#97: I’ve Got the Blues For You

A few months ago I watched an original pair of womens 1930’s Levi’s slip away on eBay for around $330.  Justified this as an extraordinarily reasonable price in my mind, couldn’t believe I let them get away.  Yup, maybe I have a problem.  But as I know, good things come to those that wait, and I now sit wearing that very same pair procured for a modest two-digit sum.

Levi’s Vintage Clothing is a godsend!  They replicate historic styles of Levi’s down to the rivets, and other pieces of blue collar denim, work and casual wear.  It’s perfection.  And it’s not widely available in the States, but hopefully and accoring to Michael, we’ll be seeing more of it soon.  You can read more about LVC and the woman who, hands down, has the coolest job in the world, Lynn Downey, on ACL.

Looks from the LVC Spring/Summer 2009 book, from repeattofade.blogspot.com

Without further ado, the to-the-thread reproduction of the beloved original jeans lost to the eBay ether: the Harriet from the mid-1930’s (Levi’s 701).  They arrived at my door never worn and with the tags still on, with the cute, punny but somewhat frightening original price tag of $501. Yup, maybe I don’t have a problem.  Gotta love eBay.

With a buckle-back to cinch that waist extra tight.

Worked in, not worn-out. The arcuate (the arch typical to Levi's jeans on the back pocket) was not done by double-needle machine at this point in the 1930's, and so inconsistencies are seen from pair to pair. The "diamond" effect at the adjoining point which we know today wouldn't be seen for about another 15 years or so.

Selvedge, curiously stitched with gold rather than red as with most or all vintage selvedge Levi's made in the later first half and mid 20th century.

After all the money I’ve spent on new and old jeans in my life, I always comes back to one conclusion:  Levi’s are the only jeans that matter.