Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit jeans are made from raw unsanforized denim, leaving the denim untouched after washing. They have a straight cut, don’t stretch, and will shrink (mostly on the length) after washing. These jeans are considered the go-to starter pair for raw denim by denimheads and are considered the cheapest raw denim you can buy.
The 501 Shrink-to-Fit jeans are made from authentic raw denim that forms to your body, with the fit, wear, and finish being all unique to you. The 501® Original is an iconic straight fit with signature button fly. To minimize shrinkage, it is recommended to wash the jeans in cold water and line dry.
To try out raw denim jeans without breaking the bank, Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit (STF) jeans can be beat. If you don’t want to wash your rigid Levi’s 501® jeans, buy one size smaller in the waist and buy your true size for length. The fit is awesome, but the jeans will shrink 1″ in the waist and 3″ in the length. Sanforization is a process of pre-shrinking fabric, with sanforized denim shrinking about 2-3 while unsanforized denim shrinks up to 10.
In summary, Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit jeans are made from raw unsanforized denim and are considered the go-to starter pair for raw denim enthusiasts. They are not tight fitting and will generally shrink down to their state waist size after several washings.
📹 The Original Raw Denim Jeans: Levi 501 STF (Shrink to Fit)
Are Levi’s the ULTIMATE RAW DENIM JEANS? No, definitely not. There are some unbelievable jeans out there. However for the …
Should Levi’s be tight at first?
Vintage denim jeans are a versatile and comfortable option that can stretch from the heat of your body and even sweat. The measured waist is usually smaller than the marked waist, which is what the denim stretch to. Each pair of jeans will fit differently due to factors such as the year of production, the facility, and the shape of their previous owner. It is recommended to wear the jeans a little tight at first, as they will open up everywhere. Levi’s 501’s, the first of all jeans created, is a button fly, straight leg, and mid-rise fit.
Prices for these classic jeans can vary greatly based on age and condition, with many going up to $1000 for collectors. The back panel of the fabric on a 501 is cut wider than the front panel, allowing the fabric to wrap around your rear for a hug and lift.
How to prevent raw denim from shrinking?
Denim shrinks due to the tension applied during the manufacturing process, which causes the fabric fibers to relax and contract when exposed to heat and moisture. Different denim fabrics may react differently to washing and drying, with raw denim being more prone to shrinkage. To avoid shrinking jeans, follow the care labels on the inside of the jeans, which provide information on the ideal water temperature, washing cycle, and drying method. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to premature fading, wear, and compression.
When using a washing machine, set it to the delicate or gentle cycle with cold water. Opt for a mild liquid detergent specifically designed for cold water wash. This will help maintain the ideal fit and shape of your jeans. Before washing, ensure that the machine is set to the gentlest cycle with cold water, as hot water can cause denim to shrink.
Does raw denim get looser?
Raw denim growth occurs due to stress and stretching, with high-stress areas like the rise and thigh experiencing the most growth. The waistband also experiences significant growth due to stress and stretching while sitting. The inseam rarely changes until washing, with small shrinkage in the inseam attributed to horizontal stretching, pulling vertical yards closer together, fabric wrinkles, and wearing jeans in the rain.
Water will always shrink raw denim. New to raw denim, jeans may shrink a full size smaller after the first wash. However, broken-in jeans will stretch and grow after a day or two of wear, but will never reach their original size.
Is raw denim shrink to fit?
For a tapered long-term fit, ensure the denim fits snug from the start, giving room for wear. The initial fit serves as a reference point for shrinkage after washing, and the longer the denim is worn and washed, the less it will fluctuate. If you want a looser fit, go up a size, as the denim won’t stretch much and shrinks back 3-5 from the initial fit. The only permanent shrinkage is in leg length, which won’t stretch out with wear after washing.
Raw denim is beautiful because it molds, shapes, and fades according to your life. You can control the outcome of raw denim by choosing options 1-2, as 3-4 kills the charm of raw denim. Option 1: Don’t wash at all, considering dry cleaning to kill bacteria without affecting color. Eventually, fading is unavoidable, but the overall raw indigo look will stick. Option 2: Wear the denim for at least a year without washing, then wash at low temperature (30-40°C).
Option 3: Wash before wearing to maintain an even color and reduce fading, using a gentle soaking in cold water followed by a 30°C machine wash. Option 4: Wash at 60°C for little to no contrast over time, making the denim more classic blue than dark indigo and won’t fade much.
Does Levi use raw denim?
