How To Date Levi’S 501?

Date	Features	Notes
1873	Original 501 design with copper rivets, calico back pocket, and button fly	First pair of Levi’s jeans
1936	Red tab added to back pocket	To help distinguish Levi’s jeans from other brands
1947	Arcuate stitching added to back pocket	To improve durability
1954	Zip fly added	To appeal to a wider audience
1971	501 Original Shrink-to-Fit introduced	To allow customers to customize the fit of their jeans

Levi’s 501 jeans are one of the most iconic and recognizable pieces of clothing in the world. They’ve been around for over 150 years, and they’ve been worn by everyone from cowboys to rock stars. But how can you tell how old a pair of Levi’s 501s is?

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different characteristics that can help you date a pair of Levi’s 501s. We’ll also discuss how the jeans have changed over the years, so you can get a better idea of when your pair was made.

Identifying Characteristics

There are a few key characteristics that can help you date a pair of Levi’s 501s. These include:

• Leather Patch

The leather patch on the back of the jeans is one of the most important features for dating. The patch will typically include the following information:

• The Levi’s brand name
• The model number (501)
• The country of origin
• The year of manufacture

The year of manufacture is typically located in the bottom right corner of the patch. It will be a two-digit number, such as “50” or “66.”

• Rivets

The rivets on the jeans can also help you date them. Levi’s used different types of rivets over the years, so the type of rivets on your jeans can give you a clue as to when they were made.

The most common type of rivets on Levi’s 501s are copper rivets. These rivets were used from the 1870s until the 1930s. In the 1930s, Levi’s switched to using brass rivets. These rivets were used until the 1970s.

In the 1970s, Levi’s switched to using nickel-plated rivets. These rivets are still used today.

• Arcuate Stitching

The arcuate stitching on the back pockets of Levi’s 501s can also help you date them. The arcuate stitching is a distinctive stitching pattern that runs from the top of the back pocket to the bottom.

The arcuate stitching on Levi’s 501s has changed over the years. In the early days, the arcuate stitching was very simple. It was just a single line of stitching.

In the 1930s, Levi’s added a second line of stitching to the arcuate stitching. This created a “double-arc” look.

In the 1950s, Levi’s changed the arcuate stitching again. They added a third line of stitching to the arcuate stitching. This created a “triple-arc” look.

The triple-arc arcuate stitching is still used on Levi’s 501s today.

• Button Fly

The button fly on Levi’s 501s can also help you date them. Levi’s used different types of buttons over the years, so the type of button on your jeans can give you a clue as to when they were made.

The most common type of button on Levi’s 501s is a copper button. These buttons were used from the 1870s until the 1930s. In the 1930s, Levi’s switched to using brass buttons. These buttons were used until the 1970s.

In the 1970s, Levi’s switched to using nickel-plated buttons. These buttons are still used today.

• Red Tab

The red tab on the back of Levi’s 501s is another distinctive feature that can help you date them. The red tab is a rectangular piece of fabric that is sewn to the back of the jeans.

The red tab on Levi’s 501s has changed over the years. In the early days, the red tab was very simple. It just had the Levi’s brand name on it.

In the 1930s, Levi’s added the word “Levi’s” to the red tab.

In the 1950s, Levi’s added the word “Strauss” to the red tab.

The red tab with the words “Levi’s Strauss” is still used on Levi’s 501s today.

Dating by Era

In addition to the specific characteristics that we’ve discussed, there are a few other things you

Dating by Label

The Levi’s 501 has a long and storied history, and its labels have changed over the years to reflect the brand’s evolution. By dating your Levi’s 501 by label, you can learn more about its age and history.

Red Tab Label

The red tab is one of the most iconic features of the Levi’s 501. It first appeared on jeans in 1936, and it has been there ever since. The red tab is typically located on the back pocket of the jeans, and it features the Levi’s logo.

The red tab can be used to date your Levi’s 501 by looking at the font and the size of the logo. The font used on the red tab has changed over the years, and the size of the logo has also changed.

Here is a table that shows how to date your Levi’s 501 by the red tab:

| Year | Font | Size |
|—|—|—|
| 1936-1955 | Block | Small |
| 1955-1971 | Script | Medium |
| 1971-1986 | Script | Large |
| 1986-Present | Script | Medium |

Arcuate Label

The arcuate label is another iconic feature of the Levi’s 501. It is a curved label that is located on the back of the waistband. The arcuate label typically features the Levi’s logo, the size of the jeans, and the country of origin.

The arcuate label can be used to date your Levi’s 501 by looking at the font and the size of the logo. The font used on the arcuate label has changed over the years, and the size of the logo has also changed.

Here is a table that shows how to date your Levi’s 501 by the arcuate label:

| Year | Font | Size |
|—|—|—|
| 1936-1942 | Block | Small |
| 1942-1955 | Script | Medium |
| 1955-1971 | Script | Large |
| 1971-1986 | Script | Medium |
| 1986-Present | Script | Small |

Leather Patch Label

The leather patch label is located on the back of the waistband of the jeans. It typically features the Levi’s logo, the size of the jeans, and the country of origin.

