Levis 501 STF w/white thread & hardware?

[Bassman]

After buying a couple of pairs of Levis 501 shrink to fit jeans at Sears (the stiffest, darkest ones there) I attempted to exchange one for a different size.
They were out of stock on the size I wanted so they placed an order for it on their web site. The salesperson selected "Midnight Rigid" if I recall correctly.
When it arrived it had white thread throughout (where it used to be yellow) and all the hardware (buttons, rivets) were painted white!
The removable tags all say the proper things and the only difference between these and the pair that I kept (other than the color thread and hardware) is that on the back waistband tag (the one with name, logo, style and size) is that on the proper looking jeans there is an "XX" next to the 501 on the tag and on the white thread ones there is no "XX".
Is this a different model/style than the yellow thread ones?
Are yellow thread levis being discontinued?
Is this the rare, collectable Albino Levi?
Any ideas?

 

[resortes805]

No. This season, Levi's is offering different versions of their shrink to fit 501's. I like the white stitch variation, but you can still get the iconic rigids.http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_041A0051000P?sid=BVReview

 

[Bassman]

Thanks for the info and link, resortes805!
It's still hard to determine which is the one I'm looking for.
"Iconic Rigid"?
edit to add...
Yes. Iconic Rigid. Just like you said.

 

[MrBern]

I thought the XX jeans were reissues. Wasnt that the older shrink to fit denim that stood for Xtra Xtra strong?

Check the labels to see where the jeans were made.

 

[MrBern]

marketting?

http://www.uncrate.com/men/style/jeans/levis-xx-jeans/

Levi's XX Jeans
They don't get any more authentic than this folks. After acquiring the oldest know pair of jeans in the world in 2003 — the Levi's "XX” jean, dated circa 1880 — the company is now ready to release a limited edition run based on the style. For those of you who don't know your denim history, the XX jean was the 501 before it was called the 501 (1890 was the first use of the well-known 501 style number). It got its XX moniker from a reference used in price lists back in the day meaning "extra, extra strong." Like the original, the Re-issued XX Jeans ($501; available late July) feature only one back pocket (a second back pocket was added to the 501 in 1901), two front pockets and watch pocket, a back buckle cinch closure and suspender buttons. Each hand-numbered pair will come in a hand-crafted wooden box with a leather handle and an engraved silver plate that reads "Levi Strauss & Co."

 

[Doug C]

All the different varieties of "501"s kind of bugs me.. it's so gimmicky, like the 80s stone wash thing, etc. I mean just make 'em like they used to be, I could just about guarantee there's more of a niche for that than all these different varieties they keep coming out with. I don't feel the same towards the LVC line though, the more varieties the better - because they're all like they used to be (atleast in theory), still I could do without the ones that have a special wash, etc. I'd be fine with them saving a little of that money and just offering rigid raw. BTW - regarding white thread OK, the 1927 year model 501 was made with white thread and they're being offered this season. Your new pair has whittened rivets though , Why [huh] . I'd personally take 'em back and get them to get you the original.
-Doug C

 

[Bassman]

Thanks for all the responses.
I was thinking about keeping them but the white hardware is a real turn off for me.
Sears'll take them back. Unfortunately it looks like they're out of my size in the "Iconic Rigid". And at $34.99 each too!

 

[Doug C]

Not another Sears anywhere near you? I thought they were everywhere.[huh]
Doug C

 

[DetroitFalcons]

All the different varieties of "501"s kind of bugs me.. it's so gimmicky, like the 80s stone wash thing, etc. I mean just make 'em like they used to be, I could just about guarantee there's more of a niche for that than all these different varieties they keep coming out with.

I feel the same way. I wish you could just go in and buy a pair of jeans that is "standard". Funny thing about Levi's in general, they are made everywhere now (I counted one day at a store when I was looking and remember 11 or 12 different countries of manufacture). I browsed the clearance rack of a local store today and bought 3 identical pairs of pre shunk dark blue 501s. All three were made in different countries. Believe it or not one pair was actually made in the USA. :eusa_clap I'm assuming they were sitting in the back for awhile and got mixed in with the recent imported stuff.

 

[resortes805]

According to the guys on style forum, the new 501's are cut pretty closely to the '47 models. I picked up a pair of brown and a pair of grey shrink-to-fits this morning.

 

[Stearmen]

XX

I was talking to my neighbor the other day, and we both agreed that Levis do not seem to last as long as they did when we were young. He was a teen in the 50s, and I was in the 70s. do they really not make them like they used to?

 

[RP McMurphy]

Levis 501

Hey

Levis stopped using "selvedge" denim in their jeans around 1985. Though I'm not entirely sure on durability, selvedge denim does affect how the jeans wear overtime... it essentially means that the denim is woven on a narrower, tighter loom. Levis stopped using these looms when they realized how much could be saved by using wider looms that could weave more fabric at a faster rate. American consumers wanted pre-washed jeans at this point too, so I suppose it worked out in the end. Still, I wish they would just make 'em the way they used to... Anyhow, I would imagine that the change in looms, coupled with other cost cuts (if anyone knows any other ways Levis cut production costs, post them please?), led to the general fall in durability.

Hopefully that wasn't too wordy...

RP

 

[Lily Powers]

Has anyone else noticed the sizing of 501s is a bit off? Early this year I tried 3 pair of the same size on and they each fit entirely differently, including one pair I couldn't even button up without feeling like I was wearing a denim corset. One pair was made in Sri Lanka, another pair made in Honduras and the third in Mexico. I don't know if they just don't have an industry standard at Levi's or what.

 

[Stearmen]

501

No, not to wordy a nice concise explanation, makes total sense, plus the fact that they are made in many different countrys, they should pick one or two and work on quality! Yes I ran into the size issue, I bought a pair of 501s over a year ago, didn't try them on, my usual 32, I thought I must have put on 50 pounds, never going to fit!

 

[imported_Rockin_Bones]

okay kinda off topic but not really..
i like my jeans the darkest blue as i can get..
yet i find that they quickly fade and become soft and generally boring.
any suggestions as to how to keep them at their darkest?

 

[reetpleat]

Wash them inside out, hand wash them in cold water, or dry clean them, or don't wash them at all. Some old pairs of jeans bought and sold o nthe vintage market are never washed. it ups their value, actually, as they wear a certain way.

I think a baggy jean with boxers you can get away with.

But don't go commando.

 

[djgo-cat-go]

But don't go commando.

lol :eusa_clap lol

I'll remember that. I ordered a deadstock-dry (?) 501 model 1901 (re-issue offcourse), it's supposed to be very rigid, unwashed.. with this pair I'm going to try to only 'airwash' them.. Not washing this type of jeans is supposed to bring out some seriously cool patina with wear.. Can't wait to try that the next couple of months