Other Levi's models « 501xx Forums

501xx Forums » Denim

Other Levi's models

(25 posts) (6 voices)

Started 2 years ago by Cam
Latest reply from scotty

Tags:

Cam

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 47
What about the other Levi's models? Anyone like and wear them?

I quite like the 517. I wish it fit a bit lower on the waist, but it's still a nice slim fit with a perfect flair hem. It's available in rigid indigo too, which is a bonus.

The 505 is a disappointment. It's just too relaxed--it's not that far from a 550. Like the 501, I suspect that Levi's has played with the 505 fit in the past and that it used to be a slimmer fit. I'd like to find a pair of those.

The 512 is essentially a 517 with a straight leg. Unfortunately, it isn't available in any finishes I like. In fact, it's not on the Levi's website at all, so it may have been discontinued. I bought a pair online in "Clean Rinse", assuming that it was an indigo denim, but it turned out to be a black denim, which I don't much like. Moreover, it's some of the thinnest denim I've ever felt. Consequently, I'm just not comfortable in them.

I need to get a pair of 511's. Waiting for a sale.

550/560: Undeniably comfortable, but far too slouchy for me. They look awful on my slim frame.

I have no experience with 514's, 527's, etc.
Subscribe to the comments for this post?
Tweet This!
Share this on Facebook
Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
Digg this!
Share this on del.icio.us
Share this on Reddit
Share this on Technorati
Post this on Diigo
Post this to MySpace
Seed this on Newsvine
Add this to Google Bookmarks
Buzz up!
Submit this to Twittley
Submit this to Script & Style
Share this on Blinklist
Share this on Linkedin
Share this on FriendFeed
Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

I wore a lot of 517s, I just loved the boot cut which was not available over here. In '98, Sheplers/Chey. Outfitters told me tha 517 model will be discontinued, so I ordered eight 0217 straightaway. Somehow I got weary of the flared leg, I probably get a rigid one an let it be altered to a straight leg before washing.

Thanks for the information about the loose 505, I guessed right about them being a relaxed fit now. The 90ies models with the orange tag were slim fits with a slightly tapered leg and fit really neat. One of the few I owned was black and had leather applications at the pocket openings, it must have been some special edition.

512: I am interested in this fit. From the pictures I'd compare the fit to the 505s in the 90ies. The 512s low back pockets drag me away a little, though. The denim thickness is worrysome...

I don't care too much for any other model. In '96, when I visited L. A., I bought 555s, which were more comfortable in the warmer weather than my skin-tight 501s and were great for a change, but baggy jeans are not for me.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cam

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 47

The 90ies models with the orange tag were slim fits with a slightly tapered leg and fit really neat.

If that's the case, I'll look for a pair of orange tag 505's on eBay. The 505's I have are post-2002 red tabs. I keep expecting them to tighten up, but they haven't, and I've given up on them. They've been relegated to "dirty work" status.

512: I am interested in this fit. From the pictures I'd compare the fit to the 505s in the 90ies. The 512s low back pockets drag me away a little, though. The denim thickness is worrysome...

Yes, the low pockets are a bit of a negative, but the trim fit compensates for that somewhat. The 512's fit high on the waist too. I actually decided to wear these today. The "Clean Rinse" finish appears to be a black denim, overdyed with indigo!?! Do they do that? And, yes, the denim is relatively thin, but I think that the thin denim might be peculiar to the "Clean Rinse" wash. I would imagine that the stonewashed finishes are cut from a heavier denim.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

Yes, the low pockets are a bit of a negative, but the trim fit compensates for that somewhat. The 512's fit high on the waist too. I actually decided to wear these today. The "Clean Rinse" finish appears to be a black denim, overdyed with indigo!?! Do they do that? And, yes, the denim is relatively thin, but I think that the thin denim might be peculiar to the "Clean Rinse" wash. I would imagine that the stonewashed finishes are cut from a heavier denim.

