Thank you for this! Although I wear jeans a lot, making my own is something I will never do - along with making my own bras! It was very interesting to hear your story with these jeans. As so many garments are bulk cut by machine these days I wonder if the twist you noticed on the leg was because that piece was cut slightly off grain? I had that happen on so many cheap and medium priced rtw garments that this was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned it. Anyway, thank you again for this video, it's always good to hear your thoughts on clothing!
This is common for Levi's and it's known as leg twist some people really like it. It happens cause the denim they use is right-hand twill meaning they have a directional pattern that skews the pant's seams after washing from raw. Left-hand twill fabrics twist the other direction and broken twill (used by Wrangler) has no directional preference and they don't have this problem.
Comprehensive. Very useful video as the leg seems to shrink more noticeably over time and the waist does not shrink that much it’s mostly the length that changes the fit. The other aspect is the flat press makes them look bigger to start with. The last couple of pairs I had I wore them raw for about 6 months before washing.When I started buying second hand redlines in the 80s they had a really twisted outer seam. The twist is one of the signatures of the 501. I find the length is also difficult. I wear 30 waist and the 30 has a lower rise and only 3 buttons on the fly instead of 4 which are on a 31. I find a 30 x 30 Shrink to fit gives s cropped look which works ok with a pair of vans or converse. I bought a pair of preshrunk 31 x 32 and they need a belt to stop them slipping down but the over all fit is fantastic and the slightly higher rise and longer leg works great. So the 1 inch size difference and different length have a totally different look. Going up to a 32 and it’s a loose straight that’s really roomy.
That’s so interesting! I think I would prefer more room in the rise and another button, and a little bigger waist might be worth dealing with. I had no idea that was the case. I’ve heard others say the leg twist is a Levi signature as it’s caused by the direction of the weave of the fabric. I think it looks great. Thanks for your thoughts!
That’s a great question. I think the classic 501 shrink to fits are often worn by men and women, however I’m not sure if they were marketed towards women then. The practice of trying to shrink jeans to get them to mold to your body has been happening for a very long time though, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the ads for Levi’s in the past featured women shrinking them for a closer fit.
I think the Wrangler 13mwz in rigid indigo is sized properly. There are some inconsistencies there too, but I think it is more because they are produced in different factories around the world. Those are my fave jeans. They are sanforized though and I haven't really experienced any significant shrinkage with them. I wash all my jeans just like any other garment (washer-dryer combo).
Seam twist is awesome. I wish more jeans these days would twist.
I agree :)
Nice Review! Yes to more jean videos!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for this! Although I wear jeans a lot, making my own is something I will never do - along with making my own bras! It was very interesting to hear your story with these jeans. As so many garments are bulk cut by machine these days I wonder if the twist you noticed on the leg was because that piece was cut slightly off grain? I had that happen on so many cheap and medium priced rtw garments that this was the first thing I thought of when you mentioned it. Anyway, thank you again for this video, it's always good to hear your thoughts on clothing!
Oh that’s such a great point you’re probably right! Thanks for watching :)
This is common for Levi's and it's known as leg twist some people really like it. It happens cause the denim they use is right-hand twill meaning they have a directional pattern that skews the pant's seams after washing from raw. Left-hand twill fabrics twist the other direction and broken twill (used by Wrangler) has no directional preference and they don't have this problem.
Such good info thank you! I do quite like how it looks :)
Comprehensive. Very useful video as the leg seems to shrink more noticeably over time and the waist does not shrink that much it’s mostly the length that changes the fit. The other aspect is the flat press makes them look bigger to start with. The last couple of pairs I had I wore them raw for about 6 months before washing.When I started buying second hand redlines in the 80s they had a really twisted outer seam. The twist is one of the signatures of the 501. I find the length is also difficult. I wear 30 waist and the 30 has a lower rise and only 3 buttons on the fly instead of 4 which are on a 31. I find a 30 x 30 Shrink to fit gives s cropped look which works ok with a pair of vans or converse. I bought a pair of preshrunk 31 x 32 and they need a belt to stop them slipping down but the over all fit is fantastic and the slightly higher rise and longer leg works great. So the 1 inch size difference and different length have a totally different look. Going up to a 32 and it’s a loose straight that’s really roomy.
That’s so interesting! I think I would prefer more room in the rise and another button, and a little bigger waist might be worth dealing with. I had no idea that was the case. I’ve heard others say the leg twist is a Levi signature as it’s caused by the direction of the weave of the fabric. I think it looks great. Thanks for your thoughts!
Hi. I enjoyed this review. I also like sewing jeans and was interested in knowing how your RTW Levi’s behaved throughout the year. Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to share my experience with the jeans.
Were Levi's 501 shrink to fit jeans in the 1970s and 1980s made specifically for women?
That’s a great question. I think the classic 501 shrink to fits are often worn by men and women, however I’m not sure if they were marketed towards women then. The practice of trying to shrink jeans to get them to mold to your body has been happening for a very long time though, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the ads for Levi’s in the past featured women shrinking them for a closer fit.
all mens jeans have vanity sizing. The number on the label is never the real number.
Good point!
I think the Wrangler 13mwz in rigid indigo is sized properly. There are some inconsistencies there too, but I think it is more because they are produced in different factories around the world. Those are my fave jeans. They are sanforized though and I haven't really experienced any significant shrinkage with them. I wash all my jeans just like any other garment (washer-dryer combo).