Did Levi’s Jeans Quality Tank? 63 Year Old vs. Modern

For 40% off your first order of Ritual use my link! www.ritual.com/...
Thanks Ritual for sponsoring a portion of this video!
NEW CHANNEL (sorry for the posting delay):
@TheTaleofTheIronSnail
Thank you to www.webuyoldje... for sending me these baddies! Check them out to sell your oldies!
Levi 501's, the most iconic jeans to ever be sewn up, have changed quite a bit over the years! Today we are comparing vintage Levi 501 STF (they all were at the time) to modern Levi's and their LVC line. What is selvedge denim? Is that denim stronger? How do the jeans fit? How should they be sized?! That, and so much more, TODAY, on the raw denim history channel. I mean, Iron Snail.
Bye.
Can I interest you in a hot bowl of following ME and The Snail in other places??
- The Iron Snail Clothing Website: theironsnail.us
- The Iron Snail Clothing Instagram: / theironsnail
- My Instagram: / michaelkristy_
- My Other Channel:
/ @michaelkristy1868
- Need to reach out to me outside of KZbin?
[e-mail]
#theironsnail
The Iron Snail is a men’s fashion vlog starring a young man named Michael and featuring a snail no bigger than a quarter. The two are set on taking over the world of fashion by creating a clothing line to end all clothing lines. Until then, we’re here to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about the best clothing out there, from the highest quality raw denim jeans to the warmest jackets to the sturdiest boots…the Iron Snail has got you covered. (written by Taylor, though Michael is sometimes known to talk about himself in the third person… xoxo)

[@drwisdom1]

Ok, I have been wearing Levi's 501s since around 1968 and probably have more than 100 vintage pairs. There are huge differences between 501s from different periods. But it mainly comes down to two things - denim quality and fit. Before the 2000s Levi's used the highest quality medium weight denim. That was because the jeans were being used as workwear and just like with rivets they needed to be durable. The cotton was very soft and comfortable on the skin. You shouldn't be distracted by redline inseams, they are for show and not related to denim quality. When they disappeared around 1983 nobody noticed. If you are searching for the best 501s you should be using 1993-1999, not the 1960s. The denim from the 1990s was the best. It was soft, heavy, flawless, faded great, and didn't twist. In the 2000s Levi's reduced the weight of their denim and began using inferior cotton that is rough on the skin. One thing in dating 501s is if the back pocket is double stitched or not. Levi's changed to double stitched long ago because it holds wallets in better and stops the pocket's edge from pulling away and getting wavy. Last thing I saw is after decades Levi's has gone back to single stitching the back pockets. The only reason I can think of is to save a little thread. 501s from before the 1990s had a higher waist and didn't fit as well as 501s from the 1990s, but all fit better than today's 501s which were loosened to accommodate heavier men. Mr. Snail needs to get his jeans at least 2 inches longer.

[@LELOVESHATERS]

Sounds like you need to make your own video about this, love to see the collection and hear first hand about the difference from someone who witnessed it too.

[@drwisdom1]

@@LELOVESHATERS People have always considered my appreciation for Levi's sort of boring. But it appears there are people out in KZbin land that are interested like me.

[@marcp.1752]

I can say that my black 501 from 1993 is the best, thickest 501 ever, and still does hold up nicely. Nowadays 501 quality...nevermind...it's the same, buying a M65 from China (no hard feelings) vs. a original one...well, the Helikon is made in Asia, and great. All others...hot fuzz...

[@LELOVESHATERS]

@@drwisdom1 definitely do it!

[@tyarnold4088]

Was the denim in the 90s selvedge denim? I wore Levi's in the 90s. I don't think it was. Maybe in the very early 90s.

[@Origin63]

I vote the Wranglers. After seeing you wear them in a lot of your recent videos, I'm getting more and more curious about them.

[@TheIronSnail]

They are BANGERS!

[@gandalf87264]

I second that.

[@manguydude905]

All I used to wear was levis until I bought a pair of Wrangler 13MWZ Cowboy Cut jeans. The difference in quality and price is major. Levis is more towards fashion now and wranglers are a true working man jean. Give em a try! You won't be disappointed

[@bryanotero123]

​@@TheIronSnailwhat is the best blank Tshirt brand

[@DenyTheZeitgeist]

I can vote wrangler. My Levi’s were all starting to get nasty and I lost a lot of weight around my legs so the legs looked bad. When I was revamping my closet I went almost fully wrangler. A couple of Levi’s and some Selvedge got added, but it’s almost all wrangler.