Frankly, I don't know what they do nowadays. Overdyed 501s have been around in the 90ies, too. I doubt that the dyeing process would alter fabric thickness, though. The '93 cut (and before) stonewash fabric was as sturdy as the 501XX. The new shrink-to-fit jeans seem to be tougher than the stonewashed ones. The 90ies rigid 517's fabricis one hell of a tough denim.

About fabric tickness: is the weight oz per sqare yard or something like that? Over here we have "Laufmeter", which states the fabric's weight on a lenght of one meter per width of the roll (which can have different widths). This is totally misleading.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cam

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 47

I doubt that the dyeing process would alter fabric thickness, though.

I don't think so either. That wasn't what I was suggesting. What I meant is that I think it's a case of Levi's using a lighter denim for 512's produced in fashion finishes.

About fabric tickness: is the weight oz per sqare yard or something like that? Over here we have "Laufmeter", which states the fabric's weight on a lenght of one meter per width of the roll (which can have different widths). This is totally misleading

As I understand it, fabric weight is measured the same way here, except yard instead of meter, so, yes, this is misleading. It would seem that unless you know the width of the loom that a particular denim was produced on, the "weight" isn't telling you a whole lot. Maybe denim fabric has been standardized in some way.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

I don't think so either. That wasn't what I was suggesting. What I meant is that I think it's a case of Levi's using a lighter denim for 512's produced in fashion finishes.

Oh, I understand what you mean. There might be some reason for using lighter weight denim, we can only guess. They perhaps use it for comfortability reasons on the slim fit, but then the other finishes should have a similar fabric weight.

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

i have 3 pairs of 511's which i love black indigo and grey which i especially like. i've owned others in the past including 505's which i haven't been thrilled with. I have a pair of cordouroys that are 514 i think which i really like as well. great topic!

EdmundXWhite.com

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

i've owned others in the past including 505's which i haven't been thrilled with

What didn't you like about them, Ned? From which model year have they been?

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

that's a good question, i'm not sure which year they were from. maybe like 2003/2004? They don't really have great shape or structure in my opinion. too "relaxed" i guess.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

. too "relaxed" i guess.

Yeah, Cam said that, too. I'm glad I didn't order a pair.

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

My wife also likes the men's 511's as well as the men's 501's. I now have to keep my eye on all my jeans

Posted 2 years ago #
rangers

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 25

just spent an hour on "LANGSTONS WESTERN WEAR' site. I had no idea levi had so many choices in 501's. 11 colors, different weights, in prewash premier finishes. priced 59.50 to 98.00. 11 1/2 & 12 1/2 oz. straight cut through seat-thigh-leg. 17 1/2 ; leg opening. the fit looked like the older lower rise in front and back pockets up higher. style 00501 original jeans w/premier finishes. has anyone tried any of these? langstons has a blog on stf 501s. shows a guy pulling on a pair, (smile face coverup) & getting into a tub, than getting out of tub, all blue. (kidding) its a big site, downloads slow. Bill

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

link us bill!

Posted 2 years ago #
Cam

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 47

I think Levi's gradually loosened the fit of the 505's and 517's over the past three decades. In the 505's case, this has resulted in the fit becoming too relaxed. Conversely, I think the 517 fit of today is better than the 517 fit of the 80's. I have 517's from the 80's, 90's, and 2000's, and the 80's fit is slim in the legs, very snug at the hips and sits quite high on the waist. The 90's cut feels as though it has been eased a bit throughout. The 90's fit is good; no complaints, but the 517's made after 2003 (deep rear pocket arcuates) have been eased a bit more, and for my money, they have the best fit out of the three decades. However, if the fit of the 2000's-era 517 was eased even the slightest bit more, it would be too loose.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

My wife also likes the men's 511's as well as the men's 501's. I now have to keep my eye on all my jeans [:-)]

LOL!

Conversely, I think the 517 fit of today is better than the 517 fit of the 80's. I have 517's from the 80's, 90's, and 2000's, and the 80's fit is slim in the legs, very snug at the hips and sits quite high on the waist. The 90's cut feels as though it has been eased a bit throughout. The 90's fit is good; no complaints, but the 517's made after 2003 (deep rear pocket arcuates) have been eased a bit more, and for my money, they have the best fit out of the three decades. However, if the fit of the 2000's-era 517 was eased even the slightest bit more, it would be too loose.

