1922 501XX

November 7, 2022

From workwear to fashion

1922 501XX

From 1915, Levi's started using denim fabrics from both Amoskeag Manufacturing Company and Cone Mills, but it is said that from this 1922 501XX model, they switched exclusively to Cone Mills.

One change in this model is the addition of belt loops. This means that with the introduction of this model, the "waist overalls" designation was phased out.

I believe this change was made to make them suitable for wearing as fashion on the streets, not just as workwear, but in addition to belt loops, they also have suspender buttons.

The custom of wearing belts was not yet widespread, so there were people who wore them with suspenders, like overalls, and people who wore them with belts as street fashion.

At this point, it is clear that Levi's was also shifting from workwear to fashion.

And there was one more change: the previous models had white selvedge, but this model introduced the RED LINE that you all know...

Yes, the red selvedge was used for the first time.

Here are other details

The 501 evolves by changing its details over time, but this is what was happening in America.

After World War I, America was in an economic boom, but stock prices began to plummet in 1922, which later spread globally in 1929. As you may have learned in world history, this led to the Great Depression.

The 1922 model was born during a dark age for both businesses and consumers. Perhaps because of this, its production numbers might have been lower compared to other models.

And so, this model concludes.

From the next one, some of you may have seen or even own them, but please bear with me as we continue for a bit longer.

JELADO is a brand that produces items based on vintage designs and also handles denim.

To analyze the XX fabric of the 50s, we cut into deadstock 503BXX from the 50s, performed scientific analysis, and meticulously created our original "LAST RESORT" denim fabric, which is extremely close to the XX fabric.

I will introduce products made with this denim fabric.