In 1853, the California gold rush was in full swing, and everyday items
were in short supply. Levi Strauss, a 24-year-old German immigrant, left
New York for San Francisco with a small supply of dry goods with the
intention of opening a branch of his brother's New York dry goods
business. Shortly after his arrival, a prospector wanted to know what
Mr. Levi Strauss was selling. When Strauss told him he had rough canvas
to use for tents and wagon covers, the prospector said, "You should have
brought pants!," saying he couldn’t find a pair of pants strong enough
to last.
Denim Blue Jeans
Levi Strauss had the canvas made into waist overalls. Miners liked the
pants, but complained that they tended to chafe. Levi Strauss
substituted a twilled cotton cloth from France called "serge de Nimes."
The fabric later became known as denim and the pants were nicknamed blue
jeans.
Levi Strauss & Company
In 1873, Levi Strauss & Company began using the pocket stitch
design. Levi Strauss and a Reno Nevada-based Latvian tailor by the name
of Jacob Davis co-patented the process of putting rivets in pants for
strength. On May 20, 1873, they received
U.S.Patent No.139,121. This date is now considered the official birthday of "blue jeans."
Levi Strauss asked Jacob Davis to come to San Francisco to oversee the
first manufacturing facility for "waist overalls," as the original jeans
were known as.
The two-horse brand design was first used in 1886. The red tab attached
to the left rear pocket was created in 1936 as a means of identifying
Levi’s jeans at a distance. All are registered trademarks that are still
in use.
Men's Levi's ® Jeans
501 ® – Original fit. Classic seat and thigh. Straight leg. 17” leg opening. Fits below the waist.
The Levi’s ® 501 ® jean is where it all begins. It has been altered
slightly over the years to accommodate trends, but remains largely
unchanged from its original inception. It is a great jean for every
occasion and fits well on most men with average to slim builds.
501 ® Shrink-to-Fit ® – Original fit. Classic seat and thigh. Straight leg. 17” leg opening. Fits below the waist.
The Levi’s ® 501 ® shrink-to-fit jean is the original “raw” denim jean.
An American classic, its popularity around the world is unmatched by
another other jean. There is a trend today to buy them in true size and
dry clean them or not wash them at all in order to keep the denim
original rigid appearance. However, if you are going to wash them, you
will need to buy them 1 to 3 inches bigger in the waist and 3 to 4
inches bigger in length than your normal size. They will shrink to your
size after washing. For more information on sizing, see our 501 ®
shrink-to-fit
sizing chart.
505 ® Straight fit. Classic seat and thigh. Straight leg. 16.5” leg opening. Fits at waist.
The Levi’s ® 505 ® jean is a great choice for someone who wants a 501®,
but prefers a zip fly. However, they are not exactly the same. The 505 ®
has a slightly smaller leg opening and a slightly higher rise. They
are also a little slimmer, but they are not a tight jean for most
people.
514 ™ Slim Straight – Sits below waist. Straight leg. 17” leg opening.
The Levi’s ® 514 ™ Slim Straight jean features a slim fit, but it is not
a skinny jean. We have seen many people who have worn 501s for years
have converted to the 514 ™. It also is a good alternative for someone
looking for today’s slimmer look, but does not want the look of a skinny
jean.
511 ™ Skinny – Sits below waist. Skinny leg. 14.5” leg opening.
They’re back! The Levi’s ® 511 ™ Skinny jean captures the slim tapered
look. It is a very popular trend these days and has become a standard
jean for today’s teens and younger denim buyers. Many buy them a bit
longer and “stack” them against their footwear. For the sleekest look,
buy them at your true inseam length. Most 511 ™ finishes feature wider
belt loops and open top with shank button.
510 ™ Super Skinny – Sits below waist. Super slim fit. Skinny leg. 13.5” leg opening.
The Levi’s ® 510 ™ Super Skinny jean is for those looking for the
quintessential skater/rocker look. It has the skinniest leg and smallest
leg opening of the Levi’s ® cannon. All 510s feature stretch elements
(usually 2% spandex) that help preserve the skinny jean look at all
times.
527 ™ Boot Cut – Low rise. Regular seat and thigh. Sits below waist. Boot Cut. 18.25” leg opening.
Originally known as the Low Rise Boot Cut Jean, the Levi’s ® 527 ™ is
essentially an updated take on the classic 517 ™ Boot Cut. The wide leg
opening is not considered a “bell bottom” and doesn’t fall like one. The
opening is wider than the leg to allow for easy wear with boots, but
the jeans are often worn with all footwear and look great with sneakers.