I had a pair of 517s from the late 80ies which wasn't as high waisted as the 90ies cut. It had seven belt loops, too, instead of the 5 for a size 30 waist. They fit me well.

You got me really interested on the new 517s, Cam. How about the rise, is it still that high? I wouldn't mind it slightly lower.

Posted 2 years ago #
Cam

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 47

I had a pair of 517s from the late 80ies which wasn't as high waisted as the 90ies cut. It had seven belt loops, too, instead of the 5 for a size 30 waist. They fit me well.

I too have a pair seven loop 517's. They're orange tabs. I thought they were from the 70's, but perhaps they are actually from the 80's. I'm not 100% sure how to date 517s. Anyway, they fit quite well.

I suppose it's all subjective, but the red-tab 517's I have from the 80's and 90's fit very close through the hips and, consequently, they ride high on the waist. I don't particularly care for that tight, high-waisted fit. The 517's made after 2003 feel like they've been eased through the seat and hips and that allows the jeans to ride lower on the waist, and that's the fit I prefer.

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

for those interested in the 517's you can get them in rigid which i just found out: Amazon, then click rigid color. fun!

Posted 2 years ago #
rangers

member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 25

I find ;langston's; by going to google. I can't find a link to their web site. just don't know where to look, I guess. A chinese friend showed me a china site, like e-bay here in USA. the prices were cheap for most 501's. but he said that they are all copies and have their own manf of denim, which is different from what we get here. wrangler denim is made in the USA, but, sewen in other countrys. His china 501s felt more silky smooth than levis sold here. they have some extreme styles for levi in china. big pockete, slanted pockets down the legs, and some very low riders. chains and leather seem to go with the styles. the levi logo on buttons is big and levi name on zipper tang is a fashion thing also. I don't know who looks that close to make sure its levi.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

LS&Co has several "divisions" responsible for different parts of the world. They all are using different marketing strategies and are aiming at different lifestyles. For example their European jeans are very radical looking ones to attract young buyer, there isn't involved the "heritage thing" as in the US. Just look at Levi's Japan, they are running predominantly the vintage look. So maybe the Chinese 501s are different for this reason. I'd be careful of everything Chinese, though, as I have seen jeans that are most likely fake.

Posted 2 years ago #
Gill

new member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 4

Has anyone bought the 517 rigid jeans and tried to "shrink-to-fit" them? I know they are not shrink to fit, but if they are raw, unwashed denim do you think the same effect would take place after a soak in the tub?

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

According to Stuart in the comments here they don't shrink too much. I'm considering trying them. let us know if you do Gill.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

I once sat in the tub with 936 Wranglers. They dried on the line, though. I didn't measure them afterwards, but for the sanforized, rigid Wranglers and Levi's, the rule of thumb is that they shrink about an inch in lenght and up to an inch at the waist. Mind. that is with normal machine wash.

Posted 2 years ago #
Edmund X White

senior admin
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 187

Stuart was saying that they are the same as the raw shrink to fits but I have a hunch that klaus is right that they are just sanforized rigid denim which tends to shrink only an inch.

Posted 2 years ago #
Klaus

preferred member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 134

The rigid jeans are sanforized, which means they are heat treated to minimize shrinkage. Just put "sanforizing" in your search engine to learn more. Those jeans will shrink about 3%.

Posted 2 years ago #
scotty

member
Joined: Mar '10
Posts: 40

I bought a pair of preshrunk 501s in the light weight 11.5oz style yesterday. The color is "Dark Aged" and is has a real leather patch on the back. They are extremely soft and comfortable. Not sure how durable they will be but I have been enjoying them since I got em last night! The code is 501-450. Has anyone else tried these lighter weight 501s? The back pockets are wider and higher. Very nice fit!

Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.