Levi 501 Shrink to Fit Review (from someone who's made a lot of jeans)

[@ellenmeilee]

Thank you so much for this. When I researched this recently there were only videos by men so it’s great to see a woman do this with such precise information. I bought some shrink to fit but they were the higher priced Levis Made and Crafted ones and watching this with the benefit of an experienced tailor’s commentary has explained to me the differences in the quality of garment construction that does make me feel it was worth paying a bit more.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TryMyMartini]

Yeah, why ARE there so many men's videos on this topic? I was surprised.

[@BensBootBinginEngine]

Great breakdown! I've been wearing a new pair of 501stf's after a long, long break trying other brands and fits. Your experience was almost spot on to mine. My pre wash rise was almost a inch shorter than the advertised measurements, and the pre wash leg opening was over a inch smaller than stated. No huge complaints about the other qualities of the jeans, but i was pretty disappointed in the accuracy of their size table. Overall for the price i paid they were a bargain, but next time i might try them on in person to make sure i know what im getting into. Thanks!

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks for your feedback! I was really surprised by the rise being so different. Other than that I agree, a good quality pair of denim for the cost. .usually on sale too.

[@russellpotts3069]

They look great on you. Really classic style and I remember when I bought my first 501s in 83 there were instructions for shrink to fit sizing for both men and women. They were unisex it would seem

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks! And that’s really interesting. I think they work well for both :)

[@nadaentreaspas]

very knowledgeable, great voice! I didn't know the button flies lasts longer: it does make sense now! Any thoughts about the Levi's "cottonized hemp"? I know they have a few colours blended with 26% hemp for this very same model in the video. I wonder if their maintenance are too different from the 100% cotton 501s. Anyway, thanks for the video!

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you! I haven't tried the cotton hemp blend, but I would guess that it's a softer, less stiff fabric? I believe hemp typically is a bit softer than cotton and has more drape to it. I'd be curious to try them out.

[@sf2explus184]

with shrink to fit there is absolutly no need to go up 2 sizes unless u want to wear them with a belt or want it loose. the trick is to find a pair that fits in the waist but comfotable without being loose or too tight since even if the waist becomes a bit more tighter after wash it stretches back out to what it was as new then a further 0.5 inch with some stretch with wear. Length however it's best to buy 2 inches or 3 longer than perfect length. as u will lose some and it's not coming back. In your case size 29 would fit perfect after soak. Having said that levis stf usually shrink a little more in the second wash so who knows it might become the perfect fit after second wash (do a hot soak) but currently still looks very nice a relaxed fit.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks! I definitely agree more is lost in the length after washing than the waist. Looking forward to a second soaking to see how things change after some wear.

[@panair4126]

Thank you for a well made video and covering all aspects of the product.All queries one may have are addressed well.Thank you 😊👍

[@Rebecca_Good]

My pleasure 😊

[@margaretroberts6258]

Very good clear video! Thank you! Where did you purchase your Levi’s from?

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks! I ordered from the Levi website, they usually have a sale going.

[@HeritageCast]

Love to see what you can do with an at home modified selvedge... Like what is really possible at home...

[@HeritageCast]

Love this... got me thinking of that Dr Katz joke " What you do mean, she gets the fabric, brings it home, and makes clothes out of it? Is that code for something - Benny Katz " Lmao..

[@emilysloan5900]

Im a girl who came into posession of a pair of shrink to fit 501s from around 2013, dead stock. Theyre my favorite pair of jeans now, makes me wish unsanforized denim was a more popular option for womens jeans as it can really help them conform to your curves. It seems like a sustainable alternative to elastic when handled properly.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Definitely! It’s hard to find for women at an affordable price.

[@klausjensen3234]

Very nice video, nice to see the Quality as well.. I have a pair on the way my true size is 33x30 i ordred 33x32 and pretty worried for doing anything wrong.. i dont want to wear a belt or have short jeans… my plan is to soak in hot water a hang dry them.. but later on then they will be machine washed 40˚ with my other clothes and allways hang drying … will they shrink more then ? Would size 33x34 or 34x34 be more right.. ? The price here in denmark is more than doubled so best to get it right the first time 😅🙏

[@Rebecca_Good]

I definitely saw the most shrinkage length wise..I’ve not put them in a washing machine yet but have soaked and hung to dry a few times. Honestly I wear these multiple times a week and they’ve gotten so soft. Hope yours age well :)

[@cornflourr]

@@Rebecca_Good I would love to see an update video!! You are the only woman who has made a shrink to fit 501 video 😅

[@stevej.6674]

After that wash, did they stretch back out a bit? Assuming that they did, i think you probably could have gone down a size i reckon.

[@Rebecca_Good]

They did relax a bit. I was hoping for a relaxed comfortable pair so I’m pleased, but if I wanted a fitted pair I would go down a size.

