Rarely does the company that invents something become the beloved version for everyday shoppers and snobs alike, while maintaining a very affordable price. But this is the case with Levi’s. Considered the go-to starter pair for raw denim by denimheads, the Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit jeans are a smart investment whether you’re frugal or snooty.
Most jeans that you find in stores have been created with denim that was “sanforized,” a process invented in the 1920s that limits post-wash shrinkage to only 1%. Prior to this, and still true for raw denim today, a pair of jeans would shrink 7 to 10% after the first wash, and continue shrinking slightly on subsequent washes. This means you have to account for the shrinkage when buying raw jeans, requiring a sizing up of several inches.
Why go through all the hassle? Well, raw denim has a few other unique properties. When cared for correctly, raw denim shapes and molds itself to the wearer’s body, resulting in a pair of jeans that not only fit your measurements, but also your unique shape.
Ever try on a pair of jeans that fit great in the waist and inseam, but were too baggy in the thighs or too tight in the calves? That’s because everyone is unique, and the shape and sizing a brand’s designer decided on may not work for your body. Raw denim takes all that out of the equation.