How To Date Your Levi's Using The Care Tag (2023 Update)

Have some Old Jeans to sell? Check out our sponsor www.webuyoldjeans.com
Increase your sales! Get a 14-Day free trial of Prime Lister and 30 percent off your first purchase: app.primelister.com/r/l?r=JLL...
Join the Discord: / discord
Instagram:lootfamvtg
👇 Check out the links below for The Gear We Use 👇
KZbin Gear
🎥 Main Camera( Black Magic ) - ebay.us/Qdx12c
🎥 Secondary Camera (Gh5) - ebay.us/s7BBG3
🎙️ Audio Recorder - ebay.us/IuEX1t
🖲️ Switcher - ebay.us/QBtaRZ
💡 Lights - ebay.us/GimbbW
💻 Editing Laptop - ebay.us/gs2ioe
🎙️ Shotgun Mic - ebay.us/sL67Nx
💾 Harddrive - ebay.us/CsgNqQ
📷 Gopro 8 - ebay.us/u5EHFb
eBay Business
🌟 Rollo Thermal Printer - ebay.us/WajuLYRollo
🌟 Thermal Paper - ebay.us/Pi7FSMRollo
🌟 Paper Tray - ebay.us/zgazVJ
🌟 Ebay Laptop - ebay.us/JxNCXn
🛍️ Shop now and support the channel! Every purchase helps us continue creating awesome content for you. 🎥✨
⚠️ Disclosure: These links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support! 🙌
Questions about your vintage Levi's? Email us at [e-mail]

[@seanpetrie4300]

Such a helpful video! Thank you for making this

[@calmontgomery8499]

Hey. I live in canada and have some made in canada levis. The care tag is super confusing to me. Can ya help a guy out?

[@Ashley-be4qy]

Every time I have to figure a tag out I come to this video I got ADHD therefore can't remember shit aka CRS lol so I appreciate y'all and this video

[@guavagirl8344]

Still coming back to this video. Such a wealth of information!

[@levisguy53]

thanks for the info, i was perplexed on the newest versions with the multiple tags that they started using c. 2011. it was much easier with the previous iteration!

[@Ranger504th]

Another great one brother. You are the "Levis Guru"

[@josiahtombley58]

Great info!! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@SeekAndPickThrift]

This is a helpful way to authenticate each codes and year and a pair of Levi's jeans that i might stumble upon looking someday one of those many examples that Josh describes, that i would someday see on Thrift Shop's. Thumbs up and more power Josh and Lootfam, i wish you could do Levi's Engineered Jeans Atlantis reviews. 🙏🤙

[@aionzurvan3136]

Super helpful and detailed guide, many thanks

[@theseafarer5236]

Truly a great guide!

[@MuhammadAbdullah-ji4xt]

Thanks so very much!!! Really appreciate this awsome video.

[@laptopdroptop9457]

this was very helpful and informative. thank you.

[@caesarnylander97]

Didn’t find my tag at first so I was a bit confused but then I realized it was down under the pocket instead and found out that my pair of 501s I thrifted two weeks ago are from July 2008, so not vintage, but still pretty cool

[@beckstar3631]

Thank you for sharing this information. It solved some mysteries for me.😂

[@rosalie4069]

Thank you! I learned that my inherited trucker jacket is from 03-'93 :)

[@bobjoejang]

Just watched the old video yesterday, went back to watch it again and was shocked you made a new one today lol

[@LootFam]

Yeah, been meaning to for a while haha.

[@LootFam]

Have some Old Jeans to sell? Check out our sponsor www.webuyoldjeans.com

[@Miak214]

Thank you!

[@ShawnSamuel-z9l]

Thanks bro

[@alexbismuth6551]

Thank you, great video! it would be interesting and helpful if you could make a "european tag" version of this too.

[@josgrootveld2809]

Thank you so much for this guide, really helps alot. Could you maybe do the same kinda video on Lee and wrangler labels?

[@LootFam]

Thanks? I actually have! Check out the playlist “how to date Vintage Clothing” on our channel page.

[@wendyominsky7637]

Very helpful!

[@LootFam]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CaseyRauschenberg]

Very helpful, I have several pair still having a hard time with though. I have not seen any talk of paper tags on the zipper instead of waist. One shows 085 and another 729 where I would expect date codes. Can identify the lot/model/and button codes, along with the sizes. phew. Cant make since of those two though.