569 ™ Loose Straight – Sits below waist. Loose seat and thigh. Straight leg. 18.5” leg opening.The
Levi’s ® 569 ™ Loose Straight provides the baggy look of the Levi’s ®
line. Its leg opening is almost as wide as the 527 ™ Boot Cut’s leg
opening, but the rest of the leg is just wide providing the loose fit.
It can be worn with any footwear and is great for anyone who wants a lot
of room to move in their jeans.
559 ™ Relaxed Straight – Sits below waist. Relaxed seat and thigh. 18” leg opening.
The Levi’s ® 559 ™ is for someone looking for a looser fit, but isn’t
going for all out baggy look. It makes for a very good basic work jean,
as the extra room provides the comfort while bending or crouching. If
you’re not into the slimmer looks and want a looser, but not sloppy
jean, the Levi’s ® 559 ™ is for you.
517 ™ Boot Cut – Slim fit. Fits at waist. Boot cut leg. 18.25” leg opening.
Fits at waist. These are the old school boot jeans. One of Levi’s ®
oldest fits besides the 501 ™, the 517 ™ is probably the most classic
“western” fit in the Levi’s ® line. They are also a great option for
someone looking to join in today’s slimmer denim trends, but also wants
to wear them with cowboy boots or any other footwear.
550 ™ Relaxed – Relaxed fit. Relaxed seat and thigh. Slightly tapered. 16.5” leg opening. Sits at waist.
The 550 ™ has been a staple of the Levi’s ® line for a few decades now.
Its main feature is its tapered leg, making it a perfect for choice for
someone looking for a comfortable and clean look. You’re usually going
to want to buy these jeans close to your true inseam. Boots or other
tall shoes are usually not a good option with the 550 ™. Most stick with
casual shoes and sneakers.
560 ™ Comfort Fit – Comfort fit. Loose seat and thigh. Tapered. 16” leg opening. Sits at waist.
The Levi’s ® 560 ™ jean is great for anyone needing extra room. The
tapered leg and normal rise help keep the 560 ™ from being just another
baggy jean. It’s another good way to get a comfortable jean on larger
builds without going baggy.
512 ™ Slim – Slim fit. Tapered leg. 15” leg opening.
The 512 ™ is a good choice for someone looking for a tapered leg, but
doesn’t want skinny or relaxed fit. It’s very close to a 514 ™, but the
leg narrows towards the ankle. This makes the Levi’s ® 512 ™ a great
choice to wear with flip flops. You get a good fitting jean and they
don’t end up snagging the back of the sandals.
Juniors Levi's ® Jeans
535
™ Legging – Super Skinny. 8" front rise. 12 3/4" back rise. Ultra
Stretch Fabric. Slim fitted jean legging with 5-pocket styling.
The ultimate in the skinny jean look, the Levi’s ® 535 ™ Legging, or
“jegging”, is a very versatile jean that captures today’s skinny look.
The slimmest fitting jean in the Levi’s ® juniors line, the 535 ™
legging can be worn with boots, sandals, or sneakers. With it’s unique
5-pocket design, the Levi’s ® legging can be worn both as a jean or
under dresses and skirts for a true legging look.
524 ™ – Straight fit. 7 1/4” front rise. 12 3/8” back rise. 14.5" leg opening
Formally known as the “Too Superlow Jean”, the Levi’s ® 524 ™ has become
the flagship jean of the Levi’s ® juniors line. It has one of the
lowest rises of all women’s Levi’s ® and one of the slimmest fits.
Originally introduced in a boot cut, the 524 ™ is now available in
524 Skinny,
524 Straight,
524 Boot Cut, and
524 Skinny Flare.
All Feature the popular 524 low rise “top block”, but each has a
different leg fit and leg opening. This way you can choose the
silhouette that will give you the look you want, but trust that it will
fit you the same in the waist and on the hips.
518
™ Superlow Boot Cut – 8 5/8” front rise. 13 1/8” back rise. 15 ½” knee.
19 ½” leg opening. Slim fit with classic 5-pocket styling.
The Levi’s ® 518 ™ Suplerlow Boot Cut jean has become a very universal
fit for Levi’s ® juniors. The low rise and boot leg opening make it a
great jean for everyday wear or for going out. It is in line with the
524 ™, but provides a slightly higher rise for more coverage. It’s
generous leg opening allows for wear with any footwear, but is not a
bell or flare cut. The boot cut is both functional and provides shape to
the jean and your silhouette.
