I love jeans, and I especially like the classic straight-leg style. I particularly like the Levi's 501XX, but in summer I worry about the colour fading from washing, so I end up wearing them less. So this time, I'd like to introduce a pair of jeans that you can use to your heart's content, without worrying too much about colour fading or damage, or about getting them dirty and having to wash them, even in the sweaty summer.
This time, we would like to introduce the Levi's 502 zip fly (with a zipper instead of buttons) model, which was sold for a short period of three years from the late 1960s. As it is possible to repair the jeans even if they fade or become damaged, the purchase price is not expensive, and there is no need to worry about colour fading or deterioration due to washing, so this model is ideal for use in the summer when you tend to sweat a lot.
The 502 model I use was first released around 1968 and production ceased around 1971. In terms of the 501, it is from the period known as the Big-E, and it is characterised by the fact that it has many features in common with the 501s of the same period.
The 502 is a model that was released after the 501ZXX model, which had a zipper fly, was changed to a slightly tapered silhouette to suit the times. It is said that the reason for the short production period of just over three years was that the denim shrank a lot and the front zipper was easily broken.
This model is from a period that retains the charm of vintage Levi's, such as the fact that the ‘e’ on the red Levi's tag is a capital ‘E’ (Big-E), and the fact that it uses the traditional indigo dyeing method that was used before the dyeing method was changed in the late 1970s.
The 502s I'm introducing this time have been worn without worrying about washing, which is a problem with vintage jeans, because they have been damaged and the fading has progressed. This is not because they are 502s, and I don't care about the fading or the damage, but because the ones I happened to buy happened to be 502s that had been damaged and the fading had progressed.
The value of vintage jeans can vary greatly depending on things like colour, condition and age, but the reason I have such a strong attachment to these 502s is that I feel a different kind of appeal to them than the market value. I have a strong sense that they are something that suits me, and I have a strong attachment to them as tools that I will continue to use in my everyday life.
The colour has faded and the denim has become quite soft, and the stitching has deteriorated, so there have been a few times when holes have appeared or the jeans have torn, but each time I have repaired them properly. When it comes to repairing jeans, the most common method is to patch the hole by inserting a piece of cloth and sewing it in place, but the fact that I have to do this a lot has led to me developing a fondness for them.
Because it is an individual item like this, if it gets damaged, it can be repaired, and although I like the colour, I don't mind if it fades from here, so I wash it normally. (That said, I wash it by hand at a moderate frequency and take good care of it.)
One reason I like the 502 is that the zipper fly is more convenient to use than the button fly.
One of the reasons I chose 502, which had advanced damage and fading, was that I wanted vintage jeans that I could wear regularly in the summer. At the moment, jeans with damage processing are being sold by various manufacturers and brands. They have a cool, well-calculated shape, but I like a relaxed style of fashion, so it's hard for me to imagine owning and using them.
Second-hand clothes that can be worn without having to worry about unnecessary things are attractive products for me. The prices are not that high, so the biggest appeal is that you don't have to worry about them as much as you would with something with a high antique value, and I think that is the essence of the enjoyment of second-hand clothes.
The main advantage is that it can be worn without worrying about it deteriorating due to fading and damage.
- Levi's 502 1969 model
- paper patch
- centre loop
- double-sided tag Big-E
- waist 30inch length 31inch
- restoration of torn areas, indigo colour has faded considerably
- The size is perfect for my body
- The fading has progressed and there is some damage, but it has all been repaired, so you can wear it without worrying
- The line around the waist when you wear it is beautiful
- The waist and length are the perfect size, so you can enjoy it without having to choose shoes
- Like the 501, the 502 also has a beautiful silhouette, and it makes you look good
- It's quite damaged and the cotton is soft, so there is a possibility that it will tear in the future
- Vintage 502s are rare, so it's hard to find them
- Since they are all one-of-a-kind, it's hard to find a size that fits you
This time, I'm introducing my favourite pair of 502 vintage jeans, which I use on a daily basis. They're useful because I can wear them without worrying too much about further deterioration, as they've already faded and been repaired.
The value of vintage jeans is determined by the colour and condition of the denim, and while there is a special pleasure to be had in owning and wearing such high-value vintage jeans, when you think about maintaining their condition, the problem of washing them in the summer due to perspiration inevitably leads to deterioration, and it is easy to end up refraining from wearing them in the summer.
In this situation, if you choose to have something that has faded and is damaged, which you can use on a daily basis without worrying about it deteriorating, you can enjoy wearing it without worrying about the season.
Old Levi's 501s are attractive for their beautiful silhouette, the way the colour and shape of the fabric soften over time, and how comfortable they are to wear. There are many of them on sale, so they are attractive not only for their vintage value and collectible value, but also because there are many that can be enjoyed purely as secondhand clothes without paying too much attention to the price.
Post78
The Levi's 502 60's Model introduced here was purchased from Post78.
Post78 is a shop that sells many high-quality items that the owner, who loves clothes, has carefully selected, and I often shop there. I also enjoy having fashion discussions with the owner, who loves clothes, when I shop there.
'Notice Post78 does not support global shipping.'
