Are all 501s button fly?

Author: Randall Brekke  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

We've got the answer for you. In 1954 we introduced the 501Z, a 501® jean with a zipper instead of a button fly.

How do you know if Levi's 501 is original?

Firstly, check your buttons. If they're embossed with a style number on their back, then they're less likely to be fake. Genuine Levi's® also feature a red tab with straight stitching, are solid in colour as opposed to streaky, and come with a logo patch made from leather.

What is the difference between 501 original and 501 90s?

Imagine if you took everything you love about the legendary 501® Original and gave it a nineties refresh. Boom: you have the 501® '90s. Think of these as a slightly wider version of our original fit. The easy silhouette sits a little looser, the rise a little lower.

What is the difference between Levi's 501 and 501-54?

The 501® '54 sits at your waist and features our distinct 501® anti-fit through the seat and thigh, but a slimmer straight leg. That counterbalance is just what the 501® family's been missing.

Is Levi's 501 discontinued?

Levi's Men's 501 Original Fit Jeans (Discontinued)

Should You Buy Levi's 501 OR Levi's 501 93?

What is the difference between Levi's 501 and 501 93?

The 501 Original is our most authentic fit and the 501 '93 is a new add to the 501 line up. Biggest difference between the 2 fits is that the 501 '93 is looser in the seat and thigh vs the 501. On top the 501 '93 targets the consumer that loves 90's inspired styling.

What is a button fly?

Button fly jeans for men feature a front fastening system that uses buttons instead of a zipper. These jeans have a series of buttons on the fly that are used to close the front of the pants. They are often associated with a vintage or classic style.

Is Levis 501 the most expensive?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the most valuable jeans are a 155-year-old pair of Levis 501, bought by an anonymous bidder on eBay for $60,000 in 2005. While vintage jeans may be in high demand and come with large price tags, newer pairs embellished with rivets and rhinestones are just as coveted.

What Levi jeans are the same as 501 but with zipper?

501® VS.

Meet the first-ever pair of zip-fly jeans. Patented in 1967, our 505™ Regular Fit has a similar cut to the 501® Original and sits perfectly at the waist, but they also have a slightly more relaxed fit and a versatile straight leg for comfortable movement.

How do I know if my 501s are vintage?

The horizontal double-felled seams on the top of the back pockets of vintage 1950s Levi's jeans are single-stitched. Later 501 models from around 1987 and onwards are chain stitched. Flip the top of the back pocket to see if they're single or double-stitched.

Are mens and women's 501 the same?

The original version of the 501® was really made with men in mind—so the women's version is definitely a departure from that in that the fit is oh so slightly tweaked for women. The end result, though, is the same. An iconic look and feel backed by a few key attributes.

What does Levi's 501 CT mean?

Enter the 501® CT (which stands for customized and tapered). This new interpretation of the classic 501 jean was inspired by our fans. We were seeing a lot of people tapering their 501 jeans — in fact it's one of the most frequent requests we get at our tailor shops.

What is so special about Levi's 501?

It's a durable pant that should last for years, developing unique fading over time, and crafting its own personality. The 501 Original Fit is a no-nonsense jean that is flattering on various body types. It doesn't pander to fashion trends and has an unabashedly straight-leg silhouette. It's neither skinny nor baggy.

How can I tell which Levis I have?

At Levi's®, we use a Product Code (which we call a PC9) to identify the style and finish of our products. The Product Code can be found in two places. The first is on the garment. You can see it on the small, white 'wash & care' labels sewn into each of our products.

How to break in Levi's 501?

Simply wear them! The initial rigid feel will soften after a few weeks and only continue to get better with time. The beauty of raw denim is that no two pair are the same.

What is the best Levi's of all time?

IMDb Top 250 Movies
  1. The Shawshank Redemption. 19942h 22mR. 9.3 (3M) Rate.
  2. The Godfather. 19722h 55mR. ...
  3. The Dark Knight. 20082h 32mPG-13. ...
  4. The Godfather Part II. 19743h 22mR. ...
  5. 12 Angry Men. 19571h 36mApproved. ...
  6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 20033h 21mPG-13. ...
  7. Schindler's List. 19933h 15mR. ...
  8. Pulp Fiction. 19942h 34mR.

What does the black patch on Levi's mean?

Levi's® black Tabs

The black tab with gold lettering means you've found a piece from the Sta-Prest collection. The Levi's® Sta-Prest treatment was first used on products in the 1960s, and guarded denim from wrinkles.

When did Levi's stop using Selvedge denim?

So Long, Selvedge (1984 on)

Around 1984, Cone Mills adopted a more modern, economical wide loom, doubling the width of its denim that could be cut in the middle and eliminating the need for selvedge.

Are button fly jeans better?

Button fly jeans offer several key benefits that make them the superior choice: unparalleled durability, a classic style that's a staple in traditional denim fashion, a better fit that prevents awkward bunching, and the ability to mold to your body over time, creating a truly unique fit in every detail.

Why are they called fly?

Flies are insects of the order Diptera, the name being derived from the Greek δι- di- "two", and πτερόν pteron "wing".

What denim is in style in 2024?

Denim's versatility continues to shine in 2024, with top trends like flared and wide-leg pants offering both nostalgic and modern styles that appeal to a wide range of consumers. Comfort meets style as baggy and boyfriend jeans dominate, reflecting a growing demand for relaxed fits that don't compromise on fashion.

Why are Levi's jeans so thin now?

Why did they do this? For the same reason food companies keep shrinking the amount of product in their packaging. For one, the thin fabric costs less. Then thinner fabric is easier and quicker to sew.

Are all 501s high waisted?

The 501 has a mid-rise that is supposed to sit higher on the waist. Mine fall about 2 inches below my belly button. Wearing mid or higher rise jeans lower on your waist will create that baggy loose fit look I'm trying to avoid.

Who wears Levi's 501?

Yet the red label and copper rivets of Levi's 501s – a blue jean beloved by everyone from Barack Obama to Bruce Springsteen, James Dean to Kurt Cobain, Hailey Bieber to Kendall Jenner – have been woven into the fabric of socio-political and anthropological history.

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