[@NGS93]

Genius idea, I have always questioned this myself. Really valuable to know if people are just looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses as they say. Edit: Compare vintage to modern LL Bean, especially the sweaters! Vintage vs modern Brooks Brothers would be interesting as well.

[@itsbigcos]

This is a brilliantly made video. OP should be really proud

[@OTBMedia]

I have several pairs of Levi’s 501s and Wrangler 13MWZs from the 1990s that don’t come close to fitting because I’ve put on a few pounds. Ones of both that I bought last year-in exactly the same size-fit great. So vanity sizing is definitely a thing.

[@JB-1138]

Right I'm usually a 36 waist, but my new Levi's say 34. I like feeling thinner. Lol

[@MoonfaceMartin88]

Well, for what it's worth, my last three pairs of 501s croaked after a bit more than a year each, coming apart at the seams and/or ripping through at around the knees. I didn't wear them for manual labour, I wasn't crawling around in them and they are actually more on the lose side on me.

[@shawnflynn1713]

Bravestar denim just put on sale cone mill denim jeans. Short time only. 78.00. I ordered a pair. Very cool video. Love vintage.

[@Fumwum]

Oh man, how do you do it? It's another top 100 Vevo hit

[@TheIronSnail]

the first time i found out what vevo was it was on 50 cents candy shop music video

[@yosafat4079]

Personally would love the Eddie Bauer jacket comparison to come first!

[@ChiefSnoop]

Levi’s have cheaped out on ALOT quality, denim weight, selvedge most quality went out the window when they were being fully profit focused and moved overseas. Except Japan. They still make high quality, well crafted pieces. 🇯🇵>🇺🇸

[@RibbyCribby]

excellent video, crazy thing with youtube's 1080p compression it looked like your mouth wasn't moving sometimes. switched to 4k and your mouth was indeed moving but something with the lower resolution, youtube was just guessing what you were doing in the bright light.

[@kurtm7329]

When I was in high school (1969 - 1973), Levis where $8.50 a pair. Now most stores no longer carry the 501's.

[@marcos.g6018]

went to a store a month ago and there were a couple pairs of 501 STF's for $50, they should also be available for the same price on their website

[@TheLoneLander]

@@marcos.g6018just bought some.

[@ericiidx]

A veteran denimhead realizing they're getting old: don't bat an eyelash at $1500 vintage Levi's but a new pair of basic 501s are HOW MUCH NOW???

[@TJMartinek]

I've had two pairs of those 501xx's and I've loved each of them. If they weren't so expensive they would be the only thing I'd wear.

[@SlasherGuyy1]

The vintage wranglers ! Hopefully you do Video soon :)

[@zuru__9215]

I'd love to watch a Wrangler comparison video. Love the work you put in this videos

[@asielromo3399]

This channel is so awesome man

[@lukasb4901]

Your Filson Mackinaw Work Jacket really rocks! Coincidentally I bought myself one in pine black plaid just a week ago 😉

[@laurens4561]

Try Left Field they make things old schooool in Merica.

[@yukikazewayne]

I really miss those LEVI'S jeans instead of the Levi's we have today.

[@thetrain4250]

The vitamin ad was epic i didn’t even ff it because it was great lol

[@Mil_Spec_Spartan_]

I laugh so hard bc Levi’s 501 jeans simply do not fit me. I am 5’ 10” tall, 180 lbs. my waist is 32” around, and my thighs are 25” around… a pair of size 31 501s simply do not have enough room for my thighs 😂 I’m a major lover of greaser style, and I literally can’t wear the quintessential greaser jeans

[@aayotechnology]

Same here with thighs being tight. Which brand works for you?

[@gilbertoflores7397]

Just size up and take them to a tailor, have them take in the waist. Pretty easy fix. A good tailor wouldn't charge more than 20 dollars to do it either.

[@Mil_Spec_Spartan_]

@@gilbertoflores7397 this is true! TBH I’m kinda lazy about tailoring… and I literally work at Men’s Wearhouse 😂

[@edwardjones3887]

The 501 93's have more thigh room.

[@derpypalphan9415]

will the LVC replica fade into the color of the vintage pair?

