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Are Levis really the best jeans?

samurai

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Guys - I have heard many people say, beginning with Andy Warhol, that Levi 501's are simply the best jean ever made.

How many agree with this statement?
 

dopamine

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First of all - why did you post two threads? Second of all, the answer is no, not even close.
 

ok1234

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not necessarily the best, but definitely the first (in riveted jeans)
 

hossoso

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No. Additionally, an exchange between Dr. Peter Venkman and the rest of the Ghost Busters:

Dr. Peter Venkman: [as the Ghostbusters approach Gozer] Grab your stick!
[the Ghostbusters draw their handsets]
Dr Ray Stantz, Dr. Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore: HOLDING IT!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Heat 'em up!
[they arm their packs]
Dr Ray Stantz, Dr. Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore: SMOKIN'!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Bang 'em hard!
[they rack their handsets]
Dr Ray Stantz, Dr. Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore: READY!
Dr. Peter Venkman: Let's show this prehistoric ***** how we do things downtown... THROW IT!
 

Gus

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I like Levis LVC series. I've been buying them since 1998. There are some other good jeans out there but, especially the Japanese ones, they are too short once washed (yes, I actually wash my jeans every few weeks and hang dry).
 

dopamine

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Gotta love the honeycombing and fading on these Levi's from 1879. I'd rock 'em. I think it's apparent that the inseam might've been too short for the guy who wore them.
oldest_levis_1.jpg
 

Robert

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This is really a matter of opinion, isn't it? Personally I love my 501s, and I have a great pair of stiff rigid (one-wash?) dark denim 514s. I think they fit great, feel great, look great.

At the same time, I'm not huge into jeans, so these are fine for me, but I also know a) they're probably not as fantastic as a $300 pair of Japanese selvedge and b) they're also a cut or two above knock-offs at American Eagle and the Gap.

So... subjective. And relative. No?
 

whodini

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Originally Posted by dopamine
I think it's apparent that the inseam might've been too short for the guy who wore them.
I'm not sure I follow. It looks to me like the ripped back hem and the honeycombs near the hems tell a different story.
 

onion

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The short answer is: No. Levi's 501, no matter when they were created, are not the best jeans ever.

This long answer is: You can't answer it. The question is too vague.

I think you are forgetting there is a HUGEEEEEE difference between the 1890's model 501 or 1920's model 501 or 1950's model 501 or 2000's model 501, etc. The cut, fabric, hardware, and details are all very different over the years.

I think some one might make the case that that the old model's are the best pair of jeans ever, but I would still have to disagree. I could go into a bit more detail on why certain modern day jeans are better, but I'll save that for another day.
 

Pangolin

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Originally Posted by dopamine
I think it's apparent that the inseam might've been too short for the guy who wore them.

Not at all actually. If you look at the hem, you have creases that typically form when your jeans are just long enough to fall on your shoes. Perfect length for me, but I always hated stacking in the first place.
 

Eason

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They aren't. Fitwise, they're below average (but this is a tradition thing, like sugarcanes and samurais looking terrible on people). Quality wise, they're average for the price point. Not that LVC's are bad by any stretch, but they're never going to be considered the best. As for regular levi's well... yes, American levi's are the worst jeans ever.
 

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