1955 - Beatnik Jeans

Levi's has always been ahead of the trends. The 1955 model of 501s are for the beatniks who gathered in North Beach and Greenwich Village. Explore this iconic pair in my most epic 501 video yet.
/ denindenim
00:00 Beat Jeans
11:37 What Did Beatniks Wear?
14:12 Fit
15:41 Paper Patch
17:34 Details
18:49 What Did Beatniks Consume?
22:05 LVC Variations
28:19 Letters
33:48 Film Recommendations
37:19 Overall

[@kylemccaffrey3003]

Was having a pretty crummy Friday getting over a cold, but absolutely loved this video and your combination of culture as well as literature. Thank you very much for this!

[@user-bg7xp8of4p]

Not every day I get to watch a 45 minute video essay in my two favorite subjects

[@bobhewitt5047]

Love my 2 pairs of 1955’s … bought a long time ago for 50cents secondhand in a Californian mom & pop thrift store that was closing down

[@LifeofBrad1]

I like how they look. If I bought a pair of LVC jeans, I'd either go for these or the 1933's. Love a relaxed fit. The look and feel is so much more appealing to me than a tight fit.

[@cosmoelbrujo7829]

Very interesting documentary ! Bought some vintage industrial machines to make my own pairs of selvedge denim and this video will sure help

[@denindenim]

That’s incredible. Hit me up on Instagram if you want a shout out on the channel.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Great doc ! , I was born in 55 and I sold 501’s back in the early 70’s when nobody wanted them. I love the smell of the cotton sizing and I often was in the basement of this little clothing store folding them and putting them back in stock.

[@VeronicaCid]

I think I was a beatnik in another life! 😎

[@syntax9228]

Your video is excellent. Very impressed with the way you explained not just about fashion that time, but also the cultural and historical context behind. A big salute from Japan.

[@denindenim]

Thanks. These are the best compliments. I’ve always been a history buff and I’m loving how this series worked out.

[@CatHostage]

This is something i never knew existed but now i will relentlessly search for, thanks! By the way, just recently found your channel and I’m loving your content and style!

[@yie1918]

Love Denin 🇺🇸⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🦅

[@JeffMudrick]

This was great. Thanks 🙏

[@RokinLee]

Got black lizard and deep space (which look really cool after a hot wash!). Surely the 1961 551z suze jeans (and other 2019 folk city) should get a mention Dylan being the beatnick bard after all - awesome jeans by the way.

[@denindenim]

551 will get its own episode.

[@luisfaria101]

Cool video man👍

[@againalfred7542]

thx u! your're best man!

[@phitsanuboonprasert3086]

Thanks!

[@503punxoioioi9]

You know anything about The Majorettes "White Levi's" song from 1963? Apparently a promo record by Levi's and given away with white Levi's when you bought them back then.

[@denindenim]

That’s a cool factoid. The song is pretty cheesy and I love doowop. I’ll try to integrate it into a video.

[@sf2explus184]

wow nice camera

[@65strad]

Only question to the authenticity is the lack of diagonal stitching at the lowest part of base of the button fly flap. Rivets convinced otherwise, I think lol! Ordered my first 2 pair of of 501 premium selvedge.

[@Smudge4199]

I have a pair of 30x32 and honestly they run kind of small especially after you wash them. I usually wear a couple pairs of 29x29 569s from the 2000s (same size waist as my 55s when measured, but with much baggier legs) so my current 55s are just too slim for my taste when wearing true to size. going for 33x32 next go round so I don’t have to worry about them getting too small post wash and it don’t matter if I gotta cinch them. Looking forward to fading out some baggies in the next few years

[@denindenim]

I think rigid run slightly smaller than distressed models.

[@sf2explus184]

own a near new 1966 (cone mills button 4420) and a 1947 pair not cone mills but made in bulgaria i think or turkey. 1947 is the pair i will start wearing cone mills will have to get stored away

[@denindenim]

I have the same. My 47s are too tight. I hope to get a new pair and break them in from rigid. I’m working on the 47 redux now.

[@juncalsskidrow8670]

501 is the best jeans for me ..

[@russellpotts3069]

Well put together. great job. I bought a pair of the shrink to fit salvage 55's back in 96 or 97. I bought a pair of non salvage 501s in a thrift store that looked unworn and they have a very similar boxy shape and anti-fit of the 55. Any idea when they were from.

[@vashts718]

Is LVC line still going to be retired?

[@denindenim]

Either they are keeping lvc but slimming it down or there will be a new historical line. I’ll cover more on the live stream on May 20th.

[@vashts718]

@@denindenim keep up the good work enjoying these videos

[@danallison4138]

Fourteen seconds was enough of this guy

[@mitchelljennings9220]

Do they still make the xx denim today?

[@denindenim]

Modern denim is a lot stronger than 19th century XX but only pre-1966 says XX on the label. It’s an arbitrary term to mean extra strong. No real measurement but it applied to 9 oz denim.

[@daveystrange]

Being a slimmer frame, 511s for me. 501s make me look like Jeremy Clarkson.

[@RadioMcRadioface]

chin glizzy, interesting touch.

[@rhithym]

DEMOCRACY RELIES ON LITERACY!!!