Levi's 501XX 1947 Model Vintage Jeans, Leather Patch, Hidden Rivets, Faded Indigo, Measured W31

A post-war Levi's 501XX in the celebrated 1947 pattern, with its leather patch, hidden rivets and a deep, honest fade earned over decades of real work and wear.

The Piece

The 1947 501XX is the jean most denim historians treat as the template for everything that followed. With wartime restrictions lifted, Levi Strauss & Co. brought back the stitched arcuate in place of the painted wartime version, kept the hidden back-pocket rivets, slimmed the leg and settled on the clean, high-rise silhouette that the modern 501 still echoes. Original pairs from this window, often called the 47 model by collectors, are among the most hunted garments in vintage clothing.

This pair is attributed to that era. The leather patch survives at the back waistband, darkened and deeply crazed in the way only old cowhide ages; the fly closes on a five-button front with stamped donut-style buttons; the front pockets carry copper rivets with domed heads; and a red tab sits on the right back pocket. The denim has worn from a dark rope-dyed indigo to a layered mid-blue, with strong whiskering at the hips and high-contrast fades along the seams.

The damage is part of its story and is shown plainly in the photographs: blown-out front pocket edges, open knees and frayed hems. For a collector this is a reference piece for construction and fade; for a wearer, it is a pair with a lived-in shape that no reproduction can imitate.

It measures close to a true 31 inch waist with a long 83 cm inseam, an unusually wearable size for a jean of this age.

Details

• Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
• Season: Attributed to the 1947 model, late 1940s to early 1950s
• Model / ref: 501XX, leather patch, hidden rivets
• Material: Cotton selvedge denim
• Colour: Faded indigo
• Made in: USA
• Tagged size: Approx. W31 (measured)
• Measurements: Waist 78 cm (39 cm flat) · Hip 54 cm flat · Rise 30 cm · Inseam 83 cm
• Included: Jeans only

Condition

• Vintage with heavy genuine wear, priced accordingly.
• Both front pocket openings torn and frayed.
• Open tears at both knees and frayed, broken hems.
• Leather patch present but darkened, cracked and brittle.
• General soiling and marks consistent with age; please study every photograph.

Condition grade C on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.

Authenticity & Care

The labels, materials, stitching, hardware and construction are examined together and documented in Japan before dispatch; anything that cannot be confirmed is stated plainly in the description. Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Hand wash rarely in cold water, never tumble dry, and support the damaged knees and pockets when handling.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.

Every figure above is taken by hand with the pair laid flat, in centimetres. Measure jeans or trousers that already fit you the same way and allow a centimetre or two of margin, the quiet safeguard on a final sale. Our jeans and trousers size guide reads waist and inseam in inches and centimetres, and for anything it leaves open the curator team replies within one Tokyo business day.

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