16 Comments
User's avatar
Sogole Kane's avatar

I honestly did the same thing last year and fell in love with the 501 90s! With that said have you ever checked out Jean Genie Vintage? She’s incredible and if you follow her instructions/ measurements, you will get the perfect pair. The vintage pair of 501s I scored from her are perfection!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

Immediately running to search for Jean Genie! My sister just went to a store a few hours from me where they fit you to a pair of vintage Levi’s but the cost was outrageous.

Expand full comment
Sogole Kane's avatar

Yeah her options are not bad- I think I paid $220 for mine!

Expand full comment
Jess Chandra's avatar

Buying three pairs of Levi’s 501 90s made me realise that different washes of the same cut are not the same! I have a true blue denim pair (shade Drew Me In) that I love - they’re extremely comfortable and I’m obsessed with the fit. I also own the Rinsed Blacktop but bizarrely, even though I was on the hunt for true black jeans, they don’t really feel like jeans to me. I think I prefer a washed black for denim. I recently bought the ecru for another option but I think I’m going to return them because the material feels much thinner and they don’t feel like jeans to me!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

What a bummer!! Honestly that is the issue with modern denim; inaccurate sizing and, sometimes, cheap assembly. My black pair are DARK black and a stiffer denim than the dark blue pair I have. And my ecru are a weight in between the two (but I bought last year so maybe things have changed?) WAH!

Expand full comment
Julia Norberg's avatar

I'm now convinced to try these on when shopping for jeans in the fall! They look great, sexy and understated in just the right way. I own a pair of vintage Levi's 501 that I love but that are becoming more and more tight on me haha. Need to buy a pair that fits my body, instead of trying to fit my body into the jeans!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

Julia, the truth is that I went to the Levi’s store because I was ready to buy new sizes of pants after vainly holding on to my own size. God speed 🫡

Expand full comment
Julia Norberg's avatar

Hahah why do we do it? The stomach aches I could've saved myself...

Expand full comment
Maria Hyde's avatar

Whaaaat! Levi’s does free alterations?! How did I not know this. I’ve always wanted a pair of Levi’s because they always look so good on others but every time I try them on (usually at an aritzia), they just don’t look right on me. Trying to find the kind of vintage Levi’s that all the content creators wear always sends me into a spiral because I don’t live anywhere close to a decent vintage clothing store. This was a great tip - I’ll try the 501 90s next time!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

It’s you and me in that spiral together 👯 I have bought a pair off Etsy that I resold because they gave me a strange folding around my crotch. Needless to say, I’m only going to pay the money for a vintage pair if I can try them on in-person, which may not happen (ever?). New Levi’s aren’t a bad option instead 😂

Expand full comment
Hey Mrs. Solomon on Style's avatar

Just what (my ass and) I needed. Thank you, my friend!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

🫡😘

Expand full comment
OFELIA's avatar

I have 3 pairs of 501 90s and I agree they are the closest to vintage denim I've come across. I also took my regular size and prefer that due to the stretch. My first pair was one size up, which also works but it's definitely a different vibe!

Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

Yes! My size-up-pair is for a certain day/time. I prefer my TTS.

Expand full comment
Emmy Savenelli's avatar

Love the 501 90’s!!!

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Jul 12
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Kelly Williams's avatar

Lynn I’m actually relieved to hear this in some ways because the romanticism of vintage denim is at odds with my experiences of ultra stiff denim. I realize, like you, that the correct fit is the utmost importance but I like a new pair just as well 😉

Expand full comment