Levi’s 502 60’s Model
Damaged denim 502 60’s to match sneakers
Introduction.
I love jeans, and I love orthodox straight jeans. Among them, I like Levi’s 501XX, but in the summer, I have less chance to wear them due to the colour fading problem caused by washing. I would like to introduce jeans that I can wash without worrying about colour fading or damage, and that I can also use with great enthusiasm in the summer when I sweat.
The model introduced this time is Levi’s 502, a zip fly (zipper instead of button) model sold in the late 1960s.
About the 502 60’s model.
The 502 I’m introducing here.
My favourite 502 is a model that was launched around 1968 and discontinued around 1971, and in terms of 501s, it is from the era known as the Big-E. The 502 has a lot in common with the 501s of the same era in terms of detail. 502 is the model before that, the 501ZXX model zip fly 501, This 502 was released with a slightly tapered silhouette to match the times. It is said that the reason for the short production period was due to the fact that the denim shrinkage was so large that the front zip was prone to breakage.
Reasons to use the 502 without hesitation.
This is not to say that people don’t care about colour fading or damage because they are 502s, but rather that the ones they happen to buy were 502s that had damage and advanced fading. The value of vintage jeans varies greatly depending on the colour, condition and age, but the reason why I am attached to these 502s is that they have a different appeal to the market value, and by wearing them while fixing them when they get damaged, I have a strong sense that they suit me, and they are like tools that I will continue to use normally. I have an attachment to them as if they were a tool that I will continue to use for a long time. The denim has faded and become quite soft, and the stitching has deteriorated, so there have been a few holes and tears, but each time they are repaired properly. When it comes to repairing jeans, it is common to use a repair method called tapping, in which a cloth is inserted in the back and the whole surface is sewn, but the fact that there are a reasonable number of tapping points is conversely linked to the attachment.
If it is damaged, it is good if it is repaired, and although I like the colour, I do not mind even if the colour fades from here, and washing is also normal. （I wash it by hand as often as possible and take good care of it.)
I love the 502 because the zip fly is easier to use than the button fly.
Vintage is a very different thing, so for everyday use, choose a damaged or faded pair with a low price tag.
One of the reasons I chose damaged or faded 502s is because I wanted vintage jeans that I could wear on a daily basis during the summer. However, since the new damage jeans are finished products including the damage processing, I think damaged or faded 502s that the restoration and deterioration afterwards are also attractive and enjoyable, and I can have attachment to them even though they are a bit uncouth. The damaged individual of vintage and old clothes is a very attractive commodity. The price has not risen that much, so the biggest attraction is that you don’t have to be so careful about purchasing and handling after purchase, compared to those with high antique value, which I feel is the essence of the enjoyment of vintage clothing.
One of the pleasures of vintage jeans is to own and love them for their historical value, but the better the condition, the higher the market value, the higher the price. By choosing a damaged pair, you can save on the price and have a different attachment to them by repairing them and loving them. I don’t mind wearing them with tailored jackets and elegant shoes.
When choosing vintage jeans that have faded or ripped repairs, I look carefully at the way they have been restored, and if the restoration is done in a way that does not spoil the original charm, I think I can enjoy buying them as long as the colour and size also match. Also, if you find a shop or a craftsman who can deal with the need for restoration after purchase, you will be able to enjoy the item later and use it for a long time.
Example of wear
Details.
1 Levi’s 502 1969 model
2 Paper patch
3 Centre loop
4 Double-sided tag Big-E
5 Waist 30inch Length 31inch
6 Repairing a torn area Indigo colour faded considerably
Likes.
- Size fits my body.
- Faded and damaged reasonably well, everything has been repaired well, so you can wear it without hesitation.
- Beautiful line around the waist when worn.
- The waist and length are true to size, so you can enjoy them with any kind of shoes.
- The silhouette of the 502 is beautiful, as is the case with the 501, and it looks good.
Points of concern.
- They are quite damaged and the cotton is soft, so there is a possibility that tears etc. will appear in the future.
- Vintage 502s themselves are rare and hard to find.
- Everything is one of a kind, so it’s hard to find a size that fits you.
Conclusion.
This time, under the theme of vintage jeans for everyday use, I have introduced my favourite 502s with advanced damage. I think they are useful because you can use them without worrying too much about their subsequent deterioration because of their colour fading and restoration.
Among the value of vintage jeans, the richness of colour and the condition of the denim fabric are valued, and the pleasure of wearing such high value vintage jeans is exceptional, but when you think about maintaining the condition, the problem of washing due to perspiration in summer inevitably leads to deterioration, and wearing them in summer tends to be restrained. However, when it comes to maintaining their condition, the problem of washing due to perspiration in summer inevitably leads to deterioration, and we tend to refrain from wearing them in summer.
In such a situation, if you choose and have something with colour fading and damage that you can use on a daily basis without worrying about deterioration, you can enjoy it without worrying about the season when you wear it, so you can expand the range of your dressing style.
If it is torn or has a hole, I think that attachment will also come up by repairing it firmly and continuing to wear it carefully for a long time.
I would like to add that the zipper Levi’s are less expensive than the button-fly 501s, which is one of the reasons why I chose them.
Shop.
The Levi’s 502 60’s introduced this time were purchased at Post78.
Post78 is a shop where I often shop for high-quality, long-lasting items that the owner, who is a clothes lover, is particular about. I also enjoy talking about fashion with the owner, who loves clothes, when I shop there.
“Post78” Global shipping is not supported. Come to the shop when you come to Japan.
