Vintage/Repro Denim

**flippantfig** · 12-08-2006, 04:35 AM

Is anyone a fan of good quality old jeans? I am currently breaking in a pair of Sugarcane 1947s. They are reproductions of the Levi 501 from 1947:

Sugar Cane has masterfully recaptured the true color, look, fit, feel, quality and durability of the famous 501 XX selvage-denim dungarees of 1947. This is even more significant today for devotees of the 501 style, as the 501’s have yet again just been revised and modernized in cut, thus further distancing them from the originals. The 501 XX ’s of 1947 were basically just like the pre-war 501 XX’s, as the critical materials and styling details banned by the War Production Board in 1942 were lifted for clothing manufacture in 1946. The selvage-denim dungarees of the “good old days” are slightly higher-wasted, fit looser in the seat and had a straight-leg design commonly called the “stovepipe.” Denim was really tough back then and, when new, rather rigid (for those who want dungarees a bit softer than unwashed, please order one-wash finish). The shuttle looms that fabricated the selvage denim were more narrow and vastly slower than the high-speed looms of today, producing a totally different weave and texture within the fabric, as well as a different selvage edge. It is this older, selvage denim type that gives the vintage selvage-denim dungarees their interesting and totally unique character-rich look once they are worn and faded from use (this worn-in look is available new from the factory for those who desire this look immediately – see Sugar Cane’s hard-washed denim on this web site). Likewise, it is the slower shuttle looms and quality of denim employed that make these selvage-denim dungarees more costly than those made of inferior denim on the high-speed contemporary looms so ubiquitous in today's dumbed-down society of mediocrity. Virtually every styling detail and nuance of 501 XX’s has been duplicated, including the famous hidden pocket rivets. However, for obvious reasons, the “Levi” name on buttons and labels cannot be duplicated, nor can the arcuate pocket stitching, which is a Levi brand protected trademark. Sugar Cane dungarees are like a resumption of the production of a long-lost classic rather than a reproduction or copy.

Oh Japanese denim how I love thee!

Crazy detail in the construction of these jeans. But they are a bit smelly and in need of a wash (which is not happening because I am aiming to get a nice worn in look to them). The closest thing Levi are currently producing is the LVC line (Levi Vintage Collection).

**sparky5693** · 12-08-2006, 08:35 AM

Even if they are better, I'm not paying 217 bucks for a pair of jeans. I don't spend that in a year on jeans.

**rikrdo** · 12-08-2006, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by sparky5693

Even if they are better, I'm not paying 217 bucks for a pair of jeans. I don't spend that in a year on jeans.

I'm glad YOU said that 1st !

**flippantfig** · 12-08-2006, 10:53 AM

LOL, yeah. The HP markup is a little steep! However you can get them exported from Japan for a lot less.

**Larry C in Texas** · 12-08-2006, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by flippantfig

LOL, yeah. The HP markup is a little steep! However you can get them exported from Japan for a lot less.

Hmmm. No wonder the markup on those Tesco blades seemed a little steep. I didn't realize I was funding some denim.

**Mama Bear** · 12-08-2006, 06:26 PM

I used to buy those jeans for $12.... Man they were good tho. Breaking them in was wonderful! I would love to have another pair, but for that price I could buy a LOT of cheap jug wine... and pretend....

**sparky5693** · 12-08-2006, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Mama Bear

I used to buy those jeans for $12.... Man they were good tho. Breaking them in was wonderful! I would love to have another pair, but for that price I could buy a LOT of cheap jug wine... and pretend....

217 dollars of jug wine.... you won't care what/if you're wearing jeans.