Levi’s® 501XX® 1947 – RIGID (Deadstock US Made Cone Mills Denim)

• 12oz Cone Mills Red Selvedge denim (14oz after wash)

 

• Two back pockets with concealed rivets

 

• Big “E” single-sided red Tab

 

• “Two Horse” leather patch

 

• Twin needle Arcuate

 

• Watch pocket rivets returned after the war

 

• 100% Cotton

 

• Made in the USA

 

• Non-sanforized (shrink to fit)

The Levi’s® Vintage Clothing 1947 501® was the jean of a new generation. After World War II, raw materials became available again, so Levi’s® jeans could now be made with their original features. Levi Strauss & Co. leapt back into heavy production to meet the growing demand. By the late 1940’s, Levi’s® jeans were updated and aimed at the emerging middle class. With a slimmer fit and no extra details like the cinch or suspender buttons, the 1947 501® was a jean ready for the changing times. However, it still marked the return of familiar, classic 501® features. For instance, the watch pocket rivets were brought back after their wartime hiatus. Additionally, the back pocket Arcuate detail was no longer applied with paint as it was during the war– Levi’s® returned to the original stitched design, but it came back in a different form. Thanks to new double-needle technology, the famed double-arched stitch could be mass-produced in uniform size and design, no longer subject to the sewing skills of the individual worker. We have reproduced all of these details, and used the same selvedge denim from Cone Mills of North Carolina– a Levi’s® brand partner for over 100 years.

On December 31st 2017 Cone Mills White Oak Plant closed it’s doors for the last time spelling the end of an era for US denim and in particular US denim for Levi’s®. Cone Mills have supplied Levi’s® since 1915 when a hand shake agreement made them exclusive suppliers of XX denim for their 501’s®. Levi’s® Vintage Clothing have now used up all remaining stock of Cone Mills denim so are now using Japanese denim. They have also moved production from the US to Turkey (where a lot of regular Levi’s® range is already made). There will be no more US made US denim Levis anytime soon if ever. These jeans we offer really are the last of an icon, when they are gone they are gone.