528 ™ Curvy Cut Jean – 7 ¼” front rise. 12 5/8” rise. 15” knee. 19” leg opening. Slim fit with classic 5-pocket styling.
Some women were just blessed with more curves and the 528 ™ Curvy Cut
jean from Levi’s ® is a jean that will work with your natural shape and
not against it. Cut to fit over your hips and rear, it creates a
flattering silhouette and stays right in line with today’s denim looks.
This fit continues to evolve and will be updated for fall 2011 with a ½”
higher front rise and an almost 2” higher back rise. The 528 Curvy Cut ™
is currently available in both a
528 Skinny and a
528 Boot Cut.
Misses Levi's ® Jeans
505 ® Straight Leg – Mid rise (9 7/8” front rise). Regular Fit. Straight Leg (16” leg opening).
The Levi’s ® 505 for misses is a classic 5-pocket straight leg jean.
Great for everyday wear, it looks great with casual shoes. It’s mid rise
and regular fit is sure to provide a comfortable, but not sloppy, fit
for most misses body types. It’s universal fit has made the 505 one of
the best selling Levi’s ® women’s jeans.
515 ™ Boot Cut – Mid rise (9 7/8” front rise). Regular Fit. Boot cut (18 ¾” leg opening).
The Levi’s ® 515 ™ Boot Cut jean starts much like the 505 at the top and
opens to a 18 ¾” boot cut leg opening. If you’re looking to add some
shape or want a jean that is more versatile when it comes to footwear
options, the 515 ™ is a good way to go. You’ll also find the 515 ™ comes
in many finishes with nice style accents that make it easy to add some
fashion to your jean looks.
512 ™ Perfectly Slimming – Sits at waist. Slimming fit. Tummy slimming panel. Stretch fabric.
The 512 ™ is designed to help create a flattering silhouette for you.
It’s positioned at your waist (10 ½” front rise) with a tummy slimming
panel to help shape your mid section. The stretch fabric also works to
hold the overall fit of the jean and give you the shape you’re looking
for. Back pocket treatments and up to date finishes means you don’t have
to sacrifice fashion for a slimming jean. The 512 ™ is available in
both
512 Boot Cut (19 ½” leg opening) and
512 Straight Leg (15 ½” leg opening).
525 ™ Perfect Waist – Mid Rise. Slim fit. No gap waistband. Tummy slimming panel.
The waist line is the primary focus of the Levi’s ® 525 ™. A no gap
waist band has hidden elastic that helps prevent unwanted space between
you and the jean when bending or moving. The tummy slimming panel
combined with a slim fit can you present a flat mid section. The 525 ™
is available in both a boot cut (18 ½” leg opening) and a straight leg
(16” leg opening).
526 ™ Slender Straight – Mid rise. Slender fit. Straight leg. Tummy slimming panel. 2” waistband. Double button closure.
The Levi’s ® 526’s distinctive features include it’s wide waistband and
double button front enclosure. Like the 512 ™ and the 525 ™, it has a
tummy slimming panel that helps flatten the mid section. Its straight
leg works with heels and casual shoes and its slender look gives a nice
silhouette without feeling tight.
545 ™ Low Boot Cut – Low rise (8 5/8” front rise). Slim fit. Boot cut. 19” leg opening.
The 545 ™ is a good crossover jean from a juniors to a misses. It
features the popular low rise, slim fit, and boot cut combination that
has been popular in juniors jeans, but with respect to a misses body
type. The boot cut gives it shape and makes it a versatile jean that can
be worn with just about any type of shoes, be it boots or flats.
550 ™ Relaxed Tapered – Sits at waist (10 ¼” front rise). Classic relaxed fit through hip and thigh. Tapered leg.
The misses 550 ™ has long been a staple of the Levi’s ® line. Its
tapered leg and low stretch percentage keeps it comfortable, while the
tapered leg, when purchased at the correct inseam, keeps the lines of
the jeans clean and straight. This jean is not typically recommend for
boots or heels, but goes very well with sneakers, flats, and sandals
when bought at the proper lengths.
Misses Legging – Mid rise. Skinny fit. Super skinny leg.
So, you like the legging, or jegging look, but you don’t think it will
agree with your misses body type. Think again. The Levi’s ® legging for
misses brings the ultra skinny look to misses. The ankle length 30”
inseam and super skinny cut will ensure a leggy look, while the 8 ¾”
front rise and slimming stretch denim will work with your misses fit to
get you into a legging. The 5-pocket styling means that it is truly a
jean and not just a legging, allowing you to style it in many different
ways.