Levi 1947 501 question

[csandbothe]

Hey guys, I just bought these online and sized up as recommended. I was wondering if I am supposed to soak these before wearing them.? These are shrink to fit so am I supposed to take them in the shower or something? or throw them in the wash? I appreciate the help and apologize in advance if these are silly questions.

 

[Superb0bo]

Well, it has been discussed in length before.

Hot soak in a tub for like 3-4 hours. Hang dry.

 

[leftover_salmon]

Maybe I had a bad experience, but I sized up for my raw Levis 501 (I'm a 34, bought a 36) and soaked them a few times and also threw them in the dryer (not for 3-4 hours, mind you, but I refuse to believe there's that big a difference between three soaks of 1 hour and one soak of 3 hours). There was minimal shrinkage in the waist and inseam. Frankly, I'm not happy -- I need to wear a tight belt to keep them up and the rise is too high.

 

[leftover_salmon]

Maybe I had a bad experience, but I sized up for my raw Levis 501 (I'm a 34, bought a 36) and soaked them a few times and also threw them in the dryer (not for 3-4 hours, mind you, but I refuse to believe there's that big a difference between three soaks of 1 hour and one soak of 3 hours). There was minimal shrinkage in the waist and inseam. Frankly, I'm not happy -- I need to wear a tight belt to keep them up and the rise is too high.

 

[Superb0bo]

thats very weird.. LVC definitly shrinks a size in the waist when hot soaked. Im a 32 and get 34 in LVC.

 

[Tarmac]

Originally Posted by leftover_salmon

Maybe I had a bad experience, but I sized up for my raw Levis 501 (I'm a 34, bought a 36) and soaked them a few times and also threw them in the dryer (not for 3-4 hours, mind you, but I refuse to believe there's that big a difference between three soaks of 1 hour and one soak of 3 hours). There was minimal shrinkage in the waist and inseam. Frankly, I'm not happy -- I need to wear a tight belt to keep them up and the rise is too high.
The problem is that individual pairs vary somewhat in size, it says so in the booklet. Ideally you should be buying a pair which is just barely loose in the waist (snug but not constricting) and 2 inches too long in the inseam. But you would have to try this on to verify, not mail order.

 

[sonick]

Originally Posted by leftover_salmon

Maybe I had a bad experience, but I sized up for my raw Levis 501 (I'm a 34, bought a 36) and soaked them a few times and also threw them in the dryer (not for 3-4 hours, mind you, but I refuse to believe there's that big a difference between three soaks of 1 hour and one soak of 3 hours). There was minimal shrinkage in the waist and inseam. Frankly, I'm not happy -- I need to wear a tight belt to keep them up and the rise is too high.
Are you sure they were LVC, or Shrink-to-fits and not sanforized rigid 501's?

 

[kbuzz]

I agree on the mail order v. try on thing. I bought at least on 47 via mail order and despite tagged 38" it barely shrunk to a 36....too bad because im a 35...same thing for my lvc 33's

 

[leftover_salmon]

Originally Posted by sonick

Are you sure they were LVC, or Shrink-to-fits and not sanforized rigid 501's?

Yes; I'd shoot myself if I were that dumb. They were LVC 1947 501xx. It (basically said) "shrink-to-fit" on the paper insert and the salesman also said they shrink ~two sizes in the waist and 2-3" in the inseam.

 

[csandbothe]

Thanks for the help guys, I soaked them today and they shrunk up great. Although, they did not lose much dye at all. Is this normal? These are the new limited edition 1947 levi 501. Don't know if that makes a difference of not.