Lot numbers are first assigned to the products being manufactured. 501® is used to designate the famous copper-riveted waist overalls. We don't know why this number was chosen. We also made a 201 jean, which was a less expensive version of the pants, as well as other products using other three-digit numbers.
What does 501 mean in Levi's? 501 was the lot number assigned to the copper-riveted waist overalls the brand first manufactured. The number was retained even after the style evolved into pants, but nobody really knows why the number was given. The brand says there's no record of why it was chosen.
There's just something about the clean, unfussy fit of them that's universal and timeless. They're straight-leg, but not too straight-leg. You can pair the jeans with a vintage tee, and the look reads retro-cool; Style it with a structured blazer and dressy shoes, and it's suddenly sleek and professional.
For men, each number in the Levi's collection signifies the overall sit, including the rise of the waist, the cut of the leg opening, and the fit of the seat. For women, each style number indicates the fit through the waist, hips and thighs, with many leg shapes and cuts to choose from.
501 is the hot straight cut in the 90s which is the inspiration of dad jeans. To wear it in a fashion way, the key is the loose fit down the waist and a bit tapper in the bottom. Roll up or raw hem is a fashion detail in this trend as well as the sockless approach.
Ever dependable, this straight-leg, button-fly silhouette is both universally flattering and trend-defying, and has been loved by some of the most iconic people, from Cindy Crawford, to Steve Jobs, and just about everyone in between.
Denim jeans were an essential part of the war effort during World War II, and in the decades following, the 501 took hold in pop culture. Brando, Monroe, Einstein, Dean, Springsteen, Clooney, Depp, and countless, countless others have continually solidified the standard status of the 501.
We've thrown out numbers like 501 and 505, which, by now, you know are the Holy Grail of vintage Levi's jeans. The three most popular vintage styles are the 501, 505, and 517, Hillman confirms. You can find it stamped on the leather patch on the back or on the tag inside.
They should fit snug around the waist (NOT tight), as they'll stretch out after wearing them for about an hour. I recommend turning these inside out and wash them in the washing machine in cold water, then put them in the dryer for ~5-7 minutes, turn them right-side out, and hang them to dry.
Although selvedge denim is of the highest quality, it's also very expensive and needs to be made on vintage looms. Levi's materials and manufacturing all take place in places like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Indonesia to save on production costs.
Few fashion items have had the longevity and popularity that Levi's 501 jeans, which celebrated 150 years on May 20, have enjoyed for over a century.
Levi 501 jeans are one of the most popular styles of jeans in the world – and for good reason. They're not too skinny, not too baggy – in fact, I'd say they fit pretty perfectly on most men's body types and styles!
Fashion Broadcaster
"I'm obsessed with the way the 501s mould to your body – form-fitting in the places you want and slightly looser on the leg, they're the perfect straight jeans in my opinion. Plus, they're really flattering on your bum!"
“Our original 501® portfolio of fits is meant for a variety of bodies, no matter the gender,” explained Karyn Hillman, chief product officer. “The shaping within the pattern through the seat and rise inherently molds to your shape.” This anti-fit pattern shape isn't just in the 501® franchise, either.
Fast-forward 150 years, and the 501 style is still wildly popular today, which is why I, along with a spectacular grouping of editors, influencers, celebrities, and more, flew out to San Francisco to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the denim style we all know and love.
Most of our jeans have been preshrunk, so they shouldn't really shrink that much, if at all. We recommend you purchase the size that fits you best before washing. Because they don't really shrink, they should still fit you fine after washing.
Since I do size up, and since 501s are, fundamentally, a high-rise, straight-leg, 100% cotton jean…the waist gets a bit big. These jeans do stretch out over time. Since I like this baggier, slouchier look I go with a size up right off the bat, and then tie my back belt loops together once they're super broken in.
This is the original Levi's jean. Unwashed and untreated the way denim was originally made, these 501® Shrink-To-Fit® button-fly jeans are made the way that Levi's have been worn for generations. Stiff and rigid to begin, they break in over time, and shrink down in waist and length when you wash them.
The more specific guideline is to wash them once every 10 wears at most to keep them fitting correctly and make sure you minimize sagging. We're not saying you can go even longer between washes—but we are saying some people wait until their jeans start to smell before they wash them.
A pair of Levi's jeans from the 1880s has sold at an auction in a small town in New Mexico for more than $87,000. The jeans – found in an abandoned mine by a “denim archaeologist” – were bought by 23-year-old Kyle Hautner and Zip Stevenson, a veteran of the vintage denim market.
Levi's® Men's 501® Original Jeans
Over the years, the classic jeans have been in style to this day. Most of our collections are often referred to as classic jeans which were first introduced by Levi Strauss himself in 1873, since then it has become the most iconic type of jeans of all time.
This year I wanted to add a very classic pair to my collection: the 501! I wanted them a little bit more updated: enter the 501 Skinny, which is the same thing as the 501 but just a little slimmer on the legs. They are not actually skinny. They are more of a fitted straight leg, which in my opinion is AMAZING.
If you're not going to wash your rigid Levi's 501® jeans, buy one size smaller in the waist and buy your true size for length. Don't wash 'em. After the first few wears of your new jeans, the waist will stretch to your size. The worn look.
In the 100% cotton Levi's 501 skinny jeans, I sized up one size. They do start out pretty stiff and then stretch out with wear. I couldn't button my normal size so I went up, but then the size up does stretch out to be pretty relaxed on me. I recommend reading reviews on the exact wash you're looking to purchase.