The leather patch label can be used to date your Levi’s 501 by looking at the font and the size of the logo. The font used on the leather patch label has changed over the years, and the size of the logo has also changed.

Here is a table that shows how to date your Levi’s 501 by the leather patch label:

| Year | Font | Size |
|—|—|—|
| 1936-1942 | Block | Small |
| 1942-1955 | Script | Medium |
| 1955-1971 | Script | Large |
| 1971-1986 | Script | Medium |
| 1986-Present | Script | Small |

Care Label

The care label is located inside the waistband of the jeans. It typically lists the care instructions for the jeans, as well as the country of origin.

The care label can be used to date your Levi’s 501 by looking at the font and the size of the text. The font used on the care label has changed over the years, and the size of the text has also changed.

Here is a table that shows how to date your Levi’s 501 by the care label:

| Year | Font | Size |
|—|—|—|
| 1936-1942 | Block | Small |
| 1942-1955 | Script | Medium |
| 1955-1971 | Script | Large |
| 1971-1986 | Script | Medium |
| 1986-Present | Script | Small |

Dating by Other Factors

In addition to dating your Levi’s 501 by

How can I tell if my Levi’s 501s are real?

There are a few ways to tell if your Levi’s 501s are real.

• The red tab: The red tab on the back pocket of a pair of Levi’s 501s should be sewn on straight and should not be crooked or peeling. The tab should also have the Levi’s logo and the word “Levi’s” written in all capital letters.
• The rivets: The rivets on a pair of Levi’s 501s should be copper and should be evenly spaced. The rivets should also be stamped with the Levi’s logo.
• The arcuate stitching: The arcuate stitching on the back of a pair of Levi’s 501s should be straight and should not be crooked or uneven. The stitching should also be a dark brown color.
• The care label: The care label on a pair of Levi’s 501s should be sewn on inside the waistband. The label should have the Levi’s logo and the words “Levi’s Strauss & Co.” written in all capital letters.

If you are still not sure if your Levi’s 501s are real, you can always take them to a Levi’s store or authorized retailer for verification.

How do I care for my Levi’s 501s?

To keep your Levi’s 501s looking their best, you should follow these care instructions:

• Wash them inside out on a cold cycle. This will help to protect the color and prevent the denim from fading.
• Use a mild detergent. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach, as these can damage the denim.
• Air dry your jeans. Do not dry them in the dryer, as this can shrink them and damage the denim.
• Turn your jeans inside out before storing them. This will help to prevent them from getting mildew or stains.

By following these care instructions, you can help your Levi’s 501s last for years to come.

How can I make my Levi’s 501s fit better?

If your Levi’s 501s are too big, you can try the following to make them fit better:

• Wash them in hot water. This will shrink them slightly and make them more snug.
• Tuck them into your boots. This will help to create a more streamlined look.
• Add a belt. A belt can help to cinch in your waist and make your jeans fit more snugly.

If your Levi’s 501s are too small, you can try the following to make them fit better:

• Wear them with a looser top. This will help to balance out the fit of your jeans.
• Roll up the cuffs. This will create a more relaxed look.
• Add a sweater or jacket. A layer can help to camouflage the fit of your jeans.

If you are unable to make your Levi’s 501s fit better, you may need to size up or down.

How can I tell what size Levi’s 501s I wear?

To find the right size Levi’s 501s, you will need to measure your waist and inseam.

• Waist: To measure your waist, wrap a measuring tape around your natural waist, just above your hip bones.
• Inseam: To measure your inseam, stand with your feet flat on the floor and measure from the top of your crotch to the bottom of your ankle.

Once you have your measurements, you can use the Levi’s size chart to find the right size jeans for you.

Where can I buy authentic Levi’s 501s?

You can buy authentic Levi’s 501s at the following retailers:

• Levi’s website: [https://www.levi.com/](https://www.levi.com/)
• Levi’s stores: [https://www.levi.com/stores/](https://www.levi.com/stores/)
• Authorized retailers: [https://www.levi.com/stores/locator/](https://www.levi.com/stores/locator/)

You can also find authentic Levi’s 501s on online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. However, be sure to do your

dating Levi’s 501 jeans is a great way to add a touch of vintage style to your wardrobe. By following the tips in this article, you can easily find a pair of 501s that fit you perfectly and will last for years to come. So what are you waiting for? Start dating Levi’s 501s today!

Here are some key takeaways from the article:

• Levi’s 501 jeans are a classic and timeless piece of clothing that can be dressed up or down.
• The best way to date Levi’s 501s is to find a pair that fits you well and is in good condition.
• You can date Levi’s 501s by wearing them regularly, washing them in cold water, and avoiding harsh chemicals.
• Levi’s 501s can be a great investment, as they will last for many years with proper care.