[@geehadspeaks]

I actually have an odd pair of 505s which I believe are date coded August ‘81 that have the care tag on the outer pant leg seam near the bottom of the front left pocket. Is that something you’ve seen a lot? Also has the black batwing logo on the front of the tag and a 532 factory code if it matters. It reads 532-081. So are these ‘91 or ‘81 considering the black batwing Levi’s logo?

[@dasfxllc]

Thanks!

[@LootFam]

Thank you!

[@dasfxllc]

Super helpful content for dating vintage Levi’s! Thank you for that! Question for you, you mention in another vid that Levi’s stopped mfg in the US after 1991, correct? When did mfg begin in Mexico? Around the same time or was there simultaneous mfg in other countries? Thanks, again, Jen

[@LootFam]

@@dasfxllc Levi's stopped all US manufacturing in 2003 but started moving production of some mainline production as early as 1991. They had international production prior to that, but most was for international consumers. This transition really took off after the passing of NAFTA in 94. Mexican production really took off in the late 90s and early 2000s. I'm not aware of a pair produced in mexico prior to 1995.

[@helenhedgeley2769]

Mine are not like any of the tags on here, but I bought then in the 80’s I’m sure! X

[@jadktimeless2831]

2:38 Just A Correction. The Small Red Tag Since In 1987 To 1992 & The Same In Black Tag From 1992 To 1993 In Pairs Of Jeans.1994 The Tag Complitly Change. In The Trucker Jacket Levis Still Makes This Small Tag Early 2000.

[@redleevintage2006]

Hi, I love your videos, and you are right, there is some confusion between 70’s and early 80’s care tag. I am hoping you see this. My question, is I believe the orange tab Bell bottoms deadstock I found were from 1971 and January 1972 Due to the fact that the factory code is 8 on the back of the button, which single numbers stopped around 1981, but!!!!!! All the way to the right is a code 532 on the tag( which could be a factory code per your education, but is not on the back of the button.) so now I don’t know if they are from 71 and 72 or 12/80 and 1/81- I felt the 8 represented the factory code until you mentioned the three digit code. Each jean reads on the bottom line under the lot and wash code. 1 81 532 and the other reads 12 80 532, but the code on the button is 8. Here is the caveat, they are from County seat which opened in 1973- though we all know , that when they ordered for the new stores, it would be closer to 71 and 72, butttttt they could be from the 80’s uggghhhh. Please help if you can. I love your videos I reference them all the time.

[@LootFam]

So, if they were from 71-72 they wouldn’t have a a care tag but rather a stamp on the pocket bags. These stamps ran as late as 74, but generally were phased out by then. My guess is 1980. Still a great pair!

[@dwfinds3030]

Im usually pretty good with levi but Ive got a pair that I cant seem to find match. Its Levis the original jeans 559 relaxed straight, red tab. However the inner label is brown rectangle LEVIS the original jeans under it. The back tag is also differnt from other 559 Ive found it feels almost leathery.

[@LootFam]

Shoot me some photos to [e-mail]

[@dwfinds3030]

@@LootFam k just did

[@doet707]

I just found a perry ellis collard shirt....made by levis🤯 looks 80s, but no usual tags

[@LootFam]

Really? That’s wild. Shoot me some pics. Really curious.

[@doet707]

@LootFam in my search for an example I found a levisXperry ellis chore coat🤤🤤🤤

[@Redfoxrunplace]

My leather tag is worn off the back on a newer pair of Levi shorts and I want to buy more and don't know which model they are how can I find which model these are by looking at the codes on the care tags?????

[@rmfhensel]

On the transitional tag at 10:49 how did you know the date code was 107 and not the 46 adjacent to it? Helpful video. Thank you!

[@LootFam]

Mostly from examining many of these tags. That 46 could make sense, but that number isn't always a number that wouldn't make sense as a date. Additionally, Levi's had generally firmly established the use of a three digit date code by this time.

[@ivyedwards3238]

My 505s say 307 where the date code is. Everything else points to 80s , full code on the back red leather patch . I’m confused by the 307 though.

[@Diamond-gv7xw]

Hello I have a question on a Levi Patch that is very different from the other ones. It is on a pair of Junior pants from the 70's I think. I would like to send you a picture of it to get your feed back.

