Levi's 501 Shrink-to-Fit Jeans - How-To

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:27 PM

I've found it hard to find jeans that fit my thighs. Especially since my quads went from 18" to 23". So yesterday, I picked up a new pair of Levi's 501 Shrink-to-Fit Jeans. Here's how I got them to fit me:

Yesterday I picked up a pair of Levi's 501 "Shrink-to-Fit" Jeans.

I'd read online how to do it...(there are many posts on how to do this). I found it very easy to follow. I photographed the process so you could see how it happened.

First the Jeans
Levi's 501 STF (Shrink-to-Fit) Jeans I bought at the Macy's at The Woodlands Mall for $40.
[They didn't have any 501 STF at the Levi's Outlet, Dillard's or at Academy. They only had the Pre-washed /Pre-shrunk versions]

Size: I wear a 32 waist, 32 inseam... you'll notice in the photo below that I bought a 33 waist, 34 inseam in the 501 STF.

This is the back

This is the front

After I removed the label... I put on the jeans... it was like putting on cardboard. The denim was hard... and covered my feet. Only my toes peaked out. They had a loose and rigid fit.

Front

Front Close Up

Back

more below -

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:30 PM

Back Close Up (notice how loose they are.)

Right Side

I was worried that the size 34" inseam would be too long. But I went on and filled up the bathtub. I made a Hot water bath (not scalding.. just hot enough the same way for a normal bath)

I jumped in the bath with the jeans on and soaked them for 30mins.
4:00pm
Half Hour later...
4:30pm
I got out of the tub and to my surprise the inseam had shrunk up around my heel... my foot and heel were there! Clearly the Levi STF went from a 34" inseam to a 32" inseam in the hot water bath soak.

The tub had also changed color.

more below-

NotGirlChocolat · 10-10-2008, 09:31 PM

reps, buying pants tomorrow and always liked the style of levis 501s. the whole shrink to fit thing scared me though and I didn't want them to keep shrinking.

VeeTaper · 10-10-2008, 09:32 PM

Cheers, never bought 501's except when i was younger, my Levis collection consists of 584, 513 and 514. They're all pretty much straight cuts.

PS. You look like an AFL footballer in the last one

Leonydus · 10-10-2008, 09:32 PM

awesome

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:33 PM

Here's how they fit after I got out of the bathtub

Back

Back Closeup (sorry about the dirty mirror.)

So I kept them on, let them finishes dripping all the extra water and dye off. And then I went on wearing them.

6:00pm
After wearing the damp jeans around the house, I threw them in the dryer for 60min.

7:00pm
Drying was short and it was clear the jeans had a new form... which was to my body.

This technique for shrinking Levi's Shrink-to-Fit 501 Jeans was simple... The size 33" x 34 works for me... on the next pair I think I'm gonna try 32" x 36". But overall I'm pleased with my new 501 jeans.

FYI: I didn't wear underwear during the soaking 30min process.

Xeon2k · 10-10-2008, 09:33 PM

Good job dave man. i never find the right jeans maybe this will help?

SamsoniteP · 10-10-2008, 09:35 PM

you can go to the levi place and do that in the store...

Brashanic · 10-10-2008, 09:37 PM

they have pre shrunk 501's. if you never bought 501's go try on the pre shrunk. and they will shrink a tiny bit more. if you have big quads and a small waist 501's ain't for you.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotGirlChocolat

reps, buying pants tomorrow and always liked the style of levis 501s. the whole shrink to fit thing scared me though and I didn't want them to keep shrinking.

I've been wearing them everywhere today. So far so good. Like I said, I may try for a longer inseam initially - - on my next pair.

But these are great.

DukeOfManlets · 10-10-2008, 09:38 PM

yea my friend did that last week, they actually get shorter its awesome, lawl

AMillane7 · 10-10-2008, 09:40 PM

pretty cool

gjdm, useful stuff

lina_velez · 10-10-2008, 09:41 PM

"23 inches! you're huge."

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brashanic

they have pre shrunk 501's. if you never bought 501's go try on the pre shrunk. and they will shrink a tiny bit more. if you have big quads and a small waist 501's ain't for you.

