Levi's size + measurement guide
Before we begin, please forget the idea that the size number you wear in modern jeans will be the size you wear in vintage Levi’s. Don't get hung up on the size number. You will want to measure your favorite fitting pair of jeans or take your body measurements as each style fits differently depending on your shape.
Measuring from your favorite fitting jeans:
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Waist: Measure across the top (backside) of the waist and make sure they are buttoned or zipped.
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Rise: Measure from the crotch to the top of the waistband
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Inseam: Measure from the crotch on the inside of the length of the leg to the end of the leg.
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Ankle (optional): Measure across the ankle opening to see how tapered or wide you prefer.
THE HISTORY OF LEVI'S
The story of Levi’s + the red tab Levi’s began when Bavarian immigrant Levi Strauss (1829-1902), immigrated to San Francisco in 1850, where he noticed a demand for durable pants from the miners of the us gold rush.
It wasn't until 1886 that the two-horse trademark was created. The two-horse trademark depicts two horses attempting to pull apart a pair of Levi’s waist overalls. The logo symbolized the strength of the clothing in the face of competition.
In 1870 the first pair of their most famous jeans, the Levi’s 501 was created. Over time, the original design of the jeans changed slightly; a second back pocket was added in 1901, and belt loops were added in 1922. By 1950, Levi’s had produced 95 million pairs of jeans, which at that time cost only $3.50 per pair.
In the late 1900's Levi’s needed to set themselves apart. Many other jeans produced at the time had similar pocket stitching and a patch on the waistband. The national sales manager of Levi’s at the time came up with the idea of the red tab with 'Levi’s' sewn in white, allowing the brand to be seen and recognized amongst the competition.
orange tab levi's
Let's talk about the orange tab Levi’s. Known as "the jeans with the famous fit", they have since become a favorite of vintage collectors and denim lovers worldwide.
The orange label was an experiment driven by Levi’s design team, differentiating from the popular Levi’s fits such as the 501. In the 1960's Levi’s introduced the orange tab as their 'Fashion denim'. Orange tab became a staple of the youth, blurring the lines between classic denim silhouettes, and moving away from the comfort zone of fits that Levi’s were known for.
Slightly harder to come by, the way to distinguish between 60's and 70's orange tab Levi’s keep an eye out for care labels. They weren't used in Levi’s until 1971.