Levi's 501XX 1950s Cut-Off Denim Shorts, E Button Stamp, Hidden Rivets, Offset Waistband, Faded Indigo, Approx. W29
Levi's 501XX 1950s Cut-Off Denim Shorts, E Button Stamp, Hidden Rivets, Offset Waistband, Faded Indigo, Approx. W29
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $69, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.
The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.
With EMS, any charge is collected by your postal service on delivery. For pieces of significant value we can often arrange duties prepaid before dispatch.
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- Sizing
- Measured flat by hand, waist, rise and inseam, in centimetres · Find your size · Ask before you buy
- Replies
- Within one Tokyo business day · Ask the curator team
- Guarantee
- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
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A genuine 1950s Levi's 501XX cut down into shorts, keeping the E factory stamp, hidden rivets and offset waistband that date it to the decade.
The Piece
Many early 501XX pairs were cut into shorts once the knees gave out, and today those cut-offs offer the most accessible way to own true 1950s Levi's construction. The details that matter to collectors sit above the cut: the button stamp, the rivets and the way the waistband is set.
This pair has the E stamp behind the top button, concealed rivets on the back pockets and an offset waistband seam, with copper rivets at the front pockets and a stamped button fly. The red tab has been lost. The denim is a beautiful, layered mid blue with natural fades around the pockets.
The legs have been cut to a short length with raw, fraying edges, and there are light bleach and paint spots on the back pocket and leg. It is a strong summer piece and a genuine slice of 1950s denim at a modest level.
Measures about a 29 inch waist with an 11 cm inseam.
Details
- Designer: Levi Strauss & Co.
- Season: 1950s
- Model / ref: 501XX cut-off, E button stamp, hidden rivets
- Material: Cotton denim
- Colour: Faded indigo
- Made in: USA
- Tagged size: No size label, approx. W29
- Measurements: Waist 74 cm (37 cm flat) · Hip 54 cm flat · Rise 29 cm · Inseam 11 cm
- Included: Shorts only
Condition
- Vintage cut down into shorts; hems raw and fraying.
- Red tab missing.
- Paper patch not present.
- Small bleach and paint spots on the back pocket and leg.
- General wear consistent with age.
Condition grade BC 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. Wash inside out in cold water and line dry; the raw hems will continue to fray naturally.
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.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally.
Continue browsing: Japan Luxury Archive · Levi’s
Full-Length Pairs Also Found
If you would prefer a full-length 1950s pair, our Hunting Salon can search Japan's vintage denim trade for one in your size. Our Hunting Salon™ locates a specific reference across Japan’s private collector circles, then inspects, documents and delivers it to you. Begin a Hunting Salon™ request →
Collectors also search: Levi's 501XX shorts · vintage Levi's cut off shorts · 1950s Levi's 501XX · Levi's E stamp · hidden rivets Levi's · vintage Levi's denim shorts · 501XX cut off · Levi's offset waistband
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