I tried the 501 Pre-Shrunk / Pre-wash version... They didn't work for me. I wanted more of a custom fit to my legs. With a 38" hip and 23" quads the 501 Pre-Shrunk types don't work one bit for me. The 501 "Shrink-to-Fit" version seems a lot easier in the hips and thighs, and the denim feels much stronger.

RICKY_BOBBY · 10-10-2008, 09:49 PM

Good stuff brah... I really like my black levi 501 stf... and the only thing that sucks about these stf is that they take a long long time to fade. I wear mines everyday too.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilyamerlin

yea my friend did that last week, they actually get shorter its awesome, lawl

Yeah, it was kinda like watching a science experiment. Keep in mind that I usually buy jeans at 32x32. I bought these 501 Shrink to Fit Jeans at 33x34. My next pair, I think I'll do 33x36, but these do fit well after the shrinking. They are certainly long enough.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lina_velez

"23 inches! you're huge."

Thanks, Squats & Leg press baby.... Squats and Leg Press. My quads have kept me in the dressing room trying on jeans at The Buckle, Target, Dillard's, Macy's, JC Penny's, Walmart, etc. Finding a good pair of low boot cut at a good price has been tough. Finally found a pair of Levi's Signature low boot cut at Target that were my favorite. Now I'm really lovin these 501 stf.

thediesel32 · 10-10-2008, 10:02 PM

any pics of them dry/ you just wearing them normally after the fitting?

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeTaper

Cheers, never bought 501's except when i was younger, my Levis collection consists of 584, 513 and 514. They're all pretty much straight cuts.

PS. You look like an AFL footballer in the last one

I had a pair of 559...but I can't fit them anymore.

which AFL footballer?

cute_asian_girl · 10-10-2008, 10:06 PM

Dude- this is the first time I have heard of STF jeans. That is freaking awesome! I wonder if they have those in womens? I have the problem of having a small waist and fit thighs. Very mesomorph. It sucks to find jeans that fit.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thediesel32

any pics of them dry/ you just wearing them normally after the fitting?

I'll post some soon.

Tony_S · 10-10-2008, 10:13 PM

that's cool but i'd rather pay 20$ more for pants and not have to take a bath wearing them.

VeeTaper · 10-10-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royboy01

I had a pair of 559...but I can't fit them anymore.

which AFL footballer?

Leon Davis, plays for Collingwood.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute_asian_girl

Dude- this is the first time I have heard of STF jeans. That is freaking awesome! I wonder if they have those in womens? I have the problem of having a small waist and fit thighs. Very mesomorph. It sucks to find jeans that fit.

I did some research before I bought these STF jeans. According to "Levi Strauss & Co." Pre-shrunk Levi's jeans weren't introduced until 1961. I can only assume that 501 jeans were not "Pre-shrunk / Pre-washed" prior to that.

One can only imagine that all jeans prior to the 60's was STF. I guess that explains the TV show Happy Days, James Dean, and Elvis wearing cuffs in their jeans.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonySopran0

that's cool but i'd rather pay 20$ more for pants and not have to take a bath wearing them.

FYI: the PreShrunk / Prewash Levi's 501 were only $5 - $10 more at Macy's. (there was a sale on them at the time of purchase.)

Errorist · 10-10-2008, 10:24 PM

Interesting and cool. Never heard of these jeans before. I can hardly ever find jeans that arent tight around my legs already though. I prefer loose/baggy jeans. Not gangsta style or anything, just roomy. Dont think these would help me.

royboy01 · 10-10-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Errorist

Interesting and cool. Never heard of these jeans before. I can hardly ever find jeans that arent tight around my legs already though. I prefer loose/baggy jeans. Not gangsta style or anything, just roomy. Dont think these would help me.

I've known people to wear Levi's stf and not shrink them. They would keep them as crisp as they were right off the rack. Very cool unwashed denim look... it was really big while I lived up on the east coast. Unshrunk / Unwashed Levi's 501 stf are loose and rigid.