Entry No. 03 - Wear and Care of Levi's Vintage Clothing

WEAR AND CARE OF LEVI’S® VINTAGE CLOTHING

Rigid jeans (Shrink-To-Fit®)

The general recommendation for rigid jeans is that you buy your jeans two inches longer and two inches bigger around the waist than you need – your garment will shrink-to-fit. Do not alter the hem of your jeans until the shrinkage process is complete. Expect an overall shrinkage of 10%.

How to make the jeans shrink until they fit: Climb into a bath full of warm water and soak you and your jeans for at least 10 minutes. Drain the water away, squat down and squeeze the water out of the fabric. Stand up and – if possible – let them dry naturally while still wearing them. The jeans will mould about your body and retain your form for optimum fit. Alternatively take them off and place on a hanger to dry.

1^st wash: The first time you wash your jeans or jeans jacket, wash by hand in warm water without soap. Soak the garment in the water for at least 10 minutes, moving it gently to prevent patching occurring from any excess indigo dye.

Subsequent washes: Make sure you turn the garment inside out and hand wash separately at the recommended temperature of 40°C as the indigo colour is likely to run. Avoid soap as this causes the indigo colour to pale. Shrinkage of the jeans will occur over the course of the first three washes. This will continue, if only slightly, until the 10^th wash. If you must machine wash, follow the same rules as above for optimum results and minimal stress to the fabric. Always check the care label.

For jeans with finish treatment

Jeans with finish will only shrink very little, approx. 1-3%. But don’t alter the hem of your jeans until the shrinkage process is complete which normally be after 3 home washes at 40°C.

Always check the care label.

Since finished jeans won’t shrink much, buy your usual size – be aware that the size on the leatherpatch will show 2 sizes bigger because the jeans originally was rigid (unwashed) and then has shrunk in finishing. So if you’re a 32 waist, the size should say 34.

In general for all Levi’s® jeans

Delay washing your new jeans or jacket for as long as possible. Instead hang the garment out to air on the washing line and optimize the personal feel and form of your jeans. Keep the time you are apart as brief as possible…

Levi’s® Vintage Clothing are replicas of the original and definitive jeans brand, worn by pioneers since 1873, specially handcrafted in our original factory in 250 Valencia Street, San Francisco, California, USA.

LEVI’S®, 501®, THE ARCTUATE STITCHING DESIGN®, THE TAB DEVICE®, THE BUTTON DESIGN®, THE TWO HORSE BRAND DESIGN® ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF LEVI STRAUSS & CO. SHRINK-TO-FIT® IS A TRADEMARK OF LEVI STRAUSS & CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.