Fade of the Day – Levi’s 501 STF (10+ years, Unknown Washes)

The line between dad jeans and rad jeans can sometimes get a little blurry when it comes to vintage denim, but it’s one that Hiro Adachi of Portland, Oregon, stays on the right side of with this pair of almost-50-year-old Levi’s Big E 501 STFs. Hiro recently purchased them from their original owner, who bought them new around 1969, and while it doesn’t showcase a lot of his own personal wear, this is certainly a treat from the denim history books—one depicting some true vintage American denim fades.

When it comes to features, these 501s fill up the checklist. Though they’ve most definitely been washed more than a few times over the years, they’ve retained much of the original indigo and the marbly texture of the denim is really showing through.

One of the best features is the severe leg twist that can so often be found on old jeans. The seams and hems at the ankle contain beautiful roping, puckered seams are everywhere, and the irregular selvedge seam can be followed up the outside of the legs on the old blue train tracks that are present in a big way. Whether or not Hiro plans to wear them regularly, this bit of denim history is worth holding onto for a lifetime.

Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit (STF) Raw Denim Jeans

  • Fabric: 100% Cotton
  • Fabric weight: 12.5 Oz.
  • Fabric source: Unknown
  • Made in: Unknown
  • Fit: Straight leg with high rise
  • Additional details:
    • Levi’s signature model
    • Contrast stitching
    • Button fly
    • Unsanforized
  • Available at: Levi’s for $64.00