When it comes to meticulous reproductions, Jelado has kept its high bar raised with its ‘Anniversary Denim’ S301XX Denim Jean.
Inspired by what some consider to be the golden age of denim, these jeans are an exacting replica of Levi’s jeans manufactured between 1942-1945 AKA the ‘War Time’ model. This model is iconic because of its reflection on the war rationing effort at the time. No arcuates, no Levi’s stamped buttons, and scrap fabric used for pocket bags. As you might have guessed, these relics are just about as rare as they come due to the short period of production, an endless combination of manufacturing quirks, and of course, age.
So how do you really pay tribute to such a revered piece of workwear and fashion history in a way that’s as epic as the original? You deconstruct a deadstock pair of original 501XX, of course. But get out your smelling salts and bring your vintage heads back to consciousness! How else would they discover the exact cotton used, thread thickness, fiber length, and weight to model this pair after? The resulting denim weighs in at 14 oz. and makes up a straight leg fit with a high rise, roomy top block, a mild taper from the knee down.
So if you want to get as close as possible to one of Levi’s most historic models without taking out a second mortgage, reach for Jelado.
Available for $350 from Clutch Cafe
