Levi's Vintage vs Made and Crafted. Which line is better?

[@ScottParkinsonP5]

I spent a bit of time in Marketing in a Denim Mill in the UK in the 1980's, supplying Levi's in Scotland and Wrangler in Ireland with high quality denim fabric and my father worked supplying sewing thread to the jeans factories. I used to get free "pre-production samples" from the factories in the hope of getting extra time to pay their sewing thread invoices. The quality of denim and jeans made then is night and day to what is offered now. Once Levi's and Wrangler shut their European factories and followed the trainer shoe market and chased the cheapest labour rate around the world, then quality just fell off the cliff and has not really recovered. They pushed the denim mills in Pakistan to lower and lower costs which pushed down the quality, so that its only fit for the hanger and not fit for purpose. Once this happened I stopped wearing jeans as they were just rubbish. The only denim mills still making high end denim fabric in serious volume are in Japan. I personally think what Levi's are offering now for the cost is a joke and I'm glad my jeans days are behind me.

[@EnduringAttire]

Thanks for sharing !! I read bout that, the main problem is cotton quality to make denim, because the quality construction (sewn, stitches...)n is quite similar right ?

[@ScottParkinsonP5]

@@EnduringAttire The cotton spinning mills in Japan used to make very high quality yarn. The were world leaders in automated spinning machinery. I don't know if they still have these spinning mills, I hope so. If not, then they are going to buying the yarn from China, their nearest source.

[@CaptainWillard830]

I agree. I do own Levis’ Made in Japan, and Made and Crafted, dark blue selvedge denim jeans. They are excellent quality. I recently bought a new pair of 501 because I was nostalgic. Back in the late 80s I worked at a men’s clothing store in the United States 🇺🇸 that sold shrink to fit 501s, made in my home town of El Paso, Texas. The quality was so good back then. Compared to my new 501s, the new ones are just good enough for the $49.99 U.S. I paid for them.

[@ymk8355]

Interestingly France and Italy have started re manufacturing denim and also Jean production sometimes if not often made to measure. So they are bringing back the manufacturing of Denim where it comes from and with high quality fabric and manufacturing

[@CaptainWillard830]

Another insightful video. Orale, carnal 🎉 I agree. I do own Levis’ Made in Japan, and Made and Crafted, dark blue selvedge denim jeans. They are excellent quality. I recently bought a new pair of 501 because I was nostalgic. Back in the late 80s I worked at a men’s clothing store in the United States 🇺🇸 that sold shrink to fit 501s, made in my home town of El Paso, Texas. The quality was so good back then. Compared to my new 501s, the new ones are just good enough for the $49.99 U.S. I paid for them.

[@EnduringAttire]

In Europe is almost imposible to find them ate $49 :) only outlets for few sizes

[@CaptainWillard830]

@@EnduringAttire what is the retail price for 501s in the EU? In U.S. dollars. I’m now curious

[@CaptainWillard830]

@@EnduringAttire to be clear, my Made in Japan and Crafted Selvedge Levis, cost over $180 each in U.S. dollars. Its the basic 501s that are $49.99 U.S.

[@محمدعليج-ك4ض]

Very nice video, I bought the Made & Crafted jeans you have for about 40 dollars in Turkey as it was a last piece & on sale. It is immaculately made but I bought one size bigger unfortunately must say the fit is a bit outdated and does not flatter many styles

[@jacobcohen9205]

These prices are a complete Con.

[@EnduringAttire]

100%

[@zoomx4760]

I honestly don't get why anyone would buy a made in Japan Levi's Jeans. Just buy a Japanese brand, they'll be much higher quality and probably a little bit cheaper.(~200-250€)

[@EnduringAttire]

True! but some people value more the brand than anything else and Levi's is more known.