and was wondering if I should expect them to loosen up with some wear. I don’t plan on washing them so shrinking is not going to be an issue. Any advice would be appreciated.
PS. I have a pair of 1947 501s (not STF) that I have been wearing since October (one wash). They are really breaking in well and finally starting to get some wear marks and wiskering and have become my favorite jeans.
Jesse!
I haven’t experienced any stretch in the waistband. I feel like the XX denim doesn’t give like that. In fact on humid days I swear they tighten up a little. If you want to loosen the waistband take a car jack to them. Seriously.
Hope this helps.
Jay