[@chudlas]

During that time, Levis has gone through many changes and transformations :-) but they still remain sexy and cool.😍

[@barnabymailed4184]

I‘d also be interested in a comparison of vintage vs contemporary Ray Bans. Some years ago my optometrist discouraged me from Ray Bans, supposedly because they were no longer up snuff. Dive down to the bottom of this, find the truth and bring it to us to the surface!

[@cyber_baudelaire9962]

What pair are you wearing at 9:18 ? They look so good !

[@DrawnInk1]

Haven’t worn jeans in over 25 years thank god. Love the walking around in the Autumn.

[@gamingwitchutuu429]

We’re the snail theme music Michael!

[@ptuna861]

I'm sitting her watching a guy awkwardly walk through the woods, with the light shining directly into the camera, while he rants about nuances in jeans that are so minor most people who wear them probably couldn't tell you anything more than "these pants are jeans and not shorts". KZbin is a cool place.

[@handel1111]

Whoever wears their jeans like this 0:28 must visit a psychiatrist

[@JB-1138]

😆😅😂🤣

[@posypicker]

Definitely compare vintage carhartt next!

[@jordansibanyoni9978]

Hey aren't you guy who played Mike Teavee in Charlie and the chocolate factory?

[@giorgiobarbaro5081]

Sono un tuo fan perché conosci i 501 Levi's più di me.

[@dariensukach5027]

Eddie Bauer

[@Ompauley191325303]

They are not the same as they were back in The 80’s they were the go to jeans rhat looked good on everyone in hs, if you were thin…..

[@johnjuarez8005]

Back to squatting I see. LOL

[@lesleedetchon]

I wear nothing but Levi jeans 501's

[@GeorgeLathem]

I'm sitting here with thick legs and glutes crying because none of these would ever fit me. It's okay I'll just die

[@Dreyno]

Well please do it quietly. Us normies are busy enjoying our perfectly fitting 501s.

[@innitthough712]

the LVC '66 back pockets are a total mess. super weird, long shape that just isn't true to the jeans of the period.

[@coopers1716]

I would take a page out of Linus Tech Tips page and tell your sponsors that people are far more likely to just sit through an advertisement than skip if its only 15-20 seconds long and gets straight to the point. I think making your sponsor segments so long makes people skip whole minutes of your video at a time and is bad algorithmically.

[@michaeloconnor228]

Wranglers please

[@PotatoMan88]

Has anyone bought a pair of Deerborn Denim’s 100% cotton jeans (the only material you should be buying)? If so what’s the quality like? I’m trying to find a brand that’s got the same quality as vintage Levi’s but for under 100 bucks.

[@Alphamaan]

Imagine I establish a brand that specializes in replicating top-notch products, with prices thoughtfully adjusted to accommodate current inflation rates. Would you buy these items?

[@garyv1483]

Want to hear all 3 of course but why not stick to jeans with Wranglers?

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Da Chron ,say it with me , does not rhyme with the French President.

[@TheIronSnail]

i think i like jeans so much because they have very little words on them

[@TheIronSnail]

and because i can say “jeans” fine enough

[@thomashardy1851]

Compare vintage wrangler.

[@JB-1138]

Mexican made Levi's are second only to Japanese Levi's. IMO...

[@trmbtrmb]

have you tried Glenn's Denim?

[@EdieScheffer]

I have a fifty year old pair of Levi's. 50 years old. Still stronger than today's knock off Levi's.

[@tyarnold4088]

Aren't you that watch guy?

[@mustachous]

This is a perfect example of why capitalism to a certain level is not entirely bad

[@loqu]

Carhartt is my choice

[@JJernqvist]

Wrangler, yee-haw!

[@knifenutsdave]

Only eating ravioli is my favorite piece of Iron Snail lore (second is virgin wool comes from sheep that have never had sex before). Vintage Carhartt versus Wrangler or whatever can wait, need the top ravioli recipes video first.

[@Gabaghoul0000]

WRANGLER WRANGLER WRANGLER ALLLLL DAY BAAAAYBEEEE!!!!!!

[@paulmorris1834]

Wranglers then carhartt

[@gonz3296]

All pants are trash, that's why I'm naked 24/7

[@TheIronSnail]

You’re too advanced for this channel

[@Dreyno]

It’s the logical conclusion of all KZbin comments in the end. We’ll all eventually be naked, shoeless, starving, homeless and car-less because “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.”

