Levi's 501 STF (2 Years, 1 Soak)

Fade of the Day – Levi’s 501 STF (2 Years, 1 Soak)

Dec 13, 2017 | Fade of the Day | by Adam Boskey
Comments

Today’s Fade Of The Day comes in from Brent Rockwood over in Atlanta. He’s had this nicely broken-in pair of Levi’s 501 STF’s for two years now, and aside from the soak he gave ’em the day he procured these, he’s never washed or soaked since.

All potential smells aside, kudos to Brent for sticking it out, and particularly with a pair of Levi’s STF’s, which are a bit notorious for softer fades. What we see here isn’t the most high-contrast pair on the planet, but they sure look darn good.

Even still, we can see the makings of some solid fades and some really, really nice honeycombs creeping in. We want to see how those honeycombs look in another two years, especially after a wash or two!

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

Tags: 501 stf, denim, levi's

Fade-of-the-Day-Spanky-ID-Custom-Denim-Model-Front-Back

JimmyO

I don’t think those are the $64 cheap 501s. I see selvedge, which means they’re probably the $130 (or so) selvedge 501s you can only find on their website or in a Levis’s store. But very nice!
Paul

Certainly nice honeycombs but surprisingly unremarkakable contrast. Its ironic that they have such uniformed fading typically found in denim that is overwashed.

I would say its time to modify your wash habits with your next pair. Maybe a cold wash with mild soap and the legs turned inside out. Air dry obviously.

I don’t understand the type of work you do that the thighs would not have received any abrasion at all to force out some indigo. Historically speaking, these pants suggest they never saw a days physical labor in their life.
- Gregg R
  
  This is one of the FOTD “stories” that simply does not pass my smell test.
  
  Two years? To me…..that mean 700+ *Days of Wear.* There is NO way. One soak? Oh quit it….lol.
  
  I have a pair of either $11.00 or $12.00 Rustlers that are *Extra* Heavyweight Denim (they don’t make them anymore) that tip my scale at 14.5oz. Those are sitting at 256 actual “Days of Wear” with one actual hand wash with soap and three soaks. My Rustlers are just raw, not selvedge and there is no comparison with what is hanging on my wall with what I am seeing on this site along with the story. I have to be missing something? Don’t know what it is. Color me lucky maybe. Good post Paul.👍
  - brentrockwood
    
    Yup, typo in the story. It’s only one year. I sit on the couch being a computer programmer.
    - John Bull
      
      I’m assuming you didn’t wear them every single day anyway, which would explain why they aren’t as worn as Gregg and I would expect if it were 365 full days’ wear?
      - brentrockwood
        
        I did, in fact wear them every single day, except for the odd day I stayed in my pajamas. I’m wearing them right now!
      - John Bull
        
        Wow. Only I’d have guessed at 7 months, if worn every day, for the entire day. Shows how jeans really do tell the story of their wearer’s life.
        
        Interesting, and thanks for coming back as it’s good to see that things do progress differently for different people – I was previously sceptical about claims of jeans lasting for several years if not washed, as I can’t go six months without several repairs myself – but looks like you probably could get a good life out of a pair.
- brentrockwood
  
  Computer programming is remarkably not physical. I walk my dog sometimes. lol
  - Paul
    
    +1
- C Holmes
  
  Agreed , Jeans that have actually* been worn – will have ( Real Abrasions ) will is significantly different, and uniquely different from – artificially created – signs of REAL WORN JEANS.
brentrockwood

JimmyO is correct. These are selvedge. Apparently I’m not a very smelly guy, since even after a year (not two years), they’re not bad. I hit them with a Febreze once in a blue moon. I bought a new pair last month since I heard the White Oak plant is being shut down. Should last me for another year or so.
- Chip Manuel
  
  Where are you finding these? They don’t look to be in stock at Levi’s store online. I’m also in ATL, so if you know of a place locally LMK. Thanks!
  - brentrockwood
    
    I would say these are probably permanently discontinued. They were only ever available online. The Cone Mills plant where they made the denim is shut down. I stocked up with an extra pair.
    - Chip Manuel
      
      Thanks for the response. Sad that the plant is shutting down 🙁 Guess i’ll go with the off the shelf STF, found them for $35