[@christophertam4017]

Thank you for your video,good jeans,good choice. Does your 501s have indigo bleeding? I have a pair which was made in Mexico but bleeds seriously after soaking,every time i wear them,i can see the water turns blue when i take a shower.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks! I noticed it during the first soak, but much less after that.

[@MastaKeahi]

My issue is the seat from the 38” fit be but the waist from the 36” fits good my waist measured is 34”

[@Rebecca_Good]

You can always have the waist taken in :)

[@MastaKeahi]

@@Rebecca_Good I just ordered a pair from Levi’s so I can’t wait to see how they fit!

[@rossydv]

Very pleasant voice. So shrink to fit is a different 501? I just bought a pair and they fit perfectly. Should I be exchanging 32” for 34 length?

[@Rebecca_Good]

Yes it’s made with raw denim as opposed to pre-washed or pre-shrunk denim. So depending on how you’ll wash yours they will shrink a bit. I lost about an inch in length from soaking to wash, if you put through a washer and dryer they’ll likely shrink more than that.

[@rossydv]

@@Rebecca_Good I think I got the preshrunken. I’m assuming the one that you are describing is a specialty item?

[@Rebecca_Good]

That’s right, the raw denim are a different line than the normal 501s.

[@niemodna]

Although I appreciate the video, I have a low general understanding on why even do this: - I understand the raw denim, but why shrink it this way instead of just buying true to size? - I thought the whole point of that would be to shrink it to unique fit by „wearing it to dry“, so it fits your body perfectly afterwards. So I find this is a rather expensive way to just get jeans of the rack. Because the 501 shrink to fit is way more expensive than just a regular 501, or even a regular raw denim pair.

[@Rebecca_Good]

@@niemodna Some people do choose to wear them while soaking, and let dry for a closer fit. I didn't as I wanted them to be a loose fit. I much prefer raw denim and that's why I chose to try these out. I like that the fading will all be custom to my body and how it moves over time. If you get raw denim in your true size it's often quite snug but will relax in time. It's all about personal preference for fit.

[@Elissoui]

The best pair of jeans of all time for me, raw or not (raw is obviously better but a one wash is very good too) 100% cotton. the rest is leggings ^^. great review (excuse my English)

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks so much :)

[@nannetteralphs9042]

you know that old school trick where you wear the jeans in a hot tub then wear them, and they fit perfectly? Is that still a thing?

[@Rebecca_Good]

I’ve heard of people sitting in the bath then wearing them…I don’t think I could do it haha.

[@theblackbudda]

I like the video. I would be interested to hear your opinion on the old school repro from the 1950-60’s. I know they are a lot more expensive but still interested in your take.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you. I'd love to check those out.

[@내루미-k6m]

Voice is very smoothly

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks!

[@manuel327]

Hi. Are these mens size 30 or womens? I would like to get one for my wife

[@Rebecca_Good]

These are men’s :)

[@MarthaHelena-f7q]

Nice and beautiful Levi's jeans..love Levi's..regards from Malaysia.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you!!

[@MarthaHelena-f7q]

@@Rebecca_Good 👌✌

[@zubik75]

Спасибо за видео! Очень полезно.

[@Rebecca_Good]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching

[@Symptom_of_indigo]

I bought a 40 x 38 which I’ve got hemmed. I found it at a clearance discount of $16. It wears like how a real denim should feel.

[@Rebecca_Good]

Nice!

[@stefanhnavetsea1588]

I think it is too big, waist is very easily stretching back with some wear, my waist size is 29 and I bought my heavy raw / dry jeans in size 28, after 1st wash I have to stretch to fit, I had to sit down to button up and feeling a bit terrible for the first few week to a month, but the jeans stay nicely shaped around the waist and hip and not getting a sloppy baggy shapeless look after long wear, 6 years later the top block of the jeans still nicely snug and after multiple washes the shrinkage situation has stabilized and the pants fit perfect. So I'm a believer of stretch to fit rather than shrink to fit

[@Rebecca_Good]

I get that! I have some jeans that fit in a similar way, and for this pair I wanted them to sit a bit lower/more relaxed. My high waisted pairs are more fitted and stretch to fit with wear.

[@RogerLoera]

Ahh, miss that Beethoven song at the end.

[@c.r.r.c]

Very nice ✌️

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thank you!

[@CSiri-cc2hq]

Great video. Suscribed!

[@Rebecca_Good]

Awesome, thank you!

[@FagianoGiuseppe]

Delicious

[@Rebecca_Good]

Great jeans

[@rickpetersen41]

Takes three wash’s before they fit perfect been wearing them for 62 years. All the jeans you people ware are fake just to let you know. 501 are the only real jeans!

[@Rebecca_Good]

Thanks for your feedback!