[@JoeyDecay]

Eat the box Michael. Please. I love you. Yr one of my idols. You have the coolest things. Companies just give you things, you have a beautiful face... and girlfriend. You live in Brooklyn, not Chicago. Though, Tate and Yoko have sent me 2 shirts for free so maybe if I start a KZbin channel I'll have a pretty face and girlfriend too? Maybe I can leave Chicago. NYC scale has to be like $60 an hour. What am I even doing with my life

[@76_SPZL]

Wow this guy is annoying. 11 minute video that could be condensed down to 2 maybe 3 minutes tops.

[@FrankCastle-he8fl]

Quit wearing Levi's when they went Woke and the quality went down anyway

[@timothyjan6801]

Went woke 😂

[@Fumwum]

What?

[@2vsh]

ah yes, i hate when my pants go woke!

[@crunchomancer]

Tell me more things I should be real angry about.

[@snuffspoon]

Bro 😂

[@frankkelly2245]

Wrangler

[@garyh4458]

Way too much jibber jabber. Had to stop watching.

[@TheIronSnail]

:/ sorry Gary

[@juniormartinez3129]

Jeans look not that appealing

[@BitchinSpectre]

Are the livs at ross dress fo less dupes or not. Im heckin confused. No way they are all irregular. Thier quality control just isn't that high that they can stock evey ross from Fresno to Baltimore.

[@sputumtube]

If you're young and have a 32" waist, almost any jeans are going to look good on you. However, if you're in your 60's and overweight then nothing at all will look good on you. I've always wanted a pair of the Iron Heart 24oz denim jeans, but at my age/size it'd be comical. So, sweatpants it will continue to be!!

[@trystanfranziskus]

Just ordered some selvedge denim Levis 501 with 23% hemp hope they're nice I got them on sale for 70 bucks

[@velezzhou1323]

are those 501 STF jeans? I heard that hemp stretches out quite a bit more than cotton

[@LoudAsFuckk]

Loving this barrage of content, it's giving me a reason to live

[@TheIronSnail]

I like this comment because it has weight behind it

[@johnjuarez8005]

Brah, you must be going through some serious dark shit right now. Prayers

[@SiddharthGargYT]

[@zfehnel]

Love this video Michael! I'll admit, I'm a bit of a Levi's gremlin down here; hoarding my 511s. I like higher quality denim, but I've never found jeans that work for me as well (and as easily) as my favorite 511s. So, I've historically just bought Levi's and called it a day. Good to know they're not 'total' crap! Lol Any thoughts on a video on clothing adjustments? I've heard you making comments on getting adjustments made by your tailor before.

[@JB-1138]

You might like the 502. I made the switch from the 511.

[@strengthandbulkMadness]

How about vintage Gap jeans? Gap jeans in 80s were eclipsing Levi’s for a while. The fits were more modern at the time. Back in 87 I had a thick pair of bleached washed Gap jeans that were great.

[@musclebilly]

They’re shorter than the tag size because they’re unsanforized! Hence the term: Shrink-To-Fit. Typically STF 501s shrink 1” in the waist and 2” in length but Levi’s from the 80’s shrink a hell-of-a-lot more.

[@barnabymailed4184]

My problem with Levi’s is that they just don’t fit me well. I have a few 511s that do, but they’re exceptions; I seldom find a pair that suits me as it should.

[@ekahnoman7331]

You look like a cross between Rick Astley and Frankie Muniz in the thumbnail.

[@DMorgan77]

Whatever you pick (next), I’m sure will be fun to watch. This was great.

[@ManuelGonzalez-ue9vw]

Been using 501 since the 1970's and just bought 2 pairs (have at least 7 more) and the denim is not even close.

[@brunonjezic6208]

Well in Europe they are around 100e and around 80e on sale. Egyptian pairs seem to be better than other modern pairs in my experiences, non savage that is

[@zarombiste9158]

Modern Levi’s Are shitty. I’m from Germany I bought 501 and they became holes in crotch and knees after 1 year using them 1x-2x a week and washing once a week. They became thinner before my eyes after every washing and I could predict they are going to became holes soon and on what places… 130 Euro is like 145dollar payed, crap

[@1020donny]

The biggest difference being old 501s used American made denim and they were made in the USA by Union members.

[@jonathansteele8601]

Where did you find that pen cap?

[@TheIronSnail]

private information

[@RiZenAsH]

I don’t even need to watch the video to tell you modern Levi’s suck because I’m wearing a pair right now. The quality is gone. You used to be able to buy a pair and they’d last you years. Now if they make it through the year consider yourself lucky. I’ll never waste money on a pair of Levi’s again.