[@LootFam]

send some photos to [e-mail]

[@KatieAllegar-rw7gk]

Okay I’ve watched this more than once but still am not sure of the date of the pair I have lol. I wish I could comment a photo for help!

[@LootFam]

I got you, email photos to [e-mail].

[@loydwenceslao7825]

What years the orange tab start and end thanx , godbless

[@LootFam]

1969-1999 and briefly 2017

[@jimothy138]

just a heads up, canadian manufactured levis do not have any of these codes mentioned in this video.

[@LootFam]

They generally have the factory code. The current theory is that the letter/number code is the date code on Canadian made levi's. The alphabetical position of the letter is the month A=jan, G=July etc. And the number is the last digit of the year. We are still confirming this theory but so far it seems to work.

[@arsenlomakin8867]

У меня двое джинс 619 модели канадского производства. Orange tab. На одних кожаный патч и нет номера завода на заклепке.

[@sergiovaldes1133]

❤

[@imthatorphan4018]

Do you have any tips on how to datepairs made in Canada? I can't find any info on their tags

[@suegray8296]

I can't get it i got a jacket with no numbers on buttons then the other jacket is Frosted its got numbers

[@padilz639]

My levis 501-0109 button 532. On care tag 532-907. What dated it was?

[@mshdfgcvalkosudcgh6932]

Found a red batwing paper tag like the one at 12:21 but the date code is 077, so would that be 1997 or 87?

[@JosueGarcia-bn6md]

My care tag is in Japanese and I’m not sure if it’s a 2,3,4 date code,

[@lewisrogers4904]

11:26 if this tag was used briefly what was the years it was used briefly? I have 2 of different jeans from this time and i really can't make sense of it

[@LootFam]

My mistake, they were used in the mid 80s in approx. 85-87.

[@colinbernard3542]

I have a pair of Levi's 550 red tab jeans that have a made in Bangladesh on it, but above at the very top it says OOCCAN1? Wouldn't that mean Canada? Also on the back it has 4Q ' 06 and underneath that to the right a little, it says 07/06? So July 2006 it what it says to me. The back of the button it has 357, and that number is nowhere to be seen. I believe it was made in Canada simply because it says relaxed fit, and under that coupe relax, which makes sense because we are a bilingual country. Does 357 check out for a factory in Bangladesh?

[@suegray8296]

Need help too on it .

[@jenntek.101]

when did Levi's add the website? I have several pairs with just one tag... and it has the website. It has the black bat wing logo on it

[@LootFam]

There isn't an exact date, but it does first start to appear on some late 90s Levi's.

[@SeekAndPickThrift]

I have an orange tab levis 506 and the factory code is 575 left and only 3 numbers date code on the right 059 what month and year is it? Thank you for the response. 🙏

[@LootFam]

April 1989

[@SeekAndPickThrift]

@@LootFam thank you so much 🙏🤙

[@firestrong-9972]

one question, the factory code is always in the left/right (corners aswell) of the date code?

[@LootFam]

I try to avoid the word "always", haha. But yes, the factory code is nearly always adjacent to the date code. But always try to confirm by using the stamped number on the back of the button.

[@firestrong-9972]

@@LootFam yea the button helps me know where is the factory code lol

[@mihalyfreeman5928]

Hi at 13.35 you said 40th week of 2017. How did you get that from the numbers 0619?

[@LootFam]

Apologies, 4017 was an example and the wrong reference image was added. The referenced image indicates a date of the 6th week of 2019.

[@mihalyfreeman5928]

@@LootFam thanks for clarification

[@robertsilverstein5880]

What are Levis stapress pants worth, i have 70 to 80 pair, brand new, never worn, with price tags and all tags, believe to be from 70s 7:31

[@LootFam]

They can be in some cases. Email me some photos at [e-mail]

[@Mr.NgoKnows]

I have a couple pairs of black Levi 501s that have a very similar to the one shown in 12:59. The differences are that the "Made in USA" is on the backside of the tag, there are extra wording on the instructions, and the temperature wash symbol doesn't show 105 degrees. Most importantly, the backside of that tag does not look like the one on 13:03. There doesn't appear to have a factory code or date code on either of the jeans' care tags. In fact, the back of both levi's care tags have the same numbers as well. Do you have advice on how I could date these jeans? Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated

[@LootFam]

Send me some photos to [e-mail] and I can take a look. Thanks!

