Wranglers....discuss
just kidding!
I don't have any experience with them but they seem to be another rigid denim option in a similar price range to the 501's.
What are people's experiences with them. Any favorite styles in the rigids?
Wranglers
(18 posts) (6 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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I told my good buddy this morning that I'm sick of my STF 501s busting out in the crotch and everywhere else. He's an exclusive 501 guy, won't consider other jeans.
I told my pal that, when I go on long walks, biking or hikes, I wear my Cowboy Cut Wrangs. My STFs just can't take it, and I can't keep replacing poorly made 501s.
Another buddy of mine refers to STF 501s as "paper thins". At least 936 Wrangs are tough jeans that wear and wear. Mine I got from Sheplers by mail order. Perfect tight fit, no loose thighs or big rear pockets. They have the look and fit of low rise jeans.
When my Ma bought me a pair of Wrangs when I was a kid. I ripped them up immediately. They got no respect. Now, my opinion has changed.
It's not just Wrangs, there are other hot and tough jeans out there, alternatives to STFs. The advantage to STF 501s, is that they are known the world over.
Something to think about...
Tim
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'd say the Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans are more durable than Levi's, but aren't in the same league when it comes down to looks. They Wrangler's high waist is not everyone's thing. Tim, I reckon you let the 936 slide downwards as you mentioned "low rise"?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I agree with Tim about the fit. comparing with the new 501's, there is a big difference. the older style of 501's are similar to wrangler. The marketing of wrangler, w/western type guys is very good. the fit, the look, the publicity, makes them sell. What has Levi done here? nothing. Mfg: Dominican Rep.- Mexico-Indonesia-any where but the USA. The "unbuttoned" look is interesting, but what does it show to 501 buyers. I'll keep trying 501's, but with a eye out for the others: deisel,wrangler, and some similar brands.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rangers, I agree with you about Levi's bad marketing. They used to have the best advertisements in the 80ies and early 90ies. Now their jeans quality suffers because of incompetent people doing their ads. The "unbuttoned" campain is another example for that. What exactly is the point? Of course LS&Co cannot sell the 501 with the same style as earlier - simply because they have lost their most important values: quality/durability. Wrangler Cowboy Cut rules in this department. Please bear in mind that Wranglers are not U.S. made any more, too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Really interesting points about the marketing. I think there is something to be said about quality and durability doing a good job in selling themselves as well!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Here is a picture of 0708 stonewashed 501s and 936 Slim Fits. Both are tag sized 29", I didn't measure them. The Wrangler has been washed once (pocket stitching is removed):
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm really intrigued by the fit on the wrangler especially after seeing your comparison photo. I'll have to try a pair!
Posted 2 years ago # -
So, after reading all the comments on size, fit, stf, I am thinking, what are we looking for in these pants? So, I'm giving my opinion for myself, as to what I want to acheive in a desirable fit for my body size and the style I want to wear. Most designers seem to go with the assumption, 50/60% of population are overweight, ok, so who do you fashion for? The guys sizes I'm seeing posted for are the more normal lean sizes. ex: w:32-34/l:-32-36. My best fit is a 35/32-34, I want a button fly, low rise front, snug upper thigh, snug crotch and rear seat with the rear pockets up on my hips, not on my leg. Not to offend the low riders, but, this is just my preference. The last 2 pair of STF (08/08-09-08 from sheplers) seem to fit the NEW patterns. (bigger) So, I'm liking my wrang's better and also, carhart S8500's. If they were made in button fly, goodby new 501's. Tim, I like your take on the jeans.
Posted 2 years ago # -
nice post rangers! I agree with your points and will hopefully have more perspective to add after getting a pair of wranglers myself. I agree that the button fly is best!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yep, can't get away from that buttonfly. I like to slip on a pair of STF 501s in the morning, then just a top, white sweat socks and my work boots. Love the way that buttonfly shows off my gear under my top. It "puckers" up, whereas, Wranglers and other zips just hang straight on the fly. I like a good fittin' pair of jeans whether zips or buttons, but I'm addicted to that 501 buttonfly. It says more about a guy.
The Wrangs I got from Sheplers are pre-shrunk. I just slipped them on for a perfect fit. Cowboy cut 936s. They tell me that unshrunk raw Wranglers make raw STF 501s seem like silk. I'll avoid unshrunk Wrangs. Still love my Cowboy cuts and wear them as a change from 501s.
As it gets toward summer, I've got a stack of old beat up torn faded 501s in my rag bag. I'll wear the best of these holey faded 501s to the beach, I hang out with the guys in a bar afterwards and we compare our trashed jeans. So, there's something to how a pair of 501s wears out. Wrangs don't get holey. There's a time and place that a guy wants to show off in trashies. Keeping some beat up buttonfly just for that.
