K/R: Distressed 501s - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Distressed 501s

Anonymous

Here are a few pictures of some jeans.
I'm not used to the heaviness of the denim. Do they look like they fit ok? Too tight? I admit that I sized down 3 sizes as I'm not sure about the boyfriend look on me.

ETA: I just put up pic #5 to show potential fit issue. Maybe it's minor?

Also wondering about the distressing. There is no reinforcement under the distressed bits and I'm worried that there will be big holes where the white strings are right now. I really don't want that.

Thank you!

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28 replies

Latest reply was from

kellygirl

Veteran

I think they look great! Word or warning though--my toes get stuck in those white strings when putting them on (and they tend to rip.) I still wear them but not to work.

Anonymous

I think they look great too ! I'd love to find a pair of old 501's - where did you get these ? And as for the distressing - you could always put a piece of similar coloured old denim behind the strings - I've seen that done many times and it would stop you from getting your feet caught in the holes too

rabbit

Veteran

They look really good to me in terms of fit but I'm not an expert. The distressed bits on my jeans haven't really expanded, but since the fabric is thinner there and it's on the knee there is always the possibility of a little rip, which is in keeping with the design as I see it. If the distressing is up higher near the pockets it might be less likely, but it also looks more natural on the knees to me. You could see if that area gets particularly stressed when you sit or crouch down.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up. They look fabulous.

Anonymous

I like these a lot on you, Smittie, and I think the fit is great. I like the heavier denim. Like all denim, it will probably 'grow' or give a bit, so maybe be prepared for that.

I personally shy away from distressed as I never know how quickly it might go out of style--as an older woman I worry more about looking out of touch or dated. So I can't comment on care, but my guess is that, if you zip/button them up before washing, and don't wash them with anything else that might catch, they'll be OK.

Anonymous

I think they look really good on you Smittie. Keep!

PS..why not stitch a bit of plain skin toned cotton fabric behind the distressing?

Anonymous

I like the idea to put a piece of fabric behind the rips. The rips are on the knees and as kelly says, there is a high probability of stepping through them.

I got them at the levis store in a new RioCan outlet complex with JCrew, BR, Nike and a whole host of other stores.
I think you might have mentioned something similar going up near you, lisap.

These jeans were only $50 cad.

Aliona, I know about ripped jeans seeming like they might go out of style...I'm taking a bit of a risk.

rabbit

Veteran

Patches on jeans are back again, so that's always an option if you tire of the the rips in the future

catgirl

Veteran

Keep! I used to hunt these down at thrift stores - they are a classic. Patches behind the rips will help keep them from growing.

Echo

Veteran

Distressed Levis NEVER go out of style. The fit on these is fab on you and you look great. I like the idea of a cotton patch behind the distressing to keep it from ripping out, too. Great find.

El Cee

Veteran

They look great. I vote keep. Like alaskagirl, I recommend inside patches (behind the rips). That helps to prevent the problem that kellygirl mentioned.

Sal

Veteran

I think they suit you very well, they look a good fit and denim does give a bit too.

I would be nervous about the knees too- I have jeans with knee rips ( through my wear) and they do catch and deteriorate. But there are things you can do to minimise this.

Marilyn

Veteran

Keep! They look great.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like them on you a lot. I know what you mean about the fit issue but I think that's what happens with this kind of fit and a not board straight figure. You could possibly go up a size and belt, but I think this size is OK too, and they will 'slouch' a little bit anyway as you move and wear them.

They're similar to the ones I just got from ON below - I ended up choosing that model instead of the ripped knees version because it was stitched patches, which do tend to be a bit sturdier long term. But ripped spots are a more 'classic' look, as weird as that phrase is to use.

I look forward to seeing how you wear them, because then I can steal your ideas for myself.

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Runs With Scissors

Veteran

I may be biased since I love 501s, but I think they look great on you!

I have some distressed Levis 501s (also purchased from a Levis Outlet, but they have them -- at a much higher price -- at levis.com). I have been surprised at how well the strings across the hole in mine have held up. That said, my hole is on my thigh, and probably receives less stress than a knee hole. But for two and a half years, these were my only jeans so they have seen a ton of wash and wear.

rachylou

Veteran

Keep! Distressed jeans are so easy and fun, I've discovered.

Anonymous

I love them on you. I vote keep.

Anonymous

You should be able to get some iron on patches to put behind the rips on the inside.

kerlyn

Veteran

They look great on you!

LaPed

Veteran

Fit is spot-on. I layer tights under ripped jeans when it's cold and when I need to up my decency level.

Anonymous

Thank you for your votes and comments, Rabbit, Una, Echo, El Cee, Sally, Laura, R.W.S, rachy, Sterling, BettyC, Kerlyn, LaP.

Tags are off! Will run through the wash a couple of times before patching the back.

Rhubarb/Laura -- Yah, it's funny about the fit. I really don't like how wide the thighs are when I size up, so I sized down, but then you get the whiskering. But it's not that bad, and you know, the fake whiskering we have nowadays on all our jeans originated from this type of bunching. So maybe I'll get some real whiskering!

Runs with scissors -- So good to get your experience with these. You got great longevity with these despite the rips so it gives me confidence.

Rachy - Cool that you have ripped jeans too. This is a new-to-me trend and I'm really enjoying putting some of my granny-like pullovers with them.

BC - I like your iron on patch idea. If I were to put the patch on the inside, the sticky part would be stuck to the stringy bits though. So, would i have to do some sort of sandwich thing? In other words, I'd put a piece of cotton on the inside, and then make the patch a little larger that the piece of cotton and then iron the whole thing together? Am I overthinking this?

Anonymous

I'm glad you decided to keep them, Smittie.

Style Fan

Veteran

They look great. I have distressed jeans (2 years now) and the strings seem to be holding up. Mine are Fidelity. I am going to check out the Levis outlet.
I also have Silver distressed jeans with patches that are at least 6 years old. Distressed jeans seem to be hanging around.

Joy

Veteran

The jeans look great on you. Not too tight at all. I'm glad that you are keeping them.

shaz

The jeans look fab on you glad you decided to keep

viva

Veteran

SO glad you kept. I think it's difficult to find vintage Levis that fit well -- and these look fab on you. I wouldn't hide the strings, myself; just sew (or find a friend to sew) a faded denim patch on the inside.

Love them.

Eliza

Veteran

Glad the tags are off as they look great on you. Bet they are comfortable, too.

Anonymous

Thanks STYLE Fan. Glad to know distressed denim has had some staying power. I love Silver jeans! Most of my jeans are from them. They seem to have the best fit.

Thanks Joy, shaz, viva, and Eliza!