[@corinneknight6489]

So I have two orange jeans no number on the button. I’m lost. There are care instructions written on a tag in red but not branded on the tag. Style of jeans are 619 orange tab. Can anyone help?

[@LootFam]

Sounds like a Canadian pair, but send me some photos to [e-mail] and I'll take a look.

[@corinneknight6489]

Yes both pairs made in Canada! Will email photos I really appreciate that

[@JEPhotog]

Everything I’ve researched (including this video) says the red batwing tags were only made from 1988 to 1994. However, I have a pair of 501s that are acid wash and have a red batwing tag with 097 as the date code (and 544 as the factory code). I’m assuming 09 is September, but what would the 7 be? If 1988-1994 is correct, it couldn’t be 1987 nor 1997. These 501s (technically 17501s) are high-waisted and acid washed, so my guess would be 1987. This makes me think the red batwing tags must have started in 1987 instead of 1988. Thoughts?

[@LootFam]

Actually, this video does say that the red bat wing originated in 87. Remember all transitions are fuzzy as they were progressive not all at once. Additionally, sounds like a women’s 501 too. Sweet pair!! Thanks for watching!

[@JEPhotog]

@@LootFam I must have misheard, thanks for clarifying! And yes, they are a women's 501 (and coincidentally in my size!). The kicker is they were only $2! :) Another question if you don't mind - what does the 17 in 17501 represent? Thanks for your time and content.

[@Happyland_Motel_Gamer_Cat]

Is a Digit code and Date code the same thing? 10:18 So is this tag from Jan 1976?

[@LootFam]

No, three digit factory codes generally are from the 80s. That's how you would know that the date code should be read as 80s. Some exceptions, but generally true.

[@tattiefinoosh243]

I have a limited edition pair that I'm struggling to identify. A limited run of 370. Can't identify anything from the care tab. Can anyone help? 😢

[@LootFam]

I can try! Send some photos to [e-mail]

[@karent743]

The numbers on the back of the top button are nowhere on my care tag. ????

[@LootFam]

That can happen sometimes. Send me some photos to [e-mail] and I can help sort it out.

[@CROOKFVCK]

why my levi's 501 selvedge big e is dated in 93 in care tag?

[@LootFam]

Might be a Japanese LVC Repro.

[@doet707]

80s tags still stump me

[@LootFam]

I’m here for you. ;)

[@greenleyhaley2280]

Is there a way to date Levi’s Action Slacks using their care tag?

[@LootFam]

The format should be the same as the ones in the video. If not email me at [e-mail].

[@greenleyhaley2280]

@@LootFam I’ll send a picture via email, thanks for the help!

[@sturner641]

you didn't say anything about the black batwing tag from the late 90s

[@LootFam]

2:46 i do mention it. thanks for watching!

[@thomasdeschenes5634]

why don't they just stamp the full date instead of these convoluted systems

[@LootFam]

Great question. I do know that some these codes were considered trade secrets at the time.

[@gilligunz5054]

my orange tab levis have way more numbers

[@sergeyb4110]

mine is 4503 😭 im so confused

[@sergeyb4110]

ohhh its week year i think

[@LootFam]

Yep! I

[@Cards-In-The-Closet]

Way too confusing 😂

[@user-pp6cy5hi3l]

I have a confusing date tag. I understand you mentioned the week of the year number and then the year, but my tag seems to either read(if it is the month and year) 08/82….but if it is the week and year it would be the 88th week of 2021…..not possible correct? Definitely not. I will write it out just how it is on my tag. 52408 8 21647 4 with 524 being the factory code on the back of he button. Is this 1982? I cannot think of any other date that it could be unless I am missing a way to read the numbers. It is a red logo tag of made in the USA 501’s. I would appreciate any help you could supply. I am just getting into this and I must say I really like the history, collectibility and niche of American culture.

[@Myactivechannel]

Can you help me date a pair of levis? If so, where can I contact you?

[@LootFam]

Sure! My email is [e-mail]

[@Myactivechannel]

Email sent. Thanks man appreciate you

[@Myactivechannel]

Did you get the email?

[@joeysixtysix]

Thank you!