Tim
Posted 2 years ago # -
It's fascinating to observe how radically divergent the image of the Wrangler brand is in the American market versus in markets throughout the rest of the world, especially Europe.
In America, Wranglers are THE working class jean. A no nonsense, fashion-neutral brand with blue collar heroes like George Straight, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Brett Favre as its pitchmen.
Take a look at Wrangler's European website, however, and it's a totally different presentation. Check out this advertisement on a U.K. jeans site in which a pack of half-naked hipsters in pre-distressed fashion-forward Wranglers howl at the moon (or something) and proclaim that they are animals. The image is the antithesis of everything the Wrangler brand stands for in America.
It's remarkable that Wrangler has been able to transform a perception of American authenticity (or something) into a radically divergent image that can appeal to the fashion-conscience sensibilities of European youth. In America, even the most ardently ironic hipster wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of Wranglers.
There is a compelling case history in marketing savvy in there somewhere.
Posted 2 years ago # -
hey tim, I'm with you on the older 501's. I've got about 15 old pair. the denim seems to be thinner than 505's and other style zips. when your out working and sweating, this is when they seem to rip/tear in the knees,crotch and seat. But, the buttonfly is quick, easy to use when in a hurry. (on the old styles). The new stf's aren't going to get there. Maby a guy with- w-30 /32 & 34/36 inseam, will get a nice fit after shrinks. I know of a few web sites for 501's, denim fetish, riped, jeans. e-mail me @ cvmttech@hotmail.com w/your address & I'll shoot it to you. Like you I'm keeping these old pair's to work out in the woods, farm stores & with the guys. There is a place in Calif ( S-F or LA called the "denim doc" I had 3 pair fixed there. cost about 25.00/pair. They used a weaving/stich of some sort that looked sort od ok. rough on the inside though, not so good for the crotch. no tailor in my area will touch them. I like the beach/bar story, here in Mn, its ice,snow & 0' deg. hear from ya.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Cam, the European image of a lot of American workwear is aimed at the youth. Take Dickie', Carharrt, Wrangler, Lee. There may be more, I don't care too much so I can't say what else. The kids over here often don't eben know that this is workwear originally, they think these are designer clothes. Levi's pursues the designer image over here a lot. Today I say a pair of 501s with some factory fadings for about $140! This is nuts! A lot of guys who wore Levi's won't touch them any more as they became so youth oriented.
Posted 2 years ago # -
The rear pocket placement on the Wrangler 13MWZ rigid is too high for my tastes, the 936 Slim Fit rigid looks like it has a slightly lower rear pocket placement but i'm not sure about the slim fit part. The color of their indigo looks lighter than the STF's but this could be interesting. I do like the high waist though but you have to keep a trim figure for this cut to look it's best. I also love the Wrangler patch, with the iconic rope type lettering, on the rear pocket- Levi's has it's red tab and double arc stitching, Wrangler has that patch and W stitching - cool! The zip fly on the Wrangler's is also,IMO, more convenient but of course ya gotta love the buttons on the STF's! I'd be willing to try a pair of the 13MWZ's but i'd go a size up from my Levi's STF size to ensure the waist drops down a bit.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Kane, yeah that's a good idea with getting the wranglers a bit bigger I hadn't thought of it myself. I keep telling myself i'm going to get a pair and never do...it's all speculation until I actually give them a go.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Well, I got myself some rigid Wrangler 13 MWZ's from Sheplers and I gotta say that I'm disappointed. While the denim is raw and slightly heavier than the STF's, it isn't nearly as stiff. Some have described the Wrangler blue as blueberry but after the initial soak in cold water the color is more like light navy blue, lighter and more blue than the STF's. The weave of the denim is herringbone and the outside does not have the attractive white/blue lines of the STF's - the white is scattered evenly throughout and looks cheap. The thread used for the stitching is very thin so it does not stand out like the STF's and is blue over the fly flap. The way that Wrangler attaches the seams is not as elegant as Levi's. I can tolerate the high pockets- makes for a change and I do like the brass rivets and iconic Wrangler patch on the rear pockets. These jeans for some reason do gravitate up towards my natural waist, ie, very high. These are indubitably THE original cowboy jeans which is cool but the way they are put together and the design details is too unrefined for my tastes. Verdict: 6.8/10 (STF's would score a 9.7/10).
The tale of the tape:
W33 L30
Actual measurements (pre cold water soak): W 34.8" Inseam: 30.7"
Shrinkage: W : 0.7" Length overall: 1.0"
**denim is sanforizedSuprisingly the rise (post soak) on my STF's (W33 L31) is greater ; front 30.8cm, seat 40.5cm
Wrangler's rise (post soak); front 30.0cm, seat 39.5cm.Posted 1 year ago #
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