The earliest Levi’s blue jeans were made with raw denim, a sturdy and stiff material used primarily for workwear. Today, raw denim is widely adopted for its long-lasting quality and unique signs of wear over time, providing an unmatched kind of personalization. The fabric’s untouched state allows each pair of jeans to show unique signs of wear over time. For those looking to buy their first pair or are curious, Levi’s® Denim Dictionary offers a comprehensive guide to raw denim fits for men and women.
Is Levi’s Shrink-to-Fit raw denim?
Levi’s shrink-to-fit jeans are made from raw denim and are not preshrunk. To machine wash and dry, size up by 1″ for waist and 2″ for 38″-48″, 3″ for 50″ and up, and 3″ for inseam. For the old-school technique, buy true to size in the waist and two sizes up in length, wear in the tub, and dry. For purists who prefer unwashed denim, no need to size up. Buy true to size and hang them outside in the sun to keep them fresh. Levi’s offers a return and exchange policy, product size guide, and warranty claim and policy.
How do you wash Levis raw denim?
Raw denim is a type of unwashed and untreated denim that can be best handled gently. To maintain the quality of your jeans, it is recommended to hand wash them in cold water with mild detergent and soak them for about 30 minutes. While denim is durable and can last for years, it is essential to take care of it.
Wash your jeans sparingly, avoiding over-washing, and only wash them after about 10 wears, unless they become visibly dirty or smell. Between washes, spot clean any stains with mild soap and a damp cloth or old toothbrush.
When washing your jeans, turn them inside out to protect the outer color from fading and minimize direct contact with chemicals and detergents. This step is especially important for dark-wash and black jeans, which are more prone to color loss or transfer.
Are Levi’s 501 preshrunk?
Levi’s® 501® Shrink-To-Fit™ jeans are made from raw denim, making them more durable and unpre-shrunk. However, they may shrink if thrown in the wash, but wearing them in the tub can help them shrink and break in just right. When purchasing raw denim jeans, ensure they are true to size in your waist but two or three sizes up in length.
In the tub, soak the jeans for half an hour, allowing the denim to soften and contour around your body. Once completely dry, you can wear these jeans without needing a tailor. For quick shrinking, use a trick called “spot shrinking” in high-stress areas like your waistband, knees, and bum. Tighten up the part of the jeans, dampen it with water, and run an iron over it until completely dry.
This tactic is best used for small patches of shrinking and is not recommended for more than this. If you need more, try other tried-and-true methods.
How do you know if jeans are preshrunk?
Pre-shrunk jeans should be labeled “Preshrunk” on the hang tag if the fabric manufacturer includes processes that reduce future shrinkage or pre-washes the fabric to relax before sewing. Shrinkage is a natural byproduct of machine washing and drying pants, and the amount of shrinkage depends on whether the manufacturer controlled shrinkage during production. The tension held between yarns and fabric during spinning and weaving or knitting causes the fabric to relax and shrink. If you notice tighter waistbands after washing but loosen up after an hour, this is relaxation shrinkage being reversed because tension is reintroduced, causing the waistband to stretch.
What are the disadvantages of raw denim?
Raw denim, also known as “dry denim”, is a type of jeans made from denim that has not undergone a pre-washing process. This type of jeans are stiff and take a few weeks of regular wear to break-in. Raw denim comes in two types: sanforized and unsanforized. Sanforized denim has a chemical treatment that prevents shrinkage after washing, and most mass-produced jeans are sanforized. Unsanforized denim hasn’t been treated with this shrink-preventing chemical, so when washing or soaking jeans, they will shrink by 5-10.
Selvedge denim is a type of denim produced on shuttle looms, which produce tightly woven strips of heavy fabric with finished edges to prevent fraying, raveling, or curling. The edges come out of the loom finished, making it known as having a “self-edge” denim. The pros and cons of raw denim are discussed in the pros and cons section.
Can I wash and dry Levi’s Shrink-to-Fit jeans?
Levi’s jeans are preshrunk, meaning they won’t shrink much. To ensure a good fit, purchase the size that fits you best before washing. After washing, wash in cold water and line dry. For shrink-to-Fit jeans, they are made from raw denim and don’t have preshrunk. To machine wash and dry, sizing up is recommended for waist and inseam sizes. For the old-school technique, buy true to size in the waist and two sizes up in length. For purists, no need to size up. Buy true to size and hang them outside in the sun to keep them fresh. Levi’s offers a return and exchange policy, product size guide, and warranty claim and policy.
📹 Shrink to Fit Denim – The Complete Guide
Levi’s gives us 3 ways to wear our Shrink-to-Fit Denim Jeans. I put 3 pairs of 501’s to the test and explain all the details of wearing …
I’m an old fart who grew up in Levis. I chuckle when I see what Levis says about breaking them in and washing them. Here’s a couple of tips from a Boomer…The best looking jeans have a natural fade that only gets better with time. Time is essential. Make sure that your 501s are the rigid shrink-to-fit. Buy a size larger. I wear a 34″ waist so I buy 35″ STF. Sure, you can put them on and sit in a hot bath—seriously though—do you think generations of guys actually did that? Rather, machine wash in COLD water then drip dry—generally takes two days unless it’s summer. The machine wash naturally shrinks the denim. Wear for at least 9 months, preferably a year, then machine wash in COLD water and drip dry. What you’ll notice is the your Levis will form to your body and there will be great fade marks making them unique. Avoid pre-shrunk or machine faded. Jeans that are naturally worn in, faded, and well-loved communicate confidence and a slightly bad-boy persona. Enjoy!
One day I was like 20 walking around Chicago in just a dress shirt and a blazer and it was like 10° out and I’m like I’m gonna find a pea coat. And I saw one and it didn’t really fit right so I kept taking the bus places and I found an Express jacket with the tags on labeled $282 and paid $30 for it. It was my mission, and it worked
Dude! I was literally thinking about doing a 501STF article for the past few weeks! Kind of disappointed that they didn’t shrink on the leg because a lot of reviews online said they would get a natural taper. I actually own a pair of 501T which come already with a taper down the leg. Still i love the way the 501 fits up top with the button fly and high rise
At 3:11 “I didn’t listen to Levi’s at all.” I have been wearing Levi’s 501s shrink-to-fit jeans since the late 1960s and have a large US made vintage collection. One persistent problem has always been buyers who just don’t believe they have to buy 501 STF jeans 1-2 inches greater in the waist and 3-4 inches in the length. So they get home wash their jeans and they are way too small to wear, like in this article, and they then return them creating waste and a hassle for the store, Levi’s, and the customer those jeans were made for. They are like people who are told not to look at the eclipse but don’t believe it and do so, or drunk drivers. They are informed what is the right thing to do but they know better.
What happened to leather 501’s. They were quite popular in my younger days, but ceased production when Levi’s were worried about one of their products having a gay stigma. They would be very popular if they were introduced today, since a lot of people commuting to the city would wear them on and off their bike without having to change when they arrived at work. Even without all the biker padding, they would be safer than denim to wear on the bike for short city journeys at low speeds and would not get saturated in light rain.
Always wait a year before letting raw denim get soaked. That way they will get a great natural wear pattern. I like the 501 slightly wider but straight leg. Original denim from back in the 1800’s was always raw selvedge and really only came in one length which is why up until the sixties jeans always had super high cuffs so the would be the right length. Personally I like vintage work clothing retro style so I never wash and always buy a 36 length even though I’m a 30 inseam so I can put in big cuffs. They’re some great methods to sanitize and deodorize naturally with out getting them wet. So yeah I guess why I’m saying is raw denim is great and has a lot of cool looks you can get with them. And if you like retro workwear and greaser look also raw is the way to go! Yeah and if you drop 100 bux on a pair they shouldn’t wear out nearly as fast as modern denim so really you are getting three pairs worth of wear time out of one pair. I usually spend around the 250 price range from a company that custom fits and makes my jeans. I’ll get a pair in grayish blue and a pair super dark blue both with gold stitching reinforced and hand riveted. So yeah I spend 450 dollars on two pairs but they last 6-7 years and are custom fit. Which is way cheaper than buying a pair of regular denim Levi’s at 80 bux a pop and only get a year max wear time before wholes and seem tears start. Anyway cool article and just wanted to add my opinion on why it’s more economic in the long run to spend more. Cheers and keep rockin the denim!
Levi’s was the first to do jeans ever. Originally in the 1800’s until the 60’s all jeans were raw an mostly cane in one length which is wear the big tall cuffs comes from. It was necessity. And as far as selvedge it means nothing it’s just another stupid thing hipsters blew out of proportion and made Jean prices skyrocket. Getting a nice heavy raw (14 oz. minimum) is the important thing!
Hi, may I ask? So I got the 501 STF. Soaked, air dried, got the size right(+1/+2), everything is cool and fun, sits on me exactly as expected. So my question is now what’s the actual difference between my sized up STF and a normal dark 501 (non STF), in which case it all seems to be just done for me beforehand? I can see the point if you use the bath tub wear method or “no wash ever”, but for a more casual wash scenario, is not it is the same?
Hi. I’ve tried Gap selvedge in straight and standard fit. Good selvedge jeans for the price. Have had Unbranded 301 as well as other Japanese and US selvedge jeans. Currently working on a pair of 501 stf and will wear them to do yard work and see how they fade when I do wash them. The 501 is good to experiment with with attempt to take a pair to get tailored and try different waist sizes for fun.
I’m normally a 34 waist and for me to get Unsanforized jeans (14oz Cone Mills) to fit me comfortably I had to buy 38’s … I literally lost 4 sizes during the first soak!!! In Sanforized jeans I buy a 35 and they work out great. So my point for everyone is… be aware that unsanforized can shrink up to 4 sizes! They’re a bit of a gamble, but pretty damn awesome if you can get it right. I’d say for your first pair of unsanforized jeans, look for a bargain in the event you mess up it won’t feel so dramatic (like a $100+ pair you’ll never get to wear) … in my case I have friends smaller than me.
Levi’s are the wimpiest jeans on the market. I’m a carpenter who used to wear Levi’s and loved them. Now, like every other big Corp whore they have sold out their American pride for a few extra bucks. Last pair I had lasted a few weeks. I’ll never buy another pair as long as I live, but, like I said, I actually WORK for a living. Not push a pencil and call it work, but blister your hands work. Hell, I can’t even read the label anymore to see what the pieces of crap are made of because they’re written in every language EXCEPT American. Working man made that company great and now they disrespect the working man by ripping him off thinking he’s getting the same jeans he used to buy for 10 times the price.
I have been wearing shrink-to-fit 501s since around 1969 and have a lifetime supply of new ones that were made in the US before 2000. My technique is I wash and dry them twice before I ever dare wearing them. Vintage 501s used heavy denim so after the first wash/dry cycle they are still too stiff to wear. You can wear them after the second wash and by the forth or fifth the quality denim becomes super soft. Wearing a vintage pair of shrink-to-fit 501s without washing would be like wearing pipes and serious punishment. The whole idea of not washing your jeans is a kooky modern usage approach like wearing your baseball cap backwards. Regarding sizing. My true size is 36×32. So with vintage shrink-to-fit 501s I have to get size 38×34. But if I want to cuff I get 38×36. With today’s STF 501s you should probably add 4 inches to your inseam and 2 inches to your waist when buying to be safe.
y’all are making it too hard. For Levi’s STF, just follow the formula 1 inch bigger in the waist, 2 to 3 inches longer in the leg and soak them in the machine in hot water for an hour, then complete the cycle in the washing machine. pull out the wrinkles and drip dry. the next time just run it through the washer and dry it in the dryer.
Does it shrink in the bottom drastically Im a 32 length but I’m gonna buy 30 and try to tub method. 30 length seems almost perfect for me. I find with the 32 I have baggage a little at the bottom do you think a 30 should be fine for tub method. I think I’m going to try it. I just hope it’s not too high. Thanks.
I’m experimenting with 501 STFs for the first time so I’m a newbie. I have a terrible time finding jeans that fit because of my athletic lower body. So I have a fairly large size for me hoping my legs will have some movement once everything forms to me. How do you feel about boiling the waist? Great articles man. Thank you
Hey den, got a few questions you might be able to help me with. 1) I’ve been practicing stf on regular run of the mill rigid 501s and have a pretty good idea of what size to buy and what shrinking method I like to use. Can I expect LVC jeans to react more or less the same? Mainly in how much they will shrink and how much they will stretch back out with wear? 2) Can I expect tag sizing to be more or less the same on LVC jeans as regular 501s? I buy 30 waist in regular 501s and they are closer to 32 in actual size and end up at about 31 post shrink which is where I want them. Should I buy LVCs in the same tag size as regular 501s or buy true to size? Hope these questions make sense. Thank you so much for the awesome content. All the best.
Hello, Thanks for your website, most informative and straight to the point one. I’d allow myself, maybe to ask repetitious question/s. Recently bought here, in Israel, by occasion online Levis 501 54, premium, dark indigo, cotton 100%, rigid. This is my 1st try of Levis 501 since many years, I’ve been wearing 512, 511 and love slim look, but decided to go classic this time and hard way I’ve got my 32/32 a bit tight and a bit long than all others, but after few days wear it got freer on waist and bottom. I’ve been searching for exact steps for washing rigid denim, and ways to get it more tight on legs and look slimmer. I don’t have a bath to practice the shrinking to fit process and as well don’t know if rigid jean is possible to do so. I plan wear it ca 10 times and perform the wash, hoping that 10 wears its enough to make the rigid jeans break. I’d like to get prepared Would you be so kind to advice what is best to perform and if your article actual for my type of wear. Best wishes Vlad