[@SlasherGuyy1]

Also random question to anybody that can help , I might buy a dead stock Levi’s denim from what I see is early 80’s . Now my question is will the indigo rub off onto leathers , or cloth in general if I wear them right away ??? Or should I wash first to avoid this ?? ( that’s if a wash helps ) 😃

[@joolz999]

This level of obsessions would make me extremely unhappy I’m not saying he’s unhappy I’m just like wow I wish I could engage with this and not care too much that the front rivets are different from the back

[@kresterdog7303]

These new Levi's made in different countries are garbage. My backside ripped right up the middle and I don't have an ass. Quality down right sux!!

[@Agenthoover1]

They are 100% not as good as they used to be, i remember in the 90s you would dred buying a new pair as they were super stiff and would litteraly rub the skin of the backs of your legs behind the kneen until they were broken in, its one of the reasons why we barley used to wash them, once you did they would almost stand up on their own and you would have to go through the discomfort of breaking them in again,... denim jackets were the same, they used to rub skin around your elbow/ joint area, todays jeans are stupid thin bordering on paper thin, this is why i no longer buy Levis and switched to Nudie instead.

[@dogcatmousecow533]

I actually really like the mexican made levis from the early 2000s. Theyre pretty good jeans.

[@clawsdrawn4748]

One final question: The man facing the wrong way on the port-o-potty…. Was he facing toward the door and peeing back between his legs or sitting on the toilet backwards “cool teacher” style?

[@-CMajor-]

If you see this, what’s the best way to clean / remove a stain off raw denim without washing it?

[@-CMajor-]

For more context, I wanna get a pair of raws and wear them to work to break them in and such, but I am worried I will get dirt and potentially grease on them. I want to avoid washing them within the fist week or so of having them to keep them original and natural for as long as I reasonably can. Any help on this would be great!

[@MemeCity9099]

@@-CMajor-just wash them. They'll look worse spot cleaning because you'll clearly have clean spots and dirty spots. You're jeans will last longer by cleaning

[@JB-1138]

I always seem to find good Levi's on sale. Usually $25-35.

[@ringaleavo]

The 5th pocket is smaller, did pocket watches shrink? The pockets on my older Levis are 2" deeper than todays Levis Jeans.

[@levisguy53]

both front and rear pockets are about 1" shallower, annoying for those of us with big hands. they've changed this on some 551Z's

[@zacharypatterson4828]

those orange adidas look great!

[@TheIronSnail]

TY!

[@Godzillah]

There are always more popular brands wear what u have. If it fit me I wear it I have tons of brand’s jean.

[@ZzTop-vj5wo]

Wrangler

[@GoufinAround_]

I've lost 15 pounds of body fat and I still have to size up one size in Levi's in most fits. I wear a 36 waist in lucky brand jeans and unless the jeans say that they run large on their website, I have to go with a 38. The 36 waist lucky jeans are big on me btw, even after freshly washing, air drying, and flipping them right side out again

[@mellow-jello]

I would buy neither, vintage Levi's will have worn through its toughness, and only give a few more good years before they go in the bin, not mentioning mold infestation. New Levi's make & finish are no better than store brands. Stick with Wrangler's, if you want durable jeans.

[@saisamsuri]

The stuff Levi's makes nowadays is absolute rubbish, I just want a normal pair of jeans without any weird artificial fading, rips or like...sequins and whatnot

[@LaOwlett]

The back of the buttons and rivets are aluminum because copper not only leaves stains on your skin and clothing, but a surprising number of people will develop a sensitivity to it, and start to get a rash where rivets or the fly button touches the skin. Some people used to used small pieces of duct tape to cover the insides of the rivets before they switched to aluminum (which less people react to).

[@AmusedKelpie-tc9du]

Levis, I bought in 1965 was going for$ 3.50 for denim and $4.50 for cords. I had to cut 2 lawns for a pair.

[@fezontheblock467]

Now compare them to TCB’s variants

[@nonyabusiness1126]

The only clothes I used to buy, and still do, that held it's quality levels is Tommy Hilfiger. Nautica fell hard.

[@Dreyno]

Could the 2” shorter leg be something to do with being sanforized? As in, “these are the same length as the 32” jeans you used to buy after you shrunk them”.

[@Dreyno]

Nope. All unsanforized.

[@soeingecko6460]

buying expensive vitamins instead of eating normal food is